Brooke’s Bat Mitzvah Rehearsal & Party
I headed down to Boston to photograph a friends Bat Mitzvah. Brooke’s simcha was on a Saturday, coinciding with a full-blown Boston-holiday-birthday-baseball-weekend for the family, so the timing worked out perfectly, and I had my camera on hand. We met at the stunning Temple Beth Elohim in the morning. We crossed our fingers for no rain, and our prayers were answered. I had never been to this temple before, and it blew me away. Huge windows, a peaceful courtyard, perfect light, and a gorgeous Bat Mitzvah girl. Brooke and I walked and talked and had a great time. Add in two seasoned brothers who had their own mitzvahs a few years back, plus parents and eventually extended family, and it turned into one big portrait session outside the temple. Since it was Saturday, no photography was allowed during the ceremony, so I packed up and spent the afternoon with my own family before gearing up for the evening celebration.
At 5 o’clock we met at the Archer Hotel in Burlington , a gorgeous boutique with thoughtful design and a touch of “Modernitas cum spiritu historiae“. I took Brooke around for some portraits before the boys and parents joined in, and we wrapped up with a full extended family session outside just as the sun began to set. The light was perfect. Inside, the party was coming together. DJ, dancers, games — the usual high-energy chaos I see back home in Toronto. As people started to arrive, I had that surreal and hilarious moment of spotting former Toronto mitzvah clients. For a second I forgot how connected everyone still is. The party itself was wild. Dancing, hora, speeches, kids running everywhere. It all carried on into the night until we finally called it around 11. A fantastic Saturday in Boston. I capped off the weekend with a Fenway Park baseball game and an unfortunate Leafs loss at a sports bar with my family, maybe next time, so they have been saying that for quite a few years now. Mazel Tov, guys.
The Story of Brooke’s Bat Mitzvah: Selected Photos: HERE
All the Photos: HERE
