Wednesday, April 27, 2016

Max's bar mitzvah, in photos



The entry sign, complete with Max's favorite fire truck

Hello, Ben? Ben? Bennnnnnnnnn? OK, let's move on!

Max got Ben to smile by making silly noises.

A quiet moment before people entered the sanctuary. A friend of a friend crocheted Max the kippah; it has his Hebrew name, melech, which means "king."

The rabbi gives Max his tallit

Max sings Uri, Uri: "Cause you've got the music in your soul, this world needs to hear your song."

My mom, saying a blessing

Dave and I gave Max a parent blessing. This is how it went:

Dave: May God help you continue to be the wonderful person you already are.
Ellen: Bright and curious, charming and funny, perceptive and sensitive, caring and loyal. You also have the wonderful ability to say "I love you." Hang onto that one especially!
Dave: May your enthusiasm for learning continue throughout your life, and bring you great joy and fulfillment. You are a smart guy!
Ellen: May people always see your abilities.
Dave: May your Judaism continue to be discovered and explored.
Ellen: May you have companions throughout life who love and appreciate you for who you are, and who are there for you.
Dave: May you do all the things you want to do and be successful, as you define success.
Ellen: May you continue to have the abundant joy that makes it clear to you and those who know you that every day in life is a gift.
Ellen & Dave: Max, thank you for being such a bright light in our lives. We're proud of you, and we love you. Mazel tov.

Max and Sabrina sing "Adon Olam" (Master of the Universe) to conclude the ceremony.

At the cocktail hour, sitting with friends from school. Yes, that's a giant piƱa colada in front of Max.

 Escort cards

 The party room

The centerpieces, complete with lit up fire trucks

When I first started planning the bar mitzvah a year ago, I wondered if Max would want to make an entrance into the party on his own. Well, he insisted on it.

 
This is the boy who used to tell me he didn't want to be lifted up on a chair during the hora.

A mix of friends and family lit the candles on the cake; these are my best friends, Wendy and Hedy, and Dave's—Brian, Leigh, Jeff and his son, Enzo. 

 My sis, Judy; her husband, Steve; and their daughter, Margo

Max wanted to blow out his candle together.

He held the mic for our speech.

 Dancing with one of his good friends from school

My friend Wendy made this amazing box for cards people brought.

 Mom/son dance to "Just The Way You Are"

 Candy bar! Designed by my friend Laura from Party Cake, Party Cake.

 One of the many beautiful messages people left in Max's sign-in book


Photos by Joy Yagid Photography; candy bar: Stephanie Ripps

18 comments:

  1. Looks like a fabulous time was had by all! Thanks for sharing the pictures!

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  2. How blessed you are! Gorgeous family ! and you look fabulous!

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  3. Thank you for sharing the pictures of Fireman Max's special day!

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  4. Thank you for sharing! Beautiful everything! The words you said to your son... I don't know how you got through them
    Thank you for letting us love max too!

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  5. 'Cause you're amazing
    ...Just the way you are

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    1. Anna....
      "'Cause you're amazing
      ...Just the way you are"
      That's right!! And I can express the same exact thing about you, Friend!! So I will!! 'Cause you're amazing ...Just the way you are!! Autism? You're amazing.... Just the way you are!! Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder? You're amazing.... Just the way you are!! Why? Because you are Beautifully Unique!! Why? Because you are fearfully and wonderfully made!! ;)
      "Stay hard, stay hungry, stay alive", Raelyn

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  6. My heart is just brimming with joy for all of you!!! What a special day. Mazel Tov!!

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  7. Congratulations Max and family on acheiving this milestone and have a blast doing it!!

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  8. Congratulations to Max and the family! These pictures are so wonderful, it looked amazing!

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  9. Ellen....
    That first group family picture of you guys all together? Your smile!! You are just bursting with pride and happiness for Max's milestone event, for Max's Bar Mitzvah.... And rightfully so!! ;)
    There are fire engines on Max's kippah!! But of course!! Love it!! ;-D
    "Cause you've got the music in your soul, this world needs to hear your song." That made me smile!! ;)
    I love, love, love your "parent blessing"!! It touched my deepest, most heartfelt emotions!! ;-D
    That first picture of Max making an entrance!! He is rockin' it!! Max reminds me of Tony Stark/Iron Man in that picture!! Cool!! ;)
    Max dancing with his good friend from school!! Sweet.... ;-D
    The Mom/son dance picture!! As a writer, an artist who paints pictures with words, I only have one word to express that picture.... "Awwww...." Is that a word?! ;)
    "Stay hard, stay hungry, stay alive", Raelyn
    PS. Sorry, long comment!! This is why I cannot do Twitter!! Ha!! ;-D

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  10. I LOVE the blessings you and your husband gave Max. We do something similar with our kids, but when they're babies.

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  11. So awesome.

    Love the way the guests are grouped in engines.

    [Hopping from fire truck to fire truck ... that's allowed, isn't it?]

    I thought that might be a pina colada! The Seidmans do enjoy their cocktails, don't you?

    Design elements: the Mazel Tov / Max Grant box and the candy bar from Party Cake Party Cake.

    The quilt is awesome.

    Love the two pics where Ben plays a prominent part.

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  12. Loved everything! Great dress for you!

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  13. Thank you for sharing these wonderful pictures! It looks like it went great!!!

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  14. What a beautiful blessing. Congratulations to my favorite fireman <3

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  15. This was the best Bar Mitzvah ever!! Good job Fireman Max.

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  16. Ellen, thank you for sharing these wonderful photos from Fireman Max's special day. It looks like it was awesome, and I wish I could have been there! Mazel tov, Fireman Max, and never lose your joy for life!

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  17. I just love the photo of Max being lifted up in the chair. He looks sooooo happy :-)

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Thanks for sharing!