Winter Holiday Magazine Inside: Gift ideas, Chanukah food, Mazel Tov section and more! A SUPPLEMENT TO THE NOVEMBER 26, 2020 More kosher items for the holidays and every day. for today’s table ™ XC40 XC60 XC90 In this Issue... Now Open!! Following all CDC guidelines 6 Winter 2020 Book Guide 12 Gift Guide 2020: Something For Everyone 19 Chanukah Foods From Around the World 22 Videographers Make Simchas Stream Smoothly Interior Painting - Exterior Painting - Carpentry Kitchen Cabinet Refinishing - Wallcoverings 610-664-5555 www.johnneillpainting.com 4 NOVEMBER 26, 2020 WINTER HOLIDAY MAGAZINE JEWISHEXPONENT.COM 2100 ARCH STREET | PHILADELPHIA, PA 19103 MAIN PHONE NUMBER: 215-832-0700 PUBLISHER’S REPRESENTATIVE LAURA FRANK EDITOR-IN-CHIEF LIZ SPIKOL MANAGING EDITOR ANDY GOTLIEB STAFF WRITERS JESSE BERNSTEIN SOPHIE PANZER Holiday Magic Take a stroll through illuminated trees, glowing orbs, and a shimmering tunnel of lights. Take in a light show set to music and enjoy a “fountain” performance like you’ve never seen. Experience the holidays at Longwood Gardens, now through January 10, 2021. PRODUCTION DIRECTOR JENNIFER PERKINS-FRANTZ ART DIRECTOR STEVE BURKE GRAPHIC DESIGNER JUSTIN TICE DIRECTOR OF SALES SHARON SCHMUCKLER ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVES SUSAN BARON TAYLOR ORLIN SHARI SEITZ CLASSIFIED SALES NICOLE MCNALLY KIMBERLY SCHMIDT FINANCE DIRECTOR MIKE COSTELLO longwoodgardens.org JEWISHEXPONENT.COM WINTER HOLIDAY MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 26, 2020 5 Wint er 2020 Book Guide JESSE BERNSTEIN | JE STAFF ntagraphics I ersity P ress Courtesy of Fa don’t really believe in the concept of “can’t miss” books. We all “miss” books all of the time, to the extent that not reading every single book as it’s released is missing it. Without such misses, how would anyone have the particular and unreproducible joy of discovery? Th at’s half the fun of reading. Consider the books below to be a “Miss It, But Don’t Forget It” list. Clip this one out of the paper, stick it on the fridge and, in a month, or six months, or a year, when you’re looking for something to read, you’ll make the long-delayed catch. Noah Van Sciver (Nov. 2) of Tem ple Univ “Please Don’t Step on My JNCO Jeans” sy Courte Th e newest collection of Van Sciver’s cartoons is as funny and poignant as his previous work. Produced between 2017 and 2019, Van Sciver’s art-as-“survival mechanism,” as he calls it, might just help you do the same, too. Check out his previous work, “Th e Hypo: Th e Melancholic Young Lincoln,” for a real treat. “The Defender: The Battle to Protect the Rights of the Accused in Philadelphia” 6 NOVEMBER 26, 2020 Courtesy House andom sy of R Courte Th ough Madeira died earlier this year, there’s nothing in this new book to suggest that he was anything less than sharp as a tack when it came to a subject that was dear to him: advocating on behalf of public defenders and the people they represented in Philadelphia. Th e retired chair emeritus of Pepper Hamilton teamed up with longtime Philadelphia Inquirer journalist Michael D. Schaff er to detail the genesis of the Defender Association of Philadelphia, “the best lawyers money can’t buy.” of Knopf Edward W. Madeira Jr. and Michael D. Schaff er (Dec. 15) WINTER HOLIDAY MAGAZINE JEWISHEXPONENT.COM Appraisals • Restyling Repairs • Cleaning • Storage Exciting 2021 collections biscotto87 / iStock / Getty Images Plus 379 Lancaster Ave. Haverford, PA 610.896.6662 261 N. Old York Rd. Jenkintown, Pa 215.885.4747 www.stuppfurs.com Alexander Horn & Co “A Swim in a Pond in the Rain: In Which Four Russians Give a Master Class on Writing, Reading, and Life” George Saunders (Jan. 12) 38 Cricket Ave Ardmore, PA 19003 610-896-7494 Saunders’ fi rst book since “Lincoln in the Bardo” gives readers a chance to more or less take a class with one of the most beloved writers in the country. From Chekhov to Turgenev, and Tolstoy to Gogol, Saunders writes with love and grace about the Russian short stories that he’s been teaching in his creative writing semi- nars for decades. “The World Turned Upside Down: A History of the Chinese Cultural Revolution” Yang Jisheng. Translated by Stacy Mosher and Guo Jian (Jan. 19) For many reasons that Jisheng will easily convince you of, the Chinese Cultural Revolution is one of the most important developments in the second half of the 20th century. Sound smart in front of your friends and learn something about why the world is the way it is, too. See Books, Page 8 JEWISHEXPONENT.COM WINTER HOLIDAY MAGAZINE • Watch Repair • Antique clock repair • Custom Jewelry Design NOVEMBER 26, 2020 7 Books “Let Me Tell You What I Mean” Joan Didion (Jan. 26) Continued from Page 7 Hey look, a new book of never-before-collected essays and reported pieces by one of our most famous living writers! Didion’s writings about the likes of Robert Mapplethorpe and Martha Stewart are another way to get a sense of how we ended up with the America that we did. “Work Won’t Love You Back: How Devotion to Our Jobs Keeps Us Exploited, Exhausted, and Alone” ooks Type B of Bold Sarah Jaff e (Jan. 26) sy Courte Th e title is true of everyone except for me. I am completely fulfi lled by my work. So if you’re one of those people wondering about why works feels like that, check out the newest reported book from Jaff e, a Philadelphia native and Temple grad, to boot. Courtesy of Farrar, Strauss an d Giroux “Unfi nished Business: Notes of a Chronic Re-reader” Vivian Gornick (Feb. 4) Interest in Gornick was rekindled last year when Verso released a new edition of her 1977 “Th e Romance of American Communism,” an ethnographic study of American Communists (mostly Jews). Now, the longtime “Village Voice” writer and author of “Fierce Attachments” is back with a collection of what are more or less odes to the writers that have made her who she is. See Books, Page 10 View Our Holiday Entertaining Menu at www.carlinosmarket.com 610.649.4046 2616 E. County Line Rd. Ardmore, PA 19003 128 W. Market St. West Chester, PA 19382 8 NOVEMBER 26, 2020 WINTER HOLIDAY MAGAZINE JEWISHEXPONENT.COM Invitation and Card Shoppes • Personalized Stationery • Weddings • Bar & Bat Mitzvah • Birth Announcements • Parties • Calligraphy • Printing System on Premises The Gift Shoppe • Baby Boutique • Boutique Candy • All Occasion Gift Baskets • Hostess Gifts • Jewelry • Party Essentials • Prescriptions • Health & Personal Care Items • Cosmetics • Greeting Cards • Salon Quality Hair Products • Travel Items • Medical Equipment • Home Delivery • State Licensed Immunizations We have CBD Products in Stock We accept most 90 day prescription plans. 352 Righters Mill Road, Gladwyne, PA 19035 Phone: 610-649-1100 Fax: 610-649-4850 www.gladwynepharmacy.com Books Continued from Page 8 “Vera Rubin: A Life” Jacqueline Mitton and Sam Mitton (Feb. 11) I don’t really know what dark matter is, and had always assumed it was a cool- sounding concept fabricated for science fi ction. Apparently, this Vera Rubin, a pioneering Jewish scientist of the 20th century, taught everyone quite a bit about this very real phenomenon. Th is is the fi rst biography to be written about Rubin, who died in 2016. “No One Is Talking About This” Patricia Lockwood (Feb. 16) Lockwood is one of the funniest, most inventive writers we’ve got going for us in this country, and you’d be missing out if you didn’t give her new novel a shot. For a Lockwood intro, check out her memoir, “Priestdaddy,” or one of her many manic essays for the London Review of Books. foulkeways.org | 215-283-7010 lknap Pre Courtesy of Be Courtesy of Riv Rediscover your passions or devote more time to life-long hobbies, the choice is yours. Foulkeways is based on Quaker values and respect for the environment. Discover us today! erhead Books LIFE, on a Scale of You . ss STUDIO/1-BR LIVING APARTMENTS AVAILABLE 1120 Meetinghouse Rd, Gwynedd, PA A Life Plan Community 10 NOVEMBER 26, 2020 WINTER HOLIDAY MAGAZINE JEWISHEXPONENT.COM “Taking the Fight South: Chronicle of a Jew’s Battle for Civil Rights in Mississippi” of Schock en Books Courtesy sy “With her reputation as a vilde chaya (wild animal), Fanny Keismann isn’t like the other women in her shtetl in Russia’s Pale of Settlement — certainly not her obedient and anxiety-ridden sister, Mende, whose ‘philosopher’ of a husband, Zvi-Meir, has run off to Minsk, abandoning her and their two children.” What more do you need than that? ❆ Courte Yaniv Iczkovits (Feb. 23) e of Notr “The Slaughterman’s Daughter” ersity of Univ In 1976, historian and civil rights activist Howard Ball moved his family from the Bronx to Starkville, Mississippi, where they’d stay until 1982. Ball describes the experience of his Jewish New York brood as they fend off KKK phone calls and fi ght for a more just future. ress Dame P Howard Ball (Feb. 21) jbernstein@jewishexponent.com; 215-832-0740 There are many pages in a long, rich life. What will you be inspired to do next? Maybe you’ll find time for yoga, gardening, dance. work in progress i am a To learn more, call 215 -999-3619 or visit RydalPark.org JEWISHEXPONENT.COM WINTER HOLIDAY MAGAZINE Or just find peace in watching birds or walking your dog. Whatever your next chapter brings, you can open up the time and space for it here, in a community that supports your goals every step of the way. ...to be continued NOVEMBER 26, 2020 11 Gift Guide 2020: Something for Everyone T JESSE BERNSTEIN | JE STAFF he manner in which this year’s Gift Guide was assembled is the manner in which these gift s are meant to be bought, received, given and enjoyed: from the comfort of home. Chanukah, which begins on Dec. 10 this year, is the time for you to let the people that you love know that you’re thinking of them, even if you can’t be together in the way that you would normally be. GIVE THE GIFT OF A BARRACK EDUCATION Our students are athletes, artists, engineers, actors, scientists, and activists who go on to become leaders in their fields and engaged citizens of the world. Students develop a lifelong appreciation of learning, an understanding of their place in history, and a passion to reach their potential. VISIT US TO SEE WHY OUR STUDENTS LOVE WHERE THEY LEARN. 610.922.2350 • admissions@jbha.org 12 NOVEMBER 26, 2020 272 S. Bryn Mawr Avenue Bryn Mawr, PA 19010 jbha.org • 610-922-2350 Partnering with Accredited by Pennsylvania Association of Independent Schools (PAIS) and Secondary Schools. WINTER HOLIDAY MAGAZINE JEWISHEXPONENT.COM Bring this ad. Take 17% off any one item. Certain restrictions apply. Offer ends January 8, 2021. Faux fur throw blankets Fur is a little iff y, ethically speaking, but done correctly, there’s nothing iff y about it aesthetically. In a winter that’s going to involve untold levels of sitting on the couch — or staying warm for an outdoor hangout — these stylish throw blankets are a good way to stay cozy. Prepare to hibernate! These start at $60 at westelm.com. Sweaters! You’ll be glad it’s cold. Courtesy of westelm.com 17 % The Sweater Mill 115 S. York Road, Hatboro 215.441.8966 Open Monday-Saturday 11-4 Maki-SanSue.pdf 1 11/9/2020 5:44:44 PM “Happy Llamakah,” written by Laura Gehl and illustrated by Lydia Nichols Gehl, the author of over 20 books for children, including two others about Jewish holidays, posits that one of the goofi est looking members of the camelidae family is the perfect vehicle to teach children about celebrating Chanukah. The Llama family does everything that your family does for the holiday — spin the dreidel, eat latkes and light their menorah — but in their llama fashion. You can buy it on indiebound.org for $14.99. 138 Mo ntg om ery Ave n ue • B ala Chinese • Cyn wyd • PA C M 190 04 • • Sushi Bar (61 0) 66 8-2 10 0 Y CM MY      CY CMY Courtesy of Abrams Books K See Gifts, Page 14 JEWISHEXPONENT.COM Mon. – Thurs. 12 noon to 8 pm • Fri. - 12 noon to 9 pm • Sat.: 3 pm - 9 pm • Sun. – 3pm to 9pm WINTER HOLIDAY MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 26, 2020 13 Gifts Courtesy of Clarkson Potter Continued from Page 13 “Dessert Person: Recipes and Guidance for Baking with Confi dence,” written by Claire Saffi tz Holiday Gifts for everyone on your list The former “Bon Appétit” star has released her fi rst cookbook, a gorgeously photographed slate of recipes that are uniquely arranged; besides the typical separation of meat dishes, sides and starters, there’s a matrix at the beginning of the book to help you determine the diffi culty of the recipe and the time it should take to complete. In other words, an effi ciency matrix that asks how much you really want to bake a babka-challah mash-up called a Babkallah. “Dessert Person” is available on bookshop.org for $32.30. Wood Shtender with Golden Design If you don’t already own one, you’ll fi nd that this is more useful than you realize. When you’re setting up in the kitchen with your copy of “Dessert Person,” it’s nice to not have to prop the book up against a backsplash or lay it fl at on the counter. If you have to read at your desk, which you’re probably doing more of these days, a shtender is a good way to make sure you’re not straining your neck. This beautifully designed shtender from Eichler’s goes for $31.95 on eichlers.com. tupgifts20 for 30% off @ tupress.temple.edu use 14 NOVEMBER 26, 2020 WINTER HOLIDAY MAGAZINE JEWISHEXPONENT.COM HOT FOOT SHOES Holiday Sale Courtesy of eichlers.com UP TO 50 % OFF Chocolate rugelach, from Marzipan Bakery If someone in your life reads “chocolate rugelach, from Marzipan Bakery” and they say something like, “Well, why not mix it up and try the cinnamon ones?,” cut that person out of your life, because they do not have your best inter- ests at heart. Don’t reinvent the wheel here; go ahead and order some of the best rugelach on the planet to your front door. $14.99 on amazon.com gets you a package of 12. Trade Coff ee Subscription Made in Israel Justa Farm Shopping Center 1966 County Line Rd, Huntingdon Valley, PA 19006 215-969-9626 • HOT-FOOT-BOUTIQUE.SHOPTIQUES.COM jerrydeutsch / iStock / Getty Images Plus If you really want to get nutty with it — and if there was ever a time to do so, it’s now — then a subscription to Trade Coff ee is the way to go. Based on your coff ee preferences (and it goes much deeper than just “light” or “dark”), they’ll send you one 12-ounce bag at intervals of your choosing, selecting from a list of hundreds of coff ees from around the world. What sounds better than dunking your Marzipan rugelach into a delicious cup of coff ee from, I don’t know, Malta? Anyway, your fi rst bag goes for $12.50, with free shipping and 30% off from drinktrade.com. etienne voss / iStock / Getty Images Plus See Gifts, Page 16 JEWISHEXPONENT.COM CALL FOR YOUR FREE MENU AND PARTY PLANNING GUIDE 215-633-7100 888-309-3800 WWW.FOODARAMA.COM WINTER HOLIDAY MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 26, 2020 15 Gifts Continued from Page 15 UGG Leda Cozy Crew Socks Courtesy of ugg.com OK, enough food. I quite like the slippers that I have, but they can quickly feel too warm, and I don’t always want the feeling of wearing shoes when I’m in the house. I have friends who swear by these UGG socks. Warm, but not too warm, and cozy as can be. One pair goes for $18 at ugg.com, but you’ll get a lot of use out of these: They’re durable, according to most reviews. Criterion Channel The thing about Netfl ix, Hulu and every other movie streaming service is that the overwhelming glut of movies can only mask the lack of quality for so long. How many hours of scrolling have been lost on streaming services, staring at row after row of stinkers? Criterion Channel is the service that picks the highest quality movies, and off ers selections from around the globe. This is the antidote to the feeling that there’s nothing good to watch, and it’s $10.99 per month at criterionchannel.com. See Gifts, Page 18 Leave behind a gift that your family could never repay Pre planning a funeral is a gift, as anyone who has ever lost a loved one who had a pre-arrangement knows. Let your family know your wishes, don’t burden them with the costs of a funeral, and allow them to grieve without worries. Our experienced funeral directors can guide you through the process, and assist you in making tough decisions. Providing funeral counseling and pre-need arrangements. www.GoldsteinsFuneral.com 215-927-5800 • 1-800-622-6410 For deaf and hard of hearing: 267-331-4243 (Sorenson VP) 16 NOVEMBER 26, 2020 WINTER HOLIDAY MAGAZINE Caring. Committed. Compassionate. JEWISHEXPONENT.COM Gifts Continued from Page 16 Urban Jungle gift card This Passyunk Avenue shop is simply a delight just to walk into (especially given the store’s COVID-consciousness): a wonder- fully wide variety of plants, pots and tools that off er something for everyone, whether you’re looking for a windowsill succulent to water once a week or something more labor intensive. Urban Jungle has a kind, knowledgeable staff , and they have gift cards for the verdantly thumbed in your life. Periwinkle Flower Seder Plate Courtesy of judaicashop.net This seder plate, which comes with a platter and six small bowls, is only available in the National Museum of American Jewish History’s online gift shop. It is certainly a hopeful gift, the hope being that by March 27, 2021, the world will allow Jews everywhere to come together once in again for joyous seder meals. Not that there wasn’t joy to this past year’s celebration, but still, this is a seder plate to be enjoyed by as many people as possible, in person. Find it for $112 at judaicashop.net. ❆ jbernstein@jewishexponent.com; 215-832-0740 Celebrate Hanukkah with gifts of Israel bondS Anniversary of Anniversary of 18 Development Corporation for Israel Harold F Marcus, Executive Director Sharon Richman, Registered Representative 1511 Walnut St, Suite 301 · Philadelphia, PA 19102 philadelphia@israelbonds.com 215.545.8380 · 800.752.5671 NOVEMBER 26, 2020 WINTER HOLIDAY MAGAZINE This is not an offering, which can be made only by prospectus. Read the prospectus carefully before investing to fully evaluate the risks associated with investing in Israel bonds. Member FINRA. Photos: Istock PERPETUATING A 70-YEAR LEGACY OF ACHIEVEMENT ISRAELBONDS.COM JEWISHEXPONENT.COM Chanukah Foods From Around the World Fascinadora / iStock / Getty Images Plus SOPHIE PANZER | JE STAFF N orth American Ashkenazi Jews may associate Chanukah celebrations with potato latkes and sufganiyot, but there’s nothing in the Maccabees story that says these are our only options. For Jewish communities around the world, the tradition of eating fried foods during the Festival of Lights means holiday tables can feature fried meat, sweet and savory fritters and any kind of doughnut iteration imaginable. This year, I sampled four traditional Chanukah dishes from Italy, Spain, Latin America and India. POLLO FRITTO PER HANUKKAH KEFTES DE PRASA Photos by Sophie Panzer (Fried Chicken for Hanukkah) Having grown up with brisket or roasted chicken as the protein of choice at a Chanukah table, I was intrigued to fi nd that Italian Jews traditionally celebrate the Festival of Lights with a special fried chicken recipe and wanted to give it a try. I chose an Italian recipe from Leah Koenig’s cookbook “Little Book of Jewish Feasts.” It combines lemon, thyme and cinnamon in a quick marinade that makes the chicken moist and tender without requiring it to sit too long (if it does, the acid from the lemon juice will make the meat tough). I had never had fried chicken made with lemon before, but it’s a pretty genius inclusion. Th e acidity cuts through the fat and prevents the dish from being overwhelmingly oily, which is especially welcome if you’ve still got piles of other fried delicious- ness to plow your way through. I wouldn’t think to include cinnamon in a fried chicken recipe either, but it adds a nice depth of fl avor. JEWISHEXPONENT.COM Pollo Fritto Keftes de Prasa WINTER HOLIDAY MAGAZINE Th ese leek fritters are a Sephardic holiday staple and are oft en eaten at Chanukah because they are fried in oil. Th ey originated in the Iberian penin- sula but can also be found in Turkish, Greek and Middle Eastern cuisine. I found a simple recipe by Michael Natkin on Serious Eats that called for leeks, eggs, bread crumbs, herbs and salt. At least, it seemed simple until I started washing the leeks ... and kept washing the leeks for what felt like two hours because they had so much grit in them. Th e batter comes out a little thinner than a typical latke, which threw me off as I tried to judge whether they were done, but I managed to avoid burning most of them. Fine, half of them. Th e keft es have a light, sweet, almost nutty taste when they’re cooked, and I could easily have eaten four or fi ve at a time. Th e crispy fried texture defi - nitely screams “Chanukah,” although these leek pancakes are a little less starchy and fi lling than a latke. See Foods, Page 20 NOVEMBER 26, 2020 19 Foods Continued from Page 19 GULAB JAMUN I was familiar with these fried sweets thanks to my moderate to severe obsession with Indian food, but I didn’t realize until recently that they were commonly enjoyed at Chanukah by Indian Jews. “Gulab jamun is a traditional Hanukkah treat among the Bene Israel of Mumbai, as it combines the two primary holiday foods, dairy and fried,” Gil Marks wrote in “Th e Encyclopedia of Jewish Food.” Th e desserts are made by cooking milk and fl our in oil at a low heat. When they’re golden brown, the fritters are drenched in a spiced chini pani (sugar syrup) that oft en contains cardamom. You can fi nd gulab jamun at a lot of Indian restaurants — I typically buy mine from Ekta Cuisine in Fishtown. Th e small sweets have the consistency of a really rich cake doughnut — they defi nitely strike that decadent, deep-fried note you’d expect from a Chanukah dish. I also like pouring the left over cardamom sugar syrup in chai tea. Gulab Jamun BUÑUELOS Buñuelos, also known as bimuelos or bumuelos in Ladino, origi- nated in Spain and Portugal and have become popular desserts in Latin American countries. You can fi nd them served at Colombian or Mexican restaurants. Th ey are commonly eaten by Sephardic Jews during Chanukah because, you guessed it, oil. According to Ty Alhadeff , Sephardic studies research coordinator of the Stroum Center for Jewish Studies at the University of Washington, they are also eaten for biblical reasons. Th e fi rst Ladino translation of the Torah published in Istanbul in 1547 read that the manna God provided to the Israelites in the desert tasted like buñuelos, or fritters, in honey. Th ey’re also quite simple to make at home — all you need is fl our, sugar, yeast, water, salt and oil for frying. I made a batch that turned out a little less fl uff y and round than the picture on My Jewish Learning (that recipe is adapted from Gil Marks’ book “Th e World of Jewish Desserts”) but the results were still a bit lighter and breadier than sufganyot. Th ey remind me of the fried dough you can fi nd at carnivals dusted with cinnamon and sugar. Although these desserts are technically Iberian and Latin American, I put a North American twist on mine by drenching them in maple syrup. No regrets. ❆ spanzer@jewishexponent.com; 215-832-0729 TerraVida Holistic Centers is a Medical Marijuana Dispensary with three locations in PA: 1626 Old York Road, Abington 64 N. Main Street, Sellersville 249 Planebrook Road, Malvern help on the way Contact TerraVida Holistic Centers to learn more about obtaining a Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana card. 215-836-1535 • info@terravidahc.com • terravidahc.com 20 NOVEMBER 26, 2020 Buñuelos WINTER HOLIDAY MAGAZINE JEWISHEXPONENT.COM THE CYNWYD CLUB Newly Renovated Cynwyd Club Ballroom Classic & Elegant Event Venue For All Mitzvahs Event Venue For All Mitzvahs Contact us for packages and more informati on 610-667-4524 banquets@cynwydclub.com 332 Trevor Lane Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004 www.cynwydclub.com 610-667-4524 banquets@cynwydclub.com 332 Trevor Lane • Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004 www.cynwydclub.com zel Tov ! Ma Jackiejan / iStock / Getty Images Plus Videographers Make Simchas Stream Smoothly Photo Credit (Clockwise from the Left): Philip Gabriel Photography, Versano Photography, Maura B. McConnell Photography SOPHIE PANZER | JE STAFF Exquisite Ballrooms Indoor and Outdoor Event Space Award-Winning Culinary and Event Staff First-Class On-Site Amenities HOTEL | OPEN TO THE PUBLIC 22 NOVEMBER 26, 2020 | S PA | GOLF | BAR | R E S TA U R A N T 4 0 0 W. S P R O U L R D . , S P R I N G F I E L D , PA 1 9 0 6 4 | WINTER HOLIDAY MAGAZINE 610.690.7600 | SPRINGFIELDCC.NET | JEWISHEXPONENT.COM T im Sudall got his fi rst call about fi lming a microwedding in June. Th e couple decided to tie the knot in their own backyard, with a scaled-down guest list of 10. Th e owner of Allure Films was happy to help. Many of his clients postponed their celebrations due to the pandemic, which struck a blow to the events industry, including his fi lm and photography business. He had coordinated reception Zooms a few times before, although not extensively, so he dove into researching the latest technology. By the time the wedding rolled around, he was ready. “Th e fi rst one we did was a home run,” he said. “We had people from Israel that were supposed to come over, and they couldn’t, so they were able to watch it on Zoom. We had the guests that were there, we had Grandpa do the HaMotzi.” In addition to streaming the service live, his team fi lmed the whole event so the couple could have a keepsake of their day. “I was just blown away with how amazing it was that not only did the small, intimate group get to have a wonderful wedding ceremony and start their lives, but all these other friends and family were able to join it,” he said. Th e requests started rolling in. By September, Allure Films had fi lmed 17 Zoom celebrations. Ben Yoblick, owner of Lafayette Hill Studios, and Michael Adelson, owner of Luria Visuals Custom Productions, have received similar requests for photography and videography at scaled down celebrations. Couples want to start their lives together by getting married, and kids already know their Torah portions for b’nei mitzvah celebrations. Professional-grade videos and livestreams of these events are now deemed absolutely essential to make sure loved ones can still be included from afar. Adelson said the desire for a high-quality remote experience for guests has placed a renewed emphasis on triple-checking Wi-Fi connections and sound before the big day. “My big belief is to make it easy and stress-free for all my clients. Th ey’re very nervous and I don’t blame them — you don’t want to invite your entire family to a Zoom meeting or a YouTube link that’s not going to work,” he said. Yoblick’s company had previously provided livestreaming service for corporate events, and was able to put the same technology to use for small celebrations. “We started off a little more simple. People just wanted a single camera to be livestreamed to the platform of their choice, you know, whether it’s Facebook or Zoom or Vimeo or YouTube,” he said. Later, they expanded to using multiple cameras for reaction shots for special moments, like when couples exchange vows. By using wireless microphones affi xed to bimahs and a sound mixer, Yoblick and his team can create sound quality befi tting a professional broadcast. Adelson and Sudall also use this tech- nology for their productions. During Allure Film livestreams, Sudall and his team put up a graphic that welcomes everyone to the Zoom as soon as they log in. Once the ceremony starts, the team shoots with two diff erent cameras. When the bride and groom walk down the aisle at a wedding, they can interact with their remote guests on an iPad. Adelson has also worked with synagogues to fi lm High Holiday services and started a side business called Love Note Video to keep his editors working. Th e service creates professionally edited videos of well-wishes sent by faraway friends and family to See Video, Page 24 JEWISHEXPONENT.COM OUR TEAM WILL MAKE YOU FEEL BEAUTIFUL FOR YOUR WEDDING OR MITZVAH... Full Service Hair Salon Haircuts...Blowouts...Color 100% Human Hair Extensions and Customized Wigs. 2 Town Place, Suite 105 Bryn Mawr, PA 19010 tel. (484)-380-3853 www.salonamar.com Facial Services Skin care, Makeup, and Massage Services Love We love it. Beautiful weddings and receptions at Tiferet Bet Israel Chapel, Sanctuary, Rabbi’s Study Multiple Event Rooms Complete Catering Facilities Magnificent Outdoor Spaces 1920 Skippack Pike Blue Bell, PA 19422 610-275-8797 www.tbibluebell.org WINTER HOLIDAY MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 26, 2020 23 Video Continued from Page 23 w www.declarationofinvitations.com susan@declarationofinvitations.com In-home personalized Jewish education for students of all backgrounds and affiliations Bar/Bat Mitzvah Preparation n Hebrew Language Private Bar/Bat Mitzvah Services Jewish History & Culture n Destination Bar/Bat Mitzvah Now in Philadelphia, New Jersey & Delaware! Los Angeles n New York Washington DC congratulate people during their milestones. “My editor goes through them and color corrects, audio corrects, puts backgrounds together. Th en we send it back to the couple and they have this keepsake forever. “Th at’s kind of a bonus that we wouldn’t have had before,” he said. Yoblick said that while he has fulfi lled requests for special eff ects in past videos, particularly for teens who wanted to appear in a video game or Nike commercial for their b’nei mitzvah celebrations, people are requesting more straightforward docu- mentary-style fi lm techniques during the pandemic. No one wants to accidentally give their relatives the fear of missing out. “Th ere’s this tone of ‘Not everyone can be there.’ So they’re not trying to be over-the-top with stuff ,” he said. Although Sudall has been inspired by the micro events, the scaled-down celebrations are not enough to bring business back to pre-pandemic levels. “To be honest, we’re not making any money at them — we’re not charging a lot. We’re just covering costs, but you know the value of seeing these families come together,” he said. “And a lot of them are still going to have the party next year. And we’re going to have something great that we’re making now that they’re going to be able to show during the cocktail hour.” Adelson’s 2021 calendar is booked solid with people who have postponed their celebrations. “I hope it does stay booked up, and we get back to being able to do everything that we love to do,” he said. ❆ SHARE your engagement, wedding birth, Bar/Bat Mitzvah announcement and any other simcha on both jewishexponent.com and the weekly Jewish Exponent newspaper for ... kckate16 /iStock / Getty Images Plus spanzer@jewishexponent; 215-832-0729 310.717.4200 www.hebrewhelpers.com FREE . J E W I S H E X P O N E N T . C O M / S U B M I T - M A Z E L - T O V 24 NOVEMBER 26, 2020 WINTER HOLIDAY MAGAZINE JEWISHEXPONENT.COM Ma ! Tov zel Lafayette Hill Studios prepares to fi lm a bar mitzvah. Courtesy of Lafayette Hill Studios From Generation to Generation “ I was just blown away with how amazing it was that not only did the small, intimate group get to have a wonderful wedding ceremony and start their lives, but all these other friends and family were able to join it.” Photography courtesy of Jordan Cassway A Family Tradition For All Occasions Formerly of Fleets T AILORED C LOTHING S PORTSWEAR A CCESSORIES F OOTWEAR F ORMAL A TTIRE ... S ALES & R ENTALS F OR M EN & B OYS ! Sizes 2-50+ Regulars Slims - Huskies Portlys - X-Longs The Dorfman Family       
   JEWISHEXPONENT.COM WINTER HOLIDAY MAGAZINE Celebrating Our 23rd Anniversary NOVEMBER 26, 2020 25 Advertiser Index Finest Italian Cuisine BEST Outdoor Patio in Montgomery County! Special Events • Fresh Fish & Pasta Daily On & Off Premises Catering Gift Cards Available For Purchase Wood-fi re pizza | Steakhouse Seafood | American cuisine Casual upscale dining 721 Skippack Pike | Blue Bell 215.283.9500 www.RistoranteCastello.com 26 NOVEMBER 26, 2020 Private rooms available for special events 602 Skippack Pike | Blue Bell, PA 215-641-9000 panachewoodfi regrill.com Alexander Horn & CO. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Attleboro Retirement Community. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Carlino's Specialty Foods. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Castello at Blue Bell. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Congregation Tiferet Bet Israel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Declaration of Invitations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Development Corporation for Israel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Driven 2 Drive. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Foodarama Caterers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Foulkeways at Gwynedd. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Geico Insurance-Rob Vahey. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 GIANT. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Gladwyne Pharmacy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Goldsteins' Rosenberg's Raphael-Sacks Inc.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Hebrew Helpers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Hemp HQ. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Henning's Market. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Hot Foot. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Jack M. Barrack Hebrew Academy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 John Neill Painting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Keystone Motors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Longwood Gardens. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Maki-San. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 McCaffrey's Supermarkets. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Panache . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Rydal Park. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Salon Amar. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 SCRIVEN. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Springfield Country Club. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Showboat. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Stupp Furs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Temple University Press. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 TerraVida . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 The Cynwyd Club. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 The Mens and Boys Store . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 The Sweater Mill. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 WINTER HOLIDAY MAGAZINE JEWISHEXPONENT.COM