Long Beach B'Nai Mitzvah | Temple Israel

Kyle and Sydney went up to the bima together Saturday for a shared B'nai Mitzvah at Temple Israel of Long Beach.




Brother and sister took turns reading from the torah, marched up the aisles and did an amazing job.
They celebrated with a balloon filled celebration at the Old Ranch Country Club in Seal Beach, with DJ services provided by H2H Entertainment. We will follow up later in the week with pix from the party.

Long Beach Bat Mitzvah | Temple Israel

Maddie was called to the torah last weekend at Temple Israel in Long Beach.
Here she is singing with Rabbi Moskowitz and Cantor Finley.

The song builds to a crescendo below:

Maddie did a great job at her Bat Mitzvah. We will follow up shortly with another post from her rockin' reception at the Betty Reckas Cultural Center in Long Beach.

Long Beach Bar Mitzvah | Temple Israel | Jeremy

In 2008 we met June, who was looking for someone to photograph and video her daughter Emily's upcoming 2009 Bat Mitzvah at Temple Israel of Long Beach. We ended up agreeing to work together, and met up with Emily on Valentine's Day for the big event.
Mom was thrilled with the work, and told her friends. We've since returned to Temple Israel for Claire, Dylan, Maliena, Alysia and Shane, and on Saturday we were back to Temple Israel again, this time for Jeremy.
Thank you June--and Suzanne--and Debbie--for spreading the word.

Temple Israel is a historic temple in the heart of Long Beach, circa the 1940s, with a big sanctuary, stained glass windows and a music filled service. The temple is about to undergo a facelift in the next two years. Progress is great, but we'll miss the ol' sanctuary.
After the service, Jeremy and his friends celebrated at the Old Ranch Country Club in Seal Beach. See him below doing the limbo!

Long Beach Bat Mitzvah | Hyatt Regency | Mikaela

Two weeks in a row in beautiful Long Beach, this time for vibrant Mikaela, who came to the torah the day before Passover at Congregation Shir Chadash in Lakewood.



After the service, we zoomed over to the stately Hyatt Regency, for a fun Hollywood themed party for the Bat Mitzvah girl.