This past Saturday, we had the privilege of photographing the Bat Mitzvah of Alana Janine at Temple Kol Ami. We joined her family in the celebration. She is the sweetest girl along with her sister, Emily.
Alana greeting her maternal grandmother, Mary in the parking lot upon their arrival.
Greg, her dad, was the ever proud father.
All the Millers arriving at the temple.
Her dad with his brothers, Rob and Danny.
Alana’s mom, Celeste with her father in law, Shelly share a laugh before the ceremony.
Alana’s mother and father present her with her Tallit, a prayer shawl.
Alana modeling her Tallit.
The Rabbi greets Alana.
So pretty….
The ark is opened, and the Jewish Prayer book, the Torah, is removed for reading…
Alana, a tad bit nervous, begins to read from the Torah…
Alana reads with a yad, a pointer used to read the words from the Torah.
(left to right) Emily, Greg, Alana and Celeste, the immediate family.
Alana along with her paternal, grandparents, Carol and Shelly.
Proud grandmother…
Uncle Danny, Emily and Alana all take turns reading…
Uncle Rob helps the Rabbi roll the Torah scrolls…
The Kiddush cup……
Alana drinks from the Kiddush cup…
The challah bread is brought out….
Our celebration is complete as the guests join hands in prayer…
Some informal family photos outside the grounds of Temple Kol Ami…
After some family photos are completed, all the guests were asked to take part in an afternoon brunch on the grounds of the Temple. In the middle of the tables, were baskets of pet supplies as Alana is an avid pet lover and did her community service requirement for her Bat Mitzvah at a local animal shelter. All the baskets were donated to the shelters upon the end of the brunch.
In the evening we returned for a reception at the Royal Palms Resort and Spa on Cambelback Mountain in Phoenix. Alana did a quick change into a short cocktail dress perfect for the occasion.
Her sister, Emily, looked equally as pretty.
Alana’s reception was set to a New York theme as both her parents originally came from Long Island, New York.
The tables were all set with names from famous streets in New York City.
The children’s tables came complete with “I Love New York” goodie bags, fluorescent hats, black and white cookies, and assorted goodies.
The front of the room was set to huge movie sets and posters from famous spots in New York.
Outdoors, on a perfect spring night, the cocktail hour was held among flowering plants, and fountains.
A cartoonist kept the kids entertained out back along with a typical New York City hotdog stand!
Before entering the room, the DJ complete with a microphone asked questions of the kids as they walked the “red carpet” and entered their very own New York City movie premiere!
And, then it was time for the entrances…
and it wouldn’t be complete without a traditional horah!
Alana’s mother, Celeste, appeared to be a bit weary of doing this rising in the chair! LOL
Alana’s grandpa, Shelly, did the blessing over the bread…known as the Hamotzi.
How pretty were the appetizers served before the main course?
Alana’s dad, spoke lovingly about how proud he was of his daughter, Alana and how joyous it was to be able to share this wonderful occasion with all their family and friends.
Alana sat with her friends and listened as her dad reminisced about her growing up.
How cute were these wigs that the kids donned as they danced to Madonna!
Alana during her candle ceremony as slide shows of famous sites in New York City played on the big screen in the background.
And, then all the kids helped her blow out her candles!
Her dances with her parents!
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