By Norman Greene

LAS VEGAS, Nev.—Say "Bar Mitzvah" and Las Vegas, does not automatically come to mind, nor would, say Czarist Russia.   But that's where we were this past weekend, celebrating the coming of age of Lawrence Joshua Fuchs in splendor that even the Czars of old could not contemplate.

Born in San Diego to Russian immigrant parents Lana and Victor Fuchs, Lawrence has been raised in America's fastest growing city.  His ceremony was held at Temple Beth Shalom in the posh desert community of Sumerlin, about a $40 dollar cab ride from the Las Vegas strip.  The Gonservative synagogue is headed by Mexican born Rabbi Fellippi Goodman who has a great
sense of humor and deep passions as his excellent sermon on the new Amalik's challenges to Judaism clearly demonstrated.

The first in his family to have a Bar Mitzvah, Lawrence's poise and ease with his very long haftorah portion spoke well for his commitment.  During the ceremony, he presented his father and Grandfather Israel Fuchs, with their own tallit to mark the occasion since they had both been denied the opportunity to have bar mitzvahs in the old Soviet Union. 

In the evening, the celebration continued at the Four Seasons Hotel where we were first directed to a second floor understated ballroom for the opening reception.  Food stations were primarily placed at the center of the room and offered finger foods including lamb ribs, sushi, Chinese noodles and egg rolls.  A strolling accordionist provided some background music while
several bar tenders administered to the guests, each favored with a small Faberge egg pendant.

About an hour and a half into the reception, guests were ushered down a long corridor to the Grand Ballroom.  The antechamber featured projections on the walls of Russia's fabled birch forests.  What lay ahead was a glimpse into Czarist dining splendor.

Upon entering the dining room, guest where taken aback by five life-sized mannequins dressed as soldiers in the Imperial Guard.  These figures were positioned atop and alongside the children's serpentine tables at the center of the entry way.  To the right and to the left of the dance floor
and extending virtually wall to wall  and covering the width of the room were four long rectangular tables, each seating approximately 60 guests.

The four table tops were bedecked with silver candelabras of various sizes and shapes.  Some were placed on large silver framed mirrors, other stood over five feet in height, and all were crowned with red Ecuadorian roses formed into globes that were highlighted by narrow beamed theatrical ceiling spotlights.  Exquisite table cloths of silver mesh and velveteen napkins
were in place.

Guests found their places set with a cornucopia of thinly sliced salmon. Goblets with two kinds of caviar graced the tables also set with bottles of vodka and cognac.  It was the beginning of a long night of feasting with the main course of filet mignon and fish served sometime after one a.m.  In
between, there were courses of quail, salad, sliced beef, sorbet and copious amounts of liquor. 

For dessert, each diner was served an overly large chocolate Faberge egg, stuffed with white or chocolate mousse and topped off with raspberries.  The food was delicious.

During the course of the evening the hostess changed her gown three times to demonstrate the versatility of her own Isis Couture designs.  Her mother-in law, Dr. Alla Fuchs, was also outfitted in a striking Isis Couture design.


The lighting was subdued throughout the ballroom to allow for more projections of birch forests and a dazzling stage set for approximately 24 musicians, singers and dancers.  The entertainers had been flown in from Chicago and were decidedly not Russian influenced.  Their beat was loud and insistent throughout the entire evening and following morning as guests young and old danced.  We left the festivities at about 2 a.m. as the band played on.

It was an affair that will be long remembered, not just because of the splendor and opulence it represented, but also for the sweetness, intelligence and calm proficiency of the young bar mitzvah boy.  Lawrence made up for the two preceding generations who had been denied their places at the bima in the land of their heritage.