Paint the Town ‘Scarlett’

On Feb. 15, Scarlett Bodner became a bat mitzvah at Temple Sinai Atlanta with Rabbi Ron Segal and Cantor Beth Schaeffer officiating.

There were multiple amazing “L’dor V’dor” moments, including being joined on the bima to pass the Torah through four generations with great-grandparents, Milton and Virginia Saul, grandparents, Rita and Arthur Bodner, Joel Babbit, Barbara Fleming, and parents, Jennifer and Steven Bodner.

Scarlett beautifully chanted from Parsha Yitro, which was the same portion read by her mother, aunt, Betsy Babbit, grandmother, Barbara, and great-uncle, Michael Saul. Throughout the morning, it was clear that Scarlett is known for her smile, sweetness, and for being a social butterfly.

Scarlett is in the seventh grade at Pace Academy and is a member of both the middle school swim and track teams, as well as serving on the student council. Scarlett also plays soccer at Tophat and spends her summers at her beloved Camp Barney Medintz. For her bat mitzvah project, her school friends joined her to cook and serve dinner to 30-plus residents at the Zaban Paradies Homeless Shelter.

Scarlett’s name evoked the red hue, and celebrating on Valentine’s Weekend tied the theme together with a bow. Following the bounteous Kiddush, friends and family joined together to celebrate at The Carlyle, where guests were truly “seeing red” at all surroundings. To set the tone, guests walked into the space on a red carpet, greeted by faux paparazzi snapping pics and shouting their names.

From there, instead of a traditional sign-in board, guests left words of kindness and encouragement for the gal of honor in the form of a “Scarlett Letter,” and grabbed a cocktail or mocktail at the SCAR Bar. Surprises continued throughout the night, capped off with sparklers and a four-foot-wide pavlova brought in by none other than the beloved Blooper of the Atlanta Braves.

None of this would have been possible without Scarlett’s all-star lineup of vendors. Party planner extraordinaire Amy Ackerman from JDV Occasions spearheaded the efforts that included Added Touch Catering, who stole the show with Ceasar salads shaken on site and ketchup in paint cans to “paint the town scarlet.” Decor and florals were by YES (with a club-like ceiling treatment), photography by Sean Randall (who also photographed Jennifer and Steven’s wedding), DJ and production by Kagan Entertainment, invitations and stationery from Jenny’s Paper Ink, swag by Shop Blake Ruby, and so many more that made the night special.

“Every moment of the weekend made me smile,” said Scarlett. “The service was amazing, and the party was awesome; but the best part was being with so many friends and family in one space, all of us celebrating together.”

Rita Bodner stated, “From the moment we received the fabulous invitation with a big red kiss on the back of the envelope, I knew that I was in for a real treat. It spelled LOVE! Scarlett charmed her guests as she led the service and shared her beautiful speech with poise and confidence. Seeing her step into this new chapter of her life was a moment that marked her growth, not only in faith, but in character and maturity. It was incredibly moving – a day I will always treasure! All the events: the Shabbat dinner, the Kiddush luncheon and the party all incorporated the red ‘LOVE’ theme, especially the party at night – from the décor to my red earrings. Music, laughter, dancing, and love permeated the room with heartwarming memories to last a lifetime!”

Great-grandparents Virginia and the late Milton Saul were on hand to celebrate. Milton, who died on April 22 at age 99, was at both the service and party. Virginia noted, “We were so happy that Milton was able to rise onto the bima, recite the blessing, and then attend the party. He loved both religion and family.”