Women Pass the Torah to Harper
A member of the politically active Rafshoon family, Harper Bernstein, saluted her roots and then celebrated with a music festival-themed party.
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.
On Aug. 24, Harper Bernstein celebrated her bat mitzvah with a Havdalah service led by The Temple’s Rabbi Loren Filson Lapidus and Cantor Tracey Scher. Parents, Sarah Bernstein and Tim Adkins, knew that Harper would have confidence and poise in addressing the congregation. As a Woodward Academy student and member of the school’s theater program, Harper landed the lead role for the school play, “Holes,” the Monday after her bat mitzvah.
Harper’s mom, Sarah Bernstein, works for Jewish Family & Career Services where she is the PAL and Young Professional Manager. Dad, Tim Adkins, is Director of Marketing and Corporate Impact at Hands on Atlanta.
At an early age, Harper volunteered with both parents at events. For Harper’s mitzvah project, she applied for a Gather Grant from the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta and was awarded $180 towards her bat mitzvah project. Harper gathered a group of Jewish/non-Jewish friends to help bake more than 100 muffins for the JF&CS Zimmerman-Horowitz Independent Living Program. It was important that her non-Jewish friends help also to “lean in” and learn more about a bat mitzvah.
Traditionally, the Torah ritual is passed from generation to generation. This family opted to make their own tradition and passed the Torah from generations of women on Harper’s maternal side; Great-grandmother, Betty Garrett, grandmother, Patricia Simon, mother, Sarah Bernstein and daughter passed the Torah that ended in Harper’s arms.
The rockin’ party took place at The Temple. Let’s Celebrate ran with the idea of “Harper Fest” with bright colors, disco balls and a festival-themed décor. They turned The Temple ballroom into a real-life music festival.
Sarah recalled, “Friends and family were blown away when they entered the party. Ghost the MC and Atlanta Fever bought their ‘A game’ and got everyone dancing.”
Guests enjoyed fairy hair, glitter tattoos, yummy ice cream and pink cotton candy. The kids’ favor was a hot pink Harper Fest T-shirt. Scenesations Photography designed a unique sign-in guest book and photo booth. Guests dined on street tacos and festival-themed foods from C Parks Catering.
Harper wore a lavender tweed dress with jacket for the service. For the party, she wore a hot pink romper from 12th Tribe with white high-top Converse All-Stars and a pink cowgirl hat. For Harper’s grand entrance, she danced to “Alien Super Star” by Beyonce. Harper worked with Atlanta Fever on the music to achieve a true music festival atmosphere.
The Rafshoon family has been members of The Temple for more than 60 years. Harper is the first great-grandchild to Betty Garrett and Gerald Rafshoon. Betty Garrett, aka “BG,” is a big part of Harper’s upbringing as Harper and Sarah lived with her for eight years. Harper’s great-grandfather, Gerald Rafshoon, former White House Communications Director for President Jimmy Carter, loved Harper’s speech and was impressed with Harper’s natural stage ability.
Harper’s aunt, Jaclyn Rothenberg, was spokesperson and Director of Public Affairs and Planning Division at FEMA and the former Georgia Communications Director for President Joe Biden’s 2020 campaign. Harper worked with Jaclyn on her speech, which was covered women’s issues and what it means to be Jewish today. Since Harper comes from a politically oriented family, she ponders about her own political career later in life.
Party planner Melissa Miller, MmEvents had met Sarah on a women’s Israel trip, and worked together at the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta. Sarah helped Melissa with her events as a team member specializing as a “day of “coordinator.
Sarah stated, “Melissa is helpful, honest and supportive. I love how detail-oriented she is. Melissa is not just a friend, she’s family. I loved having her by my side throughout this whole experience.”
Joan Rubenstein, Flower Design By Joan, used pink and white flowers to feminize the mood in the Temple sanctuary.
Sarah concluded, “Harper is truly a special human being who knows how to bring people together, find the best in everyone and everything, and how to captivate an audience. Harper’s always been up for a challenge, never knowing how it may turn out. Harper’s willingness to try, help others and never give up is inspiring. We are so proud of her Jewish journey. This is just the beginning of a wonderful life for her.”
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