Young at heart Monty Goldstein recently enjoyed celebrating his 100th birthday at a party with his close family members, friends, including members, volunteers and staff at Jewish Care’s Redbridge Jewish Community Centre.
Monty’s son created an amazing photo collage about his life, and the team at the community centre created a quiz about him. They worked out all the right answers with Monty ‘s support and they also baked amazing cupcakes with a personalised Monty topper. Dancing to the entertainment, with Rhoda, his wife on his 100th birthday was a magical way to round off a special day.
Between Monty and Rhoda, who were married over 30 years ago, the couple have seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Monty, who was born on 30 July, 1924, says, “Rhoda and I love going to the Tuesday Club at the community centre. We enjoy seeing all our friends there, and we love the hot meal that we have at there. We also have Meals on Wheels delivered every week by a Jewish Care volunteer, which is a great help.
“It was wonderful to celebrate with my family and friends at the centre and the celebrations continued for a week! I’d like to say a massive thank you to my family, Timea and all the staff and volunteers for making it so special.”
Monty is a well-loved member of the community and has been involved in community activities since he was a young boy. In 1932, aged eight years old, he auditioned for the Stepney Green choir at the East London Synagogue. Later on, Monty moved from the East End to Gants Hill where he sang in the Beehive Lane Synagogue choir for 60 years.
Monty and Rhoda, who is 93, love amateur dramatics and singing and were active members of both the Oxford Review Group and the Sue Moss Group. They visited many care homes and day centres to entertain the members and residents and are most famous for their duet of Bei Mir Bist Du Shein by the Andrew Sisters.
Timea Kasza, Centre & Outreach Coordinator at Jewish Care’s Redbridge Jewish Community Centre, said, “We wish a big Mazel tov and congratulations to Monty. It was a great pleasure to host the celebration for him. We feel extremely grateful Monty has chosen to spend his 100th birthday with us. Monty is such a young soul always kind, happy with a great sense a humour.”
To find out more about activities at Jewish Care’s Redbridge Jewish Community Centre, please contact Timea Kerekgyartone Kasza on 020 8418 2100 or email timea.kasza@jcare.org