At 102, This WWII Veteran Is Finally Having His Bar Mitzvah. What Is It And Why Now?
Set to celebrate his birthday next month, World War II stalwart Harold Terens is planning his Bar Mitzvah ceremony next year.
A 102-year-old World War II veteran is looking forward to celebrating his birthday, while also planning to undergo the Bar Mitzvah ceremony at the Pentagon for the first time in his life. According to Jewish culture, the Bar Mitzvah refers to a coming-of-age ceremony for boys at the age of 13, which marks their transition to adulthood and also their obligation to follow the Jewish commandments.
However, Harold Terens, who will be celebrating his 102nd birthday amid family and friends in Florida on August 6, said he never underwent the Jewish ceremony in his childhood, even as his brother took part in the Bar Mitzvah. The WWII stalwart believes it is never too late for him to fulfil his wish to go through the transition, and he is planning for the ceremony next year at the Pentagon outside Washington.
'I mentioned that I would like to be bar mitzvahed at 103, and he's the rabbi of the Pentagon, so that's my next bucket list. I am going to be bar mitzvahed in the Pentagon," he added.
As per Terens' account of WWII contribution, the veteran official played an influential role, helping repair planes returning from France so that they could rejoin the battle. Twelve days after D-Day, Terens went to France and brought the Germans and American prisoners of war back to England. In June 2024, the war veteran was honoured by the French government at the 80th anniversary of the country's liberation from the cruel Nazis under their inhumane leader Adolf Hitler.
Apart from his war credentials and reward, Terens also hit the news for marrying 97-year-old Jeanne Swerlin last year. 'I thought my wedding in Normandy last year was the highlight of my life," he said, adding, 'Number one of all the moments of my life. You know, that's the saying, that life is not measured by how many breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away."
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July 28, 2025, 09:52 IST
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