Simchah of the week: Joseph and Samuel Morris

The King's Lynn-born Norwich twins were barmitzvah at the locally-based Progressive Jewish Community of East Anglia. They attend City of Norwich School and are avid readers and multi-talented musicians. Joseph plays clarinet, piano and guitar, Samuel plays piano and bass guitar

What was special about your simchah?
"With very few children in the congregation, this was the first such ceremony for 10 years, and certainly the congregation's first double barmitzvah," Joseph says. "We both studied with Jenny Lawrence, who has been wonderful. We learned Hebrew with Rabbi Rachel Benjamin and did quite a few sessions over Skype, as she lives in London. The whole community supported us and we were even coached in public speaking."

Tell us about the ceremony
"A lot of our non-Jewish friends were there," Samuel recalls. "It really felt great to give them a glimpse of Judaism. Everyone said they were made to feel very welcome and that the service, led by Rabbi Benjamin, was very
moving."

Tell us about the party
"We had a special meal at home with all our family afterwards," Joseph explains. "We are a very big family who don't all get together very often because we all live in different places and have busy lives. Therefore, it felt very special to be together. Zeida and bubba had a really wonderful time with all their family around them."