92 | SEPTEMBER 14 • 2023 

Bernie Jonas celebrated his 
100th birthday on Aug. 7 at 
Soul Café with 170 family 
members and friends who 
traveled from across the 
United States and Canada to 
honor this humble centenari-
an. Jonas, who lives at Jewish 
Senior Life’s Meer Apartments 
in West Bloomfield, is the 
patriarch of his family, which 
includes more than 100 
children, grandchildren, 
great-grandchildren and 
great-great-grandchildren. 

His sons Rabbi Shmaya 
Jonas and Marc Jonas said 
they attribute their father’s 
longevity to the way he always 
honored his parents and his 
joy for life. 
Bernie’s grandson Shia Wolf 
spoke about his generosity, 
charitable giving, volunteering 
and positivity. 
Surrounded by those he 
loves, he said, “I am blessed 
the most for my caring family. 
My goal is to be around for 
another 100 years.” 

 PHOTOGRAPHY BY PORTRAITDETROIT

Big 100th 
Birthday Bash for 
Meer Resident 
Bernie Jonas 

faces&places

Sophie Cohen 
greets Bernie 
Jonas.

Bernie Jonas 
and sons Rabbi 
Shmaya Jonas and 
Marc Jonas

100-year-old 
Bernie Jonas

Bernie Jonas and 
Carole Price, friend 
of his late daughter 
Suzanne Winkelman

Bernie Jonas (seated), 
with his sister Deanna 
Tachna, brother-in-law 
Yainkle (Jacob) Traub, 
brother Herbie Jonas, 
sister Lillian Fox, sister 
Judy Traub

Bernie’s 
birthday 
cake