Coplin Brings His ‘J’ Game
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SimchasBar Mitzvah

Coplin Brings His ‘J’ Game

Seventh-grader Jaron Coplin was tributed as the “undisputed king of sports” at City Springs.

By Marcia Caller Jaffe February 28, 2024, 11:17 am Edit

After 37 years with the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and now with the AJT, , Jaffe’s focus is lifestyle, art, dining, fashion, and community events with emphasis on Jewish movers and shakers.

  • Jaron, and sister, Alexa, in front of Elliot and Shelley at the B’nai Torah ceremony // All Photos by Brad and Patti Covert Scenesations
    Jaron, and sister, Alexa, in front of Elliot and Shelley at the B’nai Torah ceremony // All Photos by Brad and Patti Covert Scenesations
  • Merch check out room had 150 hand painted shoe boxes.
    Merch check out room had 150 hand painted shoe boxes.
  • Bar mitzvah MVP, Jaron, being lifted by his friends.
    Bar mitzvah MVP, Jaron, being lifted by his friends.
  • The family at the party leaned into blue shoes.
    The family at the party leaned into blue shoes.
  • Tables had centerpieces of descending balls and neon accents.
    Tables had centerpieces of descending balls and neon accents.
  • The dramatic JARON neon sign lights up the room.
    The dramatic JARON neon sign lights up the room.
  • The main room was aglow in cobalt blue.
    The main room was aglow in cobalt blue.
  • The neon sign in board was by SIGNS by SI.
    The neon sign in board was by SIGNS by SI.

Jaron Coplin celebrated his bar mitzvah on Saturday, Jan. 13, at Congregation B’nai Torah with a Havdalah service, followed by a party at City Springs-Studio Theatre with 150 guests.

Coplin was celebrated for bringing his “A” game to both the ceremony and sports-themed soiree. City Springs-Studio Theatre was transformed into an exclusive pop-up athletic retail store called JC Sports. The theme, “Undisputed King of Sports,” was inspired by global sports-fashion retailer, JD Sports.

The family at the party leaned into blue shoes.

Jaron, a seventh-grade student at The Davis Academy, is an avid sports enthusiast, and is known by nicknames, “J-Man,” “Stix,” and “J-Money.” He plays on The Davis Middle School basketball and baseball teams. He also plays in the All Saints Rec Basketball League and belongs to the Ninth Inning Royals travel baseball team. Jaron loves fantasy football and playing the video game, Fortnight.

Beginning at B’nai Torah, Jaron’s parsha, “Bo,” tells of the Jews not wanting to leave Egypt, but now faced with the Ten Plagues. He said, “This reminds me of how people are afraid to make changes, but sometimes it’s necessary to start anew. Just like my parents and their families who moved to Atlanta for a better life, I also had to switch schools. My mom is from South Africa, and my dad is from South Georgia. Today, I’m becoming a bar mitzvah, taking on responsibility, and it has been hard, but necessary.”

Rabbi Joshua Heller connected the Plagues to unprecedented events in Jaron’s life, emphasizing resilience and embracing change. Additionally, the rabbi acknowledged that while “today may seem like the best day to him, it’s just the beginning of Jaron’s Jewish studies and adulthood.”

Bar mitzvah MVP, Jaron, being lifted by his friends.

For his “bark” mitzvah project, combining his deep love for animals, Jaron partnered with Bosley’s Place, a non-profit rescue sanctuary for homeless and orphaned neonatal puppies. Jaron also plans to volunteer there.

In terms of the party, mom, Shelley, said, “Everyone brought their ‘J game’ to City Springs. The vibe was super high energy, fun, and felt like a New York City nightclub. Marci Miller, event planner, The Perfect Party Atlanta, provided an exceptional experience. Marci was in charge of overall decor, design, and logistics. Together with the decor, graphics, and City Springs’ lighting and technology, the space literally took my breath away when I walked into the room while Elliott and I snuck in for a peak earlier.”

Tables had centerpieces of descending balls and neon accents.

Shelley was in charge of branding and graphics, logos, digital invitations, and the 10-foot graffiti/hip-hop inspired banner, motion graphics on the massive screen during cocktail hour, and customizations for giveaways.

Dad, Elliot, recalled, “The food, catered by City Springs, received high praise and scored a 10/10, but we didn’t get an opportunity to taste anything as we never left the dance floor.”

The menu included themed items: Perfect Game Pretzel Bites, All-Star Tomato Soup Shooters with Grilled Cheese, All-Star Beef Sliders, Slammin’ Salmon, and Home-Run Pasta Bar. The kids enjoyed an impressive lineup, including the Ultimate French Fry and Tater Tot station, Champion Chicken Tenders, and Moneyball Mac n’ Cheese. The night concluded with a show stopping Drippin’ Ice Cream Bar and hot Krispy Kreme donuts with a Coca-Cola glazed reduction sauce. The Coplins asked the executive chef to create some new items that were not on the catering menu and advised the chef to think outside-the box and push innovative ideas.

As a “team” player, Shelley printed all the merch, including T-shirts, sweaters, and trucker hats (which were sourced from locally owned wholesaler, The Adair Group. During the trivia games, and throughout the party, guests earned coupons to the famous JC Sports Checkout Store. Guests also received a customized Croc Jibbitz bag of their glow-in-the-dark initials, and Jaron’s favorite sports, baseball and basketball, NBA players, Chick-fil-A, and Dunkin’ Donuts Jibbitz.

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