Max lives in Hampstead Garden Suburb and is a Haberdashers’ Aske’s pupil. He is an avid gadget collector and loves music and socialising. He was barmitzvah at Hampstead Garden Suburb Synagogue, Norrice Lea. The celebration was at the Institute of Directors.
Tell us how you prepared
“With Gershi Freilich, the brother of our chazan from Norrice Lea shul. He was so good that I did more than I planned to and was inspired to do the GCSE Hebrew-studies course at cheder. My grandpa, who is very learned, also helped me. He talked me through the emotional side of the barmitzvah and my new responsibilities.”
Tell us what was special about your celebration
“I really enjoyed the Israeli dancing as I came into dinner and nearly fell off the chair when I was hoisted in the air,” Max says. “It was a brilliant evening and lovely to have friends and family there from all over the world. We had a dairy meal as my parents don’t eat meat. My mum won the argument to serve fish. And the dessert buffet was unbelievable. We had Scaletrix racing all evening, which was fun, and the DJ and Queen tribute band kept everyone dancing all night.” His mother Helen adds that the party had a travel theme with name cards for guests in the style of chocolate passports and each table named after a country the barmitzvah boy had visited.