Noah’s Bar Mitzvah: June 19, 2025
This was my second time around with this wonderful family, and once again, they did not disappoint. This time, it was Noah stepping up to the plate. We met at the same synagogue as last time, Chabad of Aurora; quite a hike from my downtown base but I made the drive up to Richmond Hill. The weather wasn’t exactly on our side, so we opted for the covered deck around the synagogue, which turned out to be the perfect spot. I set up camp and started photographing Noah as soon as he arrived. Then came the parents, his brother, and just like that, we were off. The extended family had travelled far to be here, so we made sure everyone got their moment in front of the lens. Every combination, every variation, we got them all. Once portraits were wrapped, we headed into the ceremony. It’s a cozy little synagogue, but warm and welcoming. Noah was incredible. He spoke beautifully and read from the Torah with such grace and poise. A delicious brunch followed, and while everyone enjoyed the celebration, we all had one eye on Saturday night, when the party would really kick off. Fast-forward to the weekend, and we’re at the Boulevard on Steeles. The weather? Perfect. Noah had made it through the heavy lifting and was ready to party. We started with some photos outside, then gathered up the rest of the crew for more portraits. Inside, it was all systems go; hora, speeches, candle lighting, dancing. The full balagan, and everyone was loving it. Mazal Tov, guys. What a fantastic way to wrap up this weekend mitzvah party. Noah, you crushed it.
The Story of Noah’s Bar Mitzvah: Selected Photos: HERE
All the Photos: HERE
•Clothing (Mitzvah): Moore’s
•Shoes (Mitzvah): Steve Madden
•Clothing (Mitzvah): Moore’s
•Shoes (Mitzvah): Jordan’s
•Clothing (Mom): Fitzroy
•Clothing (Dad): Moore’s
•Invitations: Santa Festa Convites Especiais – Sao Paulo Brazil
•Jewellery: Family jewellery
•Makeup: Mayara Reis Dourado – Brazilian Make Up artist only for the party on Saturday
•Hair: Paulo & Alex from Paulo & Co
•Decor: Ellie Crespin
•Florist: Ellie Crespin
•Event Planner: Ellie Crespin
•Photographer: Jonni Super
•Videographer: Mitch Belman
•DJ Entertainment: Party Crew
•Audio-Visual: Joseph Crespin and Santa Festa Convites
•Venue: Chabad Aurora
•Rabbi: Yosef Hecht
•Caterer: Cafe Sheli (Kosher)
•Sweets and special cookies: Artsy Baker (Kosher)
•Kippot: – LUX Kippot
•Venue: The Boulevard Room
•Specialty Food: Brazilian Chicken coxinhas and cheese balls, Brigadeiros – varieties, Toronto Cuisine Gourmet | Bakery, brigadeiros and snacks
•Advice for Future Mitzvahs: Planning is everything! Start early with the big-ticket items and prioritize based on your budget. One of the best pieces of advice I can offer: after the mitzvah child, the most important person at your event is the photographer — followed closely by the videographer. Book them well in advance — they’re key to preserving the memories you’ve worked so hard to create.
I planned and executed three back-to-back events, and they were all seamless thanks to thoughtful preparation and attention to detail:
• A ceremony on Thursday for 40+ people
• Shabbat dinner at home for 18 guests
• And of course, the big celebration
It all came together smoothly because I took the time to visualize each event from start to finish. Close your eyes and imagine what you want your event to feel like. Then break that vision down into small, manageable tasks. Create clear to-do lists, complete items by priority, and keep track of payment deadlines. Respecting those timelines — especially deposits and final balances — shows professionalism, and vendors truly appreciate it.
It takes a village to bring a simcha to life. Don’t let the small stuff overwhelm you — there will always be last-minute cancellations or minor hiccups. That’s all part of the process.
Remember: you are the conductor of the orchestra, and your energy sets the tone. Stay calm, stay joyful, and everything else will follow.
Enjoy the journey, and most importantly… Le’chaim!