These cousins celebrated their B’nai Mitzvah together this summer with a service at their local Chabad, and reception the next day at Delray beach Golf Club. There was dancing, ping pong, air hockey, giant Operation, a donut wall, and ice cream sundaes - all sweet, fun ways to enjoy this milestone!
I have known this family since this young man was 2, and it’s been so special to watch all these kids grow into Jewish adulthood this year! Ilan read from the Torah on a Sunday morning of Rosh Chodesh, so I was able to capture photos at his service, which I always love. The images I’m able to create freezing those spiritual moments in time are always my favorite. Then his family and friends gathered later that evening to celebrate! They had a sports jersey theme, which always seems to go over well. Guests appreciate the relaxed and casual attire, and this photographer always loves the pops of color the jerseys add to the images!
There’s just something special about the intimacy and simplicity of a weekday Bar Mitzvah. And also something spiritual. In addition to a tallis, tefillin are worn, and Adam had a beautiful ceremony, which I’ve never seen before. Young mitzvah boys often get help with their tefillin, usually from the rabbi or a parent. And tefillin are wrapped the arm a certain number of times in a certain pattern for symbolic reasons. So when Adam was wrapped in his tefillin, the men in his family took turns with each wrap. Thinking back to what I witnessed, and reviewing those moments in these images, still gives me goosebumps. It’s like they were wrapping him in love and generations of tradition. Amazing!
He did a beautiful job reading from the Torah, and then celebrated with family and friends, and enjoyed an outstanding brunch.
A celebration like no other! Lots of hora dancing, amazingly spirited singing, and more dancing! What a joyous simcha!
It also brought me joy to reconnect with this family who I grew up with! I met them when we were teens, and now that we’re raising teens of our own, it makes photography of events like this that much more meaningful. The time went so fast, and I’m grateful to have my childhood photos with them, and am happy to have captured and shared this milestone in their child’s life!
Music | Mizmor Le David
Venue | Via Mizner Golf & Country Club
This young man became a bar mitzvah reading the Torah during a Saturday evening service. This simcha was followed by partying with family and friends and framily, friends that are like family. It was neat to see the venue transform from seating the guests for services into a space to celebrate, and celebrate they did! There were glow sticks, shiny objects on longer sticks, and donuts, which hopefully didn’t stick to anyone’s fancy dress!
