Manhattan Beach Bat Mitzvah | Ayers Hotel

The Ayers Hotel in Manhattan Beach was the beautiful setting for Leah's Saturday Bat Mitzvah, in the secluded courtyard of the hotel, which is right off the 405 at Rosecrans. The statues pictured here are part of the Ayers decor. Rabbi Lori led the service for Temple Shalom of the South Bay, and DJ services at the rockin' party courtesy of our friend Sam House and the gang. Look for him below, funnin' it up on the dance floor with Leah, dancers Heather and Jackie and MC Dave Greer.

Palos Verdes Ner Tamid Bar Mitzvah by Graham & Graham

It was back to Rancho Palos Verdes and Congregation Ner Tamid over the weekend for Jared's Bar Mitzvah, with a super-hero themed reception at the Torrance Doubletree.


Jared, like the younger Graham, is a great visual artist, and he decorated the party with some of his great images. The artwork was also a centerpiece of his entertaining montage.

Below, Jared posing with some of his pals--the Hulk, Spider-man, Superman and Wall-E, and dancing up a storm. Photos by Sam Graham (except siblings, by Jeff.)

Leo Baeck Temple Bar Mitzvah | American Jewish University

It was our first time at American Jewish University on Mulholland for Elliot's Bar Mitzvah. The family belongs to Leo Baeck, which is under construction remodeling for a year, so Bar Mitzvahs are being held, for the time being, in the retro chapel at AJU. We got the killer shot of Elliot and his siblings outside on the patio, directly across from the chapel.

Later that night, master party planner Nina Bracker staged the hippest, contemporary iPod-themed i-celebration for Elliot at Michael's in Santa Monica. Elliot is having fun in front of some of the really cool lighting effects Nina posted in and around the restaurant patio.

Sherman Oaks Bat Mitzvah | Courtyard by Marriott

A few weeks ago we shared highlights from our photo session of Sabrina and family at her Valley Beth Shalom Bat Mitzvah in Encino. Now we'd like to offer some highlights from the Courtyard by Marriott/Sherman Oaks party, with images by Sam Graham and Phil Berkner.





Remember that shot of Sabrina jumping outside of VBS we posted the first time around? It's one of our all-time favorites.
Well Phil had the brilliant idea at the party of having Sabrina and her brothers jump up at the party as well--in front of her "Sabrina's Soiree," sign from the folks at http://steprepeat.com

Mia Dances Up a Storm @ Wilshire Boulevard Temple

Mia loves to dance--and she put on quite the show at her Bat Mitzvah over the weekend.

The service was held at Irmas Campus of Wilshire Boulevard Temple, with a party afterwards at Hermosa Beach's Zen Lounge.

The party--which just happened to fall on Mia's birthday--opened with the traditional grand entrance and Hora, followed by an energetic, solo number by Mia. Erica Mangham's THE Event staged the nattily decorated party, with wonderful nightclub like lighting, and terrific food from the Zen Lounge.

More Valley Beth Shalom Bat Mitzvah | San Fernando Valley Bar/Bat Mitzvah Photography

We had so much fun posting our new shots from the Valley Beth Shalom Bat Mitzvah shoot, we decided to come back for a second helping. This is Sabrina at the VBS bima, reading from the Torah, and posting for us outside the temple with her talit. We're offering two versions of our multi-generation of hands on the Torah--which one do you prefer?

Valley Beth Shalom Bat Mitzvah | Encino Bat Mitzvah

Yes, we do drive to the Valley! While we're based in Manhattan Beach and do most of our shoots in the South Bay and Westside, we're happy to make the trek to the San Fernando Valley. Especially when the venue is the big, beautiful Valley Beth Shalom, the jewel of the Valley. We love VBS's stained glass windows, and afternoon shoots when the sun shines right on through. And we love taking pix of Bar and Bat Mitzvah kids jumping outside the sanctuary. Mazel Tov, Sabrina!