simcha supplement
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Simcha supplementTRANSCRIPT
1 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES SIMCHA SUPPLEMENT June 11, 2010
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2 June 11, 2010 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES SIMCHA SUPPLEMENT2 June 11, 2010 5 TOWNS JEWISSSHHH H TTIT MEMMMEMMM S SSSSSSS SISISIISIIMMMCMCMCM HAHHHHHHAHH SSSUPUPUUUPPLPLPP EMMMENENNNNNNTTTTT
3 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES SIMCHA SUPPLEMENT June 11, 2010
It’s A Celebration
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LARRY GORDON ESTA J. GORDONPublisher/Editor Managing Editor
YOSSI GORDON, YOCHANAN GORDONSales Managers
CHANA ROCHEL ROSSEditorial Assistant
SIDI BARONYAKOV SERLE
Sales Representatives
SHMUEL GERBER MICHELE JUSTICChief Copy Editor Copy Editor
CONTRIBUTING EDITORSHannah Reich Berman, Anessa V. Cohen,
Rabbi Aryeh Z. Ginzberg, Toby Klein Greenwald,Rabbi Yair Hoffman,
Rabbi Mordechai Kamenetzky, Shmuel Katz, Phyllis J. Lubin, Esther Mann, Rochelle Miller,
Elke Probkevitz, Naomi Ross, Dr. Rachael Schindler, Rabbi Avrohom Sebrow,
Rabbi Avi Shafran, Eli Shapiro, Ari Sher, Samuel Sokol
DOV GORDON, ELISHEVA ELEFANTStaff Graphic Artists
IVAN NORMAN, IRA THOMASStaff Photographers
The F ive Towns Jewish Times is an independent weekly news-paper. Opinions expressed by writers and columnists are notnecessarily those of the editor or publisher. We are notresponsible for the kashrus or hashgachah of any product orestablishment advertised in the F ive Towns Jewish Times .
“Celebration.” That has to be one of the
happiest words in the English language.
Who doesn’t like a celebration or an event or
occasion to celebrate? And this is particular-
ly so in these challenging times. At the same
time, as the seasons change and the weath-
er changes, it seems that somehow we are
more geared up and ready to share good
news and help family, friends, and neighbors
by participating in and enhancing their sim-
chos and special events.
Who hasn’t been bedazzled or even en-
chanted at some point in their life by the idea
of a June wedding? Today the parameters
of our imaginations have been stretched with
the notion that any time of year is indeed an
appropriate one to enjoy and take part in one
of these great events. In a way, the seasons
have been dispensed with, and now any
time of year seems exactly like the right time
for a celebration, whether it’s a wedding, a
bar mitzvah or bat mitzvah, or related life-cy-
cle events.
And so it is that as summer approached,
it seemed like precisely the right time to as-
semble this magazine to serve as a guide on
the subject of the simchas we make, attend,
and play a vital role in. And along with some
wonderfully insightful articles that look at our
happiest occasions from a variety of angles,
we also feature some advertisements from
the leaders in the simcha industry.
I hope you enjoy this supplement of the
Five Towns Jewish Times and that you agree
that it is always a good time for a celebra-
tion.
E D I T O R ’ S N O T E
B Y L A R R Y G O R D O N
6 June 11, 2010 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES SIMCHA SUPPLEMENT
5TJT: Who are Harmonia’s founding
fathers? When and why was the orches-
tra started?
HA: Harmonia was founded by broth-
ers Harry and Marcos Askenazi in 2005
as an a cappella group performing at
bar/bat mitzvahs on Shabbat. As instru-
ments are prohibited on Shabbat, Har-
monia a cappella fills the void with rich
harmonies and human percussion.
Harmonia Orchestra was founded in
2007. We realized that the last big sim-
cha orchestra was founded 30 years
ago and saw a need for something fresh
in the marketplace. We felt that through
our connections from singing with oth-
er bands at weddings, and through our
connections to the most talented sing-
ers in the business, we could create an
orchestra that leveraged experience
Harmonia Orchestra: Presenting The Ultimate Music Experience For Your CelebrationB Y R O C H E L L E M A R U C H M I L L E R
Harmonia Orchestra is the newest Jew-
ish orchestra to hit the New York scene. The
orchestra’s musicians are world-renowned
and have performed on Broadway, played
for the New York Philharmonic, and have
all been enhancing simchas for years. Har-
monia distinguishes itself from the compe-
tition with its signature style and service,
adding a sense of “oomph” to every sim-
cha. We sat down with Harry Askenazi, Har-
monia’s personable business manager and
bandleader, for an exclusive interview.
Continued on p. 8
8 June 11, 2010 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES SIMCHA SUPPLEMENT
and a unique level of “freshness” that
would combine to create the ultimate
music experience.
5TJT: What makes Harmonia unique?
HA: Most Jewish simcha bands are
staffed with talented musicians and can
play really good music. However, that
is only one part of creating a lasting im-
pression. The process starts months be-
fore the actual event, and the outcome
of the event is really a culmination of
two-way client-band interaction. First,
we travel to meet in person with each cli-
ent at a location convenient for them. We
get a sense for the general style of mu-
sic they want played throughout each
part of the event. We then work with the
client to create a perfect playlist to re-
flect their and their guests’ musical pref-
erences. Unique to our orchestra is the
ability to add the a cappella group to
sing at a chuppah.
The singers’ beautiful multipart harmo-
nies will undoubtedly add to the chup-
pah another layer of spiritual connection
only attained through music. Additional-
ly, we have a supervisor at each wed-
ding who is not one of the musicians and
whose sole responsibility is making sure
the flow of the music from each part of
the wedding to the next is seamless, and
he coordinates with the caterer and mai-
tre d’ in advance.
5TJT: What should prospective cli-
ents know about your performers?
HA: There are many good musicians
in New York so we are fortunate to have
a large pool of talented musicians to
choose from when hand picking the per-
formers who comprise Harmonia. Equal-
ly important as being a great musician
and having a large repertoire of music
is the musician’s personality. All mem-
bers of Harmonia possess the “it” factor
and know how to entertain and blend as
a group. They also are all professionals
in the truest sense of the word and un-
derstand how important the music is for
each client on their special day.
5TJT: How has Harmonia Orchestra
changed the simcha arena?
HA: Without taking anything away
from the other wonderful bands out
there, we have come on the scene a
few years ago and been able to reinvig-
orate the simcha arena with freshness
and youthfulness while still staying true
to the classic values of personal service
and attention.
5TJT: Several of my friends have
heard your a cappella group perform at
Shabbat s’machot and were enthralled
by the rich musicality. How do you do
it?
HA: We don’t stop looking for the
best talent. It’s all about ensuring that
every singer can harmonize on the
spot, has the energy to entertain for
hours, and legitimately is happy to en-
tertain each guest. If you have that
combination you will be a good singer
in this business.
5TJT: Harmonia is such a sought-
after orchestra; how do you keep each
event fresh and exciting?
Harmonia Orchestra: Presenting The Ultimate Music Experience For Your Celebration
Continued from p. 6
9 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES SIMCHA SUPPLEMENT June 11, 2010
HA: We change the musical arrange-
ments a little bit each time. Each instru-
mental solo will be a little different from
the last time the musician played the
song. The musicians need to be having
fun, otherwise it will show in their perfor-
mance.
5TJT: How do you ensure this?
HA: As a bandleader, it is my respon-
sibility to make sure the musicians have
enough creative freedom at each event,
while still keeping the orchestration coor-
dinated, to genuinely have fun with each
song. We also like to use a violinist as
part of the dance set as opposed to just
the slower background music. I find that
this addition adds a unique sound to the
dance set, which keeps the orchestra
sounding fresh. When you play dance
songs that everyone has heard many
times it is important to have a slightly dif-
ferent sound than everyone else.
5TJT: What has been your greatest
challenge thus far?
HA: By far the greatest challenge has
been getting our name out there. The
market for simcha music is large, es-
pecially in New York, so it takes many
events before thousands of people
have been exposed to your group. It
was difficult at first to gain a prospec-
tive client’s trust when their exposure
to Harmonia has been limited. As the
years have gone by, we have been for-
tunate to foster many great relation-
ships with clients who have generously
offered to serve as references for future
prospective clients. Between great cli-
ent references, playing at large events,
and partnering with caterers and party
planners, we now have been seen by
tens of thousands of people, which cer-
tainly helps overcome the challenge of
getting the name out there!
5TJT: What is the most rewarding as-
pect of your profession?
HA: Walk in the streets of Manhattan
and almost everyone you see will have
headphones dangling from their ears.
Music is ubiquitous. It is a language that
has no communication barriers. One of
the most rewarding aspects of this pro-
fession is knowing that I am providing a
service to people that is truly important
to them by helping make their simcha
memorable and special. I love the pro-
cess from start to finish. Creating a re-
lationship, developing that relationship,
and seeing it through to the end is in-
credibly gratifying. Receiving a phone
call or e-mail from a client after their sim-
cha telling you how much your involve-
ment in their party meant to them is by
far the most rewarding aspect of my pro-
fession.
5TJT: Where has Harmonia Orches-
tra performed?
HA: We have performed in New York
(of course!), New Jersey (of course!),
Connecticut, New Hampshire, Pennsyl-
vania, California, Texas, Kansas, Illinois,
and overseas in Mexico City, Cancun,
and Israel. In addition to the countless
affairs, we have enjoyed playing for
three consecutive years at the exclusive
Pesach in Cancun program at the five-
star Leblanc Hotel and Resort and at the
2008 and 2010 Salute to Israel Parades
on Fifth Avenue.
5TJT: Thank you for a highly informa-
tive and fascinating interview, Harry.
HA: Thank you, Rochelle.
10 June 11, 2010 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES SIMCHA SUPPLEMENT
B Y M I C H E L E J U S T I C
Lights! Camera! Action! Jerry has
come to town, surrounded by camer-
as and attracting crowds. Throughout
his career, he has brought smiles to mil-
lions. Yes, Jerry Meyer has opened a
state-of-the-art photography studio right
here in Cedarhurst.
This multigenerational family business
began 46 years ago. Cameras certain-
ly looked different back when Jerry’s fa-
ther began, and they will likely be very
different when his 10-year-old grand-
son, Zachary, will iy”H take over. But the
principles of customer service remain
the same throughout the ages. Perhaps
even beyond the artistry and the use of
the latest technology, the Jerry Meyer
difference is in the people. Each event
has a supervisor to coordinate all the de-
tails, making sure everything is seamless
and that the guests of honor feel, well,
honored.
Jerry Meyer, along with wife Essie, son
Jason, and associate Neil, take time for
details—before, during, and after your
event. Whether it means bringing the
kallah a glass of water, retouching the
photos, or completing the album after a
mere two weeks, the Jerry Meyer Stu-
dio does it all to please the client. Jerry
explains, “When they come to the Jerry
Meyer Studio, they’re dealing with peo-
ple who have feelings towards the event
of that day, which can be stressful. Oth-
er photographers can make people
more nervous by intruding on the action.
Our top-caliber photographers and staff
are understanding and compassionate.”
Let’s face it: just about anyone can
buy a camera, press some buttons, and
save and print the files. Doesn’t your
simcha deserve more? A discerning
eye, subtle lighting, someone to ensure
the subject is portrayed in the best fash-
ion…this is what makes Jerry Meyer “the
photographer’s photographer” and why
many in the event-planning business
choose the Jerry Meyer Studio for their
own events. With a track record like that,
does Jerry take a breather? Never! He
makes sure to keep up to date with the
latest equipment and techniques to en-
sure the highest quality pictures.
His studio in Cedarhurst is a veritable
museum of the future of photography,
also featuring digital designers, custom
framing, and a beautiful portrait studio.
The studio has also been used for com-
mercial work. Jerry invites everyone to
visit the studio, at 84 Columbia Avenue
in Cedarhurst.
The Meyers have learned a few things
from having photographed over 7,000
smachos. I am proud to admit that
Jerry Meyer Comes To Town
13 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES SIMCHA SUPPLEMENT June 11, 2010
one of those was my own affair, nearly
seven years ago. With all that was hap-
pening on that day, it was nice to have a
supervisor helping out and doing what-
ever was needed. He was there every
minute—making sure no hair was out
of place, that we caught the best time
of day to shoot outside, that everyone
smiled at the right time, and countless
other things I probably didn’t even know
about. And what do we have to show for
all the time, effort, and money spent on
that day? A beautiful album with pictures
we picked out one by one with the help
of our supervisor, and a DVD featur-
ing all the latest technological offerings.
Sadly, those pictures are the last ones
I have of my father, a”h, and I showed
them to everyone at our shivah. I am cer-
tainly glad we spent a few extra dollars
here and there to produce such beauti-
ful pictures to help remember his enthu-
siastic smile.
Fast-forward—sorry, that’s “old
school”; skip to the next scene—I am
gawking outside the windows of the new
studio and reading the ad for portrait sit-
tings. My husband and I took advantage
of the offer and were highly impressed
with the equipment and space. We even
got to see Jason, who by now feels like
a family friend. He had cutesy things for
the children to be photographed with
and nice things to hide my pregnant
belly. Thankfully, they offer retouching
that promises to make us look like the
chasan and kallah we once were.
We’re not stopping there—we hope
to use Jerry Meyer for our bar and bat
mitzvahs as well, and I encourage every-
one to visit www.jerrymeyerstudio.com,
e-mail [email protected], or call
1-888-MEYER10. To capture your mo-
ment in style, Jerry goes the extra mile.
Jerry Meyer Comes To TownContinued from p. 10
© T
he J
erry
Mey
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tudi
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Josh and Michele Justic
14 June 11, 2010 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES SIMCHA SUPPLEMENT
Unveil your inner glamour on your wedding dayor any day...
Chasi Nitekman Certified Make-up Artist
Cassie'sc o s m e t i c s
Book your simcha beforeJune 30th & recieve
Across1. Arcade hanger5. Abba, to a tot9. Some dances14. Like Carlos Slim15. Test16. Set a Chanukah candle
afl ame once more17. Double Stuff or Fudge
Covered18. Oscar Winner Sorvino19. Lithe20. First the bride….23. Car trouble letters24. Former Laker Tyronn25. Then they both…..32. More uncovered34. Black Emperor?35. Machine part36. Gather37. ___ ___ nutshell38. With40. Sight on a shirt at the
Kotel, maybe41. Group (abbr.)42. They can be long on
Simchat Torah43. After all the brachas,
songs, (and maybe some speeches) we watch him….
47. Time meas. (abbr.)48. Little devil
49. Finally it’s….58. Grown up59. Like Humpty Dumpty60. No friend of Israel61. Work laces again62. Note63. Probably not the cap-
tain of the basketball team
64. “Paradise Lost” char-acter
65. Make suds66. Kind of basketball
game
Down1. One rubber sandal2. Italian River (that
sounds a lot like old currency)
3. Computer brand4. Statement from a teen
with a bad attitude5. Lower6. ___ of Evil7. Speed8. Torah measurement9. Mystical Jewish city
outside of Israel10. What new leaves did11. Mixture12. Origin of the most fa-
mous stone female?
13. Controversial cell21. Dens22. Much adored muppet25. Hang26. Kosher cuisine staple27. Smell or touch28. Kind of ape, for short29. Historic and Cultural30. How many Roman
gods actually exist?31. What many Jews eat
lots of on Pesach32. Kind of wire33. Small kibbutz in
Northern Israel38. “ ___ little ____….”39. Newspaper error41. ___ ___ cost44. First name in female
fl yers45. One is often adopted46. Hide49. Does road work50. Plan51. Many a dog52. Brush alternative53. Finite word54. Not cool55. Kind of code56. Succah cover57. Split and dead
For solution, please visit www.5tjt.com.
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Under The ChupahB Y Y O N I G L A T T
15 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES SIMCHA SUPPLEMENT June 11, 2010
B Y J O Y L I E B E RPROFESSIONAL BRIDAL CONSULTANT
Bridal Secrets, the unique, upscale,
and affordable bridal boutique in Ce-
darhurst, has just added two new fea-
tures to its website (please visit
www.bridal-secrets.com). The only shop
of its kind in the world, Bridal Secrets
is now offering modest, tzniusdik bridal
gowns with full-color photos and details
on the web — and on sale, to boot!
You can also take a virtual tour of the
Cedarhurst store. For the very first time, a
bride can purchase a gown for her wed-
ding with a modest neckline and sleeves
no matter where she lives, whether it’s
in the Five Towns or in Albuquerque,
New Mexico. (Yes, we checked — they
have an Orthodox Jewish population!).
Of course, there’s still nothing quite like
making that ‘magical once in a lifetime’
appointment for a private consultation,
but let’s face it—not everyone can. So
why should they have to settle for a pre-
viously strapless gown to which a seam-
stress had to add extra fabric?
Extensive designer bridal collec-
tions as well as a full selection of stun-
ning headpieces and veils in every
length and detail imaginable are fea-
tured in both the Cedarhurst and Lake-
wood shops. All gowns at Bridal Secrets
are available either for purchase or rent
for that one special day. A bridal sam-
ple sale is simultaneously taking place
within both Bridal Secrets locations. The
Cedarhurst store also features a com-
plete lingerie department known as “Se-
cret Me” to address the unseen needs
of the bride and her wedding party, as
well as those women who always want
to look their very best. Secret Me also
carries women’s nightgowns, pajamas,
and robes for both ladies and children.
To find out more about Secret Me, call
516-295-4488. No appointment is nec-
essary.
Bridal Secrets, now in its eighth year,
baruch Hashem, on Central Avenue in
Cedarhurst, supports the Be’er Miriam
Hachnosas Kallah Fund of Far Rock-
away and the Five Towns. To make an
appointment for a bridal consultation,
call 516-295-2062. Mazel tov! We look
forward to preparing another beautiful
bride to walk down the aisle.
Bridal Secrets
17 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES SIMCHA SUPPLEMENT June 11, 2010 171711777777171717777777 5 555555 5555 5555 TTTTTTOTTOOOOTOOOTTTTOOOTOTOOTTOTOTOTOOOOTTTTTTOOOOTTTTOOOTOTTOTTOOOOTTTTTOOOOOTTTOTTTTOOOTTOOOOOWWWWNNNNNNNNWWNNNNNNWWNNWNNNNWWWWNNNNNWWWNNWWWNWWNNWWWNNWWWNNNSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS SSSSSSSSS S JEJEEEEJEJEEJEEEEJ WIWIWWIWIWIWIWIWIWWWWWWWWWIWWIWIWIWIWISSSSSHSHHSHHSHHSSSSSHHHSHHHSSSHHHHSHSSHHHHSHSSHHHHSSSSHHHHHSHSHHHHSSHHSSHHSSSHHHH T TTTIMIMIMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMIMMMMMMIMEESEEESESESSESEEEESESSSESSSES SISISISISISSIISISIIISIIMMMMMCMMCMCMCMCMCMMCCMCMCMMCMMMMCMMMCMCM HHAHHAHAH SS SUPUPPPPPPPPLPLPPPPP EMEMMMMMMMENENEENEENNNNNNNNNENNNENNENTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT JJJJuJuuuJJJJJuuuuJJJuuJuJJJJJJuuJJJJJJJuuuuJJJJuuuJJJuuuuuJJJJuuuuJJJuuJJuuunnnenenenenennnnnennn 1111 111111111111 111111111111111,1,,,11,111,,,,, 2 222 2222222220101010 0000 00000000000
18 June 11, 2010 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES SIMCHA SUPPLEMENT
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20 June 11, 2010 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES SIMCHA SUPPLEMENT
B Y M I C H E L E J U S T I C
As my seventh wedding anniversa-
ry approaches, I think of my love for my
husband, my beautiful children, and…
the band we had at our wedding. Yes,
I still remember that time in the oh-so-
distant past and the beautiful music that
served as the perfect accompaniment
to our special day. I’m sure I must drive
my dear husband crazy when we attend
other weddings and I comment, “Do you
remember how perfect Nafshenu was?
They knew just what to play and when—
the fun music in the beginning and the
slow music to wind down with…” (At this
point, my husband feigns a deep inter-
est in the cars in front of us and the near-
by billboard.)
Last year, I decided to catch up with
my favorite band and see what has
changed and what has remained the
same since 2003.
I began with a search of the website
(www.nafshenu.com). I could have end-
ed there, since it really has just about any
information you could want: bios of the
highly talented and experienced crew,
song samples, a listing of their compre-
hensive services, and more testimonials
than you can imagine, sorted by year.
Still, I long for the personal touch, so
I called Aaron Appelbaum, as I did so
many years ago. He and Jonathan Rim-
berg are the directors of Nafshenu in New
York, and David Kerzner coordinates af-
fairs in Toronto. Far from mere number-
crunchers, these men also bring their
many musical talents to ensuring that
each member of the crew gives a sensa-
tional performance. They also work with
clients to provide a musical experience
that perfectly complements their spe-
cial day. I remember meeting with Aaron
and giving him a four-word description
of my musical tastes. Based on that, he
put together the most sensational music
I had ever heard. All of our guests—from
chassidish to non-Jewish—were enter-
tained as never before and raved about
Striking The Right Chord, The Nafshenu Way
Aaron Appelbaum
Torah V ’ Yirah
Nirbater Rav
Hashgacha
21 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES SIMCHA SUPPLEMENT June 11, 2010
the experience.
And with vocalists and band lead-
ers such as Jeff Braverman, Ethan Leif-
er, Tzvi Silberstein, Yankey Goldenthal,
Moshe Kiss, Yossi Bayles, and other
top talents, what’s not to like? Aaron ex-
plains, “With one of these very sought-
after vocalists, we can assure you we
have somebody who can meet your
musical needs.” In addition to a strong
background in simcha music, Nafshenu
features musicians who have earned ac-
claim in the secular world, as well. Their
talents can be seen on Broadway, film,
and television. These versatile perform-
ers have worked with Frank Sinatra, Glo-
ria Estefan, Celine Dion, Tony Bennett,
and many other well-known entertainers.
Nafshenu will accommodate all styles
of music, including simcha dancing, hei-
mishe/chassidish, classical, klezmer,
Sephardic, Mizrachi, Persian, classic
rock, motown, disco, jazz, and even
current top 40. As one client marvels, “Is
there any style music you guys cannot
play?” They have traveled all over the
United States, including Alaska and Ha-
waii, and played at venues such as the
Mandarin Hotel in Washington DC and
Yankey Goldenthal, vocalist Mo KissTzvi Silberstein, vocalist
Continued on p. 22
22 June 11, 2010 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES SIMCHA SUPPLEMENT
the Madison Square Garden Theater,
the Waldorf Astoria, the Pierre Hotel, and
Lincoln Center in New York City.
Even with a full performance sched-
ule—Nafshenu performs at several hun-
dred occasions a year—the event plan-
ners at Nafshenu still make each client
feel that their affair is the one of great-
est importance. They meet with each
client personally and get a handle on
musical tastes and restrictions. They ac-
commodate all requests. They have as
much respect for your preferences as a
family member would—OK, more. Their
unparalleled customer-service experi-
ence results in repeat and even multi-
generational customers. One customer
wrote, “Everyone, both young, old, and
everyone in between, loved the music.
The mix of songs you played, how you
were able to feel the crowd, the level of
sound, it was all perfect!”
Returning customers may be sur-
prised that Nafshenu’s list of servic-
es has kept up with the times and now
offers DJs and MCs, dance motiva-
tors, lighting shows, and visual effects,
party favors, a cappella groups, magi-
cians, multi-talent performers, jugglers,
multimedia presentations, virtual reali-
Striking The Right Chord, The Nafshenu Way
Continued from p. 21
Continued on p. 24
Nafshenu brass section
Nafshenu Orchestra performing at
Marina Del Ray
24 June 11, 2010 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES SIMCHA SUPPLEMENT
ty games/sports, game shows, comedi-
ans, video montages, and karaoke. The
list of instruments they perform on would
baffle even the most astute music aficio-
nado: sitar, tabla, dumbek, and didgeri-
doo in addition to the classic piano, vio-
lin, trumpet, etc.
How does it all sound in the end?
Clear, not loud. Aaron notes, “We have
our own in-house sound company pro-
viding state-of-the-art sound equipment
that you will find only in the top theaters.
We are always sensitive to the volume
concern that many clients have and
will accommodate just the right volume
control.” Listening to the top perform-
ers playing music personalized for your
tastes at the perfect volume—that’s the
Nafshenu experience.
Yet, they make sure to offer all of this
at a price you can afford. Aaron ex-
plains, “We are very sensitive to the state
of the economy right now and are will-
ing to work with people and try to help
them.” He notes that the philosophy of
the band is to “keep the customer hap-
py at any cost.”
“We go above and beyond to person-
alize the affair, meet personally with ev-
ery client, and even accommodate last-
minute changes.”
Ahh, I can hear those horns now…
Wait, that’s the baby crying. OK, I’ll re-
turn to my own “simcha” here at home.
But if you’re planning a real simcha, go
call Nafshenu at 516-371-6660 or vis-
it www.nafshenu.com for an experience
you’ll never forget.
Striking The Right Chord, The Nafshenu Way
Continued from p. 22
Nafshenu sound engineer
Nafshenu performing with a 40-piece
orchestra at the Grand Hyatt
26 June 11, 2010 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES SIMCHA SUPPLEMENT
B Y M I C H E L E J U S T I C
When we got married, my chasan and I
picked what I refer to as the Top Four—a
caterer, band, photographer, and florist
who were all top notch and had worked
with each other as a team many times
before. Then, I listened to them and left
the rest up to Hashem. Wedding guests
do not notice the same details as the
party planner does—they are too happy
to pay attention. And you should be, too.
Now, a perfect marriage is a different
story.
I recently found an inspiring piece
of advice on marriage in an unlikely
source—a book about the kabbalah of
the aleph-beis. In Letters of Light, Rabbi
Aaron L. Raskin explains that the letter
ches represents chayim, life. The letter
is in the shape of a chuppah. He puts a
unique spin on the famous Midrash that
compares marriage to the splitting of the
Red Sea. He mentions that at the split-
ting of the sea, the wind blew all night,
as it is the nature of water to flow and
it went against its nature to benefit Am
Yisrael. He says, “Because we are go-
ing to transform the very nature of some-
thing, we must continuously infuse that
element with new life, breath, and force.
Therefore, a marriage—which requires
constant change by the two individu-
als involved—must be continuously in-
fused with the spirit of G-d” (p. 87). In
other words, when the wedding planning
is done, the real work begins.
Rabbi Amnon Haramati, a teacher at
Yeshiva of Flatbush for many decades,
used to say that the wedding day should
be the worst day of your marriage. Ev-
ery day, your love should grow. I used to
take exception to this advice sometimes.
It’s easy to be happy, with the benefit of
an expensive gown, an hour-long make-
up and hair session, a professional band
playing, and delicious catered food; it’s
harder with a grocery budget, long work
schedule, small apartment, and count-
less other real-world annoyances. Now
that my husband and I, baruch Hashem,
have three remarkable young children,
I understand how love grows in a rela-
tionship. But for newlyweds, sometimes
the wedding day looms over you as an
idyllic state while everyday life can seem
grueling in contrast.
Thankfully, I had the benefit of hearing
Mrs. Chaya Reich on my Pesach vaca-
tion a few years ago to tie it all together.
She spoke about practical tips for en-
hancing relationships. You must hear
her in person to get the full benefit of her
message (visit gatewaysonline.com for
more information), but I will try to relay
some of it here, as it has made a huge
difference in my marriage.
How To Fight…Umm, I Mean ‘Communicate’
Her basic message is to set a prop-
er tone in your relationship. Yes, you will
have issues to iron out (such as who will
do the ironing). Ninety-nine times out of
a hundred, the woman takes care of the
household. It’s an expectation of sorts,
and it may be a difficult adjustment for
a working woman. If you look at yourself
as a housekeeper, you will resent this
It’ll Ruin Your Makeup!
It’ll Ruin Your Makeup!Do you have nightmares about your
“dream” wedding going wrong? How
much time and effort are you putting
into those “crucial” details—such as the
liquor selection at the bar and the col-
or of your nail polish? Too much, I’ll
bet. Here’s my rule for planning a per-
fect wedding: Hire professionals and let
them worry about the rest. You are pay-
ing them for this because it is their job
and they know more about weddings
than you do.
© J
udah
S. H
arris
27 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES SIMCHA SUPPLEMENT June 11, 2010
role and create undue tension. You need instead to focus on
creating a bayis ne’eman that is fundamental to a happy life
for your family and for the Jewish community as a whole. Men
generally are the breadwinners. However, it helps shalom bay-
is when spouses lend support to each other.
To get what you need from your spouse, you can set a battle-
ground or you can set a stage. What kind of a night will you both
have in store if you don’t make dinner because, why should you;
you wear the clothes you know he hates; you bitterly gripe to him
about what’s going on? Anyone would react with defensive hos-
tility. On the other hand, let’s say you bite your tongue and make
a decent dinner anyway, dress decently for the love of your life,
and after dinner calmly have a discussion about what you need
or how you feel. When two rational people have a business meet-
ing, so to speak, they will hopefully reach a positive outcome.
Mrs. Chana Epstein, a shalom bayis counselor, says that
disagreements are caused by unmet expectations. It helps to
step back and take stock of why you are upset and to reas-
sess the expectations.
I used to be a battleground warrior—always looking for what
he should do versus how much I do, and on and on. Now, I re-
member Chaya Reich’s metaphor: “You try a key in a lock. It
doesn’t work. You try it again. This way, that way. It still doesn’t
work. How many times are you going to try this same key? It
doesn’t work!” I had to realize that my old attitude did not get me
anywhere, and it was time to try the kinder, gentler approach.
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28 June 11, 2010 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES SIMCHA SUPPLEMENT
B Y J E R E M Y W I M P F H E I M E R
Throughout the decades, Diaspora
Jewry has found many ways to show its
support for Israel. In recent years, an in-
creasing number of families have dis-
covered an additional avenue to display
their love for the Jewish State—by bring-
ing their smachot straight to the heart of
Israel.
While the idea of a bar mitzvah at the
Kotel or choosing that site for the first
laying of tefillin is by no means new, this
trend of bringing the simcha to Israel is
extending to many other happy occa-
sions as well. Numerous companies are
now responding to this growing idea and
designing specific service lines for those
in search of a complete Israel simcha so-
lution.
David Walles, CEO of the Israel-based
Eddie’s Travel (www.koshertravelers.
com) has dedicated a section of his
growing travel business to helping fam-
ilies celebrate in Israel. He partners with
Tali Lev of Lev Hofaot to produce qual-
ity events for a wide range of budgets.
“Whatever the nature of the simcha, hold-
ing it in Israel adds an additional dimen-
sion of excitement and adventure that will
make it that much more enjoyable,” says
Walles. “At the same time, we know that
planning a simcha far from home can be
a confusing task — which is where our
service comes into play.”
Eddie’s Travel, which has established
a strong name for top-tier kosher trav-
el services on land and at sea through
their cooperative venture with Kosherica
Cruises, offers interested clients a way to
make sure they have an informed part-
ner when it comes to planning a simcha.
“We work with the proper service pro-
viders who know the lay of the land and
are able to provide our customers with
competitive pricing while also ensur-
ing they’ll get a truly unique and quality
event,” Walles says. As a seasoned vet-
eran of the travel business, Walles says
that in addition to the event itself, cus-
tomers are treated to a one-stop shop
where they can book flights and hotels
and arrange extensive touring itineraries
as part of their time in Israel.
All over the world, whether it’s a wed-
ding, bar mitzvah, important anniversa-
ry, or any other family simcha, the typ-
ical request people have is that the
event should be “unique.” This has led
to smachot with all different types of
Simcha Planning In Israel
29 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES SIMCHA SUPPLEMENT June 11, 2010
themes ranging from sports to environ-
mentalism and pretty much everything
in between. But according to those in-
volved with Israel-based smachot, cel-
ebrating in the Holy Land presents a
whole new array of options where the
locale and the setting become a signifi-
cant part of what the simcha is all about.
Mark and Nancy Schiff of Los Ange-
les have chosen to celebrate all of their
sons’ bar mitzvahs in Jerusalem, with
their youngest son just having celebrat-
ed his coming of age at the Kotel. Mark
says that commemorating this occasion
in the capital of the Jewish world “gave
us the chance to celebrate in the most
meaningful place on the planet.” He
added that what was originally designed
to be an educational experience for his
children about the centrality of Israel in
Jewish life became one that was inter-
nalized both by his sons as well as him-
self and his wife. He said, “A party in Los
Angeles is one night, but a week or two
in Israel is forever.”
Danny Kaizler is founder and pres-
ident of IsraEvents (www.israevents.
com), a company which has devel-
oped a reputation for high-end custom-
ized celebrations. He says the ability to
celebrate in Israel provides a number
of benefits that make the Jewish State
a sought-after option for families. “De-
spite the fact that planning an event in
Israel brings with it some unanticipat-
ed costs like airfare and hotels,” says
Kaizler, “many customers realize that at
the end of the day, producing a large-
scale event here can still be more af-
fordable than if it is held in North Amer-
ica or England.”
While there are many upsides to hav-
ing your simcha in Israel, there are some
issues that one needs to know about be-
forehand to avoid getting stuck at the
last minute—particularly when weddings
are involved. One young woman who
fulfilled her lifelong dream of a wedding
overlooking Jerusalem’s Old City noted
the need to remember that all marriages
in Israel are performed through the lo-
cal Chief Rabbinate and thus conduct-
ed in full accordance with halachah. As
such, the bride and groom need to be
approved by the local rabbinical author-
ities prior to the wedding. The two are
therefore required to produce letters
from rabbis who are familiar with their
families verifying that they come from
Jewish homes. As long as everything is
in order, the process is fairly smooth.
Kaizler agrees that planning an event
in Israel requires a heavy dose of “let the
buyer beware.” “If you’re coming into Is-
rael for a simcha you shouldn’t be going
it alone or else you’ll be overpaying and
running into endless headaches and ob-
stacles that will leave you regretting the
entire experience,” he says.
For Walles, the chance to bring peo-
ple from all over the world to spend their
happiest moments in Israel is truly re-
warding. For the Melbourne native who
made aliyah several years ago, “Isra-
el has a magic and a wonder to it that
makes it better than anywhere else on
earth to have true simcha. The proper
event produced by people who appreci-
ate the potential behind real event plan-
ning will make sure it’s something that
neither you nor your family or friends will
ever forget.”
30 June 11, 2010 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES SIMCHA SUPPLEMENT
B Y J E F F N E C K O N O F FOWNER, AZAMRA EVENTS
One aspect of Jewish life transcends
even the most downcast economy. No
matter what else is transpiring in the out-
side world, nothing is as important as be-
ing b’simcha—sharing our simcha with
our closest family and friends and show-
ing our love for Hashem, Torah, and the
Yiddishkeit-driven lifestyle we have cho-
sen. So we plan smachos to celebrate
life’s most meaningful moments—bar or
bat mitzvahs, chasunos, sheva brochos,
and brisos.
As one who has been involved in
the planning and production of special
events for over 25 years, I humbly pres-
ent to you some ideas on how to pro-
duce the best, most cost-conscious,
and most stress-free simcha possible.
Lock In Your Food/Venue and
Music!
As soon as you have chosen a date
and time, jump right into the fun-filled
frenzy of selecting your vendors. The
How To Create
A Stress-Free SimchaHow To Create
A Stress-Free Simcha
© B
y Ju
dah
S. H
arris
31 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES SIMCHA SUPPLEMENT June 11, 2010
two most important will be the food
and the music. Without these two be-
ing a hit, the party will sadly not be up
to par. Many times, clients have con-
tracted with me before even choosing
a venue. You must secure the entertain-
ment you want right away as there are
only 40 weeks a year available to the ob-
servant community. It is narrowed down
even more as Motzaei Shabbos events
can only occur from early November
through mid-March. Therefore, Sunday
is the prime day for events. That leaves
us with about 40 Sundays and 20 Sat-
urday nights that are available. Most
reputable caterers and entertainers will
book up at least three months and up
to two years in advance. The best way
to choose a caterer and entertainment
provider is by word-of-mouth.
Book Your Photography, Video,
Photo Booths, Extra Activities, etc.
Once your music, caterer, and venue
are chosen, then you have some breath-
ing room regarding everything else.
There are so many qualified vendors in
our community. Ask your friends, rela-
tives, and fellow shul attendees who they
have used and who they recommend. If
anyone, for whatever reason, doesn’t
like the vendor they used, you will know
right away. A positive recommendation
is worth more than a full page $25,000
ad in the NY Times—advertising will tell
you how wonderful we vendors think we
are in our own eyes. But word-of-mouth
will most assuredly bring the cream to
the top. If any vendor has glowing rec-
ommendations from multiple trusted
friends and family, grab him or her im-
mediately and secure their services!
Don’t Be Penny-Wise
and Pound-Foolish
We all love to save a few dollars and
get the best deal possible. Hiring a sec-
ond- or third-rate vendor just to save
$200 or $300 is probably not so smart.
How hard can it be to sing a song, play
an instrument, properly mix music, mo-
tivate bar/bat mitzvah guests, orga-
nize a chasunah, cook food, take pic-
tures, shoot video, or be able to work
well with other vendors? It actually is
very hard unless one has a certain out-
going personality, loves working with
people, and is able to work well (play
nicely) and professionally with oth-
er vendors. Those vendors who have
been doing this for over a decade usu-
ally know how to create a successful
event. However, be aware that there
are some out there who are burnt out
and are stuck in an industry they have
no right to be in anymore. But not to
worry, that good old word-of-mouth re-
ferral system will save you once again
from grumpy vendors! Well-known,
professional vendors might seem a bit
pricier than someone new or a part-
timer. But you will pay either way. If you
don’t hire a professional, experienced
vendor with a great attitude, your sim-
cha will suffer, and it will be felt by all
those in attendance.
Questions For
Prospective Vendors:
Are you available for my date?
Do you provide a written contract?
Continued on p. 34
34 June 11, 2010 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES SIMCHA SUPPLEMENT
How many hours are in-
cluded? (Most Motzaei Shab-
bos and Sunday simchas
are either four or five hours.
Weekday events are either
three or four.)
Is setup time and travel in-
cluded? (If any vendor charg-
es you for setup time and
travel for any event less than
100 miles away, move on to
the next vendor.)
How early do you set up?
(All entertainment should ar-
rive at least one hour be-
fore the scheduled start of
the simcha, and have mu-
sic running 15 minutes be-
fore. Sound checks—why do
we all say “check 1, 2, check
1, 2” a hundred times, by
the way?—must be finished
by the start of the simcha,
and are unacceptable after
it starts. Table settings, flow-
ers, and other decorations
need to start being set up at
least two hours early.)
Can you provide a tentative
schedule for the simcha?
How many Orthodox Jew-
ish events have you done?
How much is your depos-
it/retainer?
What is the total price for
the package?
Are there any additional
charges?
Additional Questions For
Musical Entertainment:
Are you open to requests?
From us? From the guests?
(Usually most clients pre-
fer that their guests not be
allowed to make requests.
Please inform your entertain-
er which you prefer.)
How large is your music
collection, and is it varied?
How To Create A Stress-Free SimchaContinued from p. 31
35 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES SIMCHA SUPPLEMENT June 11, 2010
(Bands should be able to
play all popular and favorite
simcha songs, and with mp3
technology, a DJ should
have no less than 3,000
songs available at the event.)
Is a wireless mic for
speeches included? (All rep-
utable entertainment com-
panies have been wireless
since the early 1990s. If any-
one uses only a wired micro-
phone, run!)
How long have you been in
business?
Do you bring backup
equipment?
That Warm Fuzzy Feeling.
After you have spoken
to two or three vendors in
each specialty you need,
and are happy with all of
the above, you need to sign
the contract with a “warm
and fuzzy” feeling. Basical-
ly, you are trusting a strang-
er (however professional) to
make your simcha the best
it can be. Unlike other indus-
tries, the hospitality industry
exists to bring you from the
shmorg to the Yerushalayim-
playing finale of your simcha
feeling like a million bucks—
with everyone smiling, laugh-
ing, and wishing you a hun-
dred mazel tovs. You need
to feel that your vendor is like
a part of your extended fam-
ily. Along with your guidance
and instruction he/she will
enable you to be b’simcha
that night and for many years
into the future as you reflect
on the successful Torah-re-
specting event he or she
was able to give you.
Jeff Neckonoff kvells at seeing a successful simcha. He owns Azamra Events and can be reached at 516-771-9377 and at www.azamraevents.com.
How To Make Your Marriage A FLOP
On a final note, I would like to re-
late this idea, of keeping the sim-
cha going for decades to come,
to a concept wedding planners
can relate to: FLOP. This acro-
nym for Flowers, Liquor, Orches-
tra, and Photographer helps cou-
ples determine who pays for what
among the ever-increasing wed-
ding expenses. I suggest you
keep the love alive by FLOPping
every day.
Flowers—Don’t let the romance
die. Tend to your marriage contin-
uously, as it is delicate. Stop and
smell the roses. Don’t become
so consumed with worry that you
don’t enjoy the beauty of your
home and, more importantly, each
other.
Liquor (and food)—Eat well, and
don’t drink too much. Don’t discuss
things on an empty stomach. Al-
ways try and eat dinner together
(not in front of a TV).
Orchestra—Enjoy yourselves.
Have a date night. Never lose your
sense of humor.
Photographer—Try to look better
for each other than for the outside
world. Smile.
Michele Justic is a copy editor at the Five Towns Jewish Times.
Don’t Sweat The Small Stuff—It’ll Ruin Your Makeup!Continued from p. 27
36 June 11, 2010 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES SIMCHA SUPPLEMENT
Esti Lichtman, daughter of Rochel and
Shimon Licthman of Far Rockaway,
married Moshe Mase, son of Dana and Barry Mase of
Monsey, at the Sands on Tuesday, May 25. Music was by
the Shloime Dachs Orchestra and catering by Michael Schick
Caterers. Suri Brody of NY Party
Central handled all the arrangements.
38 June 11, 2010 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES SIMCHA SUPPLEMENT
The Bas Mitzvah of Erica Liebowitz, daughter of Jackie and Jay Liebowitz
of Woodmere, took place on May 23 at the White Shul. The entertainment was provided
by Malka Entertainment and the delicious catering was done by Sharmel.
40 June 11, 2010 5 TOWNS JEWISH TIMES SIMCHA SUPPLEMENT
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