SENIORITY BY ANNE W. SEMMES: Daniel M. Friedenberg, 88

Do you live in Greenwich?

Yes -- for 60 years, since April of 1946. I served in the Army for 10 months during the war. I was in the Signal Corps. I interpreted Morse code -- 75 words a minute. I was honorably discharged because of poor eyesight.

Are you married?

Twice and twice divorced.

Do you have any children?

Three sons and a daughter. Four grandchildren.

Are you retired?

Yes.

What did you do when you worked full time?

For 35 years I was Curator of Coins and Medals for the Jewish Museum on Fifth Avenue and 92nd Street in New York. I got to know about the ancient Judean coins and characters of the period. I officially retired as curator in 1979 and I retired from the Museum's board in 1985.

What did you want to be when you grew up?

I was lacking six points to get my doctorate in philosophy but I quit to go into business and make money. I was in commercial real estate in New York. I was president of John-Platt Enterprises, Inc. I would go to the museum as curator four nights a week and on weekends. When I was young, I was very passionate about everything. I wrote an article analyzing real estate in New York for Harpers Magazine and the International Herald Tribune liked it so much they hired me as a floating reporter from 1948-1962, doing real estate stories. I wasn't writing any falsehoods. I visited Devil's Island in French Guyana and wrote half a dozen long articles on it. Alfred Dreyfus was stuck (imprisoned) there.

What are your main hobbies and interests?

I've just published my eighth book, my first novel, at age 88: "Tiberius Julius Alexander." He was commander of the Roman legions from 40-70 A.D., in charge of the destruction of Jerusalem. He was born a Jew and persecuted his fellow Jews. After Jesus and Paul, he's the most famous Jew by birth. I've been obsessed by him at least a decade and in my novel tried to get into his head. My other seven books were publicity books on Jewish coins and medals.

Do you have a favorite sport?

No.

Do you have a favorite book?

"Tiberius Julius Alexander" is the favorite book in my life. I've written two other novels unpublished as yet - one I wrote before about real estate and another, "Death of a Seducer." He seduces a younger woman, she leaves him and it breaks his heart.

Do you have a favorite work of art?

El Greco's "View of Toledo." I am partly a Sephardic Jew by origin, from Toledo.

What music do you listen to and what is a favorite piece of music?

Mozart -- the last seven piano concertos.

Do you have a favorite movie?

"Citizen Kane."

Who do you think was the best President of the United States -- and why?

Washington. Because he was not a whore.

If you could tell the president of the United States one thing, now, what would it be?

Get out of Afghanistan.

What is your greatest guilty pleasure?

Liking women too much.

What is your biggest pet peeve?

The election of the preceding president to this one.

Do you have any regrets in life?

In 1965 the New Republic offered me the European editorship of the magazine based in Paris, because I speak four languages, and I didn't take the job. Gilbert Harrison, the editor, was a close friend of mine,

What achievements in your life are you most proud of?

Bearing four children who are wonderful. One son is a professor of psychology and head of the Psychology Department at Manhattan College in the Bronx. He's Phi Beta Kappa and has published four books and he's only 42-years-old. But they're all equal.

If you had a magic wand, what would you wish for?

To be 30 again.

What if anything are you deeply concerned about?

I've had a stroke and I'm concerned about my life. I've had three pacemakers, nine years of prostate cancer and I'm not dead yet. I'm a miracle physically. I've lived much longer than anyone in my family.

Best piece of advice for the younger generation?

Be themselves.

What brings you your greatest joy?

Yogurt.

What are you looking forward to?

A quick, sharp, painless death.