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There is something powerful about the moments when we gather to mark time.
A wedding. A b’nai mitzvah. A baby naming. A brit milah. These are not just events on a calendar. They are sacred pauses. They ask us to step out of the everyday and into something deeper: covenant, continuity, community.
This year’s Celebrations issue holds all of that and more.
You’ll nd stunning weddings that honor tradition while feeling entirely modern. Bar and bat mitzvahs that capture that beautiful inbetween moment, when childhood and young adulthood meet on the bimah. And for the rst time in this issue, we are featuring baby namings and brises.
Including these earliest lifecycle moments felt important.
Celebration doesn’t begin at the chuppah or the Torah reading. It begins at the very start when a child is welcomed into the Jewish story. There is something profoundly hopeful about that. In a world that can often feel uncertain, gathering to give a baby a Hebrew name, to enter them into covenant, to surround new parents with love, that is an act of faith in the future.
I remember — barely — my own son’s bris when he was just eight days old. It was held at my husband’s grandfather’s house in Pepper Pike. I remember the blur of emotion, the exhaustion, the gravity of the moment, and then looking up to see family and friends gathered close, literally encircling him, welcoming him into the fold. At the time, it felt intimate and overwhelming. Looking back, it feels like the beginning of everything.
Legacy runs through these pages in other ways, too.
One of my favorite stories in this issue follows a wedding dress worn by three brides in the same family, across generations. Fabric, carefully preserved. Altered thoughtfully. Worn again. It’s a reminder that tradition isn’t static, it adapts. It’s tailored. It lives because we carry it forward.
Of course, Celebrations is also about the practical magic that turns milestones into memories. Our experts share seven essential questions to ask before booking a venue — because asking the right questions can mean the di erence between seamless and stressful. And if you think you’ve seen every dessert trend, think again. From reimagined sweets tables to unexpected takes on cake, today’s celebrations are as creative as the families hosting them.
What I love most about creating this issue together is seeing how Northeast Ohio continues to celebrate in ways that feel deeply rooted and completely personal at the same time. Couples blending customs. Teens choosing meaningful mitzvah projects. Families nding new ways to honor old traditions.
There isn’t one way to celebrate, and that’s exactly the point.
As you move through these pages, I hope you feel inspired — whether you’re planning a wedding, preparing for a bar or bat mitzvah, welcoming a baby, or simply remembering your own milestones. These moments matter. They stitch us together across generations. They remind us who we are and who we hope to become.
And above all, they remind us that joy — especially communal joy — is something worth marking, beautifully.
Rebecca (Becky) Meiser Editor
Becky is also the Director of Volunteers, Community and Program Development at National Council of Jewish Women/Cleveland.
By Rebecca Meiser
Dr. Stacey Ehrenberg is a high-risk obstetrician and a mohelete who has been performing brit milah ceremonies since 2011. In that time, she has o ciated more than 100 brisses, working with families in homes, synagogues, and, when needed, hospital settings.
We spoke with Ehrenberg about how she came to this work, what the training involved, and how she helps families navigate one of a child’s rst Jewish lifecycle moments. She was scheduled to perform a brit milah later that very afternoon.
You are a doctor. How did you become a mohelete as well?
I’m a high-risk obstetrician, and when I was doing my residency, there was an OB in town, Karen Ja e, who had become a mohelete, and I adored her. She was one of my mentors, and she had started talking to me about doing it because she knew she wasn’t going to be doing it forever, and there really weren’t many in Cleveland.
During my fellowship, my cousin Marissa got pregnant with her rst child. She found out it was a boy, and she’s like, “Okay, you really
need to get on top of this. I need you to do the bris.”
I got trained through Hebrew Union College in Los Angeles. One of the prerequisites was that you had to be certi ed to do circumcision at the hospital. I had to prove that I was credentialed to do that. The actual procedure wasn’t part of the training.
When I came back to Ann Arbor, the Hebrew Union College rabbi I worked with my rabbi — Rabbi Blumenthal — to nish the coursework. Rabbi Blumenthal’s baby was actually the rst bris I ever did, and my cousin’s was the second. So it was really kind of cool that the rst two brisses I did were very meaningful.
Why did becoming a mohelete feel meaningful to you?
Growing up, I was always very involved in the Jewish community. I went to Camp Wise for over a decade, and I went to a Jewish Day School through third grade in Akron. I really didn’t connect with Hebrew school once I shifted out of the Jewish Day School. I was very bored, but my parents wanted me to continue on through Hebrew high after my bat mitzvah.
So my parents challenged me: if you can do something Jewishrelated, then you don’t have to go to Hebrew high. I went to my cantor and said, “Can I help you teach Bar and Bat Mitzvah lessons?” and he was like, “Absolutely.”
In college, I was a Near Eastern Studies major and took Hebrew all through college. Once I started medical school, I was so busy with my training. I had my rst child in medical school, my second in residency, and my third in fellowship. Between my training and the kids, the Jewish community wasn’t a huge part of my life. I was just too busy.
So I looked at this fellowship as a really nice way to get reinvolved in the Jewish community in a meaningful way.
What was the training like?
It was really interesting. I didn’t really know what to expect, but it was a lot of going through halacha and doing a lot of readings. It was really learning about the history of the ceremony and why we do what we do. I can do a circumcision, no problem, but this was a lot more intense than that, and I learned a lot more.
Why do you think this ritual has lasted thousands of years?
I think for that reason. Because it really is this initiation into a
community that is there to love them, to support them. It’s such a meaningful thing to have this rst life cycle event so early in life. So why would we stop doing that?
What surprised you most once you started?
How nervous I was to do the ceremony, not the actual circumcision. It was really just being nervous about doing the service itself, because I didn’t want to get anything wrong, and more importantly, I wanted it to be meaningful for the family.
Tell me about your rst bris.
The rst bris, as I mentioned, was for the rabbi. The head rabbi did the ceremony, so I didn’t have to do too much of that piece. I just remember feeling very honored that she would allow me to do this for her family. That feeling really hasn’t gone away 15 years later. I’m still very honored that families allow me to take part in such a signi cant, meaningful part of their lives.
How do you help calm nervous parents or grandparents?
Just going in with a positive, upbeat attitude. I spend time talking to them ahead of time. I have a son myself, so I’ve been through a bris. I talk them through what to expect — that it may be emotional, that the baby may cry, and that all of that is normal. I also talk about it more as a religious ceremony than a procedure, and usually that helps.
Are you seeing more families opting for hospital circumcisions?
No, I really haven’t seen that. The majority of Jewish families still choose to have a brit milah on the eighth day. Even in cases where a baby has been in the NICU, families often still want it on the eighth day. If the baby is stable enough, I’ll work directly with the NICU.
Do you generally work with a rabbi?
It depends on the family. If they’re a liated with a synagogue, I typically work alongside a rabbi. If not, or if the rabbi they want is out of town, I’ll lead the entire ceremony myself.
What do you hope families take away from the experience?
I remember my own son’s bris and feeling emotionally overwhelmed in a positive way, and so appreciative of the friends and family who came to support us. My hope is that families feel that same sense of meaning, that they can really see how much love and support surrounds them as they start o their son’s life.
What do you wish families understood before a bris?
I would hope that anyone in the Jewish community who is thinking about doing a bris, but feels nervous about having it outside of a hospital setting, would reach out to a mohel and talk it through. Most of us are pretty exible and happy to accommodate what a family needs or wants. We can talk them through the options and help gure out whether doing a brit milah on the eighth day, or outside of the hospital, is the right choice for them.
TYPE OF CEREMONY: BRIS
NAME OF CHILD: BODIE GOLDBERG
DATE OF CEREMONY: MAY 28, 2024
DATE OF BIRTH: MAY 21, 2024
PARENTS: DANIELLE RICHMAN AND DREW GOLDBERG
HOMETOWN: MORELAND HILLS
OFFICIANT: DR. JUSTIN LAPPEN (MOHEL)
Submitted photos and Allison Li man Photography
WHAT INSPIRED BODIE’S HEBREW AND ENGLISH NAMES:
His Hebrew name, Efraim, honors his great grandfather, Freddy Richman. His English name, Bodie, starts with a B to honor his great grandmother, Bunny Richman, and great grandfather, Bill Smylie.
WHAT WAS THE MOST MEANINGFUL OR MEMORABLE MOMENT:
The ceremony was especially meaningful because it was intimate, with immediate family gathered together in (our) home, surrounded by love and tradition as (we) welcomed Bodie into (our) family.
DID YOU HOST A RECEPTION AFTER?
We had family over for a big brunch food spread.
WHAT HOPES OR WISHES DO YOU HAVE FOR BODIE’S FUTURE? (We) just want Bodie to be genuinely happy and live a meaningful life. (We) hope he feels kindness deeply and always chooses to return it.
By Ed Carroll
Throughout life, there are celebrations. While not all are the same, some of the biggest — weddings, baby showers and b’nai mitzvahs — have one thing in common: gifts for the honoree. While the old adage “it’s the thought that counts” certainly has some truth to it, practically speaking, most people want to give a gift that will be used, appreciated or ideally both.
But many families aren’t quite sure how to communicate what they actually want. While anyone can set up a wish list on a website like Amazon with a few clicks, gifts from smaller and local businesses are often more meaningful and unique. Local retail experts say creating a registry or wish list at a neighborhood store is far simpler and more personal than many assume.
At Alson Jewelers in Woodmere, a fourth-generation local family business, there may not be a formal registry, but there is an easy-touse wish list system, says creative director Jill Schreibman.
“All they have to do is come in and say, ‘I’d like to put some giftware items on my wish list,’ and it just goes into our system,” she says. “A sales associate walks around with them, whether they’re registering for a wedding, choosing a baby gift, or picking something meaningful for a bar or bat mitzvah.”
For couples building a home together, that often means selecting items for entertaining. Schreibman says barware consistently tops the list.
“People love buying things for their home bars, they love to display things,” she says. “We have beautiful crystal barware — wine glasses, rocks glasses, champagne glasses. So many homes now have beautiful home bar setups and people want to decorate that.”
The store also carries Judaica, including acrylic oil menorahs from the Apeloig Collection in a variety of colors and menorahs
For weddings or b’nai mitzvahs, an Apeloig acrylic oil menorah from Alson Jewelers makes a meaningful gift. Photo courtesy of Alson Jewelers.
from Olivia Riegel, pieces that work equally well as wedding gifts or as meaningful additions for a young person celebrating a b’nai mitzvah.
For families welcoming a baby, the wish list looks di erent, but just as intentional.
“We have a beautiful assortment of baby gifts,” Schreibman says. “Our painted piggy banks are very popular. We also carry sterling silver baby cups, rattles, fork and spoon sets, books and cashmere baby blankets.”
And when it comes to b’nai mitzvah gifts, she said customers often gravitate toward items that balance tradition and longevity.
“Kiddush cups make a wonderful gift,” she says. “Beautiful Star of David pendants and Chai pieces are meaningful for both girls and boys.”
Just down the road at Mulholland and Sachs, coowner Anne Sachs Mulholland tells Celebrations that setting up a registry, whether for a wedding, baby or another milestone, is equally straightforward. Families can stop into the store, and those who live out of town can receive a link. Gift wrapping, she says, is always part of the experience.
For weddings, she said many young couples today gravitate toward clean lines and simple, organic designs.
“They are not fussy,” she says. “They don’t want to clean it. If it cannot go in the dishwasher, they don’t want it.”
Among the most popular registry items are
Left: Michael Wainwright glassware, available at Alson Jewelers, is a registry favorite for couples building a home together, elegant crystal wine, rocks and champagne glasses that feel both modern and enduring. Photo courtesy of Alson Jewelers.
Right: Hand-stitched with iconic Cleveland landmarks, this Catstudio pillow from Mulholland and Sachs lets couples honor the city where their story began. Photos courtesy of Mulholland and Sachs
pieces from Simon Pearce, particularly his hurricane glasses. She also introduces couples to Catstudio’s geography pillow collection — oversized pillows featuring cities like Cleveland or New York — allowing couples to tell the story of where they grew up, met or plan to live.
But weddings aren’t the only focus inside the store.
For babies, Mulholland says families often choose keepsakes that feel timeless and cozy.
“We sell wonderful baby keepsakes — silver banks, frames and cups,” she says. “We also carry amazing cozy blankets from Little
Personalized barware from Mulholland and Sachs is a favorite among young couples. Photos courtesy of Mulholland and Sachs
Gira e and a lovely assortment of baby clothes from newborn to 18 months.”
One especially popular item: personalized baby pillows. “Those are really special,” she says.
For b’nai mitzvahs, graduations and milestone birthdays, jewelry often takes center stage. Mulholland focuses largely on U.S.-based designers, including Asha, Freida Rothman, Amelia Rose, Bounkit and TAT2.
“Our jewelry is a ordable, trendy, classic and well suited for bat mitzvahs, graduations, birthdays and anniversaries,” she says. “Treat yourself!”
For some families, the most meaningful gift may not be tangible at all. Those who prefer guests support a charitable cause have options, too, including the National Council of Jewish Women Cleveland (NCJW/CLE), based in Warrensville Heights.
Hannah Franzolino, director of development at NCJW/CLE, tells Celebrations that a registry can be more than a list of items. It can re ect where someone is in life and what matters most.
“A registry can also be an opportunity to re ect shared values, especially in families who may be blending traditions,” she says. “I see individuals using registries to support causes that speak to both partners.”
Many registry platforms now o er the option to create a cash fund, which can be designated for a charitable cause. Depending on the platform, funds are either transferred directly to the nonpro t or distributed to you to donate once the registry closes.
She adds that registries evolve as families move through life stages.
For instance, “a rst baby registry often includes a mix of essentials and special, aspirational items that help parents imagine what life is about to look like,” she says. “With a second baby, the focus tends to shift. Families already have the basics. We see more openness to options that once felt less traditional, like experiences, funds or future-focused gifts.”
That broader evolution, Franzolino says. re ects something deeper.
“I think this re ects a broader desire to be more intentional about how we give and how we model generosity for the next generation. Registries can be a way to introduce values early, showing that celebrating life’s milestones can also mean thinking about community, impact and the future we’re helping to build.”
TYPE OF CEREMONY: BABY NAMING
NAME OF CHILD: NOA KASEY SILVERSTEIN
HEBREW NAME: NESYA RACHEL
DATE OF BIRTH: MAY 5, 2025
DATE OF CEREMONY: NOVEMBER 28, 2025
PARENTS: STEPHANIE AND JOSH SILVERSTEIN
HOMETOWN: PEPPER PIKE
LOCATION OF CEREMONY: HOME OF GAIL AND SHELDON GOODMAN IN SOLON (MATERNAL GRANDPARENTS)
SYNAGOGUE/TEMPLE AFFILIATION: CHABAD OF SOLON OFFICIANT: RABBI ZUSHE GREENBERG
WHAT WAS THE MOST MEANINGFUL OR MEMORABLE MOMENT:
One of the most memorable moments was honoring Stephanie’s late aunt, Nancy Emerman, by giving Noa her Hebrew name, Nesya Rachel. It felt especially tting to do so the day after Thanksgiving — Nancy’s favorite holiday to host and celebrate — surrounded by family and friends.
DID YOU HOST A RECEPTION AFTER?
We had brunch with dairy trays from Unger’s and a cake from K2cakes.
WHAT HOPES OR WISHES DO YOU HAVE FOR NOA’S FUTURE?
Our hope for Noa is that she grows up carrying the warmth, humor, and kindness of her namesake, who had a natural way of making everyone feel welcome.
We hope Noa is compassionate and charitable, and that she lives her life guided by the core values of Jewish tradition.
By Jimmy Oswald
Planning an important event that marks a milestone in a Jewish person’s life can already be a stressful endeavor. Whether it’s one of the earliest celebrations, a brit milah; an event a little later, like a b’nai mitzvah; or a ceremony in adulthood, such as a wedding or engagement party, plenty of factors go into making the day a special one.
To complicate it even further, the world is evolving, and expectations, family dynamics and traditions are constantly changing. Families may face many questions concerning the best etiquette practices at these milestone events.
To help families ensure these celebrations run smoothly, Celebrations spoke with a local cantor and party planner who are frequently involved in lifecycles and asked them to address some of our readers’ most common questions. Cantor Vladimir Lapin of Congregation Mishkan Or in Beachwood and Amy Bilsky, a mitzvah event specialist at Party411, a Cleveland-based event planning company, shared their perspectives on ve etiquette questions related to planning a celebration. Their responses have been edited for brevity and clarity.
For bar and bat mitzvahs, how much control should children have over decisions like location, theme, guest list, format or service — and where should parents draw boundaries?
Lapin: I often say: The student should have ownership over meaning and expression. Parents hold responsibility for logistics, nances and safety.
Kids should help shape:
• How they express their Jewish learning
• Music or readings that speak to them (at Mishkan Or, we encourage students
to play their instruments, talk about the sports they play, include readings from their summer camps, etc.)
• Parts of the celebration that re ect their personality
• How they show gratitude or give back (especially through Mitzvah Projects)
• Who should get honors in the service (though parents should have a role here as well)
Parents should lead on:
• Budget
• Scale of event
• Guest honors
• Major contractual or venue decisions
When kids feel this is their milestone, the Jewish moment deepens dramatically.
Bilsky: Since the parents are paying, they have the ultimate say in their child’s Bar or Bat Mitzvah, but I want every child to feel ownership of their own event and to feel excited about their big day. If the child wants a low-key event and the parents want a big dance party, I think the child should be able to make that decision. If the child wants a speci c theme, I think they should be able
to choose something they love. I have heard from parents who are still upset that they were not allowed to choose their mitzvah theme. I think it’s perfectly reasonable for parents to set nancial boundaries and limits on guest lists.
What’s the best way to decide who to include (or not include) when space, budget or family expectations con ict for baby namings, b’nai mitzvahs or weddings?
Lapin: I encourage families to start with circles of meaning: people who are part of the child’s daily life, people who have shaped the child’s Jewish journey and extended relationships and community. If budget or space becomes tight, families can step back and ask: Who needs to be present for this moment to feel whole? There isn’t a perfect guest list. There’s only the list that re ects your values and your reality.
Bilsky: I always tell people that if they are going to feel awkward the next time they see someone they did not include, then that person should probably be on the list. It is, however, reasonable to set limits, like telling grandparents a speci c number of guests they can include or telling a child how many friends can be invited. If someone is not included and asks, people are understanding when you explain the space constraints of a venue.
How can families handle pressure from relatives or friends who assume an invitation?
Lapin: That should be handled with honesty, warmth and clarity — don’t hide from it. A statement I’ve seen in the past that works: “We’re keeping this celebration smaller than we might have in the past. We hope you understand how much you mean to us even if we can’t include everyone.” Most pressure comes from tradition or expectation, not malice. When families lead with honesty and gratitude, people usually respond in the same manner, and ultimately with understanding.
Is it ever appropriate to invite someone to the ceremony but not the reception — or vice versa?
Lapin: I think that certainly happens, though I haven’t heard complaints about it. The ceremony is sacred and communal. Many families open that widely. The reception is often limited by budget and space. If people understand the intention, it usually lands well.
Bilsky: For a Bar or Bat Mitzvah, I think that is totally reasonable. Sometimes the child doesn’t want a huge crowd at the service, so they just have close family and friends and then invite everyone to the celebration. Alternatively, sometimes there are relatives who might not want to
attend a large, loud celebration, so they are just included at the service. That’s a nice opportunity to have a kiddush lunch to celebrate with those guests.
How should hosts manage expectations when budgets don’t align with community norms or assumptions?
Lapin: By remembering that there is not a universal “norm.” There’s only what is sustainable and meaningful for your family. Kids remember how they felt. They remember who showed up. They remember whether the day felt joyful and calm. They rarely remember the centerpieces or the signature drink. I’ve seen deeply powerful services that didn’t have a reception afterward, or only a limited one. The Jewish moment is never smaller because the party is smaller. We at Mishkan Or also never require receptions or celebrations. If a family chooses to have one with us, wonderful; if not, no problem.
Bilsky: I think Cleveland is such a wonderful community and, unlike some other communities, I see a huge range of events at every budget, and I don’t see any judgment based on what people choose to spend on an event. People are there to celebrate your child, and that is their only expectation.
BAR MITZVAH: DECEMBER 6, 2025
SYNAGOGUE: B’NAI JESHURUN CONGREGATION IN PEPPER PIKE
CEREMONY VENUE: B’NAI JESHURUN CONGREGATION
CELEBRATION VENUE: TRUSS EVENT VENUE
OFFICIANT: RABBI HAL RUDIN-LURIA
AGE: 13
HOMETOWN: ORANGE VILLAGE
SCHOOL: UNIVERSITY SCHOOL
PARENTS: MICHELLE AND EVAN HIRSCH
WHAT WAS THE BEST PART OF THE DAY?
Matthew: When I looked out from the Bimah and saw my family, friends from home and from out of town (especially my camp friends), along with my teachers and community members, I felt incredibly supported and loved. Being able to share this oncein-a-lifetime moment with so many of my favorite people in one place meant so much to me. Celebrating that night at my “Hirsch’s” chocolate-themed party was the perfect way to end such a special day.
Michelle Hirsch, mother: The most meaningful part of the day was watching Matthew lead the service, chant his Torah and Haftorah portions, and deliver his D’var Torah with such poise and con dence. Seeing him stand before the congregation and own the moment lled us with overwhelming pride. It felt almost surreal to realize that our little boy was up there, embracing this sacred responsibility. It was his rite of passage, and as we watched him, time seemed to stand still. Before us stood not just the beloved child we’ve raised, but the committed young man he is becoming within the Jewish community.
WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR OTHER YOUNG ADULTS PREPARING FOR THEIR B’NAI MITZVAHS?
Matthew: My advice is that all the hard work is worth it. There might be times you feel stressed, but when everything comes together, there’s no better feeling!
By Rebecca Meiser
Ricki Hanley had seen the dress before. She had seen it in photographs of her mother, Judie Madorsky Perelman, at 18 — newly married, poised and formal. She had seen it again decades later, when her mother wore it a second time for a vow renewal, the same satin coat reappearing as if no time had passed at all.
But nothing prepared her for seeing it again. This time on her cousin, Cleveland Heights native Sophie Madorsky, at the cocktail hour in a Philadelphia garden just before the wedding ceremony began.
“The minute I saw it,” Hanley says, “it just lled my heart.”
The sleeves were gone. The silhouette was lighter. The dress had been subtly changed, but it was unmistakable. “It took it full circle,” she says.
By then, the dress had already lived
several lives. And somehow, it wasn’t nished yet.
The story of the dress begins in 1949, when Sophie’s grandmother, lifetime Clevelander Renee Kohrman, married Allen Madorsky wearing a bridal satin wedding coat with long sleeves, a portrait neckline, and a pleated peplum skirt that swept into a train. It was elegant and formal, the kind of garment that felt almost architectural.
Kohrman came from a well-to-do family, but she wasn’t indulgent or nostalgic. She was energetic, generous, and practical.
Someone who preferred movement to memory. When her cousin Judie Perelman (née Madorsky), who had the same slight build and coloring, got engaged a few years later, Kohrman didn’t frame the dress as an heirloom or imbue it with meaning.
She simply o ered it.
“When she heard that Dave and I had gotten engaged, she called me,” Perelman recalls. “She said it would be ne with her if I’d like to borrow my wedding gown.”
Perelman, who had been at Kohrman’s wedding, (“it was the rst family wedding
I was allowed to go to, and I was so blown away by everything,” she says) didn’t hesitate. She was barely 19. Her ancé was in college. Money was tight. “I had dropped out of school to get a job to make money so we could get married,” she says. “To be able to wear Renee’s beautiful gown- I couldn’t say no.”
The coat t perfectly. “It was made for me,” Perelman says. The buttons closed easily. The structure held.
There was one condition. The underdress Kohrman had worn beneath the coat had fallen apart, a casualty of dancing and spilled drinks, so Perelman would need to nd her own. Kohrman called early, she explains, to give her time.
She married in 1955 at the Tudor Arms. The day itself remains a blur. “I was so
nervous all day I couldn’t eat,” she says. Her receiving line stretched on for nearly two hours. By the time it ended, the food was gone. “That’s all I ate that day,” she adds, remembering the nger sandwich a cousin handed her on the dance oor.
Twenty- ve years later, she wore the dress again, this time to renew her vows.
“I had to be a show o ,” Perelman laughs. “That I could still wear my wedding dress 25 years later.”
The underdress didn’t survive the decades quite as well. It had been repurposed into Halloween costumes and dress-up clothes by her daughters, eventually falling apart for good. The coat, however, remained intact. After the anniversary celebration, Perelman returned it to Kohrman, who stored it carefully in a
“You have to be excited about learning the stories of the people who wore it.”
– Sophie Madorsky
cloth garment bag.
It stayed there, largely unremarked upon. Kohrman didn’t tell stories about her wedding. She didn’t dwell on the past. Her husband died thirteen years after they were married, and the subject was too painful to revisit. Silence, in this family, wasn’t absence, it was a form of endurance.
Years later, she remarried. On September 8, 1974, she married Harlan Bradley and began going by Renee Kohrman Bradley. The wedding coat, however, remained a quiet artifact from her rst marriage, carefully stored, rarely discussed.
Sophie, Kohrman Bradley’s granddaughter, rst encountered the dress not as a relic, but as part of an ordinary family moment. It was a gathering at her grandmother’s Shaker Heights apartment, sometime around a holiday.
“It was at a time when I was beginning to show interest in vintage clothing,” she tells Celebrations. Kohrman Bradley kept apperera dresses displayed on her bedroom walls as part of her décor. One conversation about fashion led to another, and eventually, the wedding coat emerged.
“I must have been convinced to try it on,” Sophie recalls. “I was probably the only person in the room who could still t in it.”
At the time, it was just a dress.
Years later, when Sophie got engaged in March 2024 to Ben Rubin (“my sister introduced the two of us and we hit it o ,” she says), it became something else.
A vintage wedding dress felt inevitable. “I sort of grew up as an actor in a costume shop. I’ve always had an interest in period clothing. I’ve always felt right at home in something that had been worn and loved — that had a story or history,” she says.
And then she remembered her grandmother’s dress.
“My mom brought it to New York with her. I tried it on again and, miraculously, it t,” she says. We decided this is gorgeous and so meaningful. My grandmother passed in 2021, and it was important to keep a piece of her present at our wedding. This was how we could do it.”
The dress had aged, but gracefully. The color had softened. The fabric was intact. It had been worn twice since Kohrman’s wedding, but never altered. Sophie knew immediately what she wanted to do and
what she didn’t.
“It was really important to me to keep the coat as similar to how my grandmother wore it as I could,” she says. “This was very much a restoration, not a rework.”
The sleeves were the only exception. Long, heavy satin wasn’t practical for a summer wedding and without removing them, Sophie knew she wouldn’t wear the coat at all. She detached them carefully, preserving the fabric.
“I washed the sleeves with some Dawn soap in my sink,” she says.
Later, that fabric became her husband Ben’s bow tie.
“They were both sharing Grandma’s dress,” Perelman says.
On the day of the wedding — September 13, 2025 — Sophie wore the
coat for the cocktail hour, layered over a custom gown made from vintage silks.
Just before the ceremony, she removed it, revealing the dress beneath as she walked down the aisle.
For Sophie, the coat carried what words in her family often did not. “There’s so little remaining of their life together,” she says of her grandparents. “So it felt particularly signi cant to have a piece from their wedding day at my own.”
For Ricki Hanley, seeing it again, this time altered, but unmistakable, was unexpectedly emotional. “It reminded me of my mom,” she says. “And of Renee. To see it there, it was so meaningful.”
After the wedding, Hanley sent photos to her mother, her aunt, her sister. The response came quickly. “She just said, ‘She
looks gorgeous,’” Hanley recalls. “It was so much fun.”
The dress had done what it always had. It connected generations quietly, without asking to be the center of attention.
For Sophie, who now owns her own vintage bridal dress company in New York called Sophie’s Vintage Bridal, she hopes it will rest until someone else needs it.
“I hope it continues to live a life within the family,” Hanley says. “That there will be another generation that can somehow make it theirs.”
Sophie agrees, with one condition. Whoever wears it next will need to know where it’s been.
“That’s sort of the requirement,” she says. “You have to be excited about learning the stories of the people who wore it.”
BAT MITZVAH: NOVEMBER 8, 2025
SYNAGOGUE: CONGREGATION MISHKAN OR IN BEACHWOOD
CELEBRATION VENUE: CONGREGATION MISHKAN OR OFFICIANT: RABBI YAEL DADOUN
AGE: 13
HOMETOWN: ORANGE VILLAGE
SCHOOL: BRADY MIDDLE SCHOOL
PARENTS: ERIN AND ADAM OAKLEY
Skyler: My favorite part of the day was when I made my entrance and everyone was very excited and ready to party!
Erin Oakley, mother: The best part of the day was watching Skyler shine in front of all her family and friends. We loved seeing her on stage with con dence and poise, with a huge smile on her face. It was a great payo for all the hard work she had done leading up to the day.”
WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR OTHER YOUNG ADULTS PREPARING FOR THEIR B’NAI MITZVAHS?
Skyler: Live in the moment because you’re going to miss it when it’s over. And lock in with your Hebrew!
By Shannon Mortland
Finding an event space may sound fun, and it can be, but asking the right questions upfront makes all the difference.
Securing key details before booking a venue can determine whether an event runs seamlessly or falls flat.
Local event professionals share the most important questions to ask and why each one matters.
1. IS MY DATE AVAILABLE?
“Many times when someone is looking to have an event somewhere, they may have the date set in stone with entertainment already booked, be it a band or DJ. So, the first question is the most important: Is my date available?” — Whitney Neidus, General Manager, StoneWater Golf Club in Highland Heights
2. WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE RENTAL PRICE — AND WHAT COSTS EXTRA?
“Venues love headline prices. What kills budgets are add-ons like tables, chairs, linens, AV, cleanup, security or setup time. Two venues with the same base price can differ by thousands once extras are added. You want apples-to-apples, not surprises.” — Shannon White, Event Center Manager and Event Coordinatior, Gino’s Event Center in Warrensville Heights
3. HOW MANY GUESTS DOES THE VENUE COMFORTABLY HOLD?
“A venue’s capacity often means fire-code max, not comfort. A seated dinner, cocktail party, wedding or corporate presentation all need different spacing. Too tight feels chaotic; too large feels empty and awkward.” — Shannon White
“Consider your maximum guest count. If you have a 300-person event and the max capacity is 150, the conversation is over and the venue isn’t a fit.” — Whitney Neidus
“Clarifying capacity and layout flexibility helps ensure the venue can support the event’s flow, not just the headcount.” — Kelly Coffield, Special Events & Experiences Sales Manager at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo in Cleveland
“Some venues lock you into specific caterers, limit bar service, cap music volume or enforce strict end times. These restrictions directly affect guest experience and the vibe of the event.” — Shannon White
“Whether a venue requires in-house catering or allows outside vendors affects both cost and creative control.” — Kelly Coffield
5
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5. WHAT IS THE TOTAL TIME INCLUDED — AND HOW DO LOGISTICS WORK?
“A four-hour event might require eight hours of total access. If setup or teardown costs extra, or if vendors are rushed, quality suffers.” — Shannon White
“Understanding logistics around timing, load-in and loadout is crucial for vendors and staff. Early access, loading docks, parking and noise curfews all influence how efficiently an event can be executed.” — Kelly Coffield
6. WHAT HAPPENS IF PLANS CHANGE?
“Life happens. Weather issues, guest count changes, vendor delays or emergencies can derail events. Ask about cancellation terms, rescheduling flexibility, backup plans and onsite support. A good venue helps solve problems instead of enforcing penalties.” — Shannon White
“Clear terms around deposits, refunds and emergency scenarios protect both planners and clients from unexpected disruptions.” — Kelly Coffield
7. WHO WILL BE ON-SITE DURING THE EVENT?
“An empty venue with a phone number is very different from a venue with experienced staff present. On-site coordination, troubleshooting and vendor management can be the difference between a smooth event and constant stress.” — Shannon White
WEDDING DAY
JUNE 22, 2025
WINDOWS ON THE RIVER IN CLEVELAND TODAY
AGES: 25 & 26
HOMETOWN: LYNDHURST
HOW DID YOU MEET?
We met on JSwipe during the COVID(-19) lockdown. DO YOU HAVE ANY INTERESTING STORIES TO SHARE ABOUT GETTING TO KNOW ONE ANOTHER?
During COVID, when everything was shut down, Josh and I got creative with our early dates. We spent much of our time exploring parks throughout Northeast Ohio. It became a tradition to have picnics in the nearest gazebo. Gazebos became “our place,” and we didn’t realize at the time how meaningful they would become. Three years later, Josh proposed to me in a gazebo.
HOW LONG DID YOU KNOW EACH OTHER BEFORE YOU GOT MARRIED?
Five years.
WHEN DID YOU KNOW YOU WANTED TO MARRY YOUR PARTNER? (HELEN)
I knew I wanted to marry Josh when I realized that even ordinary moments felt better when he was there. When we were apart, something felt missing. Being with him made everything feel more complete.
Engagement: December 21, 2023
O ciant: Rabbi Hal Rudin-Luria, B’nai Jeshurun Congregation in Pepper Pike
Wedding Colors: Eucalyptus Green
Dress: Oleg Cassini – David’s Bridal
Wedding Rings: K Jewelers – Aurora Farms Premium Outlets
Jewelry: Family heirloom – Helen wore her mother’s Star of David pearl necklace from her wedding day
Veil: Etsy
Shoes: Copper Key
Hair: Allyson Besaw at The I Do Updo
Makeup: Metamorphosis – Rae Porter
Bridesmaids Dresses: Azazie.com
Groom’s Formalwear: Men’s Warehouse
Groomsmen: Men’s Warehouse
Bouquet/Flowers: Mother of the Groom and her friends
Ketubah: Ketubah.com
Chuppah: Borrowed from B’nai Jeshurun Congregation
Photographer: Bobbi Frohman Imaging and Design
Videographer: Greg Henry at GH Videos
Planner/Consultant: Windows on the River
Reception Site: Windows on the River in Cleveland
Cake/Sweets: Wild Flour Bakery in Rocky River
Catering: Windows on the River
Rehearsal Dinner: Southern Tier Brewery in Downtown Cleveland
Invitations/Stationery: Zazzle
Music/Entertainment: Gene Natale Jr and Burning River Entertainment
Rentals: WeddingChairs.net
Accommodations: Hilton Cleveland Downtown Registry: Joy.com
Honeymoon: Caribbean cruise and Walt Disney World
WHEN DID YOU KNOW YOU WANTED TO MARRY YOUR PARTNER? (JOSH)
I knew I wanted to marry Helen early in our relationship when we spent nearly seven hours talking on the phone one night. The conversation owed so easily, especially for just having met. It felt e ortless and unlike anything I had experienced before.
WHAT WAS THE BEST PART OF WEDDING PLANNING?
Deciding which cake avor we wanted.
WAS THERE ANY SPOT-ON ADVICE YOU RECEIVED PRIOR TO THE BIG DAY, EITHER IN TERMS OF THE WEDDING OR LASTING RELATIONSHIP?
Helen’s uncle told us that we can overcome anything as long as we face it together. He advised us not to dwell on small things, because they’re never worth taking away from the bigger picture of love and partnership.
WERE THERE ANY CONFLICTS BETWEEN THE TWO OF YOU OR YOUR FAMILIES IN THE PLANNING PROCESS? DID EITHER OF YOU HAVE TO MAKE ANY SACRIFICES?
The only sacri ce we had to make was deciding not to include our two cats in the ceremony.
WHAT WAS THE MOST FUN OR INTERESTING JEWISH ASPECT OF YOUR WEDDING/PARTNERSHIP?
One of the most meaningful Jewish aspects of our wedding was working with the rabbi to determine the text for our ketubah. We took time to nd wording that truly re ected our values and the kind of partnership we wanted to build together, which made it feel personal and intentional.
By Adriana Gasiewski
From tiered cupcakes to boozy popsicles and chocolate charcuterie boards, Northeast Ohio couples are reimagining what celebration dessert looks like, without entirely letting go of tradition.
Growing up at Rudy’s Strudel & Pastry in Parma, Lidia Temple became accustomed to climbing to great heights to put the topper on the wedding cakes her mother, Eugenia Polatajko, baked at the bakery.
“I’m ve years old and she’s got me standing on the table and I’ve got to center the topper on top this cake,” she says. “I mean the wedding cake was the center of the wedding. My mom always said, ‘There are two icons of the wedding: the bride and the wedding cake.’”
Now owner of Rudy’s, Temple still holds that belief true. But she, along with other local dessert makers,
has noticed a shift since the COVID-19 pandemic. More couples and families are opting for customizable and personalized desserts in place of traditional celebration cakes.
Instead of a single towering confection at a wedding or other milestone celebration, dessert tables may now feature chocolate charcuterie boards, ice cream sandwiches or curated platters of assorted sweets.
For Nicole Dauria, owner of Pop Culture Cle in Solon, which specializes in small, hand-crafted batches of gourmet ice cream, gelato and sorbet, milestone celebrations have become an opportunity to create an interactive, memorable experience.
“When you see a bike cart with a canopy on it and someone’s standing there, you can’t help to think ‘hmmm what is this,’” she tells Celebrations. “The majority of the time, the
bride has told everyone before the wedding that there is an amazing surprise for dessert, and she can’t contain herself and her guests know there is ice cream in the bike cart.”
Part of the appeal is customization. Companies like Pop Culture allow hosts to create “poptails,” fruit-based ice cream bars shaped like popsicles infused with alcohol, or match the color of the
drip guard at the base of the popsicles to their event palette, helping di erentiate one celebration from the next.
“I work with the bar sta at events, and one team wanted an Aperol Spritz ‘poptail’ — not a cocktail, but a popsicle with alcohol in it, a ‘poptail’ — for their event,” Dauria says. “The creative air was the orange inside of it. The sta really liked the idea that this also served
18 Northeast Ohio locations, to create chocolate charcuterie boards or give guests a little sweet treat to leave with, says Megan Gillum, president of Malley’s Chocolate.
Cleveland pride,” Gillum says.
For many, these alternatives are about more than novelty; they’re about experience. Dauria recalls catering a wedding and making chocolate-covered ice
Rudy’s also encourages creativity, o ering “Ebony and Ivory” platters, a pairing of cheesecake and brownies, along with paczki (deep fried dough balls) towers layered with decorative owers and
a wooden spindle for a playful, formats. All three business owners say they make accommodating dietary restrictions far easier, especially at larger gatherings like weddings, bar and bat mitzvahs and baby namings.
“About 90% of what I make is dairy free, gluten free and nut free,” Dauria says. “A single cake can’t accommodate that.”
Gillum also adds that the option of customizing and meeting dietary needs can make these alternatives “more worthy of the cost that you’re paying for it.”
Still, even amid the rise of popsicles and chocolate boards, the traditional celebration cake hasn’t disappeared.
Temple believes its emotional and historical value keeps it rooted in celebrations.
“Grandparents pictured with the cake and then your parents pictured with the cake and then you with your cake and your husband or wife,” she says. “How beautiful? I mean that’s heritage. That’s history.”
WEDDING DAY
OCTOBER 18, 2025
TENK WEST BANK IN CLEVELAND TODAY
AGES 28 & 31
HOMETOWN: CHICAGO
HOW DID YOU MEET:
We met at a bar called Trader Todd’s in Chicago. It’s a tiki-themed karaoke bar. No, neither of us did karaoke!
DO YOU HAVE ANY INTERESTING STORIES TO SHARE ABOUT GETTING TO KNOW ONE ANOTHER?:
Not necessarily a story, but being Jewish from Cleveland, it’s rare that I don’t have at least 6 degrees of separation from someone. I was a senior at DePaul, and he was a nurse at a nearby hospital, and we had ZERO connections. Truly an organic connection from day 1!
HOW LONG DID YOU KNOW EACH OTHER BEFORE YOU GOT MARRIED:
Almost exactly six years (we met in October 2019 and got married in October 2025).
WHEN DID YOU KNOW YOU WANTED TO MARRY YOUR PARTNER:
Jamie: After a 10-day trip to Siesta Key in the spring of 2024 with my entire family. Obviously, my family had known Jake for years at that point, but his job has always made it hard for him to join us on family trips. This was truly a week of bonding, relaxation, and so much joy. It’s a very special place to my family, and sharing that with him was so much fun. We also celebrated his birthday, and he felt so much love. I just knew he would be part of our family forever.
Jake: I dropped Jamie o at the airport in May of 2024 for a business trip to LA. Driving home from the airport, I called my mom and was talking about Jamie and our lives together, and decided in that moment that I was going to ask her that summer. I called her parents just a couple hours later (I o ered to drive to Cleveland; her dad said, “If you’re going to ask what I think you’re asking, you don’t have to drive here.” Thank God lol) and called her sisters to help me design the ring. I knew the one thing she wanted (if possible) was to have her family there. So I did more planning than I ever have and found a weekend for everyone to come!
WHAT WAS THE BEST PART OF WEDDING PLANNING: Obviously the tasting.
Engagement: August 3, 2024
O ciant: Ben Becker, friend of the couple
Wedding colors: Latte brown, chocolate brown, sage green, jewel tones – very earthy autumnal vibe
Dress: Leann Marshall, Brides by the Falls
Wedding rings: The Classic Gem, a jewelry store owned by three sisters in Chicago
Jewelry: Mom’s earrings from her wedding and Grandma’s pearl bracelet
Veil: Brides by the Falls, my sister Kari’s
Shoes: DSW
Hair: Lindsay London
Makeup: Lindsay London at Lindsay London Beauty
Bridesmaids’ dresses: All di erent designers in shades of brown
Groom’s formalwear: The Black Tux at Nordstrom
Groomsmen: The Black Tux
Bouquet/ owers: Plantscaping & Blooms in Cleveland
Ketubah: Artist on Etsy
Chuppah: Plantscaping & Blooms
Photographer: Avra Studio in Medina (Nikki Avramovich)
Videographer: Reggie Fitzgordon
Planner/consultant: Eileen Benson at Eileen Benson Events
Reception site: Tenk West Bank in Cleveland
Cakes/sweets: Luna Bakery & Cafe in Cleveland
Catering: Marigold Catering + Events in Cleveland
Invitations/stationery: Amy Wain at The A.L. Wain Company in Beachwood
Rehearsal dinner: Ti any Glass Space in Cleveland
Music/entertainment: Cleveland Music Group, The Orchestra Band
Accommodations: Hotel Cleveland in Cleveland
Registries: Crate & Barrel, Anthropologie, Mulholland and Sachs
Honeymoon: Japan
WAS THERE ANY SPOT ON ADVICE YOU RECEIVED PRIOR TO THE BIG DAY:
“Take a moment and try to enjoy it.” It sounds cliché, and obviously we knew it would be a crazy weekend, but repeating that in our heads really did help us enjoy every minute!
WERE THERE ANY CONFLICTS BETWEEN THE TWO OF YOU OR YOUR FAMILIES IN THE PLANNING PROCESS?
DID EITHER OF YOU HAVE TO MAKE ANY SACRIFICES?
None between families! The only “sacri ce” I (Jamie) made was to agree to each having seven bridesmaids and groomsmen. I was hoping to just have my sisters and sister-in-law, but Jake stood his ground — he wanted his brother and childhood best friends.
WHAT WAS THE MOST FUN OR INTERESTING JEWISH ASPECT OF YOUR WEDDING/PARTNERSHIP?
The hora and ketubah signing. Jake is not Jewish, and his family and friends didn’t totally know what to expect, but everyone had the best time. I have it on record from several Jewish people on my side that our hora was legendary. His friends and family literally said they will never forget it!
IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE WE DIDN’T ASK ABOUT THAT’S UNIQUE TO YOUR WEDDING:
My mother surprised me with my recently passed grandpa’s silver bracelet wrapped around my bouquet while we were getting ready. It was an extremely special moment that lled me with emotion — sadness, joy, so much love. I knew he was there with me in that moment.
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By Valeri Furst
When baby Madelyn was just one month old, she took part in a joyous celebration steeped in tradition. The Jewish baby naming ceremony is a ritual that dates back thousands of years when a child is formally welcomed into the community and given a Hebrew name. Madelyn’s event was held at the Winking Lizard Party Center with lots of friends and family in attendance. Her mother, Jackie Mintz of Solon says they wanted a big celebration because it took a long time for her to get pregnant. Mintz added her husband, Jim Thompson, is not Jewish so it was a special way to bring the families together.
Mintz said, “I had a naming ceremony when I was a baby and before we were married, we talked about how this was a tradition we wanted to continue. Madelyn was given the Jewish name “Gili Penina.” My husband spent a lot of time looking at names and ultimately chose the rst name Gili which translates to “my joy” since we consider her our miracle baby. The middle name Penina means Pearl which we chose to honor her maternal great-grandmother.”
Scholars date the baby naming custom back to the covenant
established in Genesis where God commanded Abraham to circumcise himself and also changed Abram’s name to Abraham. This established the Brit Malah (“Bris”) ritual that historically takes place when a boy is eight days old. He is circumcised and given a Hebrew name to commemorate his entry into the covenant established between God and the Jewish people. Baby naming customs for girls was not equally mandated but in the 1970’s, with the rise of feminism, Jewish families started to hold baby naming ceremonies for their daughters (commonly called Brit Bat or “covenant of the daughter”).
Rabbi Yael Dadoun of Congregation Mishkan Or in Beachwood has overseen dozens of baby naming ceremonies and said while they vary based on what the parents want, the events have become bigger celebrations than they used to be. Still, there are some commonalities. The ceremony lasts about 15-20 minutes and there is almost always food because, as she explained, “if there is no food in our belly it is hard to engage in Jewish practice.”
Dadoun adds that giving your child a Hebrew name is a way to elevate the legacy of your family. While names are often chosen based on a deceased family member from prior generations to
“Very often the name that is chosen is the parents aspirational dream for their child. If they choose a name of strength or leadership it’s because they want that trait for them. It becomes part of their identity particularly in spiritually elevated moments.”
- Rabbi Yael Dadoun Congregation Mishkan Or
celebrate history and bring it into the present, it is also an opportunity for parents to think of their child’s future. Dadoun says, “Very often the name that is chosen is the parents aspirational dream for their child. If they choose a name of strength or leadership it’s because they want that trait for them. It becomes part of their identity particularly in spiritually elevated moments such as when they are called to Torah, at their Bar or Bat Mitzvah, when they are married or have children of their own.”
When it comes to picking a name, Dadoun says ever since the attacks in Israel on October 7, 2023 she has seen a lot more parents choosing ones that connect directly to the land of Israel and neighboring areas in the south. Generally, Dadoun says, a name is supposed to be selected when parents rst lay eyes on the baby. Think about what ambitions or traits you wish for the child to have. Is there a family member or someone close that inspired your life in a way that the family would want to be brought into and elevate the baby’s spirit? Whatever name is selected, the Rabbi says make sure “to run it by someone who speaks Hebrew so that the spelling is right and the name means what you think it means.”
All of this was taken into consideration by Alyssa and Evan Stein of Orange as they prepared for their children’s ceremonies which took place during the COVID pandemic. They knew that holding an event during that time was going to be di cult but ensuring their children had meaningful Hebrew names and a traditional ceremony was very important.
Alyssa explains, “We knew pretty quickly once the children were born what names we wanted for the ceremonies. We wanted to honor our ancestors and grandparents, some of whom were Holocaust survivors and were signi cant gures in our lives. We are family oriented with strong Jewish values so it is important that their legacy lives on in our children and in how they are raised.”
Their daughter Ayla’s ceremony took place in September, 2020 and she was given
the name Chaya Manya in honor of two of her great-grandmothers. They put a tent in the back yard and invited immediate family. Anyone else who wanted to attend could dial in and participate virtually.
Their son Matan was given the Hebrew name Anszel Joseic in honor of his maternal great-grandfathers. The bris was held in May, 2021 when he was ten days old. Covid was still a concern so only immediate family members were in attendance. Everyone wore masks while their paternal greatgrandmother dialed in from Cincinnati.
While it is certain the children involved
in these ceremonies will not remember any of it, Dadoun says that for the family it is a truly memorable experience lled with love along with spiritual and communal signi cance. She explains, “The baby naming ceremony not only reinforces the strength of family and Jewish faith but also ties to the community. Through this ceremony, the community is changed because it has a new member. It has become part of that baby’s support system, rejoicing in moments of joy and comforting in moments of pain. The child is forever a part of the Jewish community”.
Jamie Semel and Jake Rohlfs take ight during the hora at their October 2025 wedding celebration at Tenk West Bank in Cleveland. Even guests who had never experienced the tradition before quickly joined the dancing — helping turn the moment into what friends called a “legendary” hora.
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