Melissa's Bat Mitzvah
Ceremonies at the Party

Havdalah, motzi, candle lighting and some chair rides. Things that are more or less traditional, more or less formal and all important.

Ready for Havdalah?

Melissa and Dick getting ready for Havdalah.

Making Havdalah

Melissa and Dick lead Havdalah while Lisa and Jonathan look on.
Left to right in background are: Nina, Liz, Miranda and Alex Stein, Daniel Saxe and Emily Ringel.

Flying Chairs and Confetti

David Sacerdote and David Lintz lift the near side of Melissa's chair. Dick was on the back side. Who was the fourth?
Lori, ?, Derelyn Diamond, Jeremy Moskowitz, Lynn Paikowski in background.

Flying Chairs and Flying Fish

Dick lifted in a chair by David Lintz, David Eisenberg and others.

More Flying Chairs and Fish

Jonathan lifted by David Lintz, David Eisenberg and Gil Brodsky?

Enough Fish Already!

Lisa is lifted by David Lintz, David Eisenberg and Gil Brodsky?

Ready for Motzi?

Frank Goldberg and Ray Karesky talk before Motzi.

Motzi

Frank Goldberg makes Motzi as Estelle looks on.

First Candle

Estelle gets the first candle. Grammy always is the favorite.

Second Candle

Dick's father was in the hospital and so the Pennsylvania crew couldn't come. Jonathan lights their candle.

Third Candle

David, Dorothy, Michael, Carol and George light the third candle.

Fourth Candle

Lisa relied heavily on advice from Carol Lintz, Debi Chernick and Lesli Reich during the planning insanity.

Fifth Candle

Dick's Uncle Mike and Aunt Mary Ann lit the fifth candle. Don't believe Mike if he introduces himself as Jim!

Sixth Candle

Melissa called in all the relatives on the Robinson side. This includes people who were married to someone related through the Robinson side. Marie Silverman lit the candle for this group.
Others in the crowd: Debi Chernick, Helen Chernick, George Sacerdote, Carole Sacerdote, David Sacerdote, Estelle, Matt Silverman, Dick, Lisa, Alana Chernick, Melissa, Marc Silverman, Michael Sacerdote, Jonathan, Jean Silverstein and Joe Silverstein.

Seventh Candle

Next we get all the Liberman relatives. Same rule as above. Krystal Klein list the candle for this group.
Others in the crowd: Stanley Machlin, Hank Diamond, Phyllis Diamond, Marian Diamond, Barbara Machlin, Sayde Karesky, Derelyn Diamond (hidden behind Sayde), Edward Diamond, Eileen Riback, Frank Goldberg, Janice Lazarus, unknown head, Carol Sacerdote, George Sacerdote, Estelle, Lisa, Ray Karesky, Melissa, Krystal Klein, Dick, Jonathan, Bruce Diamond and Marian Diamond.

Eighth Candle

The Ringels, Tante Dawn, Uncle Maury and Emily, got the next candle.

Ninth Candle

The biggest crowd of all. All of the members of the temple who were among our guest got called on this one. Josh Pankin did the honors.

Tenth Candle

Melissa's close friends from Camp Kingswood were up next. Sarah Enos, Melissa and Talia Ringer light the candle while Jonathan looks on.

Eleventh Candle

The Schechter kids were next. Jeremy Moskowitz and Josh Pankin can't decide who will get the candle. What do you think?
In the crowd: Emily Lipman, Liza Elkin, Josh Pankin, Zara Budd, Jeremy Moskowitz, Melissa, Kira Leeds. Jonathan hangs in the background; isn't he a Schechter kid too?

Twelfth Candle

Number twelve goes to Jonathan. I guess he had to get in there somewhere!

Thirteenth and Fourteenth Candles

Last but not least, Mom and Dad. Jonathan finds his way in too.

Blow Them Out!

After all that, puff they are gone!

Serenade

The Schechter kids serenade Melissa with a song they wrote.

Serenade in Gray

A black and white version for a little color.

Lisa's Speech

Lisa made a three hanky speech about Melissa.

Speech in Gray

Same in black and white.

Melissa Listens for Once

Melissa moves in closer to hear the speech better.

Melissa Listens in Gray

Same as previous in black and white.

Appreciation

I guess Melissa appreciated the speech. Earns big hug.

Toast!

Dad makes a toast so quick the photographer almost misses it.

Appreciation II

Appreciation, the Sequel. I guess Melissa liked the toast too.