Alexander Pasha’s barmitzvah

Shenley United Jewish Community's first barmitzvah boy is a JFS pupil. He attended Hertsmere Jewish Primary and is a football-mad Tottenham fan

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Simchah of the week: Miriam Bayfield and Jonni Berger

Miriam is principal rabbi of Finchley Reform Synagogue, having gained semichah from Leo Baeck College and a theology degree from Bristol University. Jonni is an employee-benefits tax consultant with Pricewaterhouse Coopers and holds a degree in economics and social studies from Manchester University. The North Londoners are living near the synagogue in what Miriam calls "a real rabbinic family home". They have a wide range of charitable interests

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Johnny Harounoff

Born and raised in Hendon, Johnny celebrated his barmitzvah at Hendon Synagogue, with his party held subsequently at Moshav Kadima, near Herzliya. He attends Hasmonean High School and is a keen sports fan, supporting Manchester United, watching wrestling and playing basketball. His elder sister is also a Hasmonean pupil and his mother works part-time at the Hasmonean Primary. His father is a criminal barrister

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Daniel Darvill

The Exeter Synagogue barmitzvah boy was born in London but his family moved to Exmoor when he was eight weeks old. Jewish life in Exmoor was minimal and the Darvills relocated to Tiverton, near Exeter. His mother Ruth helped him to learn Hebrew, with support from Hendon Reform Synagogue's Rabbi Steven Katz and the local congregation. He has left his high school to take up a boarding scholarship at Clifton College, Bristol

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Cael Persaud

Born and raised in Cranfield, Bedfordshire, barmitzvah boy Cael attends Holywell Middle School in the village. An Arsenal fan, he plays for Cranfield Colts and has won a top-scorer award for the boys' under-13s. His family joined the synagogue in 2005

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Daniella Freeman

The Pinner Synagogue batmitzvah girl is a pupil at St. Helen's School in Northwood. Her hobbies include singing, dancing, drama and sport. To mark her celebration, she donated £1,671 to Shaare Zedek from a dancing event she organised for 60 women towards the building of a children's hospital in Israel

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Jessica Goodman

The Shenley community's first batmitzvah girl has lived locally since she was eight months old. She attends Yavneh College, having been at Hertsmere Jewish Primary. She enjoys music and is learning to play the piano. She last year raised over £1,000 for Cancer Research and Chai Cancer Care through a sponsored walk she organised with some school friends. Another sponsored walk will support research into Crohn's disease

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Katie Lester and Lee Setyon

Katie is from Stanmore, Lee from Arkley. She read English at Leeds and is now fashion editor at the Mail on Sunday’s You magazine. He studied business in Manchester and has worked for an investment bank in the City since graduating. They are Jewish National Fund supporters and live in Mill Hill

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Elie Kraft

Barmitzvah boy Elie is the son of Edgware and District Reform Synagogue minister Rabbi Neil Kraft. He grew up in Streatham and his family came to Edgware in 2002. He attends JFS, where he is a member of the choir. A budding cartoonist, his other passions are trampolining, wrestling and PlayStation. He intends to donate some of his barmitzvah money to charity

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Gemma Kaye

The Belmont Synagogue batmitzvah girl attended Moriah Jewish Day Primary before moving to Egerton Rothesay high school. She counts her main loves as art and music and has won school art competitions: one of her pictures was on the front of Moriah’s magazine. She made an MTV-style music video for her batmitzvah. She says: “It was great fun, but I was surprised how long it took to do.”

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Eitan Phillips

The Elstree barmitzvah boy is a Hasmonean pupil and avid Liverpool FC and England cricket team supporter. He regularly raises funds for causes including hospital kosher meals, children with leukaemia and Magen David Adom and recently raised £500 with Hasmonean friends for disadvantaged families in Israel

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Jodie Vivanti

With an Italian father — her mother hails from North-West London — Jodie’s batmitzvah was in Rome, where she lived until she was two. Home is now in Stanmore, Middlesex, and she attended the Sinai School before becoming a Watford Grammar girl. Her passion is dancing — ballet, tap and jazz — and she plays the violin and enjoys learning languages

What was special about your simchah?

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