Israel Krishtal, a 112-year-old Holocaust survivor living in Haifa, Israel, will likely be declared the oldest man in the world, following the demise of Japanese Yasutaro Koide, born March 13, 1903, who passed away on Tuesday. The family is anticipating the call from the Guinness Book of World Records. His daughter, Shulamit Kupershtokh, told Walla her father was happy to read the news in the morning paper. He looked at the story and smiled, but didn’t “go crazy.”
When asked about the secret to his long life, Koide said “the best thing is to not overdo it.” Kupershtokh said her father worked all his life, work was a need for him, he loves it, he is an optimist. Much like Koide, he appreciates what he has, smiles rather than frowns, eats and sleeps in good measure, doesn’t exaggerate, is not an extremist.
Krishtal, an Orthodox Jew, was a manufacturer of sweets in Poland, which is how he survived the Holocaust. “He was in the Lodz ghetto with his wife and children. The Germans discovered him and they liked partying and he provided them with goodies: candy and chocolate and sweet drinks. They supported him because they needed him. He gave them whatever they asked for, which how he remained in the ghetto until it was closed down, no doubt that’s what saved his life.”
In August 1944 Krishtal was sent to Auschwitz with his wife, after his sons had perished from disease. His wife was murdered in Auschwitz.
“After the Holocaust he weighed 73 pounds,” his daughter said. “He was exhausted and sick. He returned to Lodz and opened a sweets manufacturing business. Didn’t rest for a minute, stood on his crutches and made sweets.”
Now, she says, “He wishes himself a good day every day. He picks up the days every day anew and is grateful for the good days.”