Mazal Tov! The UK’s oldest Jewish man set to mark his 107th birthday
Original east Londoner Joe Slyper has witnessed the Battle of Cable Street, 24 prime ministers and five monarchs
Great-grandfather Joe Slyper, the oldest member of the United Synagogue, is due to celebrate his 107th birthday on Wednesday 15 July.
Born in 1919 in east London, the history-making centenarian and life-long Tottenham Hotspur fan has witnessed more than ten decades of historic moments, including World War Two and the Battle of Cable Street.
A front row observer to the world’s transformations, Joe has experienced the changes from handwritten letters to smartphones and artificial intelligence and has lived through five British monarchs and 24 prime ministers, from David Lloyd George to Keir Starmer.
Marking the occasion, Nightingale Hammerson, where he is also the oldest resident, said: “Despite his impressive age, Joe looks 20 years younger and is known for his warm smile” adding that they are “delighted to celebrate Joe’s extraordinary birthday and the incredible life he continues to lead”.
In 1939, Joe volunteered for the British Army, beginning as a signaller, later progressing to Sergeant with the 9th Battalion of the Devonshire Regiment. A year after completing his military service, he married his late wife Rose at East London Synagogue. They were together for an extraordinary 73 years.
Reflecting on his upcoming birthday, Joe said: ‘I’ve had a good life. I feel blessed. And now I have time to enjoy the time I have left, playing games on my iPad’.
Happy Birthday, Joe!
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