Bar mitzvah family at the Western Wall plaza

Bar mitzvah & hanachat tefillin at the Kotel

Bar mitzvah photography at the Western Wall

The whole morning, photographed quietly and respectfully: his first time wrapping tefillin, the Torah reading, the family, and the celebration after.

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How the morning goes

From the Kotel to the lunch table

  1. Boy wrapping tefillin for the first time

    Tefillin & Torah

    I'm right beside him in the men's section for the tefillin, the aliyah and the singing, and I photograph the women watching from the mechitza.

  2. Family portrait in the Kotel plaza

    Family at the Kotel

    Relaxed family portraits in the plaza while everyone is still together and dressed up.

  3. Bar mitzvah boy under the Old City walls

    Old City walk

    As a licensed Jerusalem tour guide, I know the quiet alleys and views of the Jewish Quarter for a few unhurried portraits.

  4. Bar mitzvah boy opening a gift at the family lunch

    The celebration

    If you're continuing to a restaurant, I'll come along for the speeches, the gifts and the family together.

Good to know

Questions families ask

Which days can we do it?

The Torah is read at the Kotel on Monday and Thursday mornings, and on Rosh Chodesh, so most bar mitzvahs happen then. A tefillin-only morning can be any weekday.

What about Shabbat and chagim?

Photography isn't allowed at the Kotel on Shabbat and Jewish holidays, so I only photograph weekday ceremonies there.

Can the women see and be in the photos?

Yes. Mothers, sisters and grandmothers usually watch from right by the mechitza, and I make sure to photograph them watching as well as the ceremony itself. After the ceremony we take family portraits together in the plaza and the Old City.

Do you coordinate with our rabbi or organiser?

Yes. I'm happy to talk with your rabbi, Torah tour company or event organiser in advance so the timing works for everyone.

Will you come to the lunch?

Yes. Many families continue to a restaurant in town, and I can come along to photograph the speeches, the family and the celebration.

How do we get the photos?

In a private online album with one link. You can view it on any phone, share it with family abroad, and download every photo in full resolution.

Get in touch

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