Category Archives: B'nai mitzvahs

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Mazel tov, Shelley!

I’ve known Shelley since she was in elementary school, and it was a thrill and an honor to photograph her big “simcha” yesterday. Her brother Kyle and her parents Randi and Jim were all glowing with pride for Shelley, as were so many relatives and friends.

Additionally, I produced a live webcast of her bat mitzvah ceremony from Peninsula Temple Sholom for several relatives who were unable to travel to California because of health reasons. Aside from being a technological tour de force, I am so proud that I was able to do this mitzvah for Shelley’s family.













Mazel tov, Andrew

I was delighted to attend and photograph Andrew’s bar mitzvah yesterday. He is a delightful, studious and fun-loving kid. Yesterday was a wonderful testimony to the power of tradition, faith and community. Mazel tov to Andrew and his family!







Mazal tov, Linor!

Linor celebrated her bat mitzvah in rather uncommon style today. Not only did her family have the ceremony at a country club (maybe to avoid the restrictions in a synagogue), but Linor herself led the entire service. Not just select parts, but the whole thing. It was really a “tour de force”. And instead of the modern tradition of doing a candle-lighting ceremony, Linor’s family and friends each set free a beautiful white dove, symbolizing the hope for peace. Mazal tov to Linor and her family…it was a thrilling day!





Mazel tov, Halie!

Halie and her delightful family celebrated her bat mitzvah today in a most uncommon way. The family are affiliated with the local Chabad (an orthodox, family-oriented Jewish organization), so they elected to do Halie’s bat mitzvah on a Sunday to get around some of the restrictions of the Shabbat (the sabbath). So the family set up shop in the local Veterans’ Hall, and had a wonderful day there. I was honored to be asked to preserve these memories for them.











Mazel tov Sarah and Zachary

…and mazel tov to their parents Lisa and Bart, too! What a wonderful day this was for all of us who shared in their “simcha”. The kids (who are twins) were superbly prepared, and the “ruach” of the day was infectious. Their family roots go very deep into our community, and it was a rare treat that there were four generations in attendance, including all four grandparents, and even a great-grandma!

Mazel tov, Ashley!

Ashley and her family and friends celebrated her big “simcha” this weekend with a wonderful service at Peninsula Temple Beth El and a truly non-traditional bat mitzvah party at the Supper Club in San Francisco. I’ve known her family for a while now, as her older sister and my son were “an item” for a while in middle school. They’re a fun bunch and I really enjoyed myself.

Mazel tov, Jonathan!

Jonathan and his family and friends gathered to celebrate his bar mitzvah this weekend. He was well-practiced, and it was a beautiful day at Temple Beth Am in Los Altos and evening at the Stanford Faculty Club.

Mazel Tov, Halie

Halie is celebrating her bat mitzvah in a few weeks, and she and her mom stopped by my studio for a portrait today. She has the most wonderful freckles and her personality is a perfect match for her brilliant pink sneakers.

I can’t wait to celebrate with her and her family and friends.

Mazel tov, Hannah

I’m honored and excited to be celebrating and documenting Hannah’s bat mitzvah this weekend. We had a fun portrait session so that she’d have a nice, recent (and accurate!) photograph of her for her guests to sign.

Mazel tov, Julia!

Nancy and Paul’s eldest daughter Julia celebrated her bat mitzvah yesterday at Congregation Beth Jacob here in Redwood City. It was an exciting day, with much emotion, laughs and celebrating. I am, once again, grateful to have been invited to preserve Julia’s big simcha as a permanent family memory.