Pearl Berg, who was the world’s oldest Jewish person and the ninth oldest person in the world, passed away peacefully at her home in Los Angeles on Thursday, February 6, 2024. She was 114 years old and had lived a remarkable life full of love, laughter, and philanthropy.
Who Was Pearl Berg?
Pearl Berg was born on October 1, 1909, in Indiana, to Archiebald and Anna (Gerson) Synenberg, who were itinerant photographers. She grew up in Pittsburgh, where she attended secretarial school and was confirmed at Rodef Shalom Congregation. She moved to Los Angeles with her family during the Great Depression, after her father’s used car business failed.
In Los Angeles, she met her future husband, Mark Berg, a businessman and investor, whom she married in 1931. They had two sons, Alan and Robert, and joined Temple Israel of Hollywood in 1938, where they raised their family and remained active members. Pearl was also an avid supporter of Hadassah, the Women’s Zionist Organization of America, and served as the president of the Nordea chapter in Los Angeles for two years. She was a lifelong supporter of the State of Israel and a generous donor to various Jewish causes.
Pearl was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, who enjoyed reading, playing bridge, attending concerts and plays, and hosting dinner parties. She was known for her scintillating personality, wonderful laughter, repartee, and great cooking, especially her coconut cream cake. She was the secret weapon behind her husband’s business success, as he often invited national leaders of the industry to their home to enjoy her company and hospitality. She and Mark were married for 58 years, until his death in 1989.
Pearl Berg, de op negen na oudste persoon ter wereld en de oudste Jood ter wereld, stierf op 114-jarige leeftijd.
— Joop Soesan 🇮🇱🇳🇱 (@JoopSoesan) February 6, 2024
'Ze dronk misschien een slokje sabbatwijn, maar ze dronk niet, ze rookte niet, ze at verstandig, ze had een goed emotioneel evenwicht en ze had duidelijk… pic.twitter.com/bTz60DbOPm
Pearl continued to live an active and independent life after becoming a widow. She joined a book club, wrote notes to bereaved families on behalf of the temple, and became more involved with her bridge group. She also cherished spending time with her only grandchild, Belinda, and her wife, Kathryn, whom she welcomed with open arms and supported by adding gay and lesbian organizations to her philanthropic list.
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A Supercentenarian Legacy
Pearl Berg was one of the rare people who reached the age of 110, known as supercentenarians. She was the third oldest American, the oldest Jewish person in the world, and the ninth oldest person in the world, according to the Gerontology Research Group, which studies and verifies the ages of supercentenarians. She was also the last living person in the world who was born in 1909.
She attributed her longevity to her genes, her sensible diet, her emotional balance, and her faith. She did not smoke, drink, or take any medications, except for a sip of Sabbath wine. She ate mostly fruits, vegetables, fish, and chicken, and indulged in chocolate occasionally. She was optimistic, resilient, and grateful for her life. She also believed that God had a plan for her and that she was fulfilling her purpose.
Pearl witnessed many historical events and changes in her lifetime, such as two world wars, the Great Depression, the civil rights movement, the moon landing, the internet, and the COVID-19 pandemic. She also saw the birth and growth of the State of Israel, which she visited several times and celebrated its achievements. She was a living link to the past and a source of inspiration for the present and the future.
Pearl Berg is survived by her two sons, Alan and Robert, her grandchild, Belinda, and many relatives and friends who loved and admired her. She will be dearly missed and fondly remembered by all who knew her. She left behind a legacy of kindness, generosity, wisdom, and joy that will live on in the hearts of many.
