This is what the back of my van looked like last week. We brought home all the food Saturday and left the nonperishables for the next day. Larry and I were bushed and the idea of driving back and forth for the second load was unthinkable. We still had an after-party that evening and we wanted to relax a bit.
So Sunday morning we made our way back to the synagog and loaded up the van with two huge flower arrangements, a dozen glass bowls with pansies, two amplifiers, two pedals, a guitar (Nate's), a bass (Larry's), and two stands. It was a full load and after we packed it all in the van looked very festive.
The ride home was for the most part uneventful. Nate's guitar did topple over, but fortunately nothing broke. We made one side trip to drop off the huge arrangements at a local nursing home. After Jake's Bar Mitzvah we didn't think of donating them. I'm glad this time we did, they got to brighten a few more lives.
Showing posts with label Bar Mitzvah. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bar Mitzvah. Show all posts
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Family
One of the great things about Bar Mitzvahs is the bringing together of family. People that you only get to see maybe once a year make the effort to put into an appearance. It's a happy occasion, full of food and happiness.
Sadly a few people couldn't make it this time, but in three years I expect to see them all for the dynamic duo's B'nai Mitzvah.
Sadly a few people couldn't make it this time, but in three years I expect to see them all for the dynamic duo's B'nai Mitzvah.
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Artist of the Week: Bar Mitzvah
Last weekend was Nate's 13th birthday and his Bar Mitzvah.
A few years ago Larry calculated when Nate's Bar Mitzvah would be and we were delighted that find it would be 11-11-11. Even better, his actual birthday would be on a Friday. Which is pretty darn cool. In reality the date means nothing, but it does make it memorable.
So for the past few months have been a whirlwind of studying, preparation, and attending services on both Friday night and Saturday morning.
For me it was a weird mixture of being easier and harder than Jake's Bar Mitzvah. On one hand it was old hat, since I had already done it before. And yet that made it harder, a few details almost got forgotten. But in the end it all came together.
Nate did a good job, even with the minor mixups with the pianist Friday night. It seemed as though the two of them weren't quite on the same page (sadly the original pianist that played with Jake passed away and we had someone else). It wasn't disastrous and Nate, to his credit, adapted as best he could and didn't lose his cool. Sunday things were a bit smoother and, miracle of miracles, Nate finally slowed down.
I'm very proud of Nate and the dedication he showed while studying. He even wiling gave up sports for the fall season. Nate recognized that he didn't have the time and that inevitably there would be conflicts.
A few years ago Larry calculated when Nate's Bar Mitzvah would be and we were delighted that find it would be 11-11-11. Even better, his actual birthday would be on a Friday. Which is pretty darn cool. In reality the date means nothing, but it does make it memorable.
So for the past few months have been a whirlwind of studying, preparation, and attending services on both Friday night and Saturday morning.
For me it was a weird mixture of being easier and harder than Jake's Bar Mitzvah. On one hand it was old hat, since I had already done it before. And yet that made it harder, a few details almost got forgotten. But in the end it all came together.
Nate did a good job, even with the minor mixups with the pianist Friday night. It seemed as though the two of them weren't quite on the same page (sadly the original pianist that played with Jake passed away and we had someone else). It wasn't disastrous and Nate, to his credit, adapted as best he could and didn't lose his cool. Sunday things were a bit smoother and, miracle of miracles, Nate finally slowed down.
I'm very proud of Nate and the dedication he showed while studying. He even wiling gave up sports for the fall season. Nate recognized that he didn't have the time and that inevitably there would be conflicts.
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Friday Morning
This is what the sanctuary looked like Friday morning. The light streaming through the stained glass and the flower arrangement complimented each other perfectly.
I noticed it as I was checking on the flower arrangements (which were gorgeous by the way). I ran back to the van to grab my camera, I had to take a picture.
It was one of the last quiet moments of a very busy day. Larry and I has already attended a Veterans Day ceremony at the elementary school and now we were setting up for Nate's Bar Mitzvah.
I noticed it as I was checking on the flower arrangements (which were gorgeous by the way). I ran back to the van to grab my camera, I had to take a picture.
It was one of the last quiet moments of a very busy day. Larry and I has already attended a Veterans Day ceremony at the elementary school and now we were setting up for Nate's Bar Mitzvah.
Monday, August 17, 2009
Surprises in the Mail
It has been two months since Jake's Bar Mitzvah and I thought we were pretty much done with it. Then I got I lovely surprise in the mail just the other day.
My cousin Kay had taken pictures and had sent me a disk of them. She was even so kind as to send all of her originals along with the ones she deemed best.
This picture had not made the cut, it was horribly grainy from the poor lighting conditions.
But, I love it.
I cropped it down and futzed with a few filters and did a bit of tweaking with the levels. It's far from perfect, but I so clearly remember the moment and I'm so glad my cousin captured it.
My cousin Kay had taken pictures and had sent me a disk of them. She was even so kind as to send all of her originals along with the ones she deemed best.
This picture had not made the cut, it was horribly grainy from the poor lighting conditions.
But, I love it.
I cropped it down and futzed with a few filters and did a bit of tweaking with the levels. It's far from perfect, but I so clearly remember the moment and I'm so glad my cousin captured it.
Monday, June 15, 2009
One Down, Three to Go
First off I would like to state that Jake did a wonderful job both Friday night and Saturday morning morning.
On Friday my cousin flew in and joined us for dinner. My husband's sister was staying with us and the two of them see to really hit it off. We had a wonderful and relaxed early dinner with many of Jake's favorite foods, from spinach pies to marinated flank steak. It was an excellent way to get him relaxed before the evening's big event.
Then it was time to dress up and go to temple. Both my cousin and my SIL came along with us early to service and took a ton of pictures before the start of Shabbat. Larry took the first picture here on the right while I was setting up the tripod. My sister-in-law is photographing little Miss Rebecca (such a little cutie pie) and my cousin snapping a few of Jake up on the bima. I didn't even know that Larry was taking pictures at the time and I was delighted when I saw them today as I downloaded them from the camera.
In the next picture, also by Larry since you can see the back of me while I adjust Nate's Kipot. (And here's a shout out to KoolKipah.com, they came in on time and looked great.) Max is looking as dapper as ever and you get to see one of the gorgeous arrangements I ordered. For the most part we were were sensible and stuck to a modest budget, the two arrangements on the bima were one of our extravagances and was totally worth it. They still look good and this was after being bounced around in my minivan on the ride home.
As for the Bar Mitzvah boy, a nervous cough that has been plaguing him when he felt stressed was pretty much absent. The Rabbi provided a hidden spot for Jake to place his cup of water so he could refresh himself throughout the service. Hebrew is not an easy language to speak, the various throat clearing noises are challenging enough for someone that hasn't developed a cough. At the end of Friday's service numerous people praised him for his very clear and well enunciated voice. I think all the positive feedback helped Jake gain confidence for the Saturday service.
Saturday morning Larry took Jake down to temple about 45 minutes early. It was Jake's last choice to smooth out the Haftorah blessings with the Rabbi. It was time well spent.
Jake still had a little trouble with that particular blessing, but the whole service went beautifully. The only real disater the whole day was my cell phone and that's a story worthy of it's own post.
The both the Friday night oneg and the Saturday kiddish luncheon went without a hitch. Everybody had a great time at all of our parties. During the Saturday night post Bar Mitzvah pizza and laser tag party Jake told this was the best party ever and it was the best day of his life.
On Friday my cousin flew in and joined us for dinner. My husband's sister was staying with us and the two of them see to really hit it off. We had a wonderful and relaxed early dinner with many of Jake's favorite foods, from spinach pies to marinated flank steak. It was an excellent way to get him relaxed before the evening's big event.
Then it was time to dress up and go to temple. Both my cousin and my SIL came along with us early to service and took a ton of pictures before the start of Shabbat. Larry took the first picture here on the right while I was setting up the tripod. My sister-in-law is photographing little Miss Rebecca (such a little cutie pie) and my cousin snapping a few of Jake up on the bima. I didn't even know that Larry was taking pictures at the time and I was delighted when I saw them today as I downloaded them from the camera.
In the next picture, also by Larry since you can see the back of me while I adjust Nate's Kipot. (And here's a shout out to KoolKipah.com, they came in on time and looked great.) Max is looking as dapper as ever and you get to see one of the gorgeous arrangements I ordered. For the most part we were were sensible and stuck to a modest budget, the two arrangements on the bima were one of our extravagances and was totally worth it. They still look good and this was after being bounced around in my minivan on the ride home.
As for the Bar Mitzvah boy, a nervous cough that has been plaguing him when he felt stressed was pretty much absent. The Rabbi provided a hidden spot for Jake to place his cup of water so he could refresh himself throughout the service. Hebrew is not an easy language to speak, the various throat clearing noises are challenging enough for someone that hasn't developed a cough. At the end of Friday's service numerous people praised him for his very clear and well enunciated voice. I think all the positive feedback helped Jake gain confidence for the Saturday service.
Saturday morning Larry took Jake down to temple about 45 minutes early. It was Jake's last choice to smooth out the Haftorah blessings with the Rabbi. It was time well spent.
Jake still had a little trouble with that particular blessing, but the whole service went beautifully. The only real disater the whole day was my cell phone and that's a story worthy of it's own post.
The both the Friday night oneg and the Saturday kiddish luncheon went without a hitch. Everybody had a great time at all of our parties. During the Saturday night post Bar Mitzvah pizza and laser tag party Jake told this was the best party ever and it was the best day of his life.
Tuesday, May 05, 2009
Done, Done and Done
My biggest accomplishment yesterday was addressing and mailing the last batch of invites to Jake's Bar Mitzvah.
I divided them up into three groups:
Classmates at Hebrew school (22)
Friends and Family (41)
Congregation (41)
It looks like a huge number, but we expect only half will come. Most of the girls in Jake's class probably won't be coming. As for the boys, well our temple is located a bit far afield and the average West Ender really doesn't like going outside of West End (a shockingly good description of the West End), much less Richmond. Hebrew school is conducted in the West End and most of the kids are from around there. As for friends and family, a few of the invites were simply courtesy invitations. My 90+ year old Aunt is not schelping down from Boston and my brother will be a groomsman at a friends wedding.
I also faxed off the hotel contracts, touched base with the caterer and got the ball rolling with the flowers. Kippots have been ordered, Jake has a new blazer and the rest seems to be coming together. I just have to clean the house, ugh.
I divided them up into three groups:
Classmates at Hebrew school (22)
Friends and Family (41)
Congregation (41)
It looks like a huge number, but we expect only half will come. Most of the girls in Jake's class probably won't be coming. As for the boys, well our temple is located a bit far afield and the average West Ender really doesn't like going outside of West End (a shockingly good description of the West End), much less Richmond. Hebrew school is conducted in the West End and most of the kids are from around there. As for friends and family, a few of the invites were simply courtesy invitations. My 90+ year old Aunt is not schelping down from Boston and my brother will be a groomsman at a friends wedding.
I also faxed off the hotel contracts, touched base with the caterer and got the ball rolling with the flowers. Kippots have been ordered, Jake has a new blazer and the rest seems to be coming together. I just have to clean the house, ugh.
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