Madrid Video Post Card

Another in our series of video post cards from Espana--the latest: Madrid!

Brothers! | Issac and Eli | Culver City Bar Mitzvah

We had the good fortune of documenting Eli's Culver City Bar Mitzvah 3 years ago at Temple Akiba and meeting his wonderful family for the first time. Fast forward to 2009, and it was Issac's turn on the bima.

It was an emotional afternoon, highlighted by a tight brotherly hug that's turned into one of our all-time favorite shots.



Rabbi Zachary Shapiro from Temple Akiba performs memorable Havdalah services--we were honored when he posted our shot of Eli and the Rabbi on his website 3 years ago--here's the new one with Issac--and the old classic as well!

Green Bar/Bat Mitzvah Parties | Nicole Sherwin Events

We first worked with party planner Nicole Sherwin a few years back at a huge, honkin' Bat Mitzvah party at the Beverly Hills Hillcrest Country Club, complete with a mechanical bull, country line dancing--and a hip-hop DJ!

Now Nicole is offering her party planning services to stage "Green," events--Hollywood premieres, award shows, weddings, and Bar/Bat Mitzvah parties.

Why a "green" Mitzvah party you ask?
"This generation is the one that can effect change in the world, and when they start to take it seriously, the green movement really takes off," she tells us.
For the party, start with a hybrid Limo instead of a gas guzzlin' Hummer. Add decor that can be recycled, invitations written in vegetable ink and a fee that's on par with non-green events.
"Everyone thinks it will be more expensive, but it's not," she says. "I have amazing vendors."
Mitzvahs are about kids doing positive, pro-social things, and what better way to tie that in than with a green party?
"Now the kids can give back through the party, create a movement with green, and spread the message through to their friends," says Nicole, who can be reached at 310.871.1802 or nicole@nicolesherwinevents.com

Malibu Bat Mitzvah | Duet with Dad

Here's something we've never seen before--a fun and heartfelt duet between the Bat Mitzvah and her Dad.
Another video clip from Skylar's Malibu Bat Mitzvah.

Fantasea Yachts Bar/Bat Mitzvah Parties | Marina del Rey

Last weekend we celebrated Daniel's Wilshire Boulevard Temple Bar Mitzvah with a fun bash on the Fantasea Yachts in Marina del Rey. It wasn't our first time on the boat--many families love gathering friends and relatives for a cool 4 hour cruise in the Marina.
So we decided to go down memory lane and post some of our favorite Fantasea Yachts shots--along with highlights from Daniel's cruise.

Wilshire Boulevard Temple Bar Mitzvah | Piness Auditorium

In October, 2008, a foot-long chunk of plaster fell from the huge dome of the downtown Wilshire Boulevard Temple, closing it down for B'nei Mitzvah families.
Last weekend we photographed our first Bar Mitzvah in the temporary WBT quarters, the "small," and incredibly photogenic Piness Auditorium. Piness seats just 600 (!) folks, in a school-like setting, with an amazing mural of L.A. Jewry as the backdrop.
It was a privilege to be there, and we're thrilled to share some of the images from Daniel's Bar Mitzvah here.