Jacob’s ‘Smooth Skiing’ Bar Mitzvah

Temple Sinai, on Oct. 8, 2022, became Alpine, as a posse of planners, vendors and very creative parents glided Jacob Viente through a meaningful and well executed bar mitzvah festivity.

By Marcia Caller Jaffe November 28, 2022, 12:19 pm 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.

The Viente family pulled in an extensive team to execute a creative theme to represent Jacob’s “skiing” into Jewish manhood.

Temple Sinai, on Oct. 8, 2022, became Alpine, as a posse of planners, vendors and very creative parents glided Jacob Viente through a meaningful and well executed bar mitzvah festivity. Jacob, a Davis Academy student, loves snow skiing and sports. Dad, Adam, mom, Lyndsie, and big sister, Allyssa, started Jacob on the slopes when he was just four.

The Viente family celebrate Jacob’s entrance to manhood. // Photography by Hy Paul Studio, Pennsylvania

The family skis together every winter break as well as occasional father/son getaways, thus the choice of themes. Bring in Added Touch Catering and a plethora of designers, and technicians, and the ski theme swooshed and moguled with a Saturday night party for 75 adults and 75 kids.

Starting with the all-meaningful Saturday ceremony, Jacob’s parsha was “Haazinu.” Rabbi Brad Levenberg encouraged Jacob to remain true to himself in tandem with Jacob’s own comments.

A fun ski display was placed by the sushi with Jacob’s initials.

“This is a poem in which Moses, speaking as God’s voice, commands the Jewish people to remain true to God. He tells them to learn from history and to trust in God. He warns them that the consequences of going against God’s will, will be dire and reminds them that they are the chosen people.” Lyndsie Viente added, “Jacob is incredibly kind-hearted, passionate, especially about sports, and a loving son. We reminded him that yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift. We encourage Jacob to keep living each day with drive and passion, and he will continue to do great things.”

The Viente family ready for the Saturday ceremony.

For his Mitzvah Project, because Jacob loves dogs and skiing, he sold bracelets to raise money for Wasatch Backcountry Rescue, which provides training for the rescue dogs in the Wasatch Mountains. Jacob hopes to never need assistance while on the mountain but knows that every contribution helps another puppy make it through the intense training and onto a chair lift.

At night, the social hall turned into a ski resort by RKN Designs and branding in lime green, and black accents, an ice bar, logos, gobo lighted logos on the walls and beautiful tables. Lyndsie offered sage advice, “Don’t be afraid to think outside the box and use some out-of-town vendors. They aren’t necessarily more expensive and can bring in something different than other Atlanta mitzvahs might have.”

Amazing table décor carried through the ski theme on a mirror base.

She continued, “Great logos make great décor! RKN Designs are the best! They say, ‘you cannot plan until you brand!’ They created amazing swag that both kids and adults wore throughout the night and post party. Swag you want to take away, not give away.”

It consisted of T-shirts, muscle and crop shirts, trucker and beanie hats, slides and socks which were thrown throughout the night. All kids received a swag bag with sweatshirts. Sweatpants and puffer vests were given to adults.

What fun! Dorito designs!

Melissa Miller, of MMEventsatlanta, was the planner/coordinator. Vendors were Jenny’s Paper, Ink. Invitations, Entertainment Company Hip Parties LLC, (New York/Philly) packed the dance floor. Bold Décor created the vision. Atlanta Dance Floor provided the floor wrap. Magnum was on audio and visual equipment.
Whitelight Photography (New York) did the cavernous entrance tunnel, photo booth, DJ booth, back bar wall and to-go store. The tunnel created a perfect entry into the venue, and the to-go store provided a lasting impression as guests left.
Toni Jade Photography (South Florida) provided “swooshing” ski photo decor.
Video Productions By DeWitt Smith; sign-in board by Stacie Francombe.
Lyndsie and Allyssa did a girl’s trip to New York and to have dresses made by Blue By Christina.

The family enjoys the green and “snowy” décor.

Jacob summed it up, “I had so much fun celebrating and am so lucky that all my camp friends came in town to celebrate with me.”

Added Touch Catering’s Meredith O’Brien, known for her culinary creativity, executed world class food and themed presentations like supplying bright green and black chop sticks. An edited outline follows:
Specialty cocktail
Mexican Mule shots in mini copper mugs
Alpine Appetizers
Classic Lamb Chop Lollipops
Chicken n’ waffles with mini shots of beer
Baked Moroccan cigars in vintage cigar boxes “smoking” with dry ice
Mini fish tacos
Asian Appetizers
Hand-rolled sushi station
Spicy tuna and salmon rolls
Pan seared pot stickers – three ways
Fondue displayed in different heights
Small plate stations
Argentinean Appetizers
Tomahawk steaks
Peking duck on Korean bun
Ahi tuna tower
Bangkok street noodles
Mediterranean
Moroccan chicken kebabs, pomegranate molasses salmon, jeweled Persian rice, roasted vegetable platter
Deconstructed Rows on a Wooden Board
Roasted eggplant slices, crisped chickpeas, and pomegranate seeds