I absolutely love photographing Bar and Bat Mitzvahs here in New York! The families I have met through these festive events are simply wonderful, kind and fun people! Rosie and her family are no exception 🙂 We started out the day at Rosie’s family’s beautiful apartment while they were finishing getting ready for their long and exciting day. We then headed down to the Stephen Wise Free Synagogue, where I was happy to witness the most lively and meaningful Bat Mitzvah ceremony. The music was also so fun and well done! To see Rosie surrounded by her parents, siblings and grandparents at this momentous occasion was very heart warming.
After the ceremony, the family hosted a lovely luncheon at Jam’s Restaurant just south of Central Park. This venue is absolutely gorgeous! Rosie had a handful of friends join her, but it was mostly for her family and family friends. Her family gave sweet and funny speeches that had everyone in stitches, and then we all watched a montage of Rosie’s life, which brought out tears and laughter like.
Instead of the traditional nighttime party most teens in New York plan to celebrate their Bat Mitzvah, Rosie chose to gather her friends together down at the Institute for Culinary Education to cook meals for the homeless. What a special girl to think of such a selfless activity to do on her big day!! The kids all had so much fun cooking pasta and chicken dishes (and brownies, too!) for the staff to distribute later on, and ended the evening sitting down to a meal they prepared themselves. So many of Rosie’s friends got up to give special speeches to her, a testament to this fabulous young woman! Mazel tov, Rosie!!
23
Feb
So beautifully captured Colleen! Love each & every image!