Hundreds tune in for 13-year-old boy’s virtual bar mitzvah amid coronavirus lockdown
HUNDREDS tuned in for a 13-year-old boy’s virtual bar mitzvah in a ray of hope amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Jude Cannon had been eagerly preparing for his big day for more than a year – but was forced to face cancelling the event as synagogues closed as part of the nationwide lockdown.
Read our coronavirus live blog for the latest news & updates
But instead of postponing the celebrations, Jude’s parents Adam and Dr Ellie Cannon turned to the online world to make the day happen.
The parents organised the event to instead be held in the living room of their North London home – with family and friends across the world tuning in.
Speaking to the Sun Online, dad Adam said: “Jude had been preparing for over a year.
“When they closed the synagogues he was disappointed, but we thought ‘actually, we can turn this into something special’.”
And just because the event was held at home, doesn’t mean the family stayed in their pyjamas.
Instead, Jude and Adam put on their new suits while his mum Ellie and big sister Lottie, 16, donned their new dresses.
And dad Adam, a media lawyer, said he could barely contain his pride as his son sang his portion, part of the celebrations.
Adam said: “He felt really good about it, and so many of his friends saw it.
“Loads of people sent pictures of them watching it which was quite sweet at well.
“People messaged saying in such a bad time, they were able to have something totally different to watch and it cheered them up.”
CORONAVIRUS CRISIS - STAY IN THE KNOW
Don't miss the latest news and figures - and essential advice for you and your family.
To receive The Sun’s Coronavirus newsletter in your inbox every tea time, sign up here.
To follow us on Facebook, simply ‘Like’ our Coronavirus page.
Get Britain’s best-selling newspaper delivered to your smartphone or tablet each day – find out more.
Some even tuned in with bottles of whisky, while a friend had a cake delivered to the family to mark the occasion.
Jude’s family made the decision to host his bar mitzvah online this week as Boris Johnson brought in drastic measures in an attempt to spread of coronavirus.
More than 700 people have died after testing positive for the bug, with more than 11,000 cases in the UK.
The PM scrapped social gatherings and closed places of worship and gyms to flatten the curve.
Announcing the draconian measures, the PM said: “We will stop all gatherings of more than two people in public – excluding people you live with.
“And we’ll stop all social events, including weddings, baptisms and other ceremonies, but excluding funerals.”
Councils and the church have already been encouraging couples to live stream their nuptials and ceremonies to guests.
Last week the Church of England said the number of people attending church weddings during the crisis should be limited to the legal minimum of five.
MOST READ IN NEWS
In other good news, a couple who feared their dream wedding would be cancelled because of the coronavirus outbreak took swift action and planned a ceremony in 24 hours – at a train station.
Claire and Matt Zinsner had a ‘simply perfect’ impromptu marriage at St Pancras in London in front of just two close friends as witnesses and station staff.
And when the moment came to kiss as a newly married couple, Mrs Zinsner, 36, and Mr Zinsner, 39, hilariously did the coronavirus elbow-to-elbow greeting.
