With enticing, danceable music and a bit of gentle cajoling, the ebullient DJ coaxed Aaron's guests into the beautiful Amada Club's central atrium, and what a centerpiece it is:  

The amazing atrium at The Amada Club

Inspired from the simplicity of flowing waters and Japanese gardens with its terraced pond, a bordering stand of graceful bamboo, and cascading waterfalls, built with flat, earth-tone bricks and polished blocks of black granite, the atrium is spectacular.  

On the upper level of the atrium is a silver slate patio that served as a dancing platform.  The space was decorated with connected  pillars of blue and white balloons to form a chupah, patterning the house of the Jewish patriarch Abraham. His was one with entrances on all four sides in order to warmly welcome any approaching guests.

That's Yoyo -- I mean, Aaron's neighbor -- just below the patio with the balloon chuppah. 

The chuppah must have done its hospitality magic, as the guests soon filled up the patio.  

First, to great fanfare, our host and hostess, Eddie and Celia, made their grand entrance. Celia looked absolutely lovely in an elegant suit to die for; and Eddie, dapper and trim in a taupe suit.  They were followed by son, Alex, who is now this incredibly grown-up, good-looking mature man (with real sideburns!).

Aaron's proud parents, Eddie and Celia & big brother, Alex

The Bar Mitzvah DJ, a well-seasoned, likeable young man with a quip a minute, then called up the Guest of Honor -- our Man of the Hour.  The crowd erupted with wild applause, well-wishing shouts, and exuberant cheers.

Aaron, looking so handsome and dashing -- Mr. GQ, himself -- and all grown-up in his sartorial best, Windsor knot and all, made his grand entrance.  

He also looked totally relaxed -- and relieved.

He had just accomplished a very manly task:  he had just spent this Saturday morning reading from a scroll called the Torah (also known as the Five Books of Moses, which are the books of Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy in the Bible).  He read it in HEBREW, as well as sang in Hebrew, in front of all he holds close and dear in his life, and this, after a long, two year preparation. 

The sight of Aaron not only misted up his parents' eyes, but also those guests who have long adored this sweet young man.  Proud smiles were mixed with joyful tears.

Vi zaif faren guf iz a trer far di neshomeh 
Like soap for the body, so are tears for the soul.
~ Yiddish Proverb

Our Man, Aaron

Then, unexpectedly, the atrium's retractable roof -- the largest in all of Southern California! -- yawned wide open.  Oohing and ahhing, everyone looked upward and was completely enchanted. The huge space was instantly filled with natural, radiant sunlight, accompanied by a gentle winter's breeze.

"For every human being there rises a light 
that reaches straight into heaven."