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 piña colada in front of Max.
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.
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
