Not only did Elliot, the son of Sue and Ed Faber, recite maftir and haftorah, but he also gave the sermon at his simcha, held in Newton Mearns Synagogue.

Elliot was Calderwood Lodge Dux before moving to Mearns Castle High School. He is a keen badminton player for Maccabi, active in JLGB, attends the Tribe Bar/Bat Mitzvah Club, plays guitar and enjoys cookery, magic and juggling.

Helping him celebrate were 19-year-old brother Louis, grandparents Tony and Barbara Faber and Gloria Klineberg and guests from Mexico, America, Holland and Israel

There was also a special pre-barmitzvah tea at Burnfield Care Home, where grandfather Brian Klineberg is a resident.

Daisy blooms at batmitzvah

SKIING, tennis and cooking are among the hobbies of Daisy Bennett, who was batmitzvah at Allerton Synagogue, Liverpool.

The King David High School pupil is the daughter of Rebecca and Nigel Bennett.

Joining in the celebrations were sister Isabella, 13, eight-year-old brother Jacob and grandparents Annette and Vaughan Davies and Valerie and Ivor Bennett.