Manhattan Beach Bat Mitzvah | Congregation Tikvat Jacob | Marisa

A year ago, we met Joey at Congregation Tikvat Jacob to document his Manhattan Beach Bar Mitzvah. Twelve months later, it was sister Marisa's turn.

That's the entire family up on the CTJ bima. We began the day by taking Marisa outside, for a portrait near the CTJ sign, and then returned to the sanctuary, which we adorned with some blue and orange gells to add a little contrast and separation to the light. The blue, at least to our eyes, worked perfectly with her talit.




All the photos taken by Sam Graham, except for the outside portrait, which is by Jeff.

Manhattan Beach Bat Mitzvah | CTJ | Sarah

We've spent a lot of time with the lovely Sarah over the last few weeks. First, we met her under the Manhattan Beach Pier to shoot the portrait for her sign-in board. Then, a few weeks later, we were at Congregation Tikvat Jacob, our neighborhood temple, for her Bat Mitzvah portraits. Last weekend, it was time to reunite, first in the afternoon, for some Bat Mitzvah day portraits at the family home, then over to the Manhattan Country Club, for the big party, staged by Nina Bracker Events.
Featured below: Sarah at the beach and CTJ, with Rabbi Mark.







All photos by Sam Graham, except for #5, which is by Jeff.

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).

Drew's Manhattan Beach Bar Mitzvah | Congregation Tikvat Jacob

Here's Drew, from his Saturday Bar Mitzvah at Congregation Tikvat Jacob of Manhattan Beach.

Photos by Sam Graham of Graham & Graham Photography

Manhattan Beach Bar Mitzvah--Meet the new Team

We did our first photo shoot with the new team at our local temple, Congregation Tikvat Jacob today--say hi to Rabbi Mark, Cantor Beth and Bar Mitzvah himself, Drew.
Photo by Sam Graham of Graham & Graham Photography.

Tyler's Bar Mitzvah | Congregation Tikvat Jacob | Manhattan Beach

Congregation Tikvat Jacob in Manhattan Beach is a conservative synagogue, and as such, has strict policies about photography. Specially, no pictures on Saturday, during Shabbat. But on Saturday, Tyler's Bar Mitzvah was an afternoon event, ending after sundown, so Rabbi Mark Hyman agreed to let us take a few shots--at the tail end, once the Havdalah ceremony began. So here it is folks--history in the making--the first shots we know of, ever taken at CTJ, during a service.

Rabbi Mark read a wonderful poem by Danny Siegel for Tyler, who is autistic, and we'd like to share it with you here:


"I am not some developmentally delayed creature today.

Today I am a full-grown Jew.

Do not reach for your Kleenex;

be no more moved to joy for my Bar Mitzvah moment

than for anybody else's with a quicker mind.

There is nothing special about me today.

I came of age.

I recited my blessings.

I joined the congregation.

It is all natural,

though I would not have known this

without my teachers' and my parents' help.



Expect no less of me than of yourselves,

and no more.

My genes specialize in open love and kindness.

For this, do not admire me from a distance.

Do not wish another chromosome for yourself.

All is not beautiful,

even to me,

but it is more beautiful than you allow yourselves to see.

This face, distinct and smiling, feels pain,

but I can manage.

You, with your own, do the same."

Manhattan Beach Bar/Bat Mitzvah Photography & Video

Graham and Graham Photography is a Manhattan Beach based father/son photo team specializing in Los Angeles Bar/Bat Mitzvah photography and video. We work out of our house, just a few blocks down the street from CTJ, and invite you to come visit and take a look at our portfolio, videos and albums. While we work most often at local temples, like Congregation Tikvat Jacob, Temple Shalom of the South Bay, Temple Menorah and Congregation Ner Tamid, we do often leave the South Bay. Recent photo shoots were at Temple Sholom in Orange County, the Wilshire Boulevard Temple in Los Angeles and Leo Baeck Temple in West Los Angeles. Feel free to call us at 310-545-6291 or e-mail grahamphoto@gmail.com to set up an appointment.

Congregation Tikvat Jacob Bat Mitzvah | Manhattan Beach | Jamie

As the daughter of two talented veterinarians, it was only natural that Jamie's Manhattan Beach Bat Mitzvah party would be stock full of animals. The party, held at their home, featured lots of kids and adults, as well as a baby kangaroo, raccoon and a long, shiny snake.
Jamie was called to the Torah at Congregation Tikvat Jacob in Manhattan Beach, our hometown temple.
Mavel Tov, Jamie!

Manhattan Beach Bar/Bat Mitzvah Showcase | Raleigh Studios

On September 14th, do yourself a favor.

Shop the Best in Bar & Bat Mitzvah vendors
at one fabulous time and place.

Planning a Manhattan Beach, Redondo Beach or Hermosa Beach Bar or Bat Mitzvah celebration can be overwhelming … or a pure pleasure. Your choice.
And choice is exactly what The Best in Bar & Bat Mitzvahs is all about.

From party planners to caterers, photographers to entertainment, the Best in Bar & Bat Mitzvahs will showcase party professionals from to suit your style and budget. You’ll sample delicious food. See the latest in décor. Get inspired, get excited, get it done.

This fantastic event is co-sponsored by Manhattan Beach’s Congregation Tikvat Jacob, Hermosa Beach's Temple
Shalom of the South Bay, the Redondo Beach Jewish Community Center Chabad and Redondo Beach’s Temple Menorah, so you’ll catch up with friends while exploring your options. (Our friends from Palos Verdes’ Congregation Ner Tamid and other local temples are more than welcome!)

Admission is free, parking is free and prizes will be raffled. You can run all over town checking out vendors … or you can save this date, and save your sanity. See you there!

Sunday, September 14th, 2008
from 1 to 3 pm
Raleigh Studios
1600 Rosecrans Avenue
Manhattan Beach



Coordinated by Nina Bracker Events
310.701.8815
nina.bracker@gmail.com

Exhibitors include:
Graham and Graham Photography
Gameworks
Nina Bracker Events
You Should Be Dancing
Patina Group
Raleigh Studios
Invisibletouch DJ
Mark Ray's Ray Entertainment DJ
The Invitation Enthusiast
Ayres Hotel
Automobile Driving Museum
Temple Menorah
Congregation Tikvat Jacob
Jewish Community Center Chabad of Redondo Beach
Temple Shalom of the South Bay
Fry Girl
Korman Group
Ink Invitations
Party Pals
Gil Christ Video
Images Printed on Chocolate
Video-sync
Bowl Lucky Strike
Slater Entertainment
ItsoYou
Ron Levy Photography
The Korman Group
Premiere Valet Parking
Friendship Circle
Party Pals