Don’t Stop, Make it Pop
JEWISH TIME PODCAST JEWISH TIME PODCAST SUBSCRIBE TODAY SUBSCRIBE TODAY
search
home page
OpinionEditorial

Don’t Stop, Make it Pop

AJT's Editor and Managing Publisher, Kaylene Ladinsky, notes the resiliency and creativity of the Atlanta party and simcha communities during COVID.

By Kaylene Ladinsky November 24, 2020, 5:25 pm Edit

In addition to being the AJT’s managing publisher and interim editor, Kaylene Ladinsky is the president of Americans United With Israel.

  • Marlene and Hyman Sukiennik, sitting at third table, enjoy their October birthdays at a party with 10 friends.
    Marlene and Hyman Sukiennik, sitting at third table, enjoy their October birthdays at a party with 10 friends.
  • A bridal vendor Zoom session.
    A bridal vendor Zoom session.
  • Jennifer and step-daughter Chana don masks.
    Jennifer and step-daughter Chana don masks.
  • The typical cost for a 10-by-10-inch 30-page professional-grade album is about $450. Penn takes away the stress and saves the client money.
    The typical cost for a 10-by-10-inch 30-page professional-grade album is about $450. Penn takes away the stress and saves the client money.
  • Birthday girl Mona Wolmer with her husband Allen get ready to welcome some friends to celebrate her milestone 65th birthday.
    Birthday girl Mona Wolmer with her husband Allen get ready to welcome some friends to celebrate her milestone 65th birthday.
  • Margot Alfie presents Lynn Handmacher Chanin a tahini muffin, a surprise gluten-free party dessert with a side of raspberry sorbet.
    Margot Alfie presents Lynn Handmacher Chanin a tahini muffin, a surprise gluten-free party dessert with a side of raspberry sorbet.
  • The typical cost for a 10-by-10-inch 30-page professional-grade album is about $450. Penn takes away the stress and saves the client money.
    The typical cost for a 10-by-10-inch 30-page professional-grade album is about $450. Penn takes away the stress and saves the client money.
  • Nathalia Frykman Photography // Harrison Levy and Anna Streetman
    Nathalia Frykman Photography // Harrison Levy and Anna Streetman
  • Scensations Photography // Jacob Levin’s bar mitzvah was postponed from March to October as a result of the pandemic. Here he poses with his family showing off their personalized masks.
    Scensations Photography // Jacob Levin’s bar mitzvah was postponed from March to October as a result of the pandemic. Here he poses with his family showing off their personalized masks.
  • The family gathered under the chuppah at dusk.
    The family gathered under the chuppah at dusk.
  • Jack Parada Photography // The bride and groom entered the chuppah to “A Thousand Years” performed by live musicians.
    Jack Parada Photography // The bride and groom entered the chuppah to “A Thousand Years” performed by live musicians.
  • Nathalia Frykman Photography // Anna Streetman and Harrison Levy met in preschool at Congregation Etz Chaim.
    Nathalia Frykman Photography // Anna Streetman and Harrison Levy met in preschool at Congregation Etz Chaim.
  • Stacie Francombe, CEO of Sign Greeters, runs the company out of Atlanta
    Stacie Francombe, CEO of Sign Greeters, runs the company out of Atlanta
  • Ivonne Simon, president of Sign Greeters, works from Coral Springs, Fla.
    Ivonne Simon, president of Sign Greeters, works from Coral Springs, Fla.
  • Serena Iteld stands in front of the Sign Greeters display for her fourth birthday.
    Serena Iteld stands in front of the Sign Greeters display for her fourth birthday.
  • Celebrating a few birthdays and the annual reunion of their Israel trip are Katie Busch, Penina Richards, Dara Brenner, Margot Alfie, Karen Senft and Lori Halpern.
    Celebrating a few birthdays and the annual reunion of their Israel trip are Katie Busch, Penina Richards, Dara Brenner, Margot Alfie, Karen Senft and Lori Halpern.
  • Prior to the pandemic, the party theme was going to be The Red Carpet Event. Rothman did a smaller version for the immediate family.
    Prior to the pandemic, the party theme was going to be The Red Carpet Event. Rothman did a smaller version for the immediate family.

Atlanta manages to find a way to make their parties pop with flare, meaning and a sense of community in the face of a worldwide pandemic. Thinking outside the box and pivoting like never before, the stories that fill this winter simcha issue spotlight non-traditional party plans. Let’s start with the couple who had to change their original wedding plans because of COVID and logistics but stayed true to their roots. Bride Anna Streetman graces our cover.

You may have noticed large celebration signs on neighbors’ lawns announcing a special occasion. The AJT interviews the sorority sisters who started a rapidly expanding sign company in response to the pandemic.

Other businesses profiled in this issue offer scrapbooking to record the event and tie dying as a gift option or an artsy party activity.

We take you outdoors and socially distant to learn about ethnic driveway celebrations taking place in a Marietta neighborhood. Read how some b’nai mitzvah students had to learn a second Torah portion when their plans changed because of COVID. The AJT covers the first kosher wedding at Zoo Atlanta and reports on the opening of The General Muir in Sandy Springs with its beefed-up focus on catering.

Speaking of party food, there’s a piece on elaborate cookie cakes and, because you can’t have too many simchas, we highlight a second marriage and a double sibling mitzvah.

These celebrations and more prove the resilience of Atlanta’s Jewish community. Just ask area party planners how they’ve pivoted to meet their clients’ desires to keep the party rocking despite the obstacles. Just goes to show, the party doesn’t have to stop when a worldwide crisis gets in the way.

read more:
comments