Jacob Quat, aged 106 & Everil Weinstein, a volunteer in ESRA's Befriending service.

In the last edition of ESRA magazine there was an article about Jacob Quat at 105 years old (#152, pages 66-67).
The photo above was taken on his 106th birthday. On the following Shabbat he held a party at the Accadia Hotel for all his family and friends, which was really delightful - and many of the guests read a special poem dedicated to him.
Three years ago, Val Kantor, who heads ESRA’s Befriending Service, spoke to me about befriending a gentleman who was living in the Kfar Shmaryahu parents' home.  She told me he was 102 and asked if I would like to call him. I was slightly sceptical - but I came home and phoned him.  The next day we had a date!
Ever since, we have been meeting every week:  I go round and read (very loudly) an article I may have found interesting in the newspaper that day; then we have a poetry session. This consists of me opening the anthology (Jacob’s vision being poor) and reading something at random:  Shakespeare, Keats, Tennyson. Invariably, after a couple of words he continues with the whole sonnet, his memory being absolutely phenomenal.  I am amazed each time at how retentive his memory is and it is so enjoyable to see how surprised he is at himself to realize how much he remembers, lines which must have been lying dormant in his head for 60 or 80 years!
So we sit there with our afternoon "refreshment" and I hear many tales of his childhood and early years in the country.  Often, he accompanies me down the stairs, to see me out.
Occasionally we go out for coffee - down to the Sharon beach for a little walk, and to sit in the restaurant overlooking over the sea.
Lately he has had a much more interesting life as he has acquired a girlfriend.  I asked, a few months ago, what he had been doing that week.  The answer: "Well, yesterday I went with my friend to the spa jacuzzi in Ga'ash for the morning. It was most relaxing". 
This appears to be a regular weekly outing, and as his girlfriend, who is 90, lives in the same retirement homes, they spend a lot of the time together.  They are definitely an item.

Caption:

Jacob Quat & Averil Weinstein, chatting on his 106^th birthday.