Central Synagogue is the most beautiful place to photograph Mitzvahs…especially if your dad is also one of the Rabbis.

Central Synagogue is a Reform synagogue in Midtown Manhattan.  Here’s just a few fun facts.   It was built from 1870 to 1872 and designed by Henry Fernbach in the Moorish Revival style. It was designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1975 and is one of the oldest synagogues in the United States.

It was a crisp day last December as Sarah made her way to Central Synagogue with all her camera and lighting gear.  Sarah was so excited for so many reasons.

Sarah is also a member of Central Synagogue and has a personal relationship with each of the Rabbis and loves her temple and community.   Rabbi Angela Buchdahl is the head Rabbi and has three amazing children of her own!  Sarah was honored to capture all three of their Mitzvahs through the years, also of course…at Central.  Now, another rabbi at Central Rabbi Mo Salth has a son who was of age to be Bar Mitzvah!

Sarah bumped into Rabbi Mo and his wife Hilary at high holidays, and they discussed her photographing their son Caleb’s Bar Mitzvah.  She had photographed him as a baby over 10 years ago and was so excited to see how handsome he had become!   It was only natural she capture his milestone as well.

Sarah’s passion for photography and this family has really come though in these photos of the magnificent Caleb and Central Synagogue.  How lucky is Caleb to be blessed by Rabbi Angela Buchdahl and surrounded by Central clergy on his special day.   Mazel tov Caleb and family!!!

We love what Rabbi Mo said on social media “We are incredibly grateful to our family, friends and our Central Synagogue community as we continue to be uplifted by Caleb becoming a bar mitzvah.  And Sarah Merians, the world’s greatest photographer, thank you. “

Shabbat Shalom.