Gabriel // Bar Mitzvah

When I met Gabriel and his parents at their home on a cold winter night, we bonded over a love of reading. His bar mitzvah was a laid-back affair and his parents requested photos at their intimate family and friends dinner on Saturday night to document the people who mattered most to them - I was happy to work wherever they needed me :)

So unlike most of my bar or bat mitzvah posts, there's no photos on the Bima or reading the Torah, but there are more than enough photos that tell the story of Gabriel's bar mitzvah. This shot above? His oldest cousin was snowed in in New York, unable to make the event. But through the power of FaceTime, he sent hugs and well-wishes. His grandfather and his twin were celebrating a birthday so what better way than with Grandpa's favorite - the Costco cake! 

I loved working with Gabriel and his family for this simple yet meaningful event. And I'll never forget that Gabriel was my first-ever Jewish friend who showed me how to and then let me light the Menorah for Hanukkah ... it was a really special moment we shared after we first met and one I'll never forget! 

Mazel Tov, Gabriel!