Jesse Frankfurter with his grandfather, George Frankfurter

Being called to the Torah as a bar or bat mitzvah is a significant milestone for any young Jewish boy or girl. But for Jesse Rueben Frankfurter of Southington the achievement was especially meaningful – the moment especially worth savoring.
A student at the High Road School in Wallingford and Focus Learning Center in Canton, Jesse suffers from Asperger’s Syndrome. The 13-year old didn’t let his disabilities hold him back, though, as he strode to the bima at the Young Israel of Hartford on Feb. 20. Among the friends and family on hand to “qvell” were Jesse’s parents, Deborah and David Frankfurter, and his grandparents George and Katie Frankfurter of West Hartford. Now, Jesse has his sights set on another goal: he hopes someday to work for the Lego company.