STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Featured in this week’s Staten Island’s Best Dressed are photos from the Bat Mitzvah of Sophia Elana Weintrob Papas, at Temple Israel Reform Congregation on Feb. 3, 2024, followed by a party at Pavilion on the Terrace.
Sophia is the daughter of Phillip Papas and Lori Weintrob. For her special day, Sophia’s three tier cake was created by Cake Chef, with music and photography by Island Entertainment. Her Jewish star necklace was created by the David Harris Collection (DHC), with dress by designer Paala Varsalona from Emily’s of New York.
“I am so incredibly proud of you,” said Joelle Weintrob, Sophia’s sister, in her speech during the party. “You read the Torah beautifully and I was so impressed by your thoughtful and heartfelt words. I am constantly in awe of you and all that you have accomplished. I tell you this often, but to share with everyone else here--I brag about Sophia every chance I get. How could I not?
“Despite the fact that we are 10 years apart, I often forget that because you are wise beyond your years in both wisdom and heart. I love you so much more than I could possibly put into words. I am so excited to watch you blossom and move your way through the world. I know that you will leave your mark, you already have.”
Sophia’s speech was equally touching and profound, an explanation of the giving of the Ten Commandments, particularly the tenth commandment (in Parsha Yitro), “Thou shall not covet.”
“All over the internet we see images of the lives of other people, for the most part, showing only the good and not the bad,” said Sophia to her guests. “I can say from experience, that it causes me to crave what these people with ‘ideal’ lives have. However, for my own life, this comes in the form of grades.
“I go to a competitive school, and have to be faced with the reality that inevitably you are not always going to have the best grades. A specific example is when I got one of the lowest grades I have ever gotten on a Math test. I was crushed, and I felt even worse when I found out one of my friends had gotten 100. I obsessed over this grade for the next week straight, which happened to be my winter break. This caused my break to be ruined.
“The whole point is, I could never get that 100 by sitting there feeling sorry for myself, so what good was it doing me? None. Coveting will consume you, causing you to lose sight of what you have. Kurt Cobain from Nirvana said ‘Wanting to be someone else is a waste of the person you are.’
“Likewise, Buddha stated, ‘He who envies others does not obtain peace of mind.’ This, my friends, is my point. The way we can combat envy is by being happy with what we have, and being happy for what other people have. This can make us happier and more content.”
See the photos below for a glimpse into the event and send your photos for future installments of this column to gsantos@siadvance.com. Be sure to include clear photos with details of the event and names of everyone in the photos.
A scene from the Bat Mitzvah of Sophia Papas on Feb. 3, 2024 at Temple Israel Reform Congregation, followed by party at Pavilion on the Terrace. L-r: David and Fern Zagor, Joel Bibula, Anita Berger and Manny Saks, Judge Marjorie Steinberg and Mr. Ken Silber, Polina and Jake Leibovich. (Courtesy Lori Weintrob)
A scene from the Bat Mitzvah of Sophia Papas on Feb. 3, 2024 at Temple Israel Reform Congregation, followed by party at Pavilion on the Terrace. Pictured are the birthday girl with Papou. (Courtesy Island Entertainment)Courtesy Island Entertainment
A scene from the Bat Mitzvah of Sophia Papas on Feb. 3, 2024 at Temple Israel Reform Congregation, followed by party at Pavilion on the Terrace. Pictured are Viola Liander and Sophia Papas. (Courtesy Island Entertainment)Lori Wientrob
A scene from the Bat Mitzvah of Sophia Papas on Feb. 3, 2024 at Temple Israel Reform Congregation, followed by party at Pavilion on the Terrace. Pictured are Sophia's BFF Ma'ayan Feldman, left, Sophia Papas, and Rabbi Michael Howald of Temple Israel. (Courtesy Island Entertainment) Lori Wientrob
A scene from the Bat Mitzvah of Sophia Papas on Feb. 3, 2024 at Temple Israel Reform Congregation, followed by party at Pavilion on the Terrace. Pictured are (L-r): Michelle Lee, Sophia Papas, Ariella Feldman (Courtesy Island Entertainment)Lori Wientrob
A scene from the Bat Mitzvah of Sophia Papas on Feb. 3, 2024 at Temple Israel Reform Congregation, followed by party at Pavilion on the Terrace. (Courtesy Island Entertainment)Lori Weintrob
A scene from the Bat Mitzvah of Sophia Papas on Feb. 3, 2024 at Temple Israel Reform Congregation, followed by party at Pavilion on the Terrace. Pictured are Jonathan Weinberg, Jacqueline Simpronio, Flynn Ferguson, Heather Butts, Virginia Allen, Dr. Taja-Nia Henderson, Rory and Marcia Parness.Lori Weintrob
A scene from the Bat Mitzvah of Sophia Papas on Feb. 3, 2024 at Temple Israel Reform Congregation, followed by party at Pavilion on the Terrace. Pictured are Phillip Papas, Sophia Elana Weintrob Papas, Joelle Weintrob Parness, and Lori Weintrob.Sophia
Joel and Bonnie Bibula with Lori Weintrob enjoy the Bat Mitzvah of Sophia Papas on Feb. 3, 2024. (Courtesy Lori Wentrob) Courtesy Lori Weintrob
A scene from the Bat Mitzvah of Sophia Papas on Feb. 3, 2024 at Temple Israel Reform Congregation, followed by party at Pavilion on the Terrace. (Courtesy Island Entertainment) Courtesy Lori Weintrob
Linda Mizrachi and Lori Weintrob at the Bat Mitzvah of Sophia Papas on Feb. 3, 2024 at Temple Israel Reform Congregation, followed by party at Pavilion on the Terrace. (Courtesy Island Entertainment) Courtesy Lori Weintrob
A scene from the Bat Mitzvah of Sophia Papas on Feb. 3, 2024 at Temple Israel Reform Congregation, followed by party at Pavilion on the Terrace. Pictured are Heather Butts and Virginia Allen. (Courtesy Island Entertainment) Courtesy Lori Weintrob
A scene from the Bat Mitzvah of Sophia Papas on Feb. 3, 2024 at Temple Israel Reform Congregation, followed by party at Pavilion on the Terrace. (Courtesy Island Entertainment) Courtesy Lori Weintrob
A scene from the Bat Mitzvah of Sophia Papas on Feb. 3, 2024 at Temple Israel Reform Congregation, followed by party at Pavillion on the Terrace. (Courtesy Island Entertainment) Courtesy Lori Weintrob
A scene from the Bat Mitzvah of Sophia Papas on Feb. 3, 2024 at Temple Israel Reform Congregation, followed by party at Pavillion on the Terrace. Pictured are Celia and Ed Weintrob.Courtesy Lori Weintrob
A scene from the Bat Mitzvah of Sophia Papas on Feb. 3, 2024 at Temple Israel Reform Congregation, followed by party at Pavillion on the Terrace. Pictured are Harrison Brooks and Joelle Weintrob Parness.Courtesy Lori Weintrob
A scene from the Bat Mitzvah of Sophia Papas on Feb. 3, 2024 at Temple Israel Reform Congregation, followed by party at Pavillion on the Terrace. Pictured are (L-r): Alberta Isalde, Melissa Isalde, Lori Weintrob, Karen Brooks, and Suzanne Bressler. Courtesy Lori Weintrob
A scene from the Bat Mitzvah of Sophia Papas on Feb. 3, 2024 at Temple Israel Reform Congregation, followed by party at Pavillion on the Terrace. (Courtesy Island Entertainment) Courtesy Lori Weintrob