22 January 2017

The oldest male member of Tikvah Chadasha (Shenfield, Brentwood & Districts Synagogue) has celebrated his second bar mitzvah – with slightly more time to prepare than for his first.

Eighty-three year-old Bernie Jackson was evacuated during the war, and upon returning home, at age 12, was thrust into learning his bar mitzvah piece – having never even been to cheder before.

Now, 70 years later, he celebrated again – surrounded by family, friends and his fellow congregants.

Tikvah Chadasha’s Jan Feldman said: “Bernie’s first bar mitzvah was no easy feat, but we are told he rose to the challenge and did his parents and siblings proud.

“This time around, as expected, a somewhat older Bernie led the service beautifully, again watched over by community leader and second cousin Natasha, and accompanied by his wife Lola and their family.”