Here is Jake, posing for me, for one of my favorite poses for the bar mitvah or bat mitzvah at Temple Israel. We shoot a whole bunch at the bema, with the Torah and then we move over to a spot where I crouch down and shoot up, carefully placing the Star of David, a distinctive design element at Temple Israel, and so beautiful, centered above the bar (or bat) mitzvah.

Ritual objects and moments are key and they often provide a beautiful backdrop.

On this Valentine’s Day of Love, let us all work to honor the rituals and traditions of our Judaism. For this day, I’d like to mention the importance of Gemilut Chasidim: Which means: Acts of Loving Kindness. Where that be paying for a coffee for the person behind you in line, opening a door, helping an elderly person with Meals on Wheels… whatever your kindness, let’s remember to do so, with love, on this day of love, Valentine’s day, and beyond. Let us pay it forward: the love we give and receive.