Centenarians Share Life Lessons on Love, Resilience, and Longevity

Three Israeli women, aged 103 and 104, have shared their remarkable life stories and insights on what truly matters as they reflect on their long lives. Miriam Oren, 104, who worked for 40 years at the Elite factory and later owned a perfumery, attributes her longevity partly to good genetics and a cautiously optimistic outlook, even during difficult times. Oren immigrated to Mandatory Palestine from Poland in 1925 and has vivid memories of early Tel Aviv, including encounters with Bialik and Dizengoff. She emphasizes the importance of love, stating that life without it is meaningless.

Esther Feiner, 103, an agronomist and former owner of the "Bachar'ach" nursery, believes that living past 100 is unnatural, despite her own good health. Feiner, who immigrated from Germany in 1936 to escape Nazism, recalls the discrimination faced by Jews and her time at a girls' agricultural school where she befriended Hannah Szenes. She credits her longevity to good genetics and a daily exercise routine, though she also battled colon cancer at 83. Feiner finds meaning in her family and social life at her assisted living facility.

Shifra Bar-On, 103, a former nurse and clinic manager, immigrated from Vienna in 1939, escaping the Kristallnacht pogrom. She lost her mother and sister in the Holocaust but was reunited with her father in Israel in 1950. Bar-On, who lives in Moshav Yogev, emphasizes the importance of optimism, curiosity, and social activity, along with listening to music. Her granddaughter occasionally posts videos of her on Instagram, which have garnered significant attention. All three women highlight the importance of family and social connections in their later years.