Synagogue Social Hall
Synagogues are spiritual and community centers, but they also serve as event venues for parties, celebrations and many other social functions. It wasn’t easy, but j. readers were able to choose some synagogue social halls as their favorites.
At Congregation Beth Sholom in San Francisco, the social hall can hold 250 for dinner plus a dance floor, and 400 for a standing occasion such as a banquet. “It’s a really pretty space,” executive director Joninna Simpson says. “It can be dressed up or dressed down, and it opens up to a plaza, where people can have cocktails.”
Temple Isaiah in Lafayette is also a fine place for a special occasion, says communications director Deb Phillips. “We love to promote it as a party space. The sanctuary is gorgeous with stained-glass windows. It’s very beautiful at night.” The dance floor holds 250.
At Congregation Beth Am in Los Altos Hills, “We do all sorts of parties, weddings and bar and bat mitzvah celebrations,” says Emily Osterman, facility coordinator. “We do numerous lunches for nonprofit organizations in the area, as well.” The synagogue can hold up to 500 for an event, so invite everyone you know to the party.
You have to be a member or sponsored by one to throw a private event at Congregation Kol Shofar in Tiburon, but it’s worth it. “It’s quite a beautiful space,” says Hagar Ben-Eliezer, director of programming and community outreach. “It has beautiful bamboo wood floors. It’s great for dancing.” The facility can accommodate more than 300.
San Francisco
Congregation Beth Sholom
(415) 221-8736
www.bethsholomsf.org
East Bay
Temple Isaiah
Lafayette
(925) 283-8575
www.temple-isaiah.org
Peninsula/South Bay
Congregation Beth Am
Los Altos Hills
(650) 493-4661
www.betham.org
North Bay
Congregation Kol Shofar
Tiburon
(415) 388-1818
www.kolshofar.org
Place for an Elegant Indoor Party
Sometimes you just want to have a special night out. If you’re lucky, you might get invited to a party at one of these elegant indoor venues that j. readers picked as their top choices.
The JCC of San Francisco has many options for an elegant party. The Fisher Family Hall holds 140 for a seated reception; other rooms also are available. The facilities are spacious and beautiful, with hardwood floors and plenty of lighting, making it ideal for an elegant dinner event or dance party. The facilities are supported in part by member dues, “and people see the direct impact of where their money goes,” private events manager Valerie Rocklin says.
The Claremont Country Club in Oakland is for members only, but if you join you’ll have access to the grand banquet hall. Founded in 1897, the club moved to its current building in 2003. “It’s a throwback and very grand looking,” says general manager Eric Gregory. “It’s a little private oasis.” The club can hold up to 450 for an elegant party, with a spacious ballroom and cocktail lounges.
The Oshman Family JCC in Palo Alto offers several venues for an elegant evening, from meeting rooms that hold dozens of partygoers to larger rooms that can accommodate hundreds. On-site parking with valet service is available by special arrangement, and beautifully landscaped courtyards surround the facility. A kitchen is on-site, as well.
The Fountaingrove Inn is located in Santa Rosa, in Sonoma wine country. Along with an array of room sizes, the Inn offers several catering options, from seafood to potstickers. Bartenders and on-site staff help to keep events running smoothly. The hotel hosts corporate and private parties and offers clients experience and efficiency.
San Francisco
JCC of San Francisco
(415) 292-1200
www.jccsf.org
East Bay
Claremont Country Club
Oakland
(510) 653-6789
www.claremontcountryclub.com
Peninsula/South Bay
Oshman Family JCC
Palo Alto
(650) 223-8700
www.paloaltojcc.org
North Bay
Fountaingrove Inn
Santa Rosa
(707) 578-6101
www.fountaingroveinn.com
Place for a Casual Indoor Party
Loosen up and have a blast on the dance floor with j.’s Readers’ Choice winners for best casual indoor party venue.
In addition to its many elegant options, the JCC of San Francisco also offers casual party rooms for gatherings small and large. With multiple meeting rooms and halls available in the spacious center, there’s something here to fit everyone’s party needs.
Congregation Beth El’s social hall can hold up to 200 guests for a b’nai mitzvah celebration or other party; smaller spaces are available for more intimate family and social gatherings. Throw in a commercial kitchen, and the deal is sealed. Beth El is “easily accessible, and it’s a new facility so it’s pretty easy to work with and decorate,” says executive director Norm Frankel.
Palo Alto’s Congregation Etz Chayim can host a variety of events, from b’nai mitzvahs to social occasions. “We have flexible space,” says executive director Ellen Bob. “Our sanctuary becomes a social hall, and it has a glass wall that opens out into the patio. People like it because of the easy flow inside and out during the summer.” Smaller rooms can be used for a cocktail party or as a kids’ party room.
Flying Cloud Farm in Petaluma offers facilities for weddings and b’nai mitzvahs, along with space for team-building sessions and business meetings. In the foothills of Sonoma Mountain, the 33-acre site has a state-of-the-art equestrian center, with exhibitions and shows. Guests can watch horseback vaulting during their event. Now that’s cool.
San Francisco
JCC of San Francisco
(415) 292-1200
www.jccsf.org
East Bay
Congregation Beth El
Berkeley
(510) 848-3988
www.bethelberkeley.org
Peninsula/South Bay
Congregation Etz Chayim
Palo Alto
(650) 813-9094
www.etzchayim.org
North Bay
Flying Cloud Farm
Petaluma
(707) 765-4433
www.flyingcloudfarm.com
Place for an Outdoor Celebration
The Bay Area is beautiful, and beautiful outdoor events can be held almost any time of year.
At Wente Vineyards in Livermore, “the atmosphere is wonderful,” says assistant marketing manager Andrew Blok. “You’re amongst the vineyards and beautiful Livermore.” Weddings, social events and corporate retreats are a few of the staples at the Vineyards, along with experienced party planners who can lend support.
The Oshman Family JCC in Palo Alto was designed for outdoor parties. The Bill Heller outdoor pool is a fun place to celebrate birthdays and graduations. Adjacent to the heated pool are party rooms, an outdoor deck for sunbathing and shaded areas for those extra-hot days.
Don’t want 20 young kids running through your house? Have a birthday party at the Peninsula JCC in Foster City, which takes the stress out of hosting and lets parents relax. Several outdoor spaces are available for theme parties (think Star Wars and Cinderella), pool parties and even “beach” parties.
Established in 1986, the Gloria Ferrer Winery in Sonoma is expert at hosting outdoor weddings and other events. Located in the heart of wine country, the winery hosts birthdays, holidays and corporate events. Wine tastings can be a part of the party (over 21 only, please!).
East Bay
Wente Vineyards
Livermore
(925) 456-2300
www.wentevineyards.com
Peninsula/South Bay
Oshman Family JCC
Palo Alto
(650) 223- 8700
www.paloaltojcc.org
Peninsula JCC
Foster City
(650) 212-7522
www.pjcc.org
North Bay
Gloria Ferrer Winery
Sonoma
(707) 996-7256
www.gloriaferrer.com
Place for a Bar/Bat Mitzvah Party
Let’s face it: The Jewish community knows how to party. And there’s no better occasion to celebrate big than b’nai mitzvahs.
Throwing a party is easy at the JCC of San Francisco, with its variety of rooms that can accommodate anywhere from 10 to 300 guests. “We have optimal space and a beautiful building,” says private events manager Valerie Rocklin.
Sequoyah Country Club has existed for nearly 100 years in the Oakland Hills. “It’s a unique location and people who visit see it as a treat,” says general manager Tom Schunn, adding that the club’s historic character is a big draw. Rentals are available to members and their guests. “We have a long tradition of hosting a high-quality product in terms of service and food,” Schunn says.
The Oshman Family JCC in Palo Alto offers small and large venues for a b’nai mitzvah bash. From indoor spaces to swimming pools, you’re covered at the JCC. “It’s beautiful and spacious outside,” says meeting and events rental manager Bruce Pressman. “Our guests really like it.”
Embassy Suites in San Rafael has a lot to offer guests. With an event hall that can hold over 400 people, everyone can be on the guest list. The hotel is proud of its attention to detail and personal service.
San Francisco
JCC of San Francisco
(415) 292-1200
www.jccsf.org
East Bay
Sequoyah Country Club
Oakland
(510) 632-2900
www.sequoyahcc.com
Peninsula/South Bay
Oshman Family JCC
Palo Alto
(650) 223-8700
www.paloaltojcc.org
North Bay
Embassy Suites
San Rafael
(415) 499-9222
http://embassysuites1.hilton.com
Jeweler
One thing appears to be true of every Readers’ Choice jeweler: This is a family business. Whether we’re talking about several generations that have come up in the shop, or a family of sorts that has worked together for many years, all of these jewelers strive to treat their customers as part of the family.
Simayof Jewelers has been around since 1928 and in San Francisco since 1987. It started by selling wholesale diamonds and expanded to offer jewelry design and retail sales, including engagement and wedding rings, bracelets, cufflinks, watches and more.
Customer service is what distinguishes Oaks Jewelers in Berkeley, says manager Jeff Accornero. Founded in 1948, the family-run shop offers “the whole nine yards,” he says. In addition to jewelry sales, the store does watch and jewelry repair, from resizing rings to fixing broken chains. “We’re still a traditional jeweler,” Accornero notes.
Geoffrey’s in San Carlos, open since 1982, stresses custom work and custom service. “We go up and above with customer service,” says manager Nikko Kandhari. “It’s a home environment and we’re very friendly. Every repair is double- and triple-checked before it gets back to the customer.”
At another family-run operation, Vardy’s Jewelers in Cupertino, the emphasis is on tradition — from the way it crafts its jewelry to how it treats its clients. “Basically we are giving people many options,” says owner Vardy Shtein, who began as a goldsmith in Estonia and has run the shop since 1981. “This way they can choose whatever they need or want or desire.”
Gold Rush Jewelers excels at combining quality with fast service. Most jewelry and watch repairs take 30 minutes or less to complete. This friendly San Rafael shop has been around for over 20 years selling diamonds, Swiss watches and other fine jewelry.
San Francisco
Simayof Jewelers
(415) 345-4146
www.simayof.com
East Bay
Oaks Jewelers
Berkeley
(510) 526-7563
www.oaksjewelers.com
Peninsula/South Bay
Geoffrey’s
San Carlos
(650) 591-0301
www.geoffreysdiamonds.com
Vardy’s Jewelers
Cupertino
(408) 446-2900
www.vardysjewelers.com
North Bay
Gold Rush Jewelers
San Rafael
(415) 457-2101
www.grjewelers.com
Klezmer Band
Authentic, classic klezmer music can bring joy and fun to any occasion.
Adama, which means “earth” in Hebrew, has been playing a mix of klezmer, Israeli and Yiddish music in the Bay Area for 25 years. Band leader Achi Ben Shalom makes sure audiences are treated to an eclectic set, with all types of Jewish and Middle Eastern music on the bill. “We want to represent Jewish music from around the world,” Shalom says. “I like connecting with the audience and bringing the music to their level. And I love audience participation, it’s very important to me.”
Bay Area
Adama
(510) 528-8872
www.achibenshalom.com
Dance Band
If you’ve been to a wedding or b’nai mitzvah, you know that live entertainment can make the party. When a dance band does the music right, it illuminates the party and makes it all the more memorable.
The Shtetlblasters have been around since 1992, performing for weddings and b’nai mitzvahs around the Bay Area. “We pride ourselves on making each party special,” band leader Michael Gill says. The playlist has been shaped over the years, based on what’s most popular and most requested. “We will always make sure each event is catered toward our clients.” One of the band’s greatest strengths, Gill says, is its musical range. “We feel at home playing either traditional Jewish music or playing R&B, blues, and rock ’n’ roll,” he says. “We have an eclectic playlist and we bring a lot of joy to the event.”
Bay Area
The Shtetlblasters
(510) 287-2540
www.maxjas.com/shtetl.htm
DJ
What kind of party would it be without a DJ spinning everything from the hottest tracks to the coolest classics? Finding a DJ in the Bay Area isn’t hard, but Readers’ Choice winners make it easy to find the very best ones.
Denon & Doyle in Pleasant Hill has nine emcees specializing in b’nai mitzvahs, plus dozens of DJs ready to spin. It’s no surprise, then, that the company does 300 b’nai mitzvahs and 700 weddings a year. Denon & Doyle makes sure each party is thoroughly planned out and special for each guest. Staying ahead of the curve helps as well. “There’s a constant giving and taking of ideas,” general manager Dan Ohrman says. “We do monthly workshops with our emcees and dancers and we encourage them to come up with new ideas, like a new dance or game.” Green screens and photo booths are just a couple of accessories Denon & Doyle can bring to the party.
DJ Daryl Grace at DJK Productions makes sure partygoers are enjoying themselves but without overshadowing the event. “I make sure everyone is having a good time,” Grace says. “But I’m not the show.” Spinning music of nearly all kinds for 14 years at b’nai mitzvahs, weddings and school dances, Grace also works as a basketball coach and physical education teacher at Oakland Hebrew Day School.
Bay Area
Denon & Doyle
Pleasant Hill
(800) 944-9585
www.djay.com
Daryl Grace
DJK Productions
(877) DJK-4-FUN
(510) 352-8020
www.djkproductions.com
Party Planner
Crafting and planning a party can be stressful, but with a little assistance from Bay Area party specialists, the host can sit back and relax with the guests.
Christina Millikin wanted to make a difference for people, so she got into the party planning industry after years as a fashion designer. “It’s really fulfilling to work with [my clients] on their milestones,” says the owner of the year-old Glow Event Design in San Francisco. Millikin says she wants her clients to relax and have fun along with their guests. She plans b’nai mitzvahs, weddings, birthday parties and other events. “I bring really fresh and unique ideas to the table.”
Shana Goldberg and Tanya Shore are sisters who know how to throw a party. Co-owners of Simcha Sisters in Walnut Creek since 2010, they specialize in b’nai mitzvahs, weddings and other Jewish life-cycle events. They take care of décor, venue, food and everything needed for a spectacular occasion. “It’s all about finding the right team of people who will work together,” Shana Goldberg says. “We coordinate everything, tying everything together.”
Marcia Barkoff of Time to Party has been helping clients with their celebrations for 30 years. Located in the South Bay, Barkoff calls herself a “construction manager” when it comes to creating successful events. “I love seeing the [parties] come to fruition,” she says. If you need a DJ, photographer, decorator or venue, Barkoff can make it happen. She especially loves working with clients. “I get to meet all kinds of wonderful people. It’s a real treat.”
Since 2005, Jayne Greenberg of Just Jayne in Mill Valley has built a reputation for her attention to detail. “I’m very attentive to my clients,” she says. “I try and be really creative and make it a custom event for them. It’s not a cookie-cutter event.” Greenberg can help with birthday parties, weddings, fundraisers, b’nai mitzvahs and more. “I’m really accessible, and I think that sets me apart.”
San Francisco
Glow Event Design
Christina Millikin
(415) 722-3611
www.gloweventdesign.com
East Bay
Simcha Sisters
Shana Goldberg and Tanya Shore
Walnut Creek
(925) 984-7024
www.simchasisters.com
Peninsula/South Bay
Time to Party
Marcia Barkoff
(650) 867-6505
North Bay
Just Jayne, Jayne Greenberg
Mill Valley
(415) 640-0259
www.justjayneevents.com
Photographer
Photographs tell stories and help keep memories alive forever. Our Readers’ Choice winners are going to make sure the photographs are one of the highlights of your special event.
San Francisco’s Wendy K. Yalom soon will mark 10 years as a professional photographer. Weddings, b’nai mitzvahs and portraits are a few of her specialties. She says she feels honored to do the work. “I’m surrounded by beautiful experiences,” she says. “I love people and I love being connected with them.”
Nadine Samuels of Berkeley, a two-time Readers’ Choice pick, is a former photography editor at a Paris newspaper. She specializes in milestone celebrations, including b’nai mitzvahs and weddings. “I love displaying emotions and getting to the heart of my clients,” she says. “I take the time to get to know my clients and do everything I can to capture the right moment.”
In addition to shooting b’nai mitzvahs and weddings, Jeff Cable of Saratoga has photographed an array of eclectic events, traveling around the world to shoot the Olympics in 2008 in Beijing and 2010 in Vancouver. He started in the business by photographing his friend’s daughter’s bat mitzvah. “Having the technical knowledge and people skills is a big key in shooting events,” Cable says.
Scott Lasky, based in San Jose, has been in the business for 27 years and knows his stuff when it comes to b’nai mitzvahs and weddings. “I know what shots to get at the temple and at the Torah, and I know what I need to get at the party,” Lasky says. “Nothing is missed, and you always have to anticipate the moment. Only experience can do that.”
Ben Davidson, located in Fairfax, shot his first bar mitzvah 30 years ago and has been a photographer ever since. “I always had a camera in my hand, ever since I was 4 or 5 years old,” he says. Davidson has shot for travel magazines and guides and brings a wealth of experience to the table. “I love using 30 years of broad experience and being able to perceive who the important people and moments are.”
Eliot Holtzman loves to do work that celebrates life. Located in San Rafael, he has been photographing for more than 30 years and isn’t afraid to take on challenges. “I’m not just doing what comes easy to me,” he says. “You have to care about your clients and their needs. That’s the key. I’m going to take more photos than your typical photographer so that every aspect of the party and social interactions is captured.”
San Francisco
Wendy K. Yalom
(415) 377-2464
www.wendykyalom.com
East Bay
Nadine Samuels Photography
Berkeley
(510) 841-3656
Peninsula/South Bay
Jeff Cable Photography
Saratoga
(408) 821-5333
www.jeffcable.com
Scott Lasky Photography
San Jose
(408) 363-0654
www.laskyphoto.com
North Bay
Ben Davidson Photography
Fairfax
(415) 250-9941
www.bendavidsonphoto.com
Eliot Holtzman
San Rafael
(415) 457-3980
www.eliotholtzman.com
Kosher Caterer
These kosher caterers keep up with the times while still maintaining the laws of kashrut — combining the spiritual with the scrumptious.
Amba is a hit in the East Bay. Located in Oakland’s Montclair district, the vegetarian restaurant and caterer are coming up on their two-year anniversary. Amba offers catering for any size group — as few as 10 people and as many as 500 — and serves the entire Bay Area.
Too Caterers, based in Palo Alto, wants every event to have its own personality. “I like to create an interesting menu that’s just [the client’s],” says manager Wendy Kleckner. “I like to be innovative.” Kleckner, in business for 32 years, focuses on healthy, delicious and good-looking food all at once.
Park Avenue Catering’s philosophy is simple. “We approach our kosher catering like we approach everything else. We’re innovative and try to stay ahead of the curve,” owner Bruce Riezenman says. “Everything is prepared with great care and attention to detail.” Park Avenue, based in Cotati, is certified green and relies on locally grown food.
East Bay
Amba
Oakland
(510) 339-8000
www.ambafalafel.com
Peninsula/South Bay
Too Caterers
Palo Alto
(650) 322-4189
www.continentalcaterer.com
North Bay
Park Avenue Catering
Cotati
(707) 793-9645
www.parkavecater.com
Nonkosher Caterer
We love to eat. We hope you do, too.
They might be the new kids on the block, but the guys behind Wise Sons in San Francisco cater like industry veterans. Jewish deli is a Wise Sons staple, and the proprietors offer up classic fare for weddings, b’nai mitzvahs and other events. “What sets us apart is the food and the fact that we don’t have a huge menu,” co-owner Leo Beckerman says. Smoked salmon, whitefish salad, noodle kugel and chopped liver are on the menu, along with chocolate babka and black and white cookies.
Italian Colors Restaurant stresses customer service, says restaurant partner Stephen Montgomery. “We bring all of our own staff to events,” he says. “Most of them have been with us for over 12 years.” And that’s not all. “We even bring a pizza oven to bar and bat mitzvahs,” he says. Opening as a restaurant in 1993 in the Montclair district of Oakland, Italian Colors catering started five years later.
Wendy Kleckner travels to New York twice a year to explore new trends in food, keeping Continental Caterers in Palo Alto innovative and contemporary. “Every year I come up with new recipes and new ways of serving, trying to create new trends,” says Kleckner. Organic produce and sustainable farmed food are staples, as is customer service. “You have to love food, but you have to love people,” she says. “Catering is people.”
Delicious! Inc. has been catering for 35 years. Obviously it’s a business with stability. Owner Jan Goldberg knows Jewish classics well. “We have a wide variety of Jewish specialties, most of them from my grandmother,” she says. Delicious! is the first certified green caterer in Marin County and uses fresh and organic products. “I love meeting people and planning happy events,” Goldberg says.
San Francisco
Wise Sons Jewish Delicatessen
(415) 787-3354
www.wisesonsdeli.com
East Bay
Italian Colors Restaurant
Oakland
(510) 530-0465
www.italiancolorsrestaurant.com
Peninsula/South Bay
Continental Caterers
Palo Alto
(650) 322-4189
www.continentalcaterer.com
North Bay
Delicious! Inc.
San Rafael
(415) 453-3710
www.deliciouscatering.com
Balloons
What’s not to like about balloons? They’re fun, they’re playful, and they bring smiles. If you’re hosting a party, or just feel like some “everyday balloons,” as “Seinfeld’s” Kramer once had in Jerry’s apartment, check these places out.
Offering more than 100 colors and a variety of balloon shapes, Balloon Lady in San Francisco has something for everyone. How about a banquet with balloons, teddy bears, fresh-baked cookies and candy? Balloon arch? Balloon sculpture? Balloon Lady does it all.
Balloon Thrills specializes in decorations for b’nai mitzvahs, weddings, corporate events and birthday parties, and just about any event that’s begging for balloons. Located in Concord and in business since 1981, Balloon Thrills knows how to take care of customers. “We meet with every client,” says owner Leanne Sears. “We know the best way to accomplish things.”
Bay Area
Balloon Lady
San Francisco
(415) 864-3737
www.balloonlady.com
Balloon Thrills
Concord
(925) 671-6961
www.balloonthrills.com
Ketubah Maker
A ketubah is a marriage contract, a religious document, a promise — and a piece of art. It’s also an heirloom and one of the lasting memories of the wedding day.
Melissa Dinwiddie started making ketubahs in 1996. “My favorite part is the creation,” says Dinwiddie, who started as a calligrapher. “I love creating beauty.” It can take anywhere from 10 to 200 hours for a custom-designed ketubah. “One of the rewarding parts of the process is that I know it’s meaningful for the people I’m making it for,” Dinwiddie says. “A lot of the time it’s the first piece of art they’re buying as a couple. It’s very special having something framed on your wall signifying that special day.”
Bay Area
Melissa Dinwiddie
Mountain View
(866) 538-8268
www.ketubahworks.com
Invitations
Even in the world of instant communications, Facebook, Twitter and email, there’s still something special about receiving a printed invitation in the mail.
Just for Fun and Scribbledoodles has been in San Francisco’s Noe Valley for 25 years. Flexibility and selection contribute to the store’s popularity. Custom invitations are a forte, as well.
Susan Gildea of Susan Gildea Personalized Printing in Berkeley reads Hebrew and can help customers write exactly what they want. “Invitations and personalized stationery are all that I do. Clients get a lot of my undivided attention,” she says. The invitation is “the first item people see,” she says. “How you design your invitation is how people will first perceive your event.”
Michelle Booth started Miriam’s Well in Foster City in 2005 after her daughter’s bat mitzvah. “Customer service is number one,” says Booth. “I will often spend hours with a customer and listen to their desires and what they want.” She thinks she knows why people still love physical invitations. “It’s a keepsake and it’s nice to hold onto them.”
Frosty Gross, owner of Paper Pizzazz in Palo Alto, has been in business for 26 years. “You really need guidance and service, and that’s what I’m all about,” says Gross. “It’s about understanding what the customer needs.”
Folio in Larkspur has been around for quite some time. “We’ve been doing this for 20 years,” says owner Alex Beritzhoff. “We have the largest selection of custom invitations in the Bay Area.” Personalized printing is done right in the store. Folio also has gifts available, making it a one-stop simcha shop.
San Francisco
Just for Fun and Scribbledoodles
(415) 285-4068
www.justforfun.invitations.com
East Bay
Susan Gildea Personalized Printing
Berkeley
(510) 883-0890
www.susangildea.com
Peninsula/South Bay
Miriam’s Well
Foster City
(650) 341-4400
www.miriams-well.com
Paper Pizzazz
Palo Alto
(650) 858-0771
www.paperpizzazz.invitations.com
North Bay
Folio
Larkspur
(415) 461-0120
www.folioinvites.com