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Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Redondo Beach Bar Mitzvah | Jewish Community Center | Chabad | Jason

It was back to the friendly Jewish Community Center, Chabad last weekend for Jason's Bar Mitzvah. Rabbi David, Jason and the family met with us on Thursday afternoon (no photography allowed during service) for pictures at the JCC.

Rabbi Dovid always thinks we're funny to ask for all the lights to be turned off while we take the pictures, but we love the results. This way, we don't mix different light sources.
The JCC has strong, beautiful window light, probably more so than at any other temple we've photographed, and we love taking advantage of it.


After the Saturday service, Jason and co. celebrated with a simcha at the Manhattan Beach Belamar hotel.


All photos by Sam Graham except for the top photo, which is by Jeff.

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

He's a Jazzman: Max's Musical Bar Mitzvah Celebration

Here's more from Max's musical Bar Mitzvah celebration: the jazzman blowing away on his baritone sax in his very own backyard.


Max's parents threw the simcha at their home, where Max performed with the hot Richard Bernard and his Oy Stars, a jazzy Klezmer combo with horns, bass, drums and guitar. He did a lot more than just sit in with the band. He held his own, improvised solos, kept up with the band, and proved himself to be one musical prodigy. And sax isn't his only instrument. He had us in awe at another Bar Mitzvah, playing some amazing ragtime piano.


Max: keep rockin'!

Monday, April 19, 2010

Manhattan Beach Bar Mitzvah | Max | Congregation Tikvat Jacob


We returned to our hometown temple for Max's CTJ Bar Mitzvah, a reunion not only with the temple where our Sam Graham went up to the Bima in 1999, but with the Lesser family as well. We photographed sister Jamie's Bat Mitzvah two years ago, so it was great to reunite with the family, and Rabbi Mark Hyman and Cantor Beth Garden.





Photos here by Jeff (1, 3, 4 and 6) and Sam (2 and 5).