Jake's Bar Mitzvah

After Covid changed our plans for Jake's Bar Mitzvah several times we finalized a date in June. 

June 5, 2021

We had considered keeping our original date of 12/12/20 and going the Zoom-only route but much to Alex's credit we moved the date to June and hoped that we'd be able to be at least somewhat in person. I am so very thankful that we waited and were able to celebrate Jake with family and friends.

Jake did an amazing job preparing for everything. Working with his tutor Malka through the pandemic. We paused on his lessons for awhile until we finalized the date. At one point Jake was the only one of Malka's students she had actually met in person. 

Part of getting ready for the big event was getting used to having his picture taken. As a warm up, our photographer, Ginny, did a portrait session at the beautiful Mayfield Park. I had heard of it but hadn't ever been. Famous for it's Peacocks, it was lovely.

This boy. That smile.

The weekend really began Wednesday when my mom came in. We hadn't seen her since December 2019. Jake joined us for a walk with Kirby which was a sweet treat. Jake saw an owl sitting in our neighbors yard, likely one of the ones living in our backyard. I don't think I've ever seen one so close. It's also meaningful (if you believe in such things) because my Aunt Judy loved owls so it felt like representation of her being her. 

Thursday my sister flew in and the Diller-Ramati girls were reunited. 

Some of the Plano crew came in on Thursday afternoon. We had pizza and wine (obviously) and we were so excited to have them actually here, in person, to celebrate. 

Friday morning we went for pictures! 

Usually each Bar Mitzvah kiddo works with someone in the community to understand their Torah portion and write about it. We didn't really like that so we asked instead if Jake could work with his Great Uncle Ken. Having lost both grandfather's in such a short time, having the time and connection to a grandfather figure was much more meaningful. It was one of the sweetest parts of the whole experience and I think it benefitted both of them. Plus, together they wrote a very good speech and Jake will remember working with Papa on this for always. 

While we were missing our dads very much, we were lucky to have both grandmothers with us!

He did such a great job!

With Auntie Rachel & Mimi

Auntie Rachel & Jake 

With Uncle Phillip

Siblings!

Diller girls!

Diller-Ramati Girls

Ramati men & Dorry

Rabbi Blumofe was wonderful. He made the rehearsal and pictures fun and the service both fun and meaningful. We felt very lucky to be able to take pictures in the sanctuary and to have him with us. These were the first pictures he had done since the pandemic. He loved that Mimi was from Chicago too and he knew all about the Winston Towers where Great lives!

He and Allie did some dancing up to the bemah to let her practice opening the ark. 

Camera ready!

Ramati Family 

Diller-Ramati Family

So proud of Jake!

Friday night we welcomed our out of town guests to town with dinner at the famous County Line for some Texas BBQ.

Cornhole with Jake and Zach

We didn't take nearly enough pictures at this special night. Loved being together with so much of our family in one place. 

The beef ribs were a hit!

We came home from Salt Lick to quite a surprise on our street. A pipe burst and the crews were out trying to fix it. Not really great when you're trying to get a little sleep the night before a big event or when you realize what it would mean if you don't have water when you have guests coming to your house!

Thankfully it was fixed (at least for now) by the morning!

It was a busy morning and didn't even think to take any pictures at all as we were going to the synagogue but did get a snap of a few friends on their way in to the service. 

Thankful that we weren't only on Zoom but still glad that we were able to share the ceremony with a larger group than just our friends and family who came from out of town. 

After the service we headed home to finalize things for the party. Our original plan was to hold the party and another venue that we were really excited about. But in hindsight (and after a lot of work done to it) having the party at home felt 100% right.

The mostly final look at our new covered patio!

With the amount of rain we had in May (and into June) the rental of a tent was done as much to ensure it didn't rain as it was for rain protection. 

Ramati- Vivier Family

Ava & Allie were fast friends and look like trouble to me!

Auntie Sandy & Jake

My Aunts (my dad's honorary sisters) Sandy, Carol and Sandy's husband Jimmy! Felt my dad all weekend through them!

Brian & Jake

Lilly, Brian & Jake 

With Alex 

Joe, Gail, Andie & Zach 

Sandy, Rachel, Carole & Mollie

Jessica & Clara

Jessica & Hilton

Hilton

Allie and friends!

Jake and good friend Levi

Phillip & Rachel

Ashley

Crystal

Josh & Kelly

Sandy & Mimi

 Matt & Stephanie

2 (actually 3) Levy Families 

Josh & Kayna *not married 

Mark & Lori *not married

Lori & Josh

Levy Family

Little Anita

Crystal, Jessica and Hilton

Hilton, Gultz and Clara

Sandy, Mom, Carol and Jimmy

Mike & Mollie

Brenna, Amie, Amy & Nicole

Ashley

Pippi & Uncle Murray

Josh, Talia, Ashley, Brenna & Aunt Cindy

Nicole with Mark & Elyse 

Such great friends!

Crystal, Clara, me, Jessica and Anita

With Tami!

These two! So thankful that Karen & Elliot could join us! Elliot is my mom's first cousin and when I moved to DC they were so great to me and were my local family! 

Jake and his boys! These guys have been friends since preschool!

A few of the preschool Dads

Maya and I have been friends since we moved to Eugene and were in the same Sunday school class. We went through Young Judaea together and I couldn't have been happier that she and her husband, Rob came to Austin!

So lucky to have this one as my sister!

Alex with Gordon & Melissa

With Neal and Dominique

Alex with Ash & Gultz

Mark and Stacy

Belkin Family

Sandy, Mom, Carol and Jimmy

Ramati-Toppell-Brott Family Photo Shoot

Toppell & Brotts

Ashley and Felix

With my partner in crime!

Aunt Cindy & Uncle Murray with Felix

Erik, Liz, Ben, Kelly and Josh

So happy that BFF Hailey and her parents were able to come to the party. They moved to Tennessee shortly after this. They are missed. 

When Gail and Andie RSVP'd yes to come to Austin from Portland and Maryland, I couldn't believe it and it meant the world to me! These are my DC girls and we all had an Oregon connection. Joe was Gail's Oregon connection and we're so glad he brought her to us!

Toppell Family and the last pics of the night

The weekend, the weather, the service, the party, the family, the friends, and most especially Jake were all beyond my expectations. We are so grateful to everyone who had a role in making this special occasion so completely wonderful.