Lakewood resident Paul Hoffman is 92 years old, but not too old to come closer to his roots.

Today, for the first time ever, Paul, a US Army Veteran, put on Tefillin. (Tefillin or phylacteries, is a set of small black leather boxes containing scrolls of parchment inscribed with verses from the Torah. Tefillin are worn by observant adult Jews during weekday morning prayers.)

Surrounded by family and friends, Paul repeated word for word the Bracha made by a local Chaplain, and then put on a Talis and Tefillin.

After reciting Shema, the small crowd began singing Siman Tov, celebrating the momentous occasion.