Man celebrates belated Bar Mitzvah after 77 years due to curfew in British Mandate Palestine.
Ron Eliran, also known as the Israeli “Ambassador of Song,” recently had a surprise bar mitzvah celebration at the age of 90. The event took place at a Midtown steakhouse, with a Christmas wreath adding to the festive atmosphere. The ceremony was officiated by Rabbi Joseph Potasnik, a well-known radio personality and executive vice president of the New York Board of Rabbis.
The unique aspect of this bar mitzvah was that it was a complete surprise to Mr. Eliran, who never had the opportunity to have this important coming-of-age ceremony in his youth. Born in the British Mandate for Palestine, near Haifa, Mr. Eliran’s original bar mitzvah celebration in 1947 was disrupted by a curfew imposed by the British authorities, preventing the event from taking place as planned.
The heartwarming gesture to organize a bar mitzvah for Mr. Eliran after all these years was a touching moment for him and his family. The event was a testament to the enduring significance of cultural and religious traditions, even when they are delayed by unforeseen circumstances.
The surprise bar mitzvah for Ron Eliran was a memorable and emotional occasion that highlighted the importance of honoring one’s heritage and celebrating life’s milestones, regardless of age. The event was a reminder that it is never too late to embrace and cherish one’s cultural and religious identity.
Source: The NY Times
