A lifetime of living, loving memories

The quest for longevity has long been a goal that people have invested countless amounts of energy to attain. When asked what he attributes his longevity to, David Deutsch, who recently celebrated his 106th birthday, simply said, "Helping others."

David Deutsch, 106, is visited at his Freehold Borough residence by (l-r) his daughter, Sandra Stringer; great-granddaughter, Julia Gold; and his granddaughter, Amy Gold. If everyone in the world followed Deutsch's lead they might not all make it to 106, but the journey could be more pleasant for those they meet along the way.

Deutsch, who lives at the Brookside assisted living facility in Freehold Borough, was born on July 19, 1903, on New York's Lower East Side. He held jobs that included selling fish from a cart and being a mason prior to becoming an attorney.

He attended the New York University School of Law and went on to practice civil law. He said he never turned a case away if it was in his area of knowledge, and when one speaks to Deutsch, it is clear to see that aiding those in need was always his main focus.

PHOTOS BY AMY ROSEN Deutsch slowly, but eloquently explained, "I was constantly interested in helping others and trying to do the right thing for them in the line of endeavor and certainly I wanted to help them, and where it was necessary I did not make a charge. I've always helped.

"Going to law school was the catalyst of my life. I did not turn anyone away and I listened thoroughly to what they had to say. It's what made me a lawyer and helped me receive great honors because I shared myself," he said.

"My grandfather enjoys smoking cigars," said his granddaughter, Amy Gold of Manalapan. "I take him out for lunch or dinner at least two or three times a week and he has a glass of wine every day. He takes no pills, no medications, has all of his teeth, wears no glasses and won't take medication. He feels his body will do what it has to do and believes apple cider vinegar cures all."

Deutsch collects pipes, stamps and stick pins and has been known to give his stickpins away for people to remember him.

Music and art are also a big part of Deutsch's life. His brother, Murray, was an accomplished alto saxophone player and Deutsch himself was a cantor at synagogue in New York. He enjoyed imparting his knowledge of music and Judaism to his students while preparing them for bar and bat mitzvahs.

Deutsch also sang at weddings and bar mitzvahs in order to pay his way through law school.

Many of his paintings, which focus primarily on skylines, are placed throughout the world. Deutsch and his wife made several trips to Israel and befriended Menachem Begin, the prime minister of Israel at the time, and his wife. One of the paintings Deutsch gave Begin still hangs in a museum in Israel.

During his conversations Deutsch often chooses to express

his words of wisdom through poems he has written.

"We are blind until we see that in the human plan nothing is worth the making if it does not make the man," Deutsch said. "Why build these cities glorious if man unbuilds? It goes in vain we build the works unless the builder also grows.

Deutsch explained, "In other words, he who thinks he is a big shot, a savior of humanity or whatnot, unless he has done something great for others, he has no right to the use of such a high appellation as 'great.' That's my feeling and I've always treated others as I have my own because they deserve all of the attention and courtesy that I give them."

Deutsch also attributes his longevity to his knowledge and to what his parents taught him. His mother was a college graduate, a rarity in those days, and his father was a cantor who spread knowledge to his students. His parents always passed their knowledge on to him and he has done the same for his family and others.

He said, "I learned that I was one with ambition and desire to be a great help and I think that's why they gave me such great honors (longevity). I really think so."

Deutsch said he always tried to impart his knowledge to others because when you teach others, you are also gaining knowledge on how to improve yourself.

Deutsch quoted another of his poems: "There's a destiny that makes us all sisters and brothers. None goes her or his way alone. All that we put into the lives of others comes back to our very own compensation. It's a reward that comes to few who have a feeling for helping others and express that feeling at appropriate times."

"Basically, that's the feeling I have for others," he interpreted. "Let them acquire some of your knowledge for their own good so they in turn may apply that to others, one at a time. Help others to help themselves and in turn help others. You shouldn't just keep knowledge to yourself; it's not fair to you and to those you love because you have not learned the meaning of giving of yourself.

"It's not easy sometimes because sometimes it kicks back at you and it hurts you by helping others when they don't follow through or act in a bad way, but it's very important to do every day. Don't put off today what you can achieve today — there is no harm in that and greatness can begin to be felt."

When asked what he thought the most fascinating change has been during his lifetime, Deutsch answered, "As man grew older, my impression is that they sought to acquire more knowledge and in that respect used more effort to gain knowledge, went to higher grade institutions and (did) whatever was necessary to further such ambitions for their own monetary benefit. Primarily, money was the big idea. That's what the world has gone for."

David Deutsch has lived through both world wars, the Great Depression and the introduction of many of the world's greatest inventions. The year Deutsch was born, the Wright brothers successfully completed their first flight at Kitty Hawk.

Gold explained that one of the inventions her grandfather is most impressed with is the computer. She said he bought her family their first computer and told her children, Tyler, 16, Spencer, 14, and Julia, 9, "You have to have this. It links you to the world, it's your fingertips to the world."

Deutsch also believes cell phones are amazing although he joked, "This is a true invention except for one thing. People as stupid as I can be have never been able to figure out how to use it. Would you believe that? She (Gold) gave it to me and I can't use it? It's too intelligent for me."

Prior to attending law school, Deutsch went to Eastern District High School in Brooklyn, N.Y. He met the woman who would later become his wife, Judith, when he and a fraternity brother were calling on the fraternity brother's girlfriend, who happened to be the nurse taking care of the hospitalized Judith.

David and Judith married when he graduated from law school during the Great Depression and had two children, Sandra and Joe. Their family has since expanded a great deal to include six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. He shares a birthday with his great-granddaughter, Julia.

In Astoria, Queens, Deutsch became very active politically, focusing especially on civil rights.

Deutsch had to overcome many obstacles in his life, most notably being born with a club foot, but it never stopped him from achieving great things for others.

According to information provided by his daughter, Sandra Stringer, Deutsch was also was very active in Temple Beth Israel in Astoria. As the synagogue's president, he helped raise money to restore the building. He raised a lot of money for Israel as well.

He is one of the co-founders of the Tourette Syndrome Association and did pro bono (free) work for many people and organizations, including the Herald Tribune Fresh Air Fund and the Hebrew Free Burial Society.

Deutsch was the Grand Master of the Vulcan Masonic Lodge in Manhattan and still has a plaque the lodge presented him with in 1951 among the many awards and proclamations he still possesses. Many of the honors were issued by the city of New York.

He was active with and did pro bono work for the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation and the Muscular Dystrophy Association. He also sat on the board of many corporations including the Bank of New York and he remained involved with the NYU Law School.

Sandra explained that when her father first opened his law office a young salesman from the Bank of New York came in and told him that if he did not get a customer that day he would lose his job, so Deutsch, who did not have much money at the time, opened an account and stayed with that bank for many decades.

Deutsch's influence on his family has been profound.

"I think he has taught us to have great appreciation for all people and to give back," said Gold. "I think my grandfather has influenced our lives as far as the arts and culture. It's also been a great experience for my children because they come here to see him and all the seniors."

Julia sang for everyone at Brookside at her great-grandfather's 106th birthday celebration (which coincided with Julia's ninth birthday). She reads to the seniors and has learned to be patient with them and helpful to them — especially her own greatgrandpa.

When asked how knowing her greatgrandfather has influenced her life, Julia said, "It means the world to me because he can just explain to me what things were like back when he was growing up and I tell him all the stories of what I did at school and he's so anxious to hear the next story when I visit the next day. It's a pleasure being able to be with him because I'm always able to laugh with him and smile and have fun."

Julia also brought Deutsch to her school on Immigration Day, which was a huge success for all.

When asked to sum up his effect on his family and others, Deutsch concluded modestly, "I may have helped. I did my best."