North London barmitzvah boy will be back in shul for big day

It will be a week later than intended. But Hadley Wood Jewish Community barmitzvah boy Thomas Hunt will have his ceremony in shul on Shabbat.

Although places of worship can hold services from July 4, the United Synagogue advised against reopening shuls on a Shabbat, allowing for a gradual build-up from weekday services. An exception was made for barmitzvahs and Hadley Wood is one of the few communities to take advantage.

The barmitzvah boy told the JC he was “really excited” to be able to read his parashah with family and friends looking on.

“Rabbi Yoni [Birnbaum] encouraged me to keep up my learning throughout lockdown because we weren’t sure what might be possible.