Archive for January, 2011
January 9th, 2011
When Randi Lehman was planning her son’s Bar Mitzvah, she realized there wasn’t a place to go for all the things on her last minute to-do list.
That One Special Touch Inc. was created to handle so many of the “little” things you may have forgotten or perhaps weren’t even aware you needed.
Their products and services include ordering your yarmulkes and ladies’ headpieces, custom-designed yarmulke and ladies’ room baskets, hotel hospitality bags, socks and gift bags for your giveaways.
Each customized ladies’ room basket is designed for your event, using your colors and a style exclusive to your theme
Each basket is one of a kind
That One Special Touch will take your invitation so they can get your colors just right!
You’ll find their prices are competitive and they will give you something “extra” that people will remember long after your party is over.
For more information, visit their Website.
January 9th, 2011
By Cindy Silvert, www.easybreezygourmet.com
It’s in six months, eleven days and eighteen hours, but who’s counting? It’s not that I’m dreading or avoiding it, ok, that’s a lie. I’m avoiding every decision and dreading all the nonsense. My son B couldn’t be more delightful or deserving of a fine Bar Mitzvah celebration, but the fact is, he really couldn’t care less if we have hundreds of people and a tacky theme, or a couple of friends for pizza and soda. So why bother? The Bar Mitzvah, after all, is the Bar Mitzvah. Not the video, the band, the caterer or center pieces, not even my dress! He lays Tefillin, reads the Torah, delivers a mind blowing d’var Torah, amen. That’s a Bar Mitzvah.
But while I’m fully mindful of this right now, I can still recall spending the better part of a month picking out the exact perfect shade for the tablecloths at my daughter’s Bat Mitzvah, six and a half years ago. (Yes, I chose Almost-Barely-Minty-Mellon-Irish-Mist-Dream). I was (and am) a control freak and obsessed over all the wrong stuff. I almost missed the service because I “had to” bike over to the scene of the crime and make sure they were arranging every table, plate, fork and molecule just so. I break into a cold sweat every sickening time I recall “sneaking in” to the service long after every guest. (Whose brilliant idea was it for me to sit in the front row?) So you see, I fear my own inner OCD Party Monster as much as the gussied up social “norms.”
It’s not that I’m cheap, (lie), it’s really more the principal of the thing. It starts with the invitation, (has anyone heard of the “World Wide Web”?) and it doesn’t stop: Is a backyard tent classy or cheap? Do you force your kid to do a Mitzvah Project or let him grow into it naturally? Is it a culmination or a process or a show? Do you set a strict budget or just pay what you have to while crossing your fingers and toes? Do you delegate (ie. trust your husband to do anything), or just suck it up and get ‘er done? Woe is me. So much time, so many life threatening choices when the uber bare bones Bar Mitzvah is what I yearn for. Which brings me to my mission statement:
I hereby solemnly swear that I will try (at times) to bear in mind that this is supposed to be:
For my son
Meaningful
Affordable
Fun (good one!)
I will herein share my trials and tribulations, dilemmas, confessions and fears. You are free to offer advice and ask me questions (eg: “Are you still glad you spent the night before her Bat Mitzvah cleaning the laundry room, instead of hanging out with your out-of-towners?”) but I might not be qualified to answer.
About Cindy Silvert
Cindy Lynn Silvert took the long route to the States from Canada via Israel, where she studied, worked and had her first two children. A lover of the Arts, Cindy is a professionally trained actor, prolific artist and writer. She has designed educational software, curricula and museums exhibits in addition to editing two books. She writes for a number of sites including easybreezygourmet.com where she shares culinary secrets, shortcuts and tips. She is also a featured chef and lead contributor of metroimma.com.
Follow Cindy’s new blog Eat Pray Save, right here on MitzvahMarket.com as she challenges the status quo all the way to the Bimah, while planning her son’s upcoming Bar Mitzvah. Eat Pray Save will be the place to get a fresh perspective and a classy, yet fun and affordable solution to the out of control phenomenon of the American Bar Mitzvah.
It’s funny stuff we know you will enjoy!
READERS RESPOND!
Share Your Thoughts At Sheri@MitzvahMarket.com
I just read your Eat Pray Save blog and relate to everything you’ve said. My daughter’s Bat Mitzvah (my first) is 5 months away and while I don’t want to break the bank, somehow it keeps adding up (and up). I’ll try to stay sane and centered as I read your future entries. Good luck to both of us!
–Karen R.
January 9th, 2011
It seems to be all the rage!
Gourmet Food trucks are popping up all over the country and many Mitzvah families have been incorporating this concept into their child’s Bar/Bat Mitzvah celebration and even as part of the kiddush after the service.
We can all relate to this scenario: The fun-festive “plenty of food” celebration ends and you can’t imagine you will ever eat again. After you say your good byes, you notice a crowd in the lobby or just outside. Oh, there’s a parting food item that we all grab and eat on the way home although we just stated we would never eat again!
Here are some food trucks offering delicious treats for your guests as they leave your child’s Bar/Bat Mitzvah celebration:
Eddie’s Pizza
Eddie’s restaurant started over 75 years ago and is well known in New Hyde Park, New York. After the owner got numerous requests to open a New York City location, he decided the best way to reach as many people as possible was thru a mobile food truck. Eddie’s Truck started in June of 2010.
This truck is available for private events and offer their delicious signature bar pie pizza (which boasts to be only 270 calories!). You can have the truck play music and feature your logo or photo on their TV screen or logo on their GoBO (for an extra cost). You can have this truck parked at your event or they can have staff bring pizzas inside your party.
For more information on how this concept can be customized to match your needs, contact Debbie Jones at 917-710-4757.
Sweetery NYC
Another food truck option is from SweeteryNYC.com. They offer European-inspired create-your-own croissants—filled with a choice of luscious pastry creams such as mocha, praline, vanilla and chocolate, all natural preserves, honey, and nut butters. Other delectables include muffins, scones, quiches, savory croissants, cookies, brownies and more baked before your eyes.
Bar Mitzvah boy Jason was part of a previous Mitzvah Inspire story and had a Sweetery NYC truck in the parking lot following his Bar Mitzvah service offering guests a quick lunch to go!
For more information about booking SweeteryNYC at your Mitzvah, visit their Website.
Wafels and Dinges
How about giving your guests a Belgian treat! Tell your guests to l’eggo that Eggo and sample the #1 Zagat Rated Food Truck in NYC. Wafels & Dinges catering is an All-You-Can-Eat feast of unlimited Belgian wafels and toppings!
The Wafel & Dinges truck featured in the Margolis Mitzvah Family Spotlight
For more information about booking a Wafel & dinges truck, visit their Website.
Tobo Foods Inc.
Another option is the shiny, stainless steel vehicle from Tobo Foods. They provide a wide variety of “goodies” for your guests to either take home or eat on the spot. Their menu includes Krispy Kremes, a huge selection of bakery items and or a “Deluxe Candy Store” presentation, plus hot and cold beverages of all kinds. Hot salted pretzels are always a popular item, as are candy apples.
Their graphics department provides custom signs and custom printed “take home” bags
For more information about Tobo Foods, visit their extended profile page on MitzvahMarket.com.
January 8th, 2011
On Saturday, October 30, 2010, the Weilheimer Family celebrated a B’not Mitzvah for their daughters Carly and Brooke.
The Mincha Maariv, Havdallah service took place at the family’s synagogue Congregation Ohev Shalom in Marlboro, New Jersey. The girl’s Torah portion was ironically a story about twins!
Following the service, guests went to Congregation B’nai Tikvah in North Brunswick, New Jersey for the celebration.
We want to thank the Weilheimer Family for sharing their ideas with our Mitzvah Market readers.
All party photography was done by Unlimited Exposures. Vendor information is at the end of this spotlight.
Pictured above (L-R): Mom Jackie, Bat Mitzvah girl Brooke, Bat Mitzvah girl Carly and Dad Matt
Mitzvah Invitation and Style
Brooke and Carly look beautiful in their sage gowns and Mitzvah Mom Jackie looks great in her strapless black dress. All three were custom made from Diane and Company
The beautiful invitation by Arlene Segal Designs is cream color with a burgundy velvet border and a cream satin bow
Mitzvah Details
The theme was “Carly and Brooke Live in Concert.” Spitz and Peck, the event decor and floral designers created a concert vibe from the moment guests arrived!
The "Weilheimer Will Call” window provided guests with their ticket place card for table seating
The young guests received "VIP Backstage Passes"
The kids tables were lit up in different colors and labeled as “section blue," “section pink," “section yellow,” etc. There were also some couches and a coffee table on each side to complete the lounge feel!
The adult tables had black tablecloths and chair covers with each table labeled, “lower level 101” or “front row center”
Beautiful bright colored flowers decorated each adult tables
The lighting in the kid’s cocktail room really added to the ambiance
Mom Jackie had a great idea. Channeling her inner Martha Stewart she decorated all the cocktail tables herself by adding a collage of black and white pictures of each girl under the glass
Custom pillows added a touch of glam and bling! "C" for Carly
"B" for Brooke
Closet doors from Carly and Brooke’s bedrooms were used as sign-in boards and were made to look like dressing room doors!
Music & Entertainment
Each girl made their entrance in true rock star fashion…making their fans wait. Pure Energy Entertainment with MC Morgan had this party rockin! Mom Jackie said that no one stopped dancing all night.
Each girl came out from behind a shadow box with fog blowing out to add to the effect!
Here's Carly…
…and here's Brooke!
Danny Weltman played during the cocktail hour
The girls being lifted by the dancers
MC Morgan interacts with the guests
Brooke and Carly surrounded by their friends
Brooke and her dad sharing a Father-Daughter dance
Carly's turn to dance with her dad!
Mitzvah Food
Classical Caterers served everything from sliders, to sweet potato fries, to BBQ steak on the grill, sushi, and even a poo poo platter. The desserts looked pretty awesome too!
Steak on the grill
Huge assortment of desserts
The delicious looking cake kept in the theme and was also done by Evan Bernstein of Classical Caterers
Mitzvah Favor & Exit Treats
Guests received these awesome sweatshirts designed by Debbie Harbakin.As the clock struck 12 midnight it was Halloween and the guests were sent home with lots of treats. Below you can see the sign that read: “Happy Halloween” Love, Carly and Brooke.
Cool designs on the back and front of the sweatshirts
The sweatshirts came in this logo’d bag
Some of the treats included orange cookies, biscotti, cupcakes and of course lots of candy
Mom to Mom
Mitzvah Mom Jackie has this advice for our readers: “It was definitely the best night of our lives and we will never forget it! I recommend that you enjoy every minute, don’t sweat the small stuff and stay organized, relax and enjoy. It all goes by so fast.”
Mitzvah Project
Carly and Brooke have been helping two great causes for the past 2 years.
Carly loves soccer and she wanted to help children with disabilities play the game in a non-judgmental way. Once a week for an hour in the spring and fall she volunteers as a buddy in a program called, Just 4 Kix, part of the Old Bridge Soccer League in Old Bridge, NJ and she is still continues volunteering her time
Brooke loves to cook and she wanted to cook meals for families who were staying at the Ronald McDonald House in New Brunswick, New Jersey. It is called Caring Cooks. Brooke plans the meals, does the shopping and cooks the food and then delivers it to the families. She makes dinner, dessert and appetizers!
Vendor Directory
Here is a list of vendors who made Carly and Brooke’s B’not Mitzvah special. If you call any of them, please let them know you read about their services on Mitzvah Market.
Venue: Classical Caterers at Congregation B’nai Tikvah 732-297-6444
Party Planner/Decor: Spitz and Peck 973-535-5600
DJ/MC: Pure Energy MC Morgan 732-536-8991
Photographer/Videographer: Unlimited Exposures 732-617-1588
Favor person: Debbie Harbakin 732-696-1018
Party Entertainment: Photo Bar through Pure Energy 732-536-8991
Airbrush tattoos: Bernadine Ferrari 201-321-0712
Invitation: Arlene Segal Designs
Calligraphy: Special paintbrush calligraphy Dorothy Gutman 732-972-1283
Cake: Classical Caterers
Sign-In board: Around the Corner Art Studio 732-308-4666
Mitzvah Girl’s Custom Gowns: Diane & Co 732-625–8001
Hair/makeup: Studio 455, Hair by Dawn/Make-up by Sonia 732-972-9890
Transportation: Shamrock Stagecoach 732-787-1113
Acoustic guitarist: Danny Weltman 732-241-0919
January 6th, 2011
This family felt very strongly about having a Bat Mitzvah theme with some significance and meaning. When they learned that their daughter Carly’s Torah portion involved clouds, it gave them the idea for “Carly’s Cloud 9.”
They used the elements of The Cloud and The Fire from her Torah portion in their invitations, decor, logo and cake.
Looking back on the party, the family says, “The theme was unique and did capture the spirit of the Torah portion while still being fun.”
Pictures are courtesy of their photographer Mitzvah Gallery By Peanut Portraits.
Check out all their party elements below:
Invitation’s By Bonnie created this flexible frosted acrylic invite. A light blue stone completed the look at the end of Carly’s name!
Dogs Tag favors for young guests
Carly’s cloud theme began with the service programs that her Dad created…
And a beautiful outdoor service conducted by Cantor Shira Adler
With the help of a neighbor, Carly’s Mom made the cloud table numbers that were hanging from branches in a beautiful floral arrangement
Florist Monica Chimes did all the decor/lounge furniture and created fantastic centerpieces incorporating white hydrangeas to appear as clouds. Here guests could grab their seating card/cloud!
The beautiful room at The Coveleigh Club is ready for guests with white japanese lanterns hanging above the dance floor
Kids lounge area before the guests arrive
Kids lounge area in action!
You can see the “cloud” table numbers above to match the theme!
White floating candles in blue water (created by Monica Chimes) were placed at each table for guests to light during the candle lighting ceremony as Carly lit hers. This represented the fire element of Carly’s torah portion
Rock candy in blue and white created these centerpieces!
Guests love the music provided by Hal Prince with MC Dave!
As the sun sets, you can really see the blue lighting designed by Carly’s Dad
Young guests also enjoyed ping pong
A cupcake tree using blue cupcakes topped by white frosting “clouds” made by Sweet Lisa’s
Mitzvah Mom Sharon designed Carly’s Cloud logo and Nancy Low from Par-T-Gear created the American Apparel shirts for Carly’s young guests
The following vendors helped make Carly’s party terrific. If you call any of them, please tell them you read about their services on MitzvahMarket.com. Thanks!
Venue: The Coveleigh Club
Invitation: Invitationsbybonnie.com
Cantor: Cantor Shira Adler 914-486-1379
Cake: Sweet Lisa’s Exquiste Cakes
Flowers/Decor/Lounge Furniture: Monica Chimes
Photographer: Phil Callaci Mitzvah Gallery
Music: Hal Prince MC David Rice
Dog Tags: Nick Norris The Awristocrat.com
Shirt Favors: Nancy Low Par-T-Gear 914-690-0852
Cloud Table Numbers: Bugs-n-Blooms
January 6th, 2011
This Bat Mitzvah was held in November at The Chop House in Gibbsboro, New Jersey and designed by the very talented group from Beautiful Blooms. They put a very new spin on the Broadway themed Mitzvah celebration – scroll down, the show is about to begin!
For the kids tables they created four designs based on Bat Mitzvah girl’s favorite plays – Mary Poppins, The Lion King, Wicked and Annie. Perfect colored linens and napkins were used as the base of the designs. All photos were taken by Michael Branscom.
Two Paper Dolls created all of the paper products including table numbers and place card tickets
For the Mary Poppins tables, black umbrellas were placed in cylinder vases filled with blue crystals and blue napkins were used
Mary Poppins dolls were purchased for the tables
These very cute “official” Lion King animals were used as the centerpieces
Khaki linens with brown napkins were used to keep the natural jungle color palette
Annie dresses in cylinders with white vases filled with tight bundles of red carnations accented the tables. There were also a few Annie wigs for the kids to try on
The green and black color palette and a witches hat, broom, wand and light up crystals was all this table needed
A mold of a head in green and a witches hat
We would like to give a standing ovation to this creative Mitzvah and hope you can take some of these ideas to make your own. Many thanks to Beautiful Blooms, Michael Branscom and Two Paper Dolls for sharing their creative work.
January 6th, 2011
Hi All!
The Margolis Family from Jericho, New York celebrated their son Kyle’s Bar Mitzvah on September 11, 2010. After services at Temple Beth Torah in Jericho, the reception was held at North Shore Synagogue in Syosset.
After celebrating with a black tie party for their oldest daughter, they decided on a fun kid oriented party for Kyle.
Photographer Neal Bloom captured all the fun. All other vendor information is listed below.
Pictured left to right: Mitzvah Mom Lauri, Bar Mitzvah boy Kyle, Mitzvah Dad Barry, younger sister Katie and older sister Danielle.
Mom Lauri and Danielle had beautiful navy blue dresses made for them by Kimberly of Runway Couture. Katie found her adorable dress at Designing Dreams.
Kyle’s handsome navy invitation was created by Invitations By Laura.
We thought this was a great idea. Mom Lauri made this beautiful needlepoint tallis bag for Kyle. Not sure where she found the time!
Kyle is a sports enthusiast so Simon Elliot Events did their magic in the lobby area of North Shore Synagogue.
This Will Call booth was manned by an attendant who handed out blue envelopes to guests as they arrived. You could also hear Kyle’s pre-recorded voice welcoming everyone and asking trivia questions
Kyle holding his guests seating cards which were made to look like will call envelopes
Guests seating cards, which are pictured above, were inside the envelopes
Part of the lobby decor included the above screen which had a loop of the kids names to welcome them to the party
Paul from Party Interiors did a great job with the lighting and crystal centerpieces
The illuminated tables are ready for guests!
Kyle hangin’ in the kids lounge area
Kyle’s sign-in board was created by Simon Elliot Events and featured a baseball uniform shirt. Guests signed right on the plexy glass frame!
Entertainment Tonite provided the music entertainment with Carl as the MC.
Kyle with the entire ET crew
Magician Chris DeLeo entertained guests and left them speechless!
Kyle and his Mom share a moment
Games were provided by Simon Elliot Events
For Kyle’s montage, a funny sequence was taped and produced by Simon Elliot Events.
Watch it here.
North Shore Caterers made Kyle the striped cake below.
Kyle’s friends all received sweatshirts created by And That.
Field of Dreams design matched his theme!
The sweatshirts were distributed in these drawstring bags
As guests were leaving Kyle’s party, they stopped by the Waffle truck for a treat!
For his Mitzvah Project, Kyle collected baseball hats for Stack The Caps. He included a note with his invitation explaining more:
“Stack The Caps began in 2008 at Camp Starlight, my sleepaway camp. The event was inspired by a camper, Brielle Namer, who died from a very rare form of cancer. In her memory, Camp Starlight’s owners and campers have organized drives to provide new baseball caps to chilren with cancer. My goal is to collect at least 200 caps which will stack approximately 12 feet high in honor and memory of the many children afflicted with cancer.”
Kyle proudly standing with the caps his guests brought for donation as part of his Mitzvah Project
Here is a list of Vendor’s who made Kyle’s Bar Mitzvah special. If you call any, please let them know that you read about their services on MitzvahMarket.com.
Venue: North Shore Synagogue 516- 921-2282
Invitations: Invitations By Laura 516-783-9864
Lauri and Danielle’s Dresses: Kimberly, Runway Couture, 516-308-4639
Katie’s dress: Designing Dreams
Photographer: Neal Bloom, 631-754-7442
Videographer: Simon Miller at Simon Elliot Events 516-660-1812
Lobby decor/seating cards: Simon Elliot Events
Needle Point bag for Tallit: Needle Paint Knook in Merrick 623-0250
Decor: Party Interiors by Paul 516-586-5492
Music Entertainment: Carl as MC, Entertainment Tonite
Sweatshirts: And That 516-364-9222
Drawstring bags: totallydrawstringbackpacks.com
Magician: Chris DeLeo 516-314-5319
Waffle Truck: wafesanddinges.com
