Moscow, Russia – This week, the famous caricaturist Boris Efimov – renowned as perhaps the oldest Jew in the world – celebrated his 107th birthday in the warmth and atmosphere of the Jewish community. A legend in his own time, he marked this occasion at the Moscow Jewish Community Center.
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Chief Rabbi of Russia Berel Lazar personally congratulated the elder and wished him, as is done in optimistic Jewish tradition, to live to the age of 120. Many other community leaders, friends and families also joined in the festivity.
In his childhood, Boris Efimov and his brother – now a well-known journalist Mikhail Koltsov – both bore the last name Fridlyand. However, as often occurred during the Communist regime, people working in the creative and public sphere took on a pseudonym so as to be able to circulate their works in various Soviet publications.
Since his brother’s repression during the terrifying years of Stalin’s reign, Boris Efimov is often known to say “I live two lives – one for myself and one for my brother”. Perhaps that is why he has decided to embrace life to the fullest, now once again able to publicly embrace his Jewish heritage and traditions. His acquaintance with Chief Rabbi Berel Lazar and other Chabad Lubavitch emissaries has indeed helped him on this revitalizing path. [fjc]
MAZAL TOV!!!!!!
I was asked to speak at a bar mitzvah recently and while giving brochos to everyone the Bar Mitzvah Bochur told me that his grandfather’s birthday was the same day. I asked how old he is and the Bar Mitzvah Bochur told me he turned 120 and to wish him good things.
I was perplexed. Afterall what on earth do you tell a guy when is 120 years old?
I told this 120 year old man to have a nice day.
the oldest jew is the rosh JEshive Raw Koppelman with 108 year old talmid of r shimen shkop in switzerland