100 year old Kindertransport refugee Kurt Marx celebrates third Barmitzvah
A joyful ceremony was held at Edgware Reform Synagogue, with the honouree surrounded by family and friends
A centenarian who came to this country as a kindertransport refugee has just celebrated a third barmitzvah, with the chief executive of the Association of Jewish Refugees describing the occasion as “a powerful reminder of endurance in the face of history’s darkest trials.”
Kurt Marx, who was born in Germany in 1924, celebrated the occasion at Edgware and Hendon Reform Synagogue, surrounded by his devoted family, his proud community and distinguished guests including the Mayor of Barnet, Rabbi Danny Rich.
Marx was sent to Britain at the age of 14, via the kindertransport, after Kristallnacht. After the war he would learn that his parents had been deported to Maly Trostenets in Belarus, an infamous Nazi execution site, where at least 65,000 Jews were believed to have been murdered. They did not survive.
Max would go on to serve in the British Army, build a career, raise a loving family, and contribute greatly to his community.
Michael Newman, chief executive of the Association of Jewish Refugees (AJR), called the occasion “truly remarkable and deeply moving”, adding: “Kurt’s barmitzvah was more than a celebration of one man’s milestone. It was a moment to honour the strength of our refugee community, to rejoice in its legacy, and to look with hope toward the future.
“To see him, a century on, standing on the bimah, was both humbling and inspiring—a powerful reminder of endurance in the face of history’s darkest trials.”
Speaking to the Movement for Reform Judaism, Max described himself as delighted to have been able to have had a second barmitzvah at age 83 – and overjoyed to have had a third one now. Regarding his long life, he said: “It’s all mazel. I suppose it’s in my genes. I honestly haven’t done anything towards it. I’m just lucky to come to this country. Lucky to be here today and lucky to know such lovely people. I just think I’ve been so very fortunate.”
Rabbi Rich described how, as Mayor of Barnet, it is part of his duties to congratulate every centenarian in the borough – and that it was a particular pleasure to be able to do so for Kurt in shul.
Keep community journalism free.
Jewish News is free for everyone. No paywall. No barriers. Just trusted journalism for anyone who wants to stay connected to Jewish life in Britain.
If you value that, please support us.
From as little as £5 a month, you can help keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Every day, we report on the issues that matter to our community. We celebrate achievements, support charities, challenge antisemitism and ensure Jewish voices are heard more widely.
From as little as £5 a month, you can help us continue to:
- Report on the stories shaping Jewish life in the UK and beyond
- Bring our community together through shared stories, events and campaigns
- Celebrate the people, culture and moments that define our community
- Support organisations doing vital work across Jewish Britain
You can make a one-off donation or become a regular supporter. Every contribution helps keep our journalism free, independent and accessible to all.
If everyone who values Jewish News gave a small amount, it would make a real difference to our future.
