Jews live the longest… thanks to chicken soup and brandy

▶ THE PROPORTION of 100-year-olds in the Jewish community is nearly three times higher than in the overall population — and the secret is brandy and chicken soup, according to Jewish centenarians.

Newly released figures from the 2021 Census reveal that the 135 Jewish women and 45 men who are aged 100 or above represent just under 0.07 per cent of Anglo-Jewry, while the figure for the national population is just over 0.02 per cent. Although there is no scientific evidence explaining Jewish longevity, Joyce Hyman, who recently celebrated her 101st birthday, thinks a daily tipple of brandy is the explanation for her long life.

“I sit down when I come home from wherever I’ve been and have a small drop with ginger ale or lemonade,” said Mrs Hyman, a resident The Fed’s Heathlands Village, in Manchester.

“When my late husband had a heart attack, the consultant said it was the finest thing for anybody with a heart attack. So when he came home from work, we used to sit down and have a drop. He lasted until he was 89 and I’m still alive.”

“I’m rather worried that they’ll stop me drinking it here,” she added.

In Leeds, Anna Myers, 103, credited the “Jewish penicillin” of chicken soup for her advanced years.

“It definitely keeps me going and I make my own,” said Mrs Myers, who lives in sheltered accommodation provided by Leeds Jewish House Association.

Meanwhile, Doris Rose, aged “102 and a quarter” said she shuns alcohol and advised people to drink water instead. It’s also vital to think positive, she added.

“I try to look on the bright side of life. I’ve lived through some terrible times and I’m glad to and thankful to be alive at this age.”

Overall, the median age of British Jews is 41, a year older than in the general population.