The 90+ year old age actors who're still on the stage are a wonder. Being able to memorize the lines and moving according to the script - is nothing but a miracle.
One of them is the israeli actor Yaakov Bodo. (Bodo short form of 'Bodoaga', which is , I think a distorted romanian word. It should probably be 'Bodega', meaning 'wine bar').
The actor was born in a small town called Stefanesht (north-east Romania, border town with Ukraine).
The name of the town is known to many of romanian and israeli jewry, as it was the place where the prominent rabbi Matityhau Friedman lived for 70 years. (In 1969, his remains were transferred to the cemetery Nachlat Yitzhak in central Israel).
They say, that whoever was born in Stefanesht carries the blessing of the above rabbi. Yaakov Bodo is definitely blessed: with a versatile talent, successful carreer, awards, longevity, good family, admirers.
His uncle (his father's brother) was our neighbor for some time. The uncle and wife were also blessed with longevity (they both died in their mid 90-s).The uncle was also blessed with 'golden hands'; he was a tailor of the highest skill. He worked at home, alone, with some help from his wife, and was able from his earnings to move to a new, better location.
Their only son studied engineering. I don't exactly know what has become of him as we lost touch after their move to another city. As far as I know, the son kept the original family name of Bodoaga. He wasn't tempted to shorten it to Bodo as his cousin, the actor, did.
I don't remember knowing anyone else from the little town of Stefanesht, blessed or not. I was born not far from Stefanesht, but there was no train connection, and in those days other forms of transport were rather scarce, so we've never been there. As far as the rabbi was concerned I heard stories about him from my parents, and others , and it felt natural to wish to pray at his grave.
He's not alone; additional members of his family are burried near him which makes the place not easy to access, given the many visitors that come to pray here.
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"As far as the rabbi was concerned I heard stories about him from my parents, and others , and it felt natural to wish to pray at his grave."
ReplyDeleteWhat is the significance of praying there?
He was not just a rabbi, but also considered a tzadik, a righteous person doing what is correct and right just as the Creator meant it should be. Praying near his tomb gets us a blessing which connects us to the God within each of us.
DeleteSuch an intriguing connection. Thanks for this history. And bringing it to light in your post. You speak of how the transportation struggles back then. I have to wonder if we are coming full circle. The big plan in our inner city it to have less parking and only public transportation.
ReplyDeleteIt's also interesting how those had the opportunity to work at home back then, which I am sure where few. A friend was telling me, he was getting a job in Idaho, but he could still work from home. Here.
So great that you got to see this actor's rest place. I hope you are having a wonderful July.
Correction: not the actor's resting place but that of the rabbi's.
DeleteWell, public transportation is seen as the future, as the roads are strangled by the addition of endless cars, and chronic shortage of parking lots.
Working from home also appears to be a plausible future possibility.
Home does seem plausible indeed. However, so many like being on the go. Still, everything here is getting so expensive. Especially, when you don't see it coming. Even fast food is putting on extra charges here. Oh, the future does have it's problems. Thank you so much for your comment. I hope you are able to get out more. Although, at work we have a lot of people with COVID.
DeletePrices are the talk of the day here. Almost everything gets expensive. Covid is also on the rise here; I'm still wearing a mask, but if those around me are not, it is of little value, methink.
DeleteHopefully, things are better here, but I suspect it might not be so. Yes, we wear the masks at work. There always seems to be someone going on a vacation somewhere. Definitely staying indoors. If that's not enough the humidity drives us inside and usually, I am home. Hope you are staying well. And finding some good deals on summer fruits and veg.
DeleteHumidity is bad here too. Covid cases are also on the rise. Staying indoors, wearing masks are still the best way to handle things.
Delete90+! Good for him
ReplyDeleteExcellent! The audience and viewers are both excited and envious of these nonagenerian performers.
DeleteWow. I didn't last more than 25 years teaching. He's doing well. Such interesting people!
ReplyDelete(ツ) from Jenn Jilks , ON, Canada!
25 years of teaching is quite a lot. I ran away from it after seven years :).
DeleteBodo's line is usual comic and to play comedy requires..seriousness of character and mind.
This is Inger from Desert Canyon Living. What an interesting long life. As someone who has to set the alarm on her phone to remember things he is truly blessed with a fantastic memory at that age.
ReplyDeleteHi, Inger. Yes, he's certainly blessed. Personally, I'm not in favor of people working beyond a certain age, and challenging their luck, but in his case it all seems natural and all right.
DeleteFascinating man Yaakov Bodo is. I read a little more about him by googling him. Talented too! I would imagine it was easier to shorten his name for his career. Thank you for sharing about him and his family with us!
ReplyDeletebetty
I like it that you're curious and google things to learn nore about them. There was a lot to learn about the man and his talent. He has appeared (still does) in both movies and theater plays, usually in two languages: yeddish and Hebrew.
DeleteHe definitely had to shorten his family name for career purposes.
My goodness what a wonderful man the actor must be to be living so long and still on the stage - that's amazing and says a lot for his brain as in remembering his lines. The Rabbi must be thought a lot of and did good work when he was alive I presume...take care Duta.
ReplyDeleteThe Rabbi has a reputation of doing a lot of good to people: those who have turned to him during his lifetime and those praying at his tomb asking for his help and blessing.
DeleteIndeed a blessed and healthy man to continue acting at 90+. Interesting post. Have a great day.
ReplyDeleteAs far as I know there are several actors around this age, but he's outstanding in his perseverance, his role variety, his physical and mental abilities.
DeleteHi Duta, Thank you for sharing the inspirational story about the actor, even so active and over 90 years old, and all the connections to your growing up near there. May God continue to bless Stefanesht from Zion and may He bless all the surrounding towns and the people with His Shalom.
ReplyDeleteMay the LORD bless you and keep you and give you Shalom!❤️
I'm glad you regard my story as inspirational.
DeleteThank you for asking God to bless me and people with his Shalom.
Hugs to you, and be blessed too!
What a fascinating post, Duta, and so very inspirational. My, how they remember is far beyond me! It's wonderful to still be working. And the family story/connection as well. We can all hope to be very much like him in time!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your kind words, Jeanie. We all hope to retain in old age the physical and mental abilities, perhaps not to act on a stage, but to perform our daily chores without difficulty.
DeleteHow wonderful to be so active at the age of 90+.
ReplyDelete(I think our Queen also does well and she is 96)
A very interesting post, thank you Duta.
All the best Jan
You're right about the Queen: she's 96 and does well. However, the activities are different. The actor is required to a greater effort within a given amount of time.
ReplyDeleteI love visiting your blog. I always learn something.
ReplyDeleteThank you. Hopefully, you really learn something of value from your visits to my blog.
DeleteMy mom passed at 96 with a mind sharp as a tack. She did intense crossword puzzles every day.
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful! There's a strong belief that the so called 'mind games' (sudoku, crossword puzzles, trivia etc..) help sharpen the mind, improve memory and cognitive ability.
DeleteOn the other hand, I've known an almost centenarian lady who was ...illiterate. She never learnt to read and write, and yet she reached her age in quite a good mental shape.
Yeah that is amazing to be able to do that at an old age.
ReplyDeleteAmazing, indeed , Mary! Most of us will be very pleased to be able to perform simple, daily chores in our old age, nothing more.
DeleteI don’t see my comment here but I did read this post and read more about the rabbi at the time.
ReplyDeleteI would pray too.
Thanks Catarina, for reading this post and for willing to pray. Praying is good for everyone.
DeleteBoa tarde minha querida amiga. Desejo uma excelente quinta-feira com muita paz e saúde.
ReplyDeleteThank you Luiz for your kind wishes. Good health and peace to you too!
DeleteI'm always amazed too when I see older actors remembering such long scripts. I forget what I said 10 minutes ago. Sigh...
ReplyDeleteAt a certain age, memory becomes an issue. It starts, as in my case, with forgetting words that I don't use daily or even frequently (so I have some pretext for not remembering the word..).
Deletei know a lady who is at her 70s and she starts her career in fashion!
ReplyDeleteI believe you, Kathy. Fashion and Modelling give quite a fair opportunity to ladies who feel like they can do it again, despite their advanced age.
DeleteI'm a late bloomer, publishing a book in my 50's. Hopefully, I can keep writing until I'm in my 90's!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, Sharon. You deserve to have your book published. Wishing you lots of readers! May God fulfill your wish about writing in your 90's too!
DeleteAunque no conozco a ninguno de los personajes que citas, comparto contigo de que hay muchas personas de avanzada edad, que están más lúcido que muchos más jóvenes, pienso, que todo es cuestión de no dejar de ejercitar la mente y mantenerse activo, porque del trabajo siempre se ha dicho, que es salud.
ReplyDeleteUn abrazo, Duta.
That's correct, Manuel. Work activities and mind exercises are said to do wonders for one's mental and physical abilities.
DeleteThere are, indeed, around us, elderly people who display a lucidity that's even better than that of younger ones.
Interesting. Agree at that age being able to remember lines and placement on stage is pretty amazing. Pretty cool you knew a family member.
ReplyDeleteThere are two female successful actresses aged about 90(that come to my mind now), also quite active both on the stage, and in teaching acting to young students.
DeleteThe family member was ,of course, very proud of his famous relative.
Very often I wonder how actors and actresses remember their lines...no matter the ages of either...and more particular, how the elderly do it. Half the time I'm flat out remembering my name! ;)
ReplyDeleteMemory can be a tricky thing, especially for the elderly. All kinds of 'mind activities' are said to improve memory and various other mental functions, in addition to taking care of our health.
DeleteI was just kidding about "remembering my name", DUTA. I've got a very good memory...and I hope the status quo remains. :)
DeleteI know you were. As a faithful reader of your blog, I'm familiar with your humor. Wishing you the good memory stays with you forever!
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