(Jewish Group) Two Holocaust survivors celebrate long-delayed b'nai mitzvah in San Mateo [View all]

Sonia Apfelblum and David Diamond stood beaming on the bimah, having just chanted Torah for their b’nai mitzvah. Cheering family members and friends threw candies. The rabbis stood by, smiling. There was challah and dancing, there were speeches, there were blessings and a fine catered lunch.

But this was no ordinary b’nai mitzvah ceremony. Apfelblum, 81, and Diamond, 91, came of age long ago. Both are Holocaust survivors who endured harrowing childhoods in war-torn Europe. And both fulfilled long-deferred dreams on May 12 in the sanctuary of Peninsula Temple Beth El in San Mateo.

Reflecting back on the day, Apfelblum called her bat mitzvah “the most beautiful thing I ever did.”

“The reason I felt it was important is that no matter how old you are, what aspirations you have in life, you should not let anybody stop you,” said Apfelblum, who lives in San Carlos. “Don’t wait for anybody to give you approval. To me, this was something no money can buy.”

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