Steven Brown's Bar Mitzvah
Standard 8mm film Black & White Mute 1966 26:55
Summary: Steven Brown's Bar Mitzvah reception, 26th February 1966, at the Nelson Street Synagogue, Stepney
Title number: 19765
LSA ID: LSA/26208
Description: Opening Title 'Bar Mitzvah at Nelson Street Synagogue February 26th 1966. Starring Steven Brown Reception at Mozart House
The opening scene features Steven standing with his proud parents dressed in a smart black dress suit and bow tie. He is wearing a 'Kipa' hat and silver prayer shawl, and studies a hebrew bible which he is holding. In the foreground is a table decorated with a white table
cloth, ceremonial flowers and two silver candelabras with light blue candles.
Guests are arriving all dressed in formal dress suits and evening gowns, they form an orderly queue. In the background a toastmaster in a red jacket ushers guests forward to meet Steven and his parents, they shake hands, kiss and exchange very warm greetings. Various guests pose before the camera before they move away.
Steven and his parents take their seats at a dining table, both Steven and his father are now wearing Kipas as the meal begins. On the table in front of Steven is a beautifully decorated cake. The guests at the top table are enjoying their meal and smile for the camera.
Scenes of other tables with other guests enjoying their meal. Each table is decorated with an impressive table decoration. A table of young boys and a woman,look excitedly towards the camera.
At the top table Steven's parents stand and lead a toast, and look proudly at their son, both bend down to kiss and hug him. Other guests also give a 'bar' or bar mitzvah toast, raising their glasses, Steven stands to acknowledge their toasts and the Toastmaster is in the background.
Steven stands and gives a speech, which seems to be enjoyed and appreciated by all the guests.
Steven's father stands and gives a speech, which seems to amuse both him and Steven. During the speech Mr Brown raises a small object (possibly an item of jewelry?) and talks to it.
Steven is dancing with his mother and in the background the Buddy Kaye band can be seen playing. During the dance his father cuts in, and dances with his wife, while Steven dances with an older woman. A number of other couples now join them them on the dance floor.
A young boy is expertly guided around the dance floor by his mother, and he concentrates on his dance steps! The dance floor is now crowded with guests dancing.
As the dance floor clears a couple have room to perform a jive routine. As the party continues more guests are seen dancing and the routines become more energetic!
A view of the band in full swing, the lead singer is playing a tambourine, couples dance to the music some more elegantly than others, but all are enjoying the party! Two women are dancing to the twist and in the background a man dances with a tulip in his mouth, and is joined by two women with flowers in their mouths.
The guests are now dancing in a circle,(possibly dancing the hora?) and two women go into the centre of the circle, couples continue to dance, and Steven can be seen dancing with different guests or family members, and the young boy seen earlier in the film is once again dancing with his mother, but looking more accomplished!
On a table, a guest cuts carefully into a cake watched by other guests, and we see Steven with his parents, as they join hands and kiss, while they cut his bar mitzvah cake and pose for the camera.
The guests are now seated and are having tea and coffee some are enjoying a cigarette, and smile towards the camera, the camera pans around and we see guests in conversation and eating cake.
A group of guests are pictured standing together including Steven and his parents. Steven is then encouraged to move and stand between two young women (possibly sisters) at the end of the row, the group wave to the camera, the composition of the group changes with different guests joining in, and they wave and dance at the camera.
Mrs & Mrs Brown are together, and as they embrace, Mr Brown kisses his wife to celebrate a wonderful day, and both smile at the camera.
End Title A cartoon of a sleeping candle, which awakes, yawns and extinguishes the flame on the candle. The End.
Keywords: Bar Mitzvah; Synagogue; Jewish Celebration
Locations: United Kingdom; England; London; Poplar; Nelson Street; Nelson Street Synagogue
Related
Comments