Simcha Sisters
שמחה /ˈsimkə,ˈsimKHə/ Celebration
Simcha Sisters is a full-service company specializing in Jewish life cycle events in the San Francisco Bay Area since 2008. Our services include managing the best caterers, bakeries, photographers, videographers, rentals, linens, event themes, customized prop design, site location, tenting and much more. Simcha Sisters will manage every part of your mitzvah moment – from the lighting of the candles – to the cutting of the mitzvah cake. We will make the event worry free, so that you and your family can enjoy your guests and the event!
Oy vey!
Event planning isn’t for everyone.
The Simcha Sisters will take the stress
out of the party.
Call Simcha Sisters and we will help guide you.
Once you have your date set, start creating a guest list.
Choose a venue that will work well with your guest list in a location that is convenient.
Book your vendors
Send out a save the date
Pick your theme and plan your decor
Choose your menu
Send out the invitation
Purchase your decor, favors, personal items
Plan your Shabbat Dinner and Sunday Brunch
Get ready for the big day
Enjoy your day with your guests!
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Tanya's expertise and knowledge enabled us to throw an amazing celebration, we got incredible feedback from our guests on every aspect of the event and we owe it to Tanya and her awesome party planning skills. Tanya even helped solve an unforeseen last-min issue the night-of the event; reliable, trustworthy and professional every step of the way.
– SHANE
Temple Isaiah,
Lafayette, CA
Meet the Team
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Jennifer Salvago-Keyes
Jen has been working with the Jewish community for the past 16 years. She began her career as a preschool teacher and assistant director at Gan Mah Tov Preschool, where she planned numerous events for children, families, and staff. She later joined Beth Jacob Congregation as their events manager, primarily coordinating b’nai mitzvah and other synagogue celebrations.
With a creative eye and a passion for design, Jen also brings her talent for floral arranging to the events she helps plan, adding a personalized and beautiful touch to every occasion.
In her spare time, she enjoys listening to audiobooks, paddleboarding, cooking, and relaxing at home. Jen looks forward to helping clients create memorable and meaningful events.
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Tanya Shore
With over 15 years of experience in event design and planning, Tanya is a creative powerhouse and an exceptional leader in the industry. Her blend of a business degree with technical theater design gives her a rare combination of strategic expertise and artistic flair. Known for her innovative ideas and meticulous attention to detail, Tanya has transformed countless family and organizational celebrations into unforgettable experiences.
Tanya’s deep roots in the Jewish community have shaped her career, with previous roles at Hillel, the Jewish Community Federation, and Beth Chaim. These experiences honed her ability to craft events that are not only seamless but also meaningful and deeply personal. Her passion lies in creating celebrations where clients feel like honored guests at their own events, with every detail executed to perfection.
When she’s not dreaming up extraordinary events, Tanya can be found hiking, spending time with her husband, kids, and dog, or enthusiastically cheering on her family at their soccer matches.
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Kirtina Ocampo
Kirtina Ocampo joined the Simcha Sisters family in 2021, bringing with her extensive experience in large-scale catering with Bon Appétit at Stanford University, as well as sales and event planning expertise from the Toll House Hotel. She also has a background in concierge services, sales, catering, and marketing through her work with the Rosewood Hotels brand.
Kirtina has always had a passion for coordinating and organizing events, which led her to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Hospitality Management from San Jose State University. Known for her efficiency and attention to detail, she takes pride in delivering high-quality work. Kirtina loves meeting new clients and helping bring their vision to life.
Born and raised in the Bay Area, Kirtina now lives in the South Bay with her husband and two young daughters.
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Jessica Lenz
Jessica joined Simcha Sisters in 2022 as an Event Planning Specialist with over 10 years of professional experience. She holds a Master’s Degree in Fine Arts from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco, which helped her discover her passion for events and design while honing a keen eye for detail. Jessica prides herself on delivering exceptional customer service and bringing each client’s event vision to life. Her creativity adds a unique and elevated touch to every celebration.
Jessica lives in the East Bay with her husband, two young kids, and two dogs. When she isn’t working, she enjoys gardening with her kids, watching Disney movies, and crafting.
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Allison King
Allison is passionate about bringing your special occasion to life. With 14 years of experience in the hospitality industry—10 of those focused on event planning—she has the expertise to make any vision a reality.
She earned her Bachelor's Degree in Public Relations from Sacramento State University and has extensive experience in catering sales. As an Event Manager at several East Bay venues—including the Blackhawk Museum with Scott’s Seafood, the Lafayette Park Hotel, and The Club at Ruby Hill—Allison has planned everything from corporate events and fundraisers to mitzvahs, weddings, golf tournaments, birthday celebrations, and large-scale themed productions.
Allison’s ultimate goal is to create lasting memories for her clients by exceeding their expectations. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, going to concerts, hiking, and spending quality time with loved ones. Her greatest joy is being a mother.
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Kristy Lijesen
Kristy joined Simcha Sisters in 2025 and has been planning events throughout the Bay Area for over 17 years. Her extensive experience in the wedding industry includes managing two private estate venues in Santa Cruz County, where she oversaw sales, timelines, rehearsals, and full wedding coordination. Kristy stays current with the latest event trends, with a strong focus on detail and design, all while prioritizing her clients' needs.
She is thrilled to be part of the Simcha Sisters team and looks forward to helping both current and future clients bring their dream events to life.
Kristy lives in the East Bay with her husband, their two older children, and their Cockapoo, Oliver. Outside of work, she volunteers at local schools, enjoys camping, snowboarding, and crafting, and loves cheering on her kids at their sporting events.