One of the reasons Bob and Theda Levinn chose Oakmonte Village as their new home was because they were invited by Shelia Shapiro to a Rosh Hashana dinner and were introduced to the services offered by The Jewish Pavilion.
“Most of the places we visited didn’t have the services,” Bob says. “Or if they did, they weren’t really compatible with us.”
“They are really an answer to our prayers,” Theda says. “Susan (Bernstein) is just sensational. I couldn’t be comfortable without services that I could understand and contribute to, to sing along with.”
The Levinns are truly remarkable people. Bob is 98 years old and Theda is 94 years old. They are living proof you can find love at any age.
You see, Bob and Theda were married just a couple of years ago in 2019. Their ketubah hangs on the bedroom wall.
The two met in the 1990s when Bob and his then-wife came with his sister to Theda’s. At the time, they had different lives and interests. Theda had been widowed for decades and was quite busy volunteering for Hadassah, Dr. Phillips Hospital, Legal Aid Society, the Williamsburg Homeowners Association and more.
Over the years, the two would run into each other at bridge games and current events discussion groups but weren’t particularly close. Then, one day, a while after his wife passed, Bob stopped her after one of the discussion groups.
“We had the funniest and most embarrassing discussion which resulted in a date,” Theda says. “He was standing in the doorway and I waited for him to move, but he didn’t. He cleared his throat and got a bit red, but he asked if I had seen this one show. When I said I hadn’t, he asked if I would like to join him.
“I asked what group we were going with and he said, ‘No group,” she adds. “I brilliantly said, ‘You mean a date?’ He didn’t like the word date though. We were both quite embarrassed.”
They went on to enjoy the show and dated each other for a decade when they decided to get married. A key reason was so they could be with each other if medical issues arise as the thought of being separated at the time because of privacy laws was unfathomable.
Bob got a marriage license – and then put it on the top of his refrigerator.
“One day, it dawned on me that there may be a time frame, a limit,” Theda says. “So, I stood on a ladder and got it down and realized the wedding had to be that week!”
They called the Rabbi on Monday and set their wedding day for 11 a.m. on Thursday in the gracious Florida room of the Rabbi’s home. The family couldn’t fly in midweek, so a nearby grandson and neighbors were witnesses.
The Rabbi handled everything – he turned an extra-large tallis into a chuppah with four long poles, brought kosher wine, and had an inspiring sermon during which they faced east, overlooking a running brook. Theda’s 1942 Confirmation Bible helped fulfill the requirements. Bob insisted on preparing the luncheon repast himself! Publix outdid itself with a delicious and beautiful cake.
Today, the two are inseparable, sharing new friends and zest for life.
They especially treasure time with family. Combined they have five children, 14 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. They plan to attend a great-granddaughter’s Bat Mitzvah in Maryland this Labor Day and recently flew to Virginia for the wedding of a granddaughter.
While they still travel, the honeymoon is yet to come.
They play bridge and exercise together and just learned to play RummiKub. They go on many of the excursions offered by Oakmonte Village. They managed to contribute to the current events discussion group held weekly.
The great highlight, however, is the bi-weekly Shabbat service held by The Jewish Pavilion.