‘It’s about respect,’ couple says on seven decades of marriage

Israel and Vera (nee Wilkov) Bulafkin were high-school sweethearts when they first fell in love, and it has remained a romance for the ages as they celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary last week.

“Israel is 92 [born in 1929] and Vera is 91 [born in 1930],” says their son-in-law, Stanley Pincus. “Israel is from Krugersdorp and Vera from Randfontein. They met at Krugersdorp High School in Standard 6 [Grade 8]. It was love at first sight, and they got married on 6 January 1952 at the Berea Shul in Johannesburg.”

Israel is a pharmacist who ran a pharmacy called Medicine Chest in Northcliff. Vera worked with him throughout the time that they ran that business until they retired some time ago. They lived in Krugersdorp all their lives until they moved to Johannesburg about two years ago to be with their children. They have three children, Helene Pincus, Alan Bulafkin, and Malcolm Bulafkin (all married), eight grandchildren (four of whom are married), and three great grandchildren.

The couple say the secret to a successful marriage is “essentially to respect each other. Try not to argue much, but if you have an argument, don’t go to bed until you resolve the issue. Always put your spouse first!”