Sylvia Furshman Nusinov is one lucky “bubby,” as her grandchildren all call her. She lives in South Florida with her daughter Lisa. She spends her days people watching by the ocean, reading books and indulging her sweet tooth. She’s done meaningful work and unearthed her family’s Holocaust history as the (now retired) president of Jewish Genealogical Society of Palm. She spent 74 years with her bashert, Sam Nusinov, welcoming children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren into their family.
And this year, for her 100th birthday, she got a one of a kind gift: “Ageless: 100 Years Young.” The gift is a full album that honors her life and legacy, recorded by her Grammy-winning granddaughter, Joanie Leeds, and Joanie’s daughter, Sylvia’s 10-year-old great-granddaughter, Joya.
Each song on “Ageless: 100 Years Young,” pays tribute to Sylvia’s life in all its shades and flavors.
In “Ageless,” the debut single, Joanie and Joya sing about how age is only a number.
“Don’t Worry,” honors Sylvia’s advice of taking the rain of life and turning it into a chance to jump in puddles.
There’s an adorable ditty that honors her romance with Sam called “A, You’re Adorable.”
“Curious” honors Sylvia’s thirst for knowledge, which began in her childhood in Baltimore.
In the rousing “Genealogy,” that curiosity leads to Sylvia’s discovery about her family roots through an old Yiddish letter.
In the sugary “Sweet Tooth,” Sylvia’s love for treats becomes a universal anthem for any child and adult who just can’t resist a sweet nosh.
In the touching folk ballad “Bubby,” Leeds lists different names for grandmothers, from abuela to obaasan, and tells these matriarchs that “when a family sticks together, it’s because you are the glue.”
But perhaps the loveliest tune is “The Days,” in which Joanie and Joya reimagine the song beloved by so many a bubbe, “Those Were The Days.” The lyrics reference the Jewish value of “kibud zekaynim,” honoring our elders, and in line with that value, Sylvia herself sings us out.
The entire album is a moving and very catchy multi-generational gift to listeners of all ages. Kveller caught up with Leeds about the album, what it was like making music with her daughter and what Sylvia had to say about “Ageless.”
Can you tell me how you decided to have Joya play such a central role on this album?
A few years ago, I started recording little video interviews with my bubby — just to capture her childhood stories and learn more about her life. With her 100th birthday coming up, I knew I wanted to make an album about her, but I wasn’t sure how to start. Then one night at dinner, my daughter Joya goes, “When are you making your next album? I want to sing on it more.” That was it — the spark.
I started picturing the whole thing as this intergenerational back-and-forth between us, with my bubby’s stories woven in.
We went into the studio on Mother’s Day, and Joya was a total pro — perfect timing, totally comfortable with a click track, fearless in the booth. For a 10-year-old, it blew me away. It was such a joy to work with her, and I’ll keep collaborating with her as long as she’s into it and it keeps making her happy.
Are there things you learned about your bubby that you didn’t know before making this album?
I learned so much. A lot of my bubby’s famous quotes and sayings — many of which made their way into the songs — came from a book my family put together for her birthday decades ago. But the real surprise came from learning more about her work as president of the Jewish Genealogical Society in South Florida. It’s an incredible story, and I put all of it into “Genealogy.”
Has your bubby listened to the album yet? Does she have a favorite song?
Yes! I finished the album in early July, and she was the very first person to hear it. I have these wonderful videos of her dancing, laughing, crying, just taking it all in. I even printed out the lyrics so she could read along — she reads a book every day, so I knew she’d appreciate having them in front of her.
When I asked her to pick a favorite song, she said it was impossible. I think what she really loves is hearing her own life, her sayings and her stories memorialized by her great-granddaughter — who’s 90 years younger — and her only granddaughter.
Sylvia’s 100th birthday celebrations, courtesy of Joanie Leeds
What is your most oft-used Sylvia advice?
Sylvia is a very positive, glass‑half‑full person, and I try my best to live that way. She always says, “Don’t sweat the small stuff,” and “Don’t worry, worry till worry worries you.” I’m naturally a pretty anxious person, so I often hear her voice in my head reminding me to slow down, to stop projecting into the future and to not stress over things that haven’t even happened — just live in the moment. That’s exactly what the song “Don’t Worry” is all about.
I really love the sweetness of “Sweet Tooth.” What are yours, Bubby’s and Joya’s favorite sweet treat?
Bubby always jokes that the trick to living a long life is eating milk chocolate. She truly does nosh on some every day. My favorites are chocolate chip cookies or mint chocolate chip ice cream, and Joya loves brownies, ice cream or cookies.
What are you hoping that listeners take from this album?
I hope these songs help bridge generations, bringing the older and younger together through both music and conversation. I want them to spark curiosity about your own family tree. It’s not always easy, but I encourage everyone to interview the elders in their lives before it’s too late. Ask about towns, names — anything that might help preserve your history. Knowing where you come from, and understanding the leaves and branches on your personal tree, is a powerful connection to the past. My bubby embodies curiosity, positivity and staying present. I hope some of that continues to rub off on me — and that everyone who hears this album can be a little more like Bubby, too.
