Holocaust survivor celebrates bar mitzvah in Israel, 80 years later

[Behind the Aegis]

Eighty years after he missed the Jewish coming-of-age ceremony, 93-year-old Holocaust survivor Shalom Shtamberg celebrated his bar mitzvah on Thursday with his family and friends in the northern Israeli city of Haifa.

Shtamberg was born in Warsaw, Poland, and should have celebrated his bar mitzvah when he turned 13, but instead he was taken to a Warsaw Ghetto with his family.

He survived - unlike most of his family - by training as an electrician and acquiring skills that made him valued as a good worker.

On Thursday, Shtamberg was picked up from his home by trainee police officers, who drove him to a synagogue in Haifa where he was welcomed by cheering crowds and flower bouquets.

more...

[Warren DeMontague]

1. Mazel Tov.

[Hekate]

2. Mazel Tov

[sakabatou]

3. Great!

If you wanna know more, here's his Torah portion:https://www.hebcal.com/sedrot/kiteitzei

Torah portion: Deuteronomy 24:14-25:19
Haftorah: Isaiah 54:1-10 (I think)

It's been a LONG time since my own bar mitzvah.

[Behind the Aegis]

13. Been ages since mine as well...

...I don't even remember what my portions were!

[Ken Burch]

4. Mazel Tov.

n/t.

[EllieBC]

5. Mazel tov!

[LostOne4Ever]

6. Mazel Tov! Nt

[syringis]

7. Mabrouk - Felicitations - Congratulations - Proficiat - Mazel tov

May I ask?

I have often heard about bar mitzvah, but what it is exactly? Is it for boys and girls or only boys?

Is it a transition to adulthood?

[oberliner]

9. Transition to adulthood

The young person reads from the Torah marking that transition.

In the US, it is often accompanied by a big party with family and friends (especially among the more secular).

Girls can have a Bat Mitzvah which often happens a year earlier than a Bar Mitzvah would (bat means daughter, bar means son).

Obviously, there are better sources with more extensive info - but that's my quick answer.

[syringis]

12. Thank you Oberliner

It gives me a start to search

[EllieBC]

14. It's pretty weighty even though many treat it as just a party.

The bar or bat mitzvah is now completely responsible for keeping mitzvot as opposed to their parents being responsible for it on their behalf.

[oberliner]

8. A little sad to see that the youngest Holocaust survivors are now in their 90s

But congratulations to him!

[JNelson6563]

10. I love happy endings!

[leftynyc]

11. Mazel Tov, Mr. Shtamberg

This brought tears in my eyes.

[Expecting Rain]

15. Mazel Tov on becoming a Bar Mitzvah Shalom Shtamberg!

[raven mad]

16. How wonderful.

[oasis]

17. Enjoy. Mazel tov.