It was Chad’s bar mitzvah at the Capri Hotel in Johannesburg last night, and it was fantastic!! The Friedman family really know how to throw a party, and it was definitely the liveliest bar mitzvah I’ve been to.  It was a black and red soccer themed simcha because Chad is a staunch Man United supporter, and the decor was incredible.  Janine (Chad’s mom) met a beader a few years ago, and he made life-size soccer balls out of wire and beads, and he also made a pair of soccer boots for the table centre pieces.  So beautifully made!!

From the bag-pipers that started the proceedings before the hora, to the fact that everyone was on the dance floor, there was just so much fun that was had… oh and not forgetting the 2 Afrikaans songs played by Jonathan Birin’s band which had everyone singing on top of their voices and for the first time I got to take photos of people doing a sokkie at a barmi!!

The other thing was that I recognised so many people there… a lot of their guest list were old clients of mine.  From barmi and batti kids (now much older and taller) and their parents, to Izzie, who’s 70th birthday party I took photos at in 2009.  It was awesome to see them all

Anyway, enough words… on to the photos which I’m hoping will portray the story and the energy of the evening…

I do like seeing my photos printed this image was taken at his portrait session a few weeks ago.

Venue and catering:  Capri Hotel in Savoy Johannesburg
Videographer: Arnaldo Mandel
Band: Jonathan Birin Big Band
Bag Pipers:

There are a few more images in a Facebook album too (the album also includes his rehearsal photos), and if you were at the mitzvah, tag yourself in the images (you’ll be able to if you “like” the Facebook page), and leave a comment here, or on Facebook for the family to see.