Flint, Mich.’s Lee Cronenwalt has lived through the Great Depression, fought in World War II, seen a man walk on the moon, and witnessed the inventions of laptop computers, cell phones, and hybrid-electric cars. This Sunday, he’ll experience another historic moment: his own Bar Mitzvah.

On Sunday, the fifth day of Chanukah, the 90-year-old man will mark the occasion with Lillian Cronenwalt, his wife of 69 years who is also celebrating her Bat Mitzvah, at the Chabad House Lubavitch of Eastern Michigan.

“We’re looking forward to it,” says Lillian Cronenwalt. “I think it’s a blessing that Lee is able to do it at 90. And I’m 89, so it’s a blessing for me too.”

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Born in 1921, Lee Cronenwalt and his family suffered greatly during the nation’s economic downturn.

“The summer I turned 13, I had to get working papers,” he relates. “I began working at a food house immediately. I never had the chance to go to Hebrew School or have a Bar Mitzvah.”

After the war, he worked at General Motors before turning to watch making and violin repair. Today, he’s a professional poet, and has published two collections of poetry.

Cronenwalt first met Chabad-Lubavitch Rabbi Yisroel Weingarten three years ago when he was in the hospital recovering from a stroke.

“I look up, and here’s this gentleman with a white beard and a kindly face. I didn’t know if I was earth bound or in heaven,” he recalls. “If these are the type of people I’ll meet in heaven, I thought, it can’t be all that bad!”

So began an exploration of Cronenwalt’s heritage through regular study sessions with the rabbi and attending programs at the Chabad House.

“Lee never gave up the fight,” Weingarten says of Cronenwalt’s hospital stay and recovery from three strokes. “No matter how many times he got sick, he made it through in the end.”

The decision to celebrate their Bar and Bat Mitzvahs during Chanukah stems from the Weingarten family’s tradition of visiting hospitalized and homebound Jews each night after lighting the menorah. The Cronenwalts look forward to such visits, which include hot latkes and Chanukah songs.

“We visit hospitals, nursing homes, and individuals who just can’t get out of their homes,” says the rabbi.

Lillian Cronenwalt says that many of the melodies bring back fond memories of the times she sang in choirs as a young girl.

“Chanukah celebrates the idea of being proud to be a Jew,” adds Weingarten. “And Lee and his wife are very proud Jews.”

Since their first encounter, the Cronenwalts and Weingartens have forged a deep bond.

“The rabbi has been very kind to us,” says Lillian, “and sometimes Mrs. Weingarten sends the kids over. They are handsome and well-bred children. I don’t say much, but I just love her to pieces.”

The Weingartens, who are welcoming the entire community to a Chanukah menorah lighting ceremony and party Tuesday night, have been helping the Cronenwalts prepare for their joint celebration.

“Lee is going to read from the Torah,” relates Shaina Chana Weingarten, who co-directs the Chabad House. “And they’re both going to make blessings over bread at lunch following the morning prayer service. Lee also wrote a special poem about his wife.”

Yisroel Weingarten notes that each night of Chanukah, Jews light one more candle on the menorah.

“We always increase in light,” he explains. “To enhance one’s Judaism at the age of 90 is a great thing.”