After experiencing vibrant and deeply moving Chaguim at Temple Emanuel, Pati, Lia, Ben, and I traveled to Buenos Aires, my hometown, to celebrate two very special occasions with our family there — my niece Martina’s Bat Mitzvah and my mother’s 75th birthday.
We were filled with joy and excitement — looking forward to family reunions, reconnecting with friends, and of course, enjoying an authentic Argentinian asado.
But it wasn’t just these celebrations that made this trip so meaningful.
Having grown up in Buenos Aires, I’ve had the privilege of meeting many wonderful people, being part of different Jewish communities, and attending countless communal events. However, I had never experienced a ceremony as powerful, emotional, and profound as the one I witnessed at Comunidad Dor Jadash – Max Nordau Synagogue in Villa Crespo, a neighborhood known for its strong Jewish roots.
On Thursday, October 30, the community celebrated a very special Bar-t Mitzvah, or as they called it, “Jai Mitzvah” — a ceremony that gave eight survivors of the Shoah (Holocaust) the opportunity to finally celebrate their Bar or Bat Mitzvah.
Eight survivors of one of humanity’s darkest chapters gathered in the synagogue to remind us that it is never too late to celebrate life and to keep the flame of Judaism burning bright. They stood as living testimony that even under the cruelest oppression, Am Israel Chai — the people of Israel live — and nothing and no one can destroy this eternal nation.
Ruth (94), Ilse (96), Alba (86), Berta (87), Marisha (87), Pedro (89), Elizabeth (88), and Anita (100) each put on a Tallit and Tefillin for the first time in their lives. Surrounded by family, friends, and numerous community and government representatives, they were called to the Torah as Bnei Mitzvah for the very first time.
Even though many decades have passed since the traditional age of 12 or 13, this ceremony proved that it is never too late to fulfill this sacred Jewish milestone.
These eight survivors share stories of suffering, survival, loss, and remarkable rebuilding. Born in Romania, Croatia, Poland, Germany, Belgium, the Czech Republic, and Austria, they were victims of Nazi horror — when practicing Judaism or even staying alive was nearly impossible. Some hid for years in unimaginably small spaces; others were separated from their parents and siblings; many escaped, while some never reunited with their families.
Argentina became their refuge — a country that offered them safety and a chance to rebuild their lives, create new families, and embody true resilience, courage, and hope.
The emotion felt during this ceremony was beyond words. Having the privilege to witness it was a brachah (blessing) that touched and continues to nourish my soul. Seeing these survivors pray together – filled with joy and gratitude after everything they endured – was a lesson in faith, strength, and the power of the human spirit.
Their faces radiated happiness and hope — it was a true blessing, a reminder that we can always rise again. That life is about choosing to LIVE, in every sense of the word. These eight remarkable people taught us that living means standing up, moving forward, and never giving in to despair.
This extraordinary event was made possible thanks to Comunidad Dor Jadash, led by my dear friend Rabbi Marcelo Bater, and the Tzedaká Foundation — an organization founded in 1991 within the Jewish community of Argentina, which continues to transform the lives of thousands of Argentinians in vulnerable situations through its unique, integrated social model.
Everyone who knows me knows how proud I am to be part of this ancient and enduring people.
After witnessing the Jai Mitzvah, that pride has grown beyond measure.
If there’s one thing that this experience reaffirmed for me, it’s that being Jewish is a privilege we must never take for granted.
No matter who tries to bring us down, we always rise.
We are never alone.
We are one united people.
And wherever we go — be it Argentina, the U.S., Brazil, Israel, or anywhere in the world — we will always find a Jewish community that welcomes us, inspires us, and reminds us that we are all part of it.
Thank you, Ruth, Ilse, Alba, Berta, Marisha, Pedro, Elizabeth, and Anita, for showing us that anything is possible, and that keeping Judaism alive is truly in our hands.
Am Israel Chai VeKayam — The people of Israel live and endure.
Rabbi Ari Oliszewski is the rabbi at Temple Emanuel in Virginia Beach.