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14

CONTENTS

12 Cleveland’s ‘Golden Bachelor’ Editor Amanda Koehn invites you to read about the special celebrations in this issue

14 3 Siblings, 3 Engagements, 3 Weddings

Local family celebrates engagements of three siblings in year’s time

18 Spotlight Wedding: Dr. Leslie Koblentz & Kenny Cohen

22 One-stop Mitzvah Shop

Mitzvah Showcase is the place to be for planning b’nai mitzvahs

24 Spotlight: Bar Mitzvah: Jonah Silver

26 Etiquette Explained Professionals share advice for guests’ tricky questions

30 Spotlight Wedding: Rachel Rzepka & Jesse Schreibman

34 Fashion

Shining second looks

On

38

40

44

46

50

54

56 Distinct Desserts Unique

62 Hora

Cover photo by Lauren Gabrielle

Cleveland's Golden Bachelor’ (and Bachelorette)

Like many others last fall, I tuned into “The

After years of watching other Bachelor reality TV shows – mostly so I can enjoy my favorite podcast, “Game of Roses,” discussing them like a hilarious professional sport – the golden iteration was, in my opinion, better. It was more fun, more entertaining and more heartwarming than the regular Bachelor shows, which usually focus on 20-somethings (the golden bachelor was 72). It was presented in a way where I was more invested in the love stories and equally invested in the new friendships between the women competing on the show.

So, when I received an email from Dr. Leslie Koblentz with the subject line “Golden Honeymooners” around the same time, I knew we’d want to spotlight her and her new husband, Kenny Cohen, in Celebrations.

Leslie, 71, and Kenny, 72, met after both of their spouses passed away, and built a connection based on sharing their experiences of loss and their interest in moving forward. Kenny told me that initially, he was simply looking for someone to have dinner with. Leslie is a psychiatrist and he enjoyed talking with her, in part, because having recently lost his wife, “I just wanted to know if the things I was thinking, if they were somewhat normal,” Kenny said.

Leslie, who met her late husband when she was 17, said she was very nervous when she and Kenny met and didn’t know what she was doing in terms of dating (which is relatable to pretty much anyone). But, they continued to bond over their Shabbat lunches and get-togethers and eventually decided they wanted to spend the rest of their lives together. And, not to reveal too many spoilers, but “The Golden Bachelor” had a similar outcome (although less Jewish).

Making their story even more special, Leslie and Kenny were married by his son, Rabbi Matt Cohen of Temple Emanu El in Orange. I am excited to share their wedding story and photos on Page 18.

In Celebrations, we always aim to share stories of love, whether it be that of a newly married couple – of any age – or a family joining together to celebrate a b’nai mitzvah. As always, in this issue you’ll nd additional wedding and b’nai mitzvah spotlights, as well as feature stories about event etiquette, catering, desserts, fashion, planning, venues and more. These

Golden Bachelor” on ABC.

stories all have tips, tricks and advice you can take whether you are planning the party or are attending as a guest.

Another story in this issue I’d like to draw your attention to is that of the Goldberg family on Page 14. Susan and Steven Goldberg of Cleveland Heights are preparing to celebrate all three of their children’s weddings between 2024 and 2025, after all the siblings became engaged within a year. Similar to Leslie and Kenny, all the Goldberg kids have unique love and proposal stories relayed in these pages, and we are honored to share them in this issue of Celebrations.

I hope all your upcoming celebrations are a sweet time for your families to be together in the happiest of moments. And just like the couples and families whose stories are shared in this magazine, I hope you are inspired to celebrate love – whether romantic, familial or friendship – at every age and stage of life.

Publisher & CEO

Kevin S. Adelstein

Vice President of Sales

Adam Mandell

Celebrations Editor

Amanda Koehn

akoehn@cjn.org

Design Manager

Stephen Valentine

CJPC Editor

Bob Jacob

CFO

Tracy Singer

Digital Marketing Manager

Cheryl Sadler

Events Manager

Gina Lloyd

Columbus Bureau Chief

Becky Raspe

Editorial / Contributors

Noell Wolfgram Evans

Kaitlyn Finchler

Alexandra Golden

Lydia Kacala

Abigail Preiszig

Amy Richards

Custom Publishing Manager

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216-342-5185/circulation@cjn.org

Display

Amanda Koehn Editor

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3 3 3 Siblings

A local family celebrates the engagements of all three siblings in less than a year

Weddings Engagements

The Goldberg siblings and their partners, from left: Eric Goldberg and his ancee Keren Khromchenko; ance Aaron Goodman and Jennifer Goldberg; and ance David Garofalo and Michael Goldberg. Photo / Andrew Werner

By Amanda Koehn

The Goldberg family has had a busy year of travel, engagements and soon will embark on a stretch of three weddings for each of the three siblings in the family. All three Goldberg siblings, Michael, Jennifer and Eric, became engaged in less than a year’s time.

Cleveland Heights residents Susan and Steven Goldberg are letting their kids take the lead – in each planning very di erent weddings – while excitedly being there for them in the process.

“They each are doing what they want to do and what works

MICHAEL AND DAVID

Michael Goldberg and his partner, David Garofalo, were planning a “low-key” engagement with their families all together on vacation at Rosemary Beach, Fla., in December 2022, Michael says.

Michael and Garofalo, both 32, both attended Emory University in Atlanta for their undergraduate degrees, but ran in di erent social circles – Michael was president of Hillel and Garofalo was soccer team captain. However, after they graduated, they ended up at brunch together with a mutual friend in Atlanta. Michael and Garofalo, who is from Georgia, became friends and eventually started dating.

About a month later, however, Michael says he had a moment where he thought they should stop dating because Garofalo wasn’t Jewish and didn’t want to move to New York City. But, their relationship worked.

“He’s still not Jewish, but we do have Shabbat dinner and stu , and it’s more about family values and less about the religion,” Michael says. “But I did get him to move to New York.”

Both ambitious professionally in their respective industries, Michael says there was no rush to get engaged. But, after dating more than ve years, they thought it would be fun to seal the deal while their families were on vacation together that winter. The couple spent time at the beach on the gulf coast of Florida during the COVID-19 pandemic, seeking to get away from New York City, and now own a place there.

Although the plan was to do a mutual proposal, Garofalo – whose parents grew up in Canton – surprised Michael and his family with a party.

“We reached it mutually but there was a surprise engagement party that he organized,” Michael recalls.

The couple is now planning for a spring 2025 wedding – likely on the smaller side but very nice, Michael says.

It has been a special time for his

for them,” says Susan, a congregant of Anshe Chesed Fairmount Temple in Beachwood. “They aren’t the kind to compare … they are pretty excited for each other and will be open to each others’ experience in the way they plan it.”

The Goldberg siblings, who all graduated from Solon High School, each got engaged in a unique way and location, and share their stories of the proposals, wedding planning and this special time for their family and partners.

“We are just excited to go through the next phase with all of them,” Susan says.

family – particularly that all the siblings have a partner for life now, he adds. And, everyone is taking a di erent approach to wedding planning, as Jennifer is planning a comparatively larger, traditional wedding in Cleveland this year, while Eric is looking toward a destination wedding.

“In some ways, it’s a release of pressure because my parents can have that … traditional wedding,” Michael says of Jennifer’s upcoming wedding. “I don’t have that pressure to have the traditional wedding because my sister is doing the traditional wedding in Cleveland.”

JENNIFER AND AARON

Jennifer Goldberg was the second of her siblings to get engaged, and will be the rst to get married this June. She and her ance, Aaron Goodman, currently live in Philadelphia, but they rst met during a Cleveland Hillel internship program.

Jennifer, now 30, then reconnected with Goodman, 31, while they were both living in Boston in 2019. He was in graduate school while she was recovering from cancer treatment which required her to be “living a COVID lifestyle the year before COVID” and to keep her in-person social circle small, she says. When she found out Goodman was also in Boston, she reached out to him seeking friendship. Soon after, they started dating.

“It speaks to Aaron’s character, the fact that he took the time to get to know me, to spend time with me in spite of everything that I was recovering from,” Jennifer says, adding he showed patience regarding her social restrictions. “I felt like he was a really kind person.”

Fast forward to May 2023, the couple was living in Chicago after they both nished graduate school – she’s now a speech-language pathologist and he’s an economist – and talked about getting married and rings. On Saturday mornings, Jennifer usually went to the farmers market while Goodman bicycled, so she thought it was odd when he told her he instead

wanted to go with her to the farmer’s market the next weekend, she says.

At the farmer’s market, she continued to be suspicious and asked him about buying di erent perishable foods they passed for dinner that night, just to see how he reacted.

“I was messing with him a little bit, and then he proposed to me on a quiet park bench in Lincoln Park afterwards,” she says.

Shortly after, Jennifer’s best high school friend showed up and took photos of the couple, and their parents were both there for a celebratory brunch.

While Jennifer says it wasn’t intentional that she and her siblings all became engaged in such a short time frame, it made sense because they are all close and in similar life phases. The timing has its perks though.

“Sometimes if I’m doing wedding planning things and I’m like looking at things that wouldn’t really t in with my wedding, I’ll send it over to my brothers and be like, ‘Oh you guys should check this out,’” she says.

With her wedding coming up at Shoreby Club in Bratenahl in June, she says she’s lucky both her parents and Goodman’s parents live in Northeast Ohio and helped scope out venues. Susan notes her husband Steven has taken charge of helping organize vendors and everything has owed well so far, despite the many decisions that had to be made. Goodman’s sister, Alison Goodman Gross, and his brother-in-law, Aaron Gross, were also recently married and shared advice with the pair.

“There’s lots of decision-making that I didn’t realize would be so di cult, but it’s been fun and we’re really excited,” Jennifer says.

ERIC AND KEREN

Eric Goldberg closed out the chain of family engagements when he proposed to Keren Khromchenko on a surprise trip to Paris in September 2023.

Eric, 27, and Khromchenko, 26, rst met in high school at a summer tennis camp at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pa. A year ahead in school, he attended Brandeis University in Waltham, Mass., for college. Khromchenko, who grew up in New Jersey, joined him there a year later and they started dating, Eric says.

Now living in New Jersey, Eric is an account manager and Khromchenko is an OB-GYN resident physician. As such, she rarely has time o from her residency, but when she does, the pair prioritizes traveling. So in September with a weekend o – and around her birthday – she told Eric she wanted to travel with him and her family.

“We did just that, however, we left the family behind and I surprised her with a trip,” Eric says. “She didn’t know anything. It was completely blind to her until there was no choice but to go.”

He notes both of their families helped him make arrangements to pull o the surprise 36-hour trip to Paris, adding many family and friends knew beforehand and kept the secret well. He made sure to pack the right clothes for her, and had their suitcases ready to go.

“I even have a video of her at like 8 p.m. right before our ight,” he says. “She’s like, ‘I have no idea where we’re going.’ We surprised her. She was a trooper about it – the only question she asked me is, ‘Am I going to be back in time for work on Monday?’” He assured her she would.

Eric proposed a scenic block away from the famed Louvre Museum in Paris. They went on a river cruise for dinner and walked under the Ei el Tower. The next day, they went to a food fair and visited local parks before ying home. The entire engagement left Khromchenko “totally stunned, but I think that’s exactly the way it should be,” Eric says.

“Our thing is travel,” he says. “... Every time (Khromchenko) has time o it’s, where are we going? What are we doing? Let’s go see some part of the world. So, I thought it was very tting.”

Eric says seeing his siblings – who all had dated their partners for a shorter time than him and Khromchenko – get engaged helped create a sort of lightbulb moment that they were ready to take that step, too.

“I think it’s very tting because the three of us like to stick together very much – we are constantly chatting, planning things on the phone together, and it ended up being very tting,” he says.

Also tting for this particular couple:

they are looking to do a destination wedding, likely in October 2025 around their 10th dating anniversary. Eric says they are considering spots in Mexico – where checking out venues is another vacation in itself.

He recognizes the “beautiful timing” of going through such a major life event together with his siblings and their partners.

“A piece I think I’m excited about is it’s a really great way for us to bond, all six of us, to share this feeling at such a similar point in

our life,” Eric says.

His mother, Susan, echoes the sentiment.

“I think it’s fun,” she says. “We’ve all been through a lot, so we were excited to have happy things to think about and have fun things to enjoy together.”

And, although all the wedding plans are vastly di erent, Susan notes she’s content about what they all have in common.

“They each found great people to marry, so I’m excited for them and their futures,” she says.

Cleveland Heights residents Susan and Steven Goldberg. Photo / Andrew Werner

D R . L ESLIE K OBLENTZ & K ENNY C OHEN

WEDDING DAY

OCT. 1, 2023

SERVICE AT TEMPLE EMANU EL, ORANGE CELEBRATORY BRUNCH AT 17 RIVER GRILLE, CHAGRIN FALLS

TODAY

AGES: 71 AND 72

HOMETOWN: STERLING LAKES IN PEPPER PIKE

SYNAGOGUES: TEMPLE EMANU EL, PARK SYNAGOGUE, B’NAI JESHURUN CONGREGATION

All photos submitted by the couple and wedding guests.

HOW DID YOU MEET?

Kenny: We actually met in Sterling Lakes. We lived three streets apart from each other and just by chance we happened to meet. We found we had a few things in common, starting with that both of our spouses are buried at Bet Olam (Cemetery) at Chagrin and Richmond. One of our rst outings was going to the cemetery together. We never knew each other before, even though I had grown up with Leslie’s late husband, Steve, and I knew Leslie’s siblings from many years ago.

Leslie: We probably crossed many, many times, but we didn’t stop at the intersection. He was happily married and I was happily married.

DO YOU HAVE ANY INTERESTING STORIES TO SHARE ABOUT GETTING TO KNOW ONE ANOTHER?

Leslie: When I met Kenny, I was very nervous. I had been seeing somebody. And when I realized I wanted to get to know (Kenny) better and he wanted to get to know me better – after all, he was a widower and I was a widow – we decided to go for co ee. I said, let’s go to Nervous Dog at La Place, I don’t want to see anybody I know. We sit down to have a cup of co ee, and of course somebody who will remain nameless who knows everybody ... he runs up out of nowhere and says, “Oh my god, you two are so cute together!” And I thought, oh my goodness, I didn’t want to be seen, I gured there would be nobody here. I wasn’t very good at picking places to hide. You’re new at this, you don’t really know.

... (Afterward), we would meet for lunch on Fridays. We called it our Shabbos lunch, and then we started going to the cemetery to visit our spouses. We started realizing as our relationship was growing the commonalities we had, and our friendship grew into a romantic-ship.

Kenny: When I lost my wife, I (had) the crazy thoughts you have in your head because you spend the majority of your life with (that person). Finding out Leslie was a psychiatrist and had also lost her husband, I just wanted to know if the things I was thinking, if they were somewhat normal. So when we got together, even though I wanted to have these in-depth conversations with her, we would end up talking about what we had done the previous week or weekend, who we went out with, what we had done. And we reached the point where I said, “Well, why don’t we just go out?” I was just looking for really someone to have dinner with. ... Then she said to me, “I’m sticking with the guy I’m with, I can’t see you anymore.”

She felt bad, she came over my house that Friday with a challah because we should say a proper goodbye to each other – that the friendship was over. Which was really nice. And then the next morning as I cut the challah up, I took a picture of the two pieces of challah. I sent it to her and I said, “I’m still thinking about you.”

The next day on Saturday happened to be the rst day I was doing the opening part of our service at B’nai Jeshurun. While I’m doing the service, my phone is vibrating. So when I was able to sneak out, I saw it was from Leslie and she said to me “What if I made a mistake?” And I wrote back to her, “The universe has a way of righting the wrongs.” And then the rest is history. We sort of felt this whole thing was bashert, or meant to be.

HOW DID YOU KNOW YOU WANTED TO MARRY YOUR PARTNER?

Kenny: My late wife was Yael, who was very active in the community. I said to Leslie, I had Yael in my 50s and 60s. Steven was sick for 16 years, she missed out on the 50s and 60s – the age of being able to do things. And, you want to share your life with somebody.

Leslie: I kept feeling so comfortable with Kenny. And this is not to diminish at all his life with Yael or my life with my husband Steve, who I met when I was 17, but you realize when it’s such a wonderful thing. We feel like we’ve known each other for years, when we really have not at all. (With Kenny), I feel like I did with my late husband – that he’s my best supporter, he’s guiding me to make the best decision for us as a couple. And that’s how my late husband and I lived our lives. I supported him in law school, he supported me in medical school and law school, and he was an incredible father to our three children. And I get visions of Steve at times saying, “You’re going on the right path, you’re doing the right thing. I’m happy for you going forward in life.”

HOW LONG DID YOU KNOW EACH OTHER BEFORE YOU GOT MARRIED?

Leslie: About a year or so.

TELL ME ABOUT YOUR ENGAGEMENT.

Leslie: This young man that I married must have been thinking about this because he planned a trip with his best friends. I’m not a Vegas girl, but Kenny enjoyed going, so of course I went along. It was December 2022. We were having dinner at Prime, which is the big beautiful steakhouse at Bellagio. Kenny said to our friends, Robert and Ronna Zelwin, “You were with us at the saddest of times, when Kenny’s wife got her bad diagnosis.”

Kenny: And, now I want you to be there at one of the happiest moments because I’m about to ask Leslie to marry me.

Leslie: I wasn’t even realizing what he’s saying, and it was probably the rst time in my life I was speechless. Of course I said yes. I got the attention of the whole restaurant and I clanked my knife on the crystal

glasses. I thought to myself, I’m in Vegas and the most wonderful man in the world next to my sweet late husband is asking me to marry him. All these people were clapping. They sent dessert, they sent owers. They came by the table, people we will never see again. They just couldn’t believe to hear such wonderful news.

Kenny: The only thing is, I wanted to go to the Elvis Chapel, but she said no (both laughing).

Leslie: We couldn’t go to the Elvis chapel – I had to tell my children, and your children, and the rabbis, and we have things to do! I’m not an Elvis girl.

WHAT WAS THE BEST PART OF THE WEDDING?

Leslie: No. 1, it was realizing Matt (Rabbi Matt Cohen, Kenny’s son) was going to marry us.

Kenny: I said to Matt, one day you’ll look back at your career and I hope this would be one of your top 10 highlights of performing this marriage ceremony because it was very special for me. To see the kid you raised, and all the sudden, here he is back in Cleveland after many years, as the rabbi of a nice size Reform temple, it was very thrilling for me.

Leslie: It was a small, intimate wedding on a gorgeous fall day. We had our siblings, our children and spouses, and I think two other couples that we are close with, and that was it.

WERE THERE ANY CONFLICTS BETWEEN THE TWO OF YOU OR YOUR FAMILIES IN THE PLANNING PROCESS?

Leslie: I don’t think so. The night before (the wedding), Kenny took all of our children and their partners for a private dinner at Hyde Park so they could get to know each other better. They have met each other on a few occasions, but that was so special because that really got our children and the grandchildren together.

And the cute part was with Matt being the rabbi, we didn’t have to worry about too much premarital counseling. He was so cute. He said, “Do you think we have to meet before the wedding?” I said, “Matt, ask me anything you want, and if your father hasn’t learned things by now, that’s his problem.”

PLANNING

Engagement: Dec. 12, 2022

O ciant: Rabbi Matt Cohen (Kenny’s son)

Wedding colors: White, pale pink, sage green and ivory

Bride’s suit: Chanel from Saks Fifth Avenue

Wedding rings: Gottlieb & Sons

Jewelry: Earrings gifted from Leslie’s rst marriage

Shoes: Stuart Weitzman

Hair/makeup: Jackie Ropos at Hair4ce

Groom’s formalwear: Ticknors Men’s Clothiers

Bouquet/ owers: Red House Florals

Flautist: Zoe Stier

Planner: Family planned together

Chuppah: Covered by a tallit they bought in Israel, and donated to Temple Emanu El

Ketubah: Made by Canadian designer

Photographers: Wedding guests

Catering: 17 River Grille in Chagrin Falls

Cake: Cassata cake from Casa Dolce

Rehearsal dinner: Hyde Park in Beachwood

Registries: Asked for no gifts

Honeymoon: Next fall to Japan

Extras: A borrowed 1960s red Cadillac convertible drove the couple from the temple through Chagrin Falls after the ceremony

IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU WANTED TO SHARE ABOUT YOUR MARRIAGE OR FUTURE?

Leslie: The key to our marriage, I think, is laughing. He’s very funny, he would have been the clown in school, and I never would have cracked a joke – I was the student.

... We have so many friends in the community passing away, and you don’t think this will ever happen to you. I met my husband when I was 17, we planned our whole life for the rest of our lives. And unfortunately, the day after his 68th birthday, he passed away. I know people who will not go forward. I’m telling you not as a psychiatrist, but as a person who’s lived through things, you have two choices in life. My mother was widowed very young and she always said, “You can go down, or you can go forward.” And I think Kenny and I just chose to go forward, and that’s why it’s all fallen into place.

-Responses told to Editor Amanda Koehn. Edited for brevity and clarity.

“(Our) wedding was a rarity. A widow and a widower who had so many connections, crossing paths and living three streets apart, yet we never ‘met’ until both of our spouses had passed.”

-Leslie & Kenny

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ONE-STOP MITZVAH SHOP

By Alexandra Golden

Are you the parent of a preteen? Is a family b’nai mitzvah or party on the horizon, and are you unsure where to start?

If so, Mitzvah Showcase presented by the Cleveland Jewish News and Rock The House Entertainment Group at Adrenaline Monkey in Warrensville Heights on April 14 is the place to be.

The event – which highlights venues, vendors and others serving b’nai mitzvah celebrations in Northeast Ohio –is not one to miss with all the deals and specials provided only at Mitzvah Showcase, says Gina Lloyd, events manager at the Cleveland Jewish Publication Company, which publishes Celebrations and the CJN.

“We have great relationships with many vendors in the community and we thought this, especially after many years of COVID, was a great way for many of our advertisers to get in front of some of our attendees or some of our subscribers for a more personal experience,” Lloyd says.

The event’s booths and vendors cater to di erent features and details one might need or want when planning a b’nai mitzvah or party, including photographers, venues, event planners, caterers and live music and entertainment providers.

“If someone is planning an event and they just want to meet some premier vendors in Northeast Ohio, this would be a great opportunity to do that,” Lloyd says.

Each attendee will have the option to choose between two oneand-a-half hour sessions, either from noon to 1:30 p.m. or 1:30 to 3 p.m. The price for single admission is $5, and $15 for a family of four.

All the vendors will be set up on the second oor of Adrenaline Monkey. The rst oor will have Rock The House’s set-up, along with the Adrenaline Monkey obstacle course for kids to play. Regular weekend admission for three hours at Adrenaline Monkey is $32.99 per ticket for children ages 5 and up, and under 4 years old costs

$12.99 per ticket, so Adrenaline Monkey is o ering “a great discount to attend” Mitzvah Showcase, Lloyd adds.

“We hope people have a great time at Adrenaline Monkey, but most importantly that they book the majority of their vendors for their child’s b’nai mitzvah that day,” Lloyd says. “All of our vendors will be o ering a one-day-only exclusive o er for our Mitzvah Showcase attendees. We hope for all the families to have a fantastic time and our vendors to receive many bookings for their children’s b’nai mitzvahs.”

Ahead of the showcase, the CJN will post about what attendees can expect on its social media pages. To learn about the vendors before the event, follow the Cleveland Jewish News on Facebook and @CleveJN on Instagram.

“We want our attendees to leave this event feeling like they were able to accomplish a lot of planning for their child’s b’nai mitzvah and for our vendors to have a great experience and meet a lot of families to gain bookings and leads as well,” Lloyd says.

IF YOU GO:

WHAT: Mitzvah Showcase presented by the Cleveland Jewish News and Rock The House

WHEN: Noon to 3 p.m. April 14. Sessions are from noon to 1:30 p.m., and 1:30 to 3.

WHERE: Adrenaline Monkey, 26800 Renaissance Parkway, Warrensville Heights

TICKETS: $5 for single attendee, $15 for family four pack. To purchase, visit cjn.org/mitzvahshowcase

MORE INFO: Contact CJN Events Manager Gina Lloyd at 216-342-5196 or glloyd@cjn.org. A list of vendors can be found at cjn.org/mitzvahshowcase.

SUPPORTING SPONSORS: Games Done Legit, Pinstripes

VENUE SPONSOR: Adrenaline Monkey

VENDORS: Andrea Hallgren Photography, Bertram Inn, Burning River Entertainment Group, Cleveland Marriott East, Elizabeth Glorioso Photography, House of Blues Cleveland, Mariana Edelman Photography & Design, Party 411, Rock The House, StoneWater Golf Club, Tenk West Bank & Marigold Catering

Adrenaline Monkey in Warrensville Heights. Photo / Mariana Edelman Photography & Design

The Cleveland Jewish News and Rock The House’s Mitzvah Showcase is the place to be for families planning b’nai mitzvahs

*Vendor list as of Feb. 27

Lindsey

SPOTLIGHT

JONAH S ILVER

BAR MITZVAH: SEPT. 23, 2023

CEREMONY: THE TEMPLE-TIFERETH ISRAEL, BEACHWOOD

CELEBRATION: CLEVELAND MARRIOTT EAST, WARRENSVILLE HEIGHTS

OFFICIANTS: RABBI JOSHUA CARUSO AND CANTOR VLADIMIR LAPIN

AGE: 13

SYNAGOGUE: ANSHE CHESED FAIRMOUNT TEMPLE

HOMETOWN: ORANGE VILLAGE

SCHOOL: BRADY MIDDLE SCHOOL

Mariana Edelman Photography & Design

WHAT WAS THE BEST PART OF THE DAY?

Jonah: It was so nice to have my friends and family all together to celebrate. I loved seeing everyone I don’t get to see often. The party was so much fun and I’m happy everyone could come and join me.

Betsy and Brent Silver, parents: Watching our son read from the Torah was such a beautiful and meaningful experience, and the fact that the service was moved because of the re at Fairmount Temple didn’t detract from the day. We were welcomed at Tifereth throughout the process and our clergy made it a seamless process. It was so special to share this day with our family and friends. We loved coming together for such a happy event.

WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR OTHER YOUNG ADULTS PREPARING FOR THEIR B’NAI MITZVAHS?

Jonah: Practice, stay calm, trust that you’ll do great and have fun!

ETIQUETTE PLANNING

EXPLAINED

Professionals share advice for guests’ tricky questions

By Alexandra Golden

Whether you are planning or attending a wedding or b’nai mitzvah, usually at least one question comes to mind regarding etiquette. It could involve confusion over what to wear, invitations or a particularly di cult situation. With each major celebration you attend, there’s likely an aspect you’ve never experienced before.

For that reason, Celebrations sought questions from our readers and friends about what they’d most like advice on as another busy party season approaches. We then asked local planning industry professionals for their advice on how to best approach a handful of

tough questions that inevitably arise leading up to or during big events.

Gina Jokilehto-Schigel, owner and creative director of Shi Shi Events, and Kim Singerman, founder of Noteworthy Events, both which serve Northeast Ohio, share their expertise and opinions on etiquette questions for weddings, b’nai mitzvahs and general events. Their responses have been edited for brevity and clarity.

My sister’s wedding is this fall, and my friend’s is the weekend before. I am worried this will all be too much back to back for me, and about catching COVID at the rst wedding and missing my sister’s, for which I’m maid of honor. Should I decline to attend my friend’s wedding (I am not in the wedding party)? What is the etiquette for handling this with my friend?

Jokilehto-Schigel: With any large event that you attend since 2020, and certainly during times of peak activity, there’s always risk when you go out. But you could also go to your friend’s wedding and get food poisoning or catch a cold. If the most important thing is your sister’s wedding, it would make sense to be conservative as possible in your activities in the weeks and days leading up to the wedding. If you want to be overly cautious, I would not only apply that to your friend’s wedding, but everything that you’re doing in your day-to-day life leading up to the wedding. For handling this with your friend, I would be very kind and very honest about it. Just state your concerns. I think any person hosting events or having gatherings understands still, four years into it, that we have di erent levels of comfort in what we’re wanting and willing to do with our lives. I would tell her you would love to celebrate with her and her husband privately if you can at a later date. It really hurts for you to miss it, of course you want to be there to celebrate them and support her, but unfortunately the way it’s falling on the calendar, you have to prioritize your sister.

Singerman: I think that would depend on the relationship. If she’s a very close friend, you might want to try to do both, but clearly your sister’s wedding takes precedence and is the most important day to attend. I don’t think that people are as concerned about COVID, and I de nitely see that at weddings. There might be one or two people that come in with a mask, but no one else wears them. If this is her best friend, she might want to try to do both, but if this is an acquaintance-type friend, she could skip it to make sure she’s OK for her sister’s wedding. This needs to be a conversation, not an email or text, so her friend understands.

Noteworthy Events / Marissa Camino Photography

Jokilehto-Schigel

Singerman

Board

What is an appropriate out t for my daughter to wear for her friends’ b’nai mitzvahs? Some kids’ out ts seem so bare to me, but I want her to be con dent, cute and to t in.

Jokilehto-Schigel: There’s multiple things to take into consideration here. No. 1, your comfort level as a parent in how your child is dressing because they’re still children at that age. There has to be some level of approval on the parent side. Of course, we want our kids to t in. I think it really goes to not only the comfort level of you as a parent, but also what she feels she looks good in and what she feels con dent in because her friends might be showing more skin than she’s even comfortable with. So, it’s having that conversation saying, what’s your comfort level? And then come to the middle ground. Where do you feel comfortable? Where does she feel comfortable? What’s the theme of the party? How do we make it cute and fun and con dent, and everybody feels comfortable with what’s happening?

Singerman: Whatever dress attire requested is what she should try to wear. I don’t think 13-year-old girls should dress like 18-yearolds. She should dress stylish, cute, but de nitely appropriate.

Is it true you can take a full year to give a gift after a wedding, or is it rude to not give one at the actual wedding?

Jokilehto-Schigel: I had actually not heard of taking a full year to give a gift after a wedding. That feels like a really extended time to me. I would say sooner is probably better, even if that is traditional etiquette. I think anybody would nd it a little bit odd if it’s nine months later and a gift is showing up. My personal approach

probably would be within three months, when it’s still fresh – we’re still in that very newlywed phase.

Singerman: I personally feel that a whole year would be a little rude. It could be right after the wedding if for some reason you’ve ordered something or for some reason you weren’t able to send it before, you could do it right after. Couples don’t expect to receive all gifts the night of their wedding and they are sometimes sent early and other times a little late, but a year would be extremely late.

How can I ask politely if my child is invited to an event if it is not included in the invitation?

Jokilehto-Schigel: You can’t, and you shouldn’t and don’t. You are overstepping a boundary. If your child was included, they would have been written on the invitation. That is the purpose of the names on the invitation and that is traditional etiquette. You are putting whoever it is that invited you in a position by asking that question. It will undoubtedly cause stress, it will cause tension in their process that is completely unnecessary. So, nd a sitter and have a nice night out.

Singerman: If they are included, the invitation would be addressed with the child. This is a touchy question that I get often because weddings today are very expensive. More times than not, the couple prefers not to have children at their wedding. If they want an adult-only reception, that’s their choice. The bride and groom can choose to have a child-free wedding, and I think that’s up to the bride and groom and whoever is paying for the wedding. I don’t think someone should ask the question if their child’s name is not included on the invitation. Many times, families have to deal with a relative or a friend assuming that their kids should be there, but it’s not up to the person invited – it’s up to the person giving the event.

Is it OK to post photos on social media that I took at a wedding that were not taken by the o cial photographer? My relative was upset that I posted one from my phone that didn’t capture the bride’s dress as well as she would have liked, and I’m wondering if I should have known better.

Jokilehto-Schigel: This is a touchy subject and is de nitely something that is exclusive to the society that we live in that lives so much on social media. Your relative may be very conscientious of how she wanted to be portrayed that day and would have preferred to only have o cial wedding photography shared on social media. However, that being said, if that was the case that should have been made known during the wedding. Every couple’s comfort level with what gets shared on social media is di erent. If this relative reached out to you directly and was upset about the picture, I would immediately take it down and I would refrain from posting any additional photos of her from that day. So, if you have additional photos with di erent family members that you wanted to share, ne, but I wouldn’t post anything else of her.

Singerman: I agree with the family giving the wedding – it is not for other people to post. It is for the bride, the groom or their family and also the professional photographer. People assume that it’s OK to take pictures standing in the aisle when the bride is coming down but don’t realize that they may be ruining the professional photos by doing so. Some weddings have signage, or the o ciant will ask the guests to please refrain from taking pictures or video. Just because you like to take pictures doesn’t mean you should be taking wedding pictures and posting them.

Publisher’s note: Kim Singerman is married to Paul J. Singerman, board chair of the Cleveland Jewish Publication Company, which publishes Celebrations.

Shi Shi Events / Emily Millay Photography

Mazel Tov on your big day!

The Marriott Cleveland East offers a wide variety of options for Sabbath dinners, Bar/Bat Mitzvah celebrations, and Sunday brunches, as well as guestroom accommodations for all of your out-of-town guests. Planning a day this special shouldn’t be left up to just anyone, but rather someone you can trust. Call 216-755-1911 and ask for Lauren Berkowitz Dicesare, Sales & Catering Manager, for help with all of your event needs.

The Marriott Cleveland East offers a wide variety of options for Sabbath dinners, Bar/Bat Mitzvah celebrations, and Sunday brunches, as well as guestroom accommodations for all of your out-of-town guests. Planning a day this special shouldn’t be left up to just anyone, but rather someone you can trust. Call 216-755-1911 and ask for Lauren Berkowitz Dicesare, Sales & Catering Manager, for help with all of your event needs.

clevelandmarriotteast.com

clevelandmarriotteast.com

Photos by MARIANA EDELMAN PHOTOGRAPHY & DESIGN

R ACHEL R ZEPKA & J ESSE S CHREIBMAN

WEDDING DAY

NOV. 4, 2023

TENK WEST BANK, CLEVELAND TODAY

AGES: BOTH 30

HOMETOWN: MORELAND HILLS

SYNAGOGUES: ANSHE CHESED FAIRMOUNT TEMPLE AND PARK SYNAGOGUE

Lauren Gabrielle Photography

HOW DID YOU MEET?

We met at a mutual friend’s wedding at Beechmont Country Club. As we danced the night away, we stepped out to the patio to get some air and ended up talking for 45 minutes. It was a beautiful fall night and we had an amazing conversation. Looking back on it now, I (Rachel) think both of us knew we had found something special.

DO YOU HAVE ANY INTERESTING STORIES TO SHARE ABOUT GETTING TO KNOW ONE ANOTHER?

We both lived in New York City, just a block away from each other in the Lower East Side of Manhattan. Coincidentally, we worked a few blocks away from one another in Soho. We gured out after the fact that we both walked to and from work often taking the same routes and we never ran into one another.

Really early on in our relationship, Jesse invited me on a family vacation to the Bahamas (with his mother’s permission, of course). Typically, this would be extremely out of character in the Schreibman household to have someone else come on a family vacation if they weren’t in a very serious relationship, engaged or married. However, when Jesse explained to his mom that “he had met his future wife,” she said he could invite her. I said no when Jesse initially invited me, but I later accepted the o er. It turned into an incredible trip, where Jesse’s family was able to bond with me, later realizing that it was a great decision to invite me.

HOW LONG DID YOU KNOW EACH OTHER BEFORE YOU GOT MARRIED?

Two years.

WHEN DID YOU KNOW YOU WANTED TO MARRY YOUR PARTNER?

Jesse: The moment I met Rachel at our friend’s wedding. I knew from our talk on the patio that she was the one.

Rachel: When I had to go back to New York City because my o ce was opening up again (following COVID-19). The long distance made me miss him, and I knew I didn’t want to be away from him. I wanted to be with Jesse forever.

WHAT WAS THE BEST PART OF WEDDING PLANNING?

It’s too hard to just pick one! The rst look, our intimate ketubah signing, and dancing with friends and family all night long.

WAS THERE ANY SPOT-ON ADVICE YOU RECEIVED PRIOR TO THE BIG DAY, EITHER IN TERMS OF THE WEDDING OR LASTING RELATIONSHIP?

Do not hold any feelings in. It’s important to be open and honest always. And, it is important to always date, even when married.

WHAT WAS THE MOST FUN OR INTERESTING JEWISH ASPECT OF YOUR WEDDING OR PARTNERSHIP?

We loved meeting with Cantor Sarah Sager in the months and days leading up to our wedding. Having known both our families for decades, it was so special to have her there, o ciating our ceremony. She has an incredible way with words and it was a blessing to have her share in our special occasion.

PLANNING

Engagement: Oct. 26, 2022

O ciant: Cantor Sarah Sager of Anshe Chesed Fairmount Temple Wedding colors: Shades of pink, cranberry/red, blush, oatmeal, taupe, shades of orange, peach shades of yellow

Dress: Anne Barge Nantucket dress Wedding rings: Gold wedding bands were my (Rachel’s) maternal grandparents’ (Gary and Ellen Gersh). I had a custom platinum and emerald cut diamond from Alson Jewelers; Jesse had a David Yurman yellow gold and carbon ber band from Alson Jewelers.

Jewelry: Rachel had an Alson Jewelers Signature Collection vintageinspired necklace, Rahaminov ower diamond stud earrings, Alson Jewelers Signature Collection double row diamond tennis bracelet, and Jesse custom made Rachel’s three-stone engagement ring with a radiant cut center stone surrounded by two epaulette diamonds set in platinum. Jesse wore an Oystersteel Rolex Daytona that Rachel gifted him on their wedding day. He also wore a David Yurman black diamond and tiger’s eye bead bracelet and a yellow gold David Yurman box link bracelet.

Veil: The same one worn by Rachel’s sister, Molly, at her wedding

Shoes: Christian Louboutin Miss Sab satin white pumps

Hair: Stephanie Rosa Ozimek

Makeup: Lindsay London

Bridesmaids dresses: All picked out their own

Groom’s formalwear: Custom navy tuxedo from J3 Clothing Company, Christian Louboutin velvet loafers

Groomsmen’s formalwear: Navy tuxedos from various shops

Bouquet/ owers/chuppah: Molly Taylor & Co.

Ketubah: Annie Aqua custom ketubah

Photographer: Lauren Gabrielle Photography

Videographer: Wedding Stories in Motion – Brad Rea

Planner/consultant: A Charming Fete

Reception: Tenk West Bank

Cake/sweets: By Cenza

Catering: Marigold Catering

Rehearsal dinner: The Last Page at Pinecrest in Orange

Invitations/stationery: Invites from Craftsman Paper Co., day-of designs from Plume & Paper

Music/entertainment: Jordan Kahn Music Company – Manhattan Band, Opus 216

Rentals: Event Source, Nuage Designs, Lasting Impressions Event Rentals, Selective Sound Events, L’Nique, Mosaic

Accommodations: Kimpton Scho eld Hotel

Registries: Crate & Barrel, Williams Sonoma, Current Home NY, Bloomingdale’s

Honeymoon: Costa Rica

Extras: Mitchell’s Ice Cream, Swensons Food Truck

“The best moment of our wedding was looking out into the venue while our guests were enjoying the night and witnessing all of our friends and family together under one roof. We are grateful to have each other and look forward to what’s to come.”

- Rachel & Jesse

FASHION Shining Second Looks

By Amanda Koehn

Brides today are often opting for an afterparty look that’s slightly more comfortable for dancing and partying the night away at their reception. To create a cool and glamorous after-party look, select a second (or even third) dress that might be shorter in length or more casual in style. Make it fun and fancy with satin or sequins, interesting embellishments, a ballerina-like skirt, and maybe even a pop of color or sheer detailing. To pull the look together, incorporate colorful or more party-ready, sparkly jewelry and accessories. The groom can also take part in the fun by incorporating a second look with colorful or patterned details to take it beyond a classic tux.

Above: Wool and cotton jacquard evening jacket by Etro and a patterned shirt with blue and yellow details from Kilgore Trout in Woodmere.

Left and above: Daalarna IDL 484 dress with a sheer overlay of dotted tulle from Luxe Redux Bridal in Orange. Right: By Watters Wess slip dress from Luxe Redux Bridal.

Above, from left: 18k rose gold snake ring with 1.58 ctw diamonds and .14 ctw emerald eyes; 10.05 ctw deep pink sapphire dome ring in 18k rose gold; and double band ring with 3.53 ctw of natural diamonds in 18k white and rose gold, all from Megan Piccione High Jewelry in Beachwood.

Lindsey Beckwith Photography

FASHION

Above and top right: Tara Keely by Lazaro Asa gown with a removable overskirt to create two looks in one from Luxe Redux Bridal.

Left: Eva Lendel Ella ballet-style dress from Luxe Redux Bridal. Above: Dark green stretch velvet tartan jacket by Atelier Munro complete with a satin bow tie from Kilgore Trout. Right: 1.69 ct certi ed Zambian emerald and 1.77 ct certi ed fancy yellow diamond, complemented by 3.59 ctw of white and yellow diamonds, set in 18k gold from Megan Piccione High Jewelry.

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E LIANNA K LEIN

BAT MITZVAH: JAN. 13, 2024

CEREMONY/CELEBRATION: THE TEMPLE-TIFERETH ISRAEL, BEACHWOOD

OFFICIANTS: RABBI JOSHUA CARUSO AND CANTOR SARAH SAGER; CANTOR VLADIMIR LAPIN PREPARED ELIANNA

AGE: 13

SYNAGOGUE: ANSHE CHESED FAIRMOUNT TEMPLE

HOMETOWN: HIGHLAND HEIGHTS

SCHOOL: MAYFIELD MIDDLE SCHOOL

Elizabeth Glorioso Photography

WHAT WAS THE BEST PART OF THE DAY?

Elianna: Having the opportunity to become a bat mitzvah was very meaningful to me. It was a very exciting experience! It was fun to show my friends of other faiths some of our Jewish traditions.

Neil Klein, father: It was so great to gather as a large group to celebrate the bat mitzvah girl and all of her hard work. We are so glad so many family members and friends were able to join us.

WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR OTHER YOUNG ADULTS PREPARING FOR THEIR B’NAI MITZVAHS?

Elianna: Even though studying is not always fun, it is important to push yourself to reach your goal. It is such an important life event, and it is so worth accomplishing. I know I will remember my bat mitzvah forever.

VENUES

TIMING IS EVERYTHING

Venues want to make sure your event timeline is smooth from start to nish

By Amy Richards

Weddings and b’nai mitzvahs involve a wide scope of planning. When and where will the celebration take place? Is there a theme? Who will be invited? And once the preliminary decisions are made, it is time to think about what the actual day will look like – hour by hour, minute by minute.

When you nd yourself at that stage of planning, it helps to understand how some area venues and vendors coordinate managing the timeline for your celebration.

Jennifer Franz, director of special events at Glidden House in Cleveland’s University Circle neighborhood, said although her venue has hosted several b’nai mitzvah parties, it is mainly used as a wedding venue. She explains she and event coordinator Allyson McDonnell, “manage the big picture in terms of timeline, whereas party planners, DJs and caterers manage the detailed timelines.”

Couples are provided with a list of suggested vendors including planners, bakers, orists and entertainers.

“We eld these vendors and make sure each vendor timeline is followed on the day of the event,” Franz says. “For example, if a wedding cake is supposed to show up at 3 p.m. and doesn’t, we make the phone call to the baker to resolve the issue.”

While Franz and her Glidden House team don’t involve themselves in the pre-event timelines, such as bridal party hair and makeup, they take over as the ceremony approaches.

“We don’t get involved with the timeline until the ceremony is set to begin,” she says. “We leave the pre-party timelines to professional party planners or the bride and groom. When it is time for the ceremony, we seat guests, go to the bridal suite to get the bride and make sure that the ceremony starts on time.”

Their careful timeline considerations continue into the evening.

“During cocktail hour, we check on the caterers to make sure that they are ready to seat people, and on the DJ or band to

make sure that they are ready to begin,” Franz adds. “After that, the entertainment, the party planner, the photographer and the caterer are in charge of the timeline. For

example, if dinner service goes more quickly than expected, the caterer may bump up the dessert service.”

Franz warns that if one aspect of the day

Glidden House set up for a wedding. Photo / Yogi Smith Photography

Simcha Specialists!” We will make sure your

is spectacular!

Photo courtesy: Mariana Edelman Photography

Photo courtesy: Brooklyn Media

Photo courtesy: Mariana Edelman Photography

Photo courtesy: Mariana Edelman Photography

runs late, it can cause everything after to be late, too.

“That is why we do a complete runthrough six weeks prior to the event with the bride and groom, the caterer and a party planner if one is involved,” she says. “We nalize the basic timeline and make sure that everyone is on the same page.”

Cindi Bessette, director of sales for House

of Blues Cleveland in downtown Cleveland, also stresses the importance of planning the timeline.

“E ective communication and detailed planning ahead of time are crucial,” she says. “We start the conversation and collaboration early to ensure a well-prepared plan and schedule for the day of the event. The more we plan in advance, the more you can focus

on celebrating on the big day.”

Although House of Blues has a wedding concierge who stays with the bridal party from the time the bride arrives until dinner is served, Bessette also highlights the importance of hiring a professional event planner, if possible. “Having a dedicated emcee/event planner working with our venue allows clients to relax and focus on the main event,” she notes.

House of Blues adheres to a general wedding timeline. Set-up begins at 2 p.m., ceremony at 5, cocktail hour from 5:30 to 6:30, dinner and dancing from 6:30 to 10:30, and then tear down. Planning for before the ceremony is left to the couple or a professional planner.

“For b’nai mitzvahs, we understand that the trends and events are a highly personalized experience, so timelines vary based on client preferences,” Bessette explains. “We work closely with the emcee/ DJ to establish it in advance.”

Although Bessette emphasizes the importance of nalizing timelines far in advance of the event, she understands that sometimes things don’t go exactly as scheduled.

“Our experienced team is adept at adapting to the changing needs of events,” she says. “We seamlessly accommodate timing twists and ensure exibility to make sure the celebration goes on without missing a beat.”

Rachel Epstein, executive director of Green Road Synagogue in Beachwood, also says one of the most important roles of the venue is “to facilitate a line of communication to make sure that everyone is happy on the day of the event.”

Like Glidden House and House of Blues, Epstein encourages engaged couples and b’nai mitzvah celebrants to hire professional party/event planners to manage the day-of timeline. But, how much the venue sta is involved in the timing of the big day varies between locations, and the type of ceremony and celebration.

“Besides b’nai mitzvah celebrations and weddings, we also host a lot of Shabbat dinners, luncheons, kiddushes and Sheva Brachot meals,” Epstein says. “We take care of reserving the space, managing the facility and scheduling vendor drop-o s and arrival times, but don’t manage the day-of timeline.”

No matter what venue, caterer, photographer, orist, entertainer, event planner or baker you choose for your big day, communicate your timeline wishes with all of them so everything runs smoothly and you can enjoy your special day.

Green Road Synagogue set up for an outdoor wedding. Courtesy of Green Road Synagogue.

House of Blues Cleveland set up for a b’nai mitzvah. Photo / Domino Arts Photography

EVERYTHING ... BUT THE WE ING

By Abigail Preiszig

Planning large life events requires careful preparation. And with so much time and energy going into the big day, the smaller celebrations associated with it – like rehearsal dinners and morning-after party brunches – can be challenging for families to prioritize.

However, supplementary celebrations can add a desired touch to the main event, which is why Kimpton Scho eld Hotel in downtown Cleveland o ers an “everything but the wedding” package.

“We handle the welcome party, the rehearsal dinner, the farewell brunch and the hotel block,” says Nicole Sowders, director of sales for the Kimpton Scho eld and creator of the hotel’s “everything but the wedding” approach. “That way, out-of-town guests are only leaving the hotel one time, potentially, to go to the wedding and everything else we can handle here for them.”

The idea came to Sowders during the COVID-19 pandemic, when smaller, more intimate gatherings became the norm, she says. And as gatherings began returning to larger crowds, she saw more event venues opening in Cleveland that lacked conveniences like hotel accommodations, bars or ballrooms. She realized they had found a needed niche in providing all of the secondary events to complement the main event.

“We (Kimpton Scho eld) very quickly learned that amount of guests was more our demographic,” she says.

While the “everything but” approach is marketed toward weddings, the philosophy can be applied to other life events like a b’nai mitzvah, Sowders says.

“It’s more of an ‘everything but the big event,’” she says.

Working with Kimpton Scho eld to plan all the side events can eliminate the stress of having various contacts for multiple parties and “streamline” the process through one person who will ensure all

bases are covered, Sowders says.

“When there’s a big wedding, you obviously have tons of vendors and tons of people you’re communicating with, and this just eliminates a lot of that because we handle it all here in house,” she says. “It’s just streamlining it to make sure that nothing is missed when guests are here with us.”

As such, the celebrant and guests have one contact to call for breakfast, parking, transportation, hotel accommodations or any other needs that arise. All the families have to worry about is the major event, she says.

Additionally, the professionals will walk the celebrant through the day of and days leading up to their big event to ensure no detail

Nicole Sowders, director of sales for the Kimpton Scho eld Hotel in downtown Cleveland and creator of the “everything but the wedding” approach. Photo / Hal Stata

With plenty of event space, the Kimpton Scho eld Hotel in downtown Cleveland will plan a major life event’s ancillary events, accommodating both small and large parties. Photo courtesy of Kimpton Scho eld.

Kimpton Schofield provides unique offerings for ancillary events, accommodations for major celebrations

is overlooked, Sowders says. The hotel also hosts ceremonies and receptions with up to 125 guests, meaning the sta is experienced with the whole process.

“Most people only plan one wedding in their life, and it’s something we do all day, every day here,” she says. “So, it’s easy for us to sit there and say, ‘OK now, what are you doing for your guests when they come in or (are) you bringing gift bags for your guests? Where are you going for dinner the night of check-in ... what are your guests doing after that?’ And just walking them through the entire weekend to make sure that they haven’t missed anything (and) to help out where we can.”

The “everything but the wedding” package is customizable to the event and needs of the individual, but it typically includes a welcome party, a cocktail hour and casual snacks to welcome guests as they arrive for the weekend; the rehearsal dinner the night before the main event; and a farewell brunch, a chance for guests to gather one last time to celebrate and debrief about the main event and enjoy a meal together.

With plenty of event space, Kimpton Scho eld can plan the side events in appropriately sized spaces, accommodating both small and large parties, Sowders says.

The most overlooked aspect of the lead-up to a big event is having easily accessible food service for guests, such as when they are getting ready or need a late-night snack after the party, she adds.

“When the whole bridal party is all getting ready in the bridal suite and you have 20 girls in there getting ready, people always overlook the co ee service that’s going to happen or bringing up some breakfast items,” Sowders says.

With room service and an in-house restaurant, Betts, guests can remain satis ed when hunger hits. Additionally, Kimpton Scho eld

restrictions, Sowders says.

Overall, letting someone else handle planning the smaller events to complement the main event adds to the guest experience. And, it allows the celebrants to focus on and enjoy the big celebration

A Kimpton Scho eld space set up for a rehearsal dinner the night before the wedding. Photo courtesy of Kimpton Scho eld.

JANIE S ILVERMAN & JASON S HERMAN

WEDDING DAY

MAY 20, 2023

THE VIEW AT MOUNT ADAMS, CINCINNATI

TODAY

AGES: 31 & 34

HOMETOWN: LYNDHURST

HOW DID YOU MEET?

We matched on a dating app, Hinge.

We shared a pizza on our rst date and I (Janie) got pizza sauce on my face. Jason kindly let me know, and I said something along the lines of “I’m glad you told me, because we wouldn’t go out again if you didn’t!”

DO YOU HAVE ANY INTERESTING STORIES TO SHARE ABOUT GETTING TO KNOW ONE ANOTHER?

I knew I liked Jason from the start and didn’t want to “jinx” it, so I didn’t tell family members much about him early on (even his name). Long story short, my grandmothers commented on a Facebook picture (not of Jason), asking if it was “Mr. Wonderful No Name”.

We played Jewish geography, talking about my roots in Cincinnati and Jason’s in Cleveland, learning that we have a lot of overlap in our worlds. Turns out, my parents were at a wedding Jason was the best man in just a month before our rst date. Funny enough, my dad is in the background of one of the pictures Jason posted on social media.

I planned to move back home to Cincinnati after completing my graduate program in May 2019. Ultimately, I decided to stick around in Cleveland “one more year.” Jason completed residency around the same time, and then we started dating shortly after. The timing of it all was besheret.

HOW LONG DID YOU KNOW EACH OTHER BEFORE YOU GOT MARRIED?

We started dating in July 2019, engaged November 2021, and married May 2023.

WHEN DID YOU KNOW YOU WANTED TO MARRY YOUR PARTNER?

Jason: During our rst Chanukah as a couple, Janie was wrapping presents for my niece and nephew. She was getting adorably frustrated and I thought to myself, “Man, my mom would’ve really loved her.” Seconds later, Janie asked, “Do you think your mom would’ve liked me?” That’s when I knew.

Janie: I knew I loved Jason very early on in our relationship. It felt di erent from the start. I’m sure that’s why I was concerned about “jinxing” it. I remember early in our relationship, watching the reworks after an Indians (now Guardians) win, looking up at Jason (who was beaming after a Cleveland win), and thinking “this is it.”

WHAT WAS THE BEST PART OF WEDDING PLANNING?

We loved being able to spend more time with family in Cincinnati. And the food tasting, of course.

WAS THERE ANY SPOT-ON ADVICE YOU RECEIVED PRIOR TO THE BIG DAY, EITHER IN TERMS OF THE WEDDING OR LASTING RELATIONSHIP?

Enjoy this time, be present, remember this feeling. Some of the relationship advice we received was date each other, make sure to laugh, and embrace one another with an open mind and an open heart.

WHAT WAS THE MOST FUN OR INTERESTING JEWISH ASPECT OF YOUR WEDDING OR PARTNERSHIP?

Jason’s grandparents were Holocaust survivors and saved a tallit that has been in the family for generations. We were wrapped in this tallit on our wedding day. A fun twist on tradition was that both of us broke the glass at the end of our ceremony.

PLANNING

Engagement: Nov. 5, 2021

O ciant: Rabbi Lewis Kamrass of Isaac M. Wise Temple in Cincinnati

Wedding colors: White, gold, navy with greenery

Dress: Alyne by Rita Vinieris, purchased from Carrie Karibo Bridal

Wedding rings: Gottlieb & Sons, Brilliant Earth

Jewelry: Etsy

Veil: Theia from Carrie Karibo Bridal

Shoes: Loe er Randall

Hair/makeup: BrideFACE

Bridesmaids dresses: Jenny Yoo from Carrie Karibo Bridal

Groom’s/groomsmens’ formalwear: The Black Tux

Bouquet/ owers/chuppah: Floral V Designs

Ketubah: Ketubah.com

Photographer: Kortni & Chris Photography

Videographer: Gracefully Eppich

Planner/consultant: KMC Weddings

Reception: The View at Mount Adams

Catering: Funky’s Catering

Rehearsal dinner: The Backstage Event Center in Cincinnati

Invitations/stationery: Bess Paper Goods

Music/entertainment: Seven Hills String Duo, Party Pleasers

Accommodations: AC Hotel Cincinnati at The Banks, 21c Museum Hotel,

The Lytle Park Hotel

Registries: Crate & Barrel, Williams Sonoma, Amazon

Honeymoon: Planning for Greece

“There were so many best moments throughout our wedding weekend. We were surrounded by love and that feeling will stick with us forever. One moment that was particularly meaningful was when a ladybug landed on our niece before our ceremony. Whenever we see a ladybug, we believe it is a visit from Jason’s late mother, Aliza. While she is always with us in spirit, it was so significant to feel her presence as our ladybug visitor on the most important day of our lives together. We look back on this moment as a blessing.”

- Janie & Jason

Serving Spring and Summer

Local caterers look to incorporate seasonal foods in party dishes

By Noell Wolfgram Evans

As the sun breaks through the winter haze and the weather starts to turn, certain rituals begin. The shorts emerge from the back of the drawer, gardening gear makes an appearance, and our spring and summer taste buds start to tingle.

There’s something about a sunny day that has us anxious to load our dinner plates with seasonal delights. No one knows that better than caterers.

With spring and summer events lling calendars across the region, chefs at catering companies are putting the nal touches on party menu items they hope will be remembered well after the warm weather is just a distant memory. It’s work they started months ago.

“We plan months ahead, talking to purveyors about what’s coming in, what costs are and so on,” explains Kathryn Neidus, executive chef at The Rustic Grill at StoneWater Golf Club in Highland Heights.

“Our goal is to nd seasonal ingredients that t with what we do and that will be economical for customers.”

Neidus says for incorporating seasonal foods into meals, “It’s a huge factor for any chef to understand the food system.” That means knowing how ingredients get to the chef’s kitchen. It also encompasses knowing what’s available and at the right cost, what will be available, having an idea of what customers will like and everything in between. So while you may be thinking about your event’s spring or summer menu now, your chef has been planning it longer.

This process becomes even trickier to navigate because, as Neidus says, “Seasonal eating in Ohio can be tough because our seasons are shifting.”

In terms of customers’ speci c preferences, when people plan spring and summer events, they tend to look at the menu either traditionally, nostalgically or creatively. Traditionalists often want to incorporate seasonal staples like salads, fruits or even barbecue items.

For those parties, “We tend to o er lighter fares during the summer season,” says Carl Santagata, co-owner of LaVera Party Center in Willoughby Hills. “These are things like seasonal salads with blueberries and a lighter vinaigrette.”

Those planning an event with a nostalgic frame of mind will often want to incorporate tastes that were important to them in seasons past. For example, if they enjoyed strawberry sandwiches as a kid, they may want to include those in their child’s b’nai mitzvah celebration.

And then there are those looking to capture seasonal eating in a whole new way.

“A lot of times people will want to change things up,” Santagata says. “They’ll want to make it lighter or even just change up the way something looks. Sometimes they’ll even bring in a photo of a dish they found on Instagram.

“As a chef, you love doing something di erent,” he adds.

One simple way to incorporate seasonality is through spring and summer

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fruits, Neidus says.

“Many people like to add fruit platters and skewers, which are kind of summertime classics,” she says. “My responsibility then becomes trying to nd ways to jazz those up.”

At the Cleveland Museum of Art in Cleveland’s University Circle neighborhood, menus are kept fresh each year and as such, they incorporate seasonal trends and foods that “local produce sources are looking forward to for the season,” says Rachel Rosen, director of catering sales for Bon Appetit at CMA.

“We especially love beautifully colored vegetables, like beautiful radishes that are delicious and add a pop of color to a green salad,” Rosen says.

For 2024, bold colors and strong avors are expected to appear at events all spring and summer. This year, party-goers might nd more sour avors on their plates, current trends indicate. They may decide to temper those tastes with a chilly frojito (a frozen mojito) and top o the meal with a melon parfait or side of blackberry biscuit ice cream cake.

“We are seeing more requests for more global avors,” Rosen says. “People are veering away from traditional plates and want a worldly, avorful dish. This is wonderful for our chefs during the spring/ summer season when things like snap peas and morels are in season for spring, and into summer with chiles and zucchini blossoms.”

And it’s not just those in the kitchen who enjoy seasonal changes through ingredients.

“It’s enjoyable for diners to have something new,” Neidus says, adding that the desire of a chef to get creative with seasonal fare has to be matched with the practicality of diners. “People are conscious about what they spend on food. This gives our chefs a challenge to gure out how to manage the space between the two.”

And for many caterers, seasonal eating doesn’t just mean what’s on the plate, both Santagata and Neidus suggest. Presentation plays a key role as well with trends moving toward interactive food stations and more portable options, which allow people an opportunity to move around versus sitting at a table and being served.

If you’re planning an event, Neidus says there are many tips and tricks to add seasonality to your event, but not add to your budget. For example, she suggests presentation can give a dish a seasonal, upscale look. She describes the chef’s assignment as “deconstructing a dinner from how it is traditionally served to something eye-catching.”

LaVera Party Center

StoneWater Golf Club

SPOTLIGHT

S EAN L URIE

BAR MITZVAH: SEPT. 2, 2023

CEREMONY/CELEBRATION: TEMPLE EMANU EL, ORANGE

OFFICIANTS: RABBI ROBERT NOSANCHUCK AND CANTOR VLADIMIR LAPIN

AGE: 13

SYNAGOGUE: ANSHE CHESED FAIRMOUNT TEMPLE

HOMETOWN: SOLON

SCHOOL: JOSEPH AND FLORENCE MANDEL JEWISH DAY SCHOOL

Elizabeth Glorioso Photography

WHAT WAS THE BEST PART OF THE DAY?

Sean: The best part was probably the party. It was really fun and it was nice to celebrate with my friends and family. It was also really nice to do the readings in front of a crowd after practicing for a couple of months with my tutor.

Jaime Lurie, mother: I think the best part of the day was looking around at the audience and seeing all of our friends, family and clergy there to witness this special moment in our lives. Our older son’s bar mitzvah was during COVID so we could only have 25 guests. So it was great to all be able to celebrate together. Of course watching Sean run a service and become a bar mitzvah ... was awesome. We were so proud. The party was great, too. We had rap-themed party – no one had seen one like that before, and it was fun to surprise people with unique touches and teach them about rap. I am still smiling from this day.

WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR OTHER YOUNG ADULTS PREPARING FOR THEIR B’NAI MITZVAHS?

Sean: My advice for preparing would de nitely be to practice a couple of times a week and to focus on the parts you just learned the previous week. For the reading, I would say that no one besides your tutor and your rabbis know what you’re saying, so if you make a mistake, just keep going.

DISTINCT Desserts

Desserts

Unique cakes and sweet treats help make a celebration one of a kind

By Lydia Kacala

Family parties and lifecycle celebrations are meant to be spent having a good time with your loved ones. They often involve dressing up and decorating your venue with fun and striking decorations – and the desserts and pastries should be given the same treatment.

Local bakeries can create custom designs to match your celebration. No matter what colors, themes or avors you wish to incorporate during your party, consulting with a local bakery can be the way to nd the perfect desserts.

Luna Bakery & Cafe and Unger’s Kosher Bakery & Food Shop tell Celebrations about some unique treats they’ve made over their many years in business, and what’s trending now.

LUNA BAKERY & CAFE

Custom and creative specialty cakes and cookies are a signature aspect of Luna Bakery & Cafe, with locations in Cleveland Heights, Moreland Hills and downtown Cleveland.

“We have a pretty set mini pastry and cake menu that we hold to as sort of the guidelines for what we bake,” says Brynn Keefe, director of pastry operations at the bakery. “However, when it comes to certain items we customize things.”

In the past, the bakery has made dessert shooters – or mini desserts served in a shot glass – with traditional, yet interesting avors such as German chocolate and banana pudding.

And one way the bakery puts a twist on classic party desserts is by taking inspiration from a family recipe to create a dessert that could stir happy memories for those enjoying it, she says.

Luna Bakery’s churro cake, rst made for a wedding. Photo courtesy of Luna Bakery.

An assortment of baked goods from Luna Bakery & Cafe. Photo / Michelle McGlinn

“(The type of desserts) are going to be more of our traditional dessert, but yet have the avor pro les of things that maybe are reminiscent of something that people have memories of,” Keefe says.

Her favorite creation for a client’s wedding was a churro-inspired cake, she says. The cake, entirely from scratch, was made with vanilla cake batter, caramel sauce between the layers and cinnamon buttercream frosting to tie it together.

When it comes to nding inspiration for your desserts, she recommends looking at the theme of the party and going from there. Oftentimes, people will ask for cakes and desserts that have a speci c color palette or “vibe,” she says.

“We take that and we go, ‘OK, you’re having a French-inspired party,’ and we might recommend frangipane or pastry cream,” she says.

Another way to incorporate colors or images from your party theme is by ordering custom cookies, which the bakery also o ers, Keefe says. For example, a construction-themed bar mitzvah party can lead to cookies decorated with tra c cones or dump truck designs.

However, if you’re looking to order something that’s becoming more popular but still a little out of the ordinary, she says pies are on their way to becoming mainstream desserts.

“Pies are coming back around, which is one we haven’t seen in a long time,” she says. “I’ve gotten quite a few inquiries on pie this year for celebrations. I do have one (order) in ... that has all pie, which is kind of fun because I don’t think people often think of pie for large parties.”

To check out Luna Bakery’s recent dessert creations, visit it on Instagram (@lunabakerycafe) and Facebook (Luna Bakery Cafe).

UNGER’S KOSHER BAKERY & FOOD SHOP

If you are looking for customizable kosher pastries, look no further than Unger’s Kosher Bakery & Food Shop in Cleveland Heights.

“(We make) di erent cakes and cups (that are) ready in containers you can come and just pick up,” says Malka Rosenberg, owner of Unger’s.

In the past, the bakery has made unicorn cakes and “naked cakes,” where the cake isn’t fully frosted on the outside and is decorated with owers owing down the side of the cake, Rosenberg says.

People hosting large parties often order mousse cups, which can be chocolate, vanilla, lemon or strawberry avored depending on your taste, she adds.

For vegan customers, the bakery can also make celebration cakes without any animal products by special order, she says. These cakes – along with Unger’s other popular avors, such as chocolate mousse, ganache and tiramisu cakes – can be made in any size from ve to 12 inches.

And if you’re looking for a party treat that’s easy to grab and go – so guests can get back on the dance oor in record time – the bakery also o ers party trays for any occasion, Rosenberg says. The trays can be lled with pastries and cookies or even fruit.

Party trays have become a popular order for the bakery and, depending on what a customer orders, can be put together with di erent pastries, she says.

For a more casual event, the tray may be lled with mu ns, danishes or pecan rolls. For a fancier event, the bakery can make lady lock pastry cookies or hi-hat cakes, she adds.

“Whatever the person wants, that is what (we) make – and we make them that day,” Rosenberg says.

For party treats that can make you a trendsetter amongst your friends, Rosenberg recommends following the trends she sees in the bakery, which include an increase in orders for Russian tea biscuits and Hungarian nut slices, she says. Another popular pastry from Unger’s is its doughnuts, which Rosenberg says are so popular that people come from out of town to order them.

If you’re trying to gure out exactly what to serve at your party, Rosenberg adds that you can check the bakery’s Instagram (@ungers_kosher_bakery) or Facebook (Unger’s Kosher Bakery & Food Shop) accounts to view photos of some of its past creations that might help get your creative juices owing.

Unger’s chocolate ganache cakes. Photo courtesy of Unger’s.

Luna Bakery’s macarons. Photo / Michelle McGlinn

Unger’s Kosher Bakery & Food Shop’s tiramisu cake. Photo courtesy of Unger’s.

Applause® honeycomb shades with enhanced

Are you a Jewish newlywed who’s interested in having your wedding featured in the upcoming issue of Jstyle Weddings?

Then let us know!

Jewish couples with ties to Northeast Ohio who were married in either 2023 or 2024 are invited to submit to be spotlighted in Jstyle Weddings – a fall sister magazine to Celebrations.

To have your wedding considered, fill out the short form at cjn.org/JstyleWeddings. You’ll also be asked to share a few photos from the big day.

DEADLINE: 5 p.m. June 30, 2024. Those selected for a feature will be asked to provide additional photos from their wedding as well as additional details regarding vendors. Jstyle Weddings is scheduled to publish in August 2024.

Did a child in your family celebrate a

b’nai mitzvah

recently?

If your family is interested in being featured in an upcoming issue of Bar•Bat Mitzvah magazine, we are seeking spotlights from your family simcha!

Jewish families who live in Northeast Ohio and who celebrated a b’nai mitzvah in 2024 are invited to submit to be spotlighted in Bar•Bat Mitzvah – a fall sister magazine to Celebrations.

To have a b’nai mitzvah considered, fill out the short form at cjn.org/barbatmitzvah. You’ll also be asked to share a few photos from the big day.

DEADLINE: 5 p.m. Sept. 8, 2024. Those selected for a feature will be asked to provide additional photos from their celebration as well as additional details. Bar•Bat Mitzvah is scheduled to publish in October 2024.

HORA

Leia Bendersky & Jared Kammer

Leia Bendersky and Jared Kammer dance the hora – and the night away – at their wedding on June 24, 2023 at Signature of Solon. Their wedding was o ciated by Rabbi Joshua Caruso and Cantor Laurel Barr. Today, Leia, 25, and Jared, 26, live in Beachwood and are congregants at Anshe Chesed Fairmount Temple, also in Beachwood.

Village

“Dancing the hora at our wedding brought an incredible energy into the room. We loved being surrounded by our family and friends. It was unforgettable!”

- Leia & Jared

Lyndhurst

Village