Archive for November, 2011
November 30th, 2011
Garrett Jochnau celebrated his Bar Mitzvah in May, 2010 with his service at Temple Har Shalom in Warren, New Jersey followed by an afternoon celebration at Westminster Hotel in Livingston, New Jersey.
Mom Sharon explains that Garrett is an avid James Bond fan, so there was never any question that he was going to make this his theme! He kept his theme a secret from everyone until his Bar Mitzvah day, which only enhanced his friends’ anticipation, who were convinced that he was going with his other love, basketball!
We thank them for sharing all their great ideas with Mitzvah Market.
Party photography was by Avi Photography and the rest of the vendor information is listed at the bottom.
Pictured above (L-R): Sister Emery, Bar Mitzvah boy Garrett, Mom Sharon and Dad Stephen
All The Best Invitations created Garrett’s invitation in using black, red, white and silver to create a sleek look.
The color scheme of the invitations coordinated with the colors of their celebration
The stamp used on Garrett’s invitation was a picture of him at 1½ years old, decked out in a tuxedo. This was intended to foreshadow his theme without giving it away!
Garrett was very involved in the planning process and even had a hand in selecting his venue, Westminster Hotel. Since this hotel is home to the well-known Strip House steak restaurant, the food was exceptional.
The banquet manager provided a custom menu that was elegant and fit right in with their theme
Kim from Marquis Florals created all the terrific decor including these place cards.
The adults each received a miniature movie poster place card with their name indicating where to sit
The kids seating arrangements were indicated on a large “seating” board
Garrett’s sign-in board was a photo lineup of all of the past and present actors who have played James Bond (with their heights indicated above them) in their best action pose.
Garrett was photo shopped into the lineup between them and the result was great
Kim decorated the room in black, white and red. The floral arrangements for the adult tables were an assortment of red flowers in giant martini glasses.
The adults’ tables had a mini movie poster identifying the name of the table. There was also small glass containers that contained individually wrapped pairs of ear plugs for each person. On each wrapper, there was a label with Garrett’s 007 logo and the words “Hearing Protection Device” encircling the logo
Black tablecloths, red napkins, and black chair covers with white sashes set the mood in the kids area
For the kids’ tables Kim created themed centerpieces for each of Garrett’s favorite Bond movies. Each centerpiece was modeled around a movie poster and contained 3-D elements that pertained to that particular movie
Part of the decor included a 10 foot light-up sign that was designed to be a movie strip, with each of the movie posters appearing in each frame
Other decorations included a large light-up sign (about 8 feet long) with Garrett’s name and the 007 logo
Party Harty provided the music entertainment with Howie as the MC.
Garrett with the Party Harty crew
Garrett and his friends enjoying the music!
While Mom, Dad & Garrett all color coordinated their clothes, sister Emery could pick a dress in any color she wanted, so she could stand out on her own. We think she did a great job!
Garrett surprised his guests and changed his clothes after the cocktail hour, making his entrance in the signature white dinner jacket and bow tie, flanked by his Bond girl dancers!
All their guests gasped as he walked in looking as dapper as any of the Bonds who have preceded him!
Garrett poses with his Bond girls
Garrett shows off his moves!
Garrett’s tuxedo cake was created by Westminster Hotel.
Garrett helped with the design of his logos, which incorporated his initials and Bar Mitzvah date into the iconic images that make the James Bond 007 brand so easily identifiable.
Each of Garrett’s friends received a sweatshirt with Garrett’s logos packaged in a reusable environment-friendly tote bag
At the end of the party, all guests received custom water bottles and chocolate dipped rice treats
Garrett volunteers his time assisting with special needs children through a local program called Hop, Skip & a Jump!
Additionally, he participated in the Bar/Bat Mitzvah Twinning program through the NCOEJ (North American Conference on Ethiopian Jewry)
Mitzvah Mom Sharon is giving us some advice:
“Lists, lists, lists…make them early and check them often! It’s your child’s day, so let him/her take a strong role in the planning. Find a way to make younger siblings feel important, as they often feel neglected with all of the attention dedicated to the Bar/Bat Mitzvah child. Finally, remember to take TWO copies of your child’s speeches and candlelighting ceremony poems with you, giving one to your husband to keep in his breast pocket. Somehow, we inadvertently left Garrett’s in the car, which was with the valet, and we had to scramble to grab it at the very last minute!”
The following vendors helped to make Garrett’s party special. If you give any a call, please let them know you heard about their services on MitzvahMarket.com.
Venue: Westminster Hotel, 973-548-0045
Party Planner: Mom Sharon & Bar Mitzvah boy Garrett
Music Entertainment: MC Howie, Party Harty, 516-845-8585
Favor person: Robin Swerdloff, Corporate Creations, 610-633-5453
Invitations: All The Best Invitations, 973-992-4033
Cake: Tuxedo Cake, Westminster Hotel
Décor/Florist: Kim, Marquis Florals, 732-441-4800
Sign-In board: Kim, Marquis Florals
Chocolate Rice Crispy Treats: Brummer’s Chocolates, 908-232-1904
Mom’s dress: Hartly Fashions, Westwood, NJ 201-664-3111
Sister’s dress: Princess Charming, West Orange, NJ 973-325-1419
Dad & Bar Mitzvah boy: The Clothing Center, 732-254-0870
Hair: The Beauty Company, Martinsville, NJ 732-560-8898
Transportation: Vogel Bus Company, 908-298-0045
Party security: Westminster Hotel
Photographer: David, AVI Photography 908-526-8116
Videographer & Montage: Party Harty 516-845-8585
Logo Design: Sheri Finver, sfinverdesign@verizon.net
November 26th, 2011
We found a new party trend that we are happy to report on. Warning: Don’t read if you are hungry!
Go Cakes! NYC are the push pop cakes you can eat on the go.
They are perfect for a Bar/Bat Mitzvah celebration and can be served instead of or in addition to your Bar/Bat Mitzvah cake.
You choose from a variety of flavors, icings and toppings.
They can also come with a personalized label featuring your photo, text and/or logo.
The best part is that they ship anywhere in the U.S. and only need 2 weeks notice.
There are a variety of party packages that include renting one of their displays.
Go Green: Save your Go Cakes! containers from your party, to be recycled, and receive a $25 Go Cakes gift certificate!
For more information, visit their Website.
November 26th, 2011
GiftRapped.com creates completely personalized songs with accompanying slide shows for any celebratory occasion like a Bar/Bat Mitzvah. This also makes a great gift for a 40th, 50th or anniversary celebration.
Some families have used their GiftRapped as their child’s Bar/Bat Mitzvah montage and/or entrance video.
It’s so easy and turnaround time is 3-5 days! Just give them some suggestions for lyrics, a few pictures, and they will create a gift that you will never forget.
Watch this Bar Mitzvah rap for Luke here
Watch this birthday rap for Lenny here
See all the other GiftRapped samples here.
GiftRapped is offering a 25% discount to all Mitzvah Market readers. Use the code MitzvahMarket (one word) to redeem the discount.
November 20th, 2011
Evoke Events located in Washington, DC. had an EZ time putting this Bar Mitzvah together for a young man named Ezra with the nickname EZ!
This Bar Mitzvah boy has a laid back personality which gave Jodi Moreau and her team the ability to create a fun and exciting atmosphere for his family and friends.
EZ & his friends started the night off with airbrush tattoos and “Shakie” a lemonade expert, and then danced the night away with Lance from Washington Talent.
The other vendor used were: Capital Decor and Events, Frost Lighting, Sugarplum Tents, The Write Image, Small Wonders Gifts, Design Cuisine and Geoff Chesman Visuals.
Guests enjoyed “Shakie” the lemonade expert!
The Life Is EZ logo and theme was used on decals…
…and napkins
In keeping with the theme, the kids area was comfy with bean bag chairs and lots of pillows
This laid back area went perfectly with the theme
Guests could grab a snack at the trail mix bar
The Asian Station with delicious food from Design Cuisine
The EZ Cantina
Young guests received sweatshirt favors which were stored in cubbies
Little stickers were on the cubbies with each child’s name!
Check out these cool flip flops
We would like to thank Evoke Events for sharing Ezra’s creative EZ celebration with our readers!
November 20th, 2011
Eleanor Koch celebrated her Bat Mitzvah on September 10, 2011 (that’s 9/10/11) at Congregation Micah in Nashville, Tennessee.
She was more interested in the religious aspect of her Bat Mitzvah than her party. When her parents offered to take her to Israel in honor of her momentous occasion she responded, “I am the only Jewish student in my grade of 54 children. I represent my faith, my ancestors, and all that Judaism stands for. If I don’t have my Bat Mitzvah here in Nashville, my friends might never experience or understand the importance and holiness of this life cycle event.”
Needless to say, they moved ahead with her Bat Mitzvah party in Nashville! Her Mom reports: “Great news, a new Jewish student has since moved to her school from Boston and DOUBLED the Jewish population in her grade!”
Pictured left (L-R) Mom Rachel, Bat Mitzvah girl Eleanor, Dad Jack and younger brother Carter
All party photography was by friend of the family, Lori Landsberg and the rest of the vendors are listed at the bottom of this spotlight.
Although Nashville has many wonderful options for exciting party venues, they chose to hold Eleanor’s Kiddush luncheon and dance in their synagogue’s social hall. Mom Rachel tells Mitzvah Market, “We hoped that by keeping the entire celebration within our synagogue, all of our ‘life cycle’ experiences, from our most celebratory to our deepest moments of sadness, have and will continue to happen within these walls. It all comes together to create a strong feeling of a Jewish “home” and a deep connection to our community.”
Eleanor at her service
As reported by her Mom, one of the most beautiful and truly amazing aspects of Eleanor’s Bat Mitzvah was the support she received from those both near and far and the diversity within that range! Eleanor’s Mom is the chairperson of Nashville’s ‘Partnership 2Gether’ program (a program that focuses on creating bonds of friendship and connection between the United States and Israel) and they have many friends in Israel. Some friends traveled from Israel and others were able to watch Eleanor’s Bat Mitzvah by Web Stream! Also, one of Eleanor’s dearest school friend is Muslim. She and her family attended, along with their extended family visiting from Turkey. Her Mom says, “To see so many people of different faiths come together to support and celebrate with Eleanor was extremely heartwarming and inspirational!”
Once her Bat Mitzvah service was over, a very fun and successful party ensued!
As guests moved from the service to the party, they found a Picture This Nashville photo “booth.” This also served as her sign-in book/board. Above was her customized screen
Eleanor and her Mom pose for a special picture
Eleanor’s friends have fun taking their picture in a frame!
Friends put on the props and have fun!
Louis Lee Entertainment provided the music with Louis as the MC. There was also a visit from Nashville’s Israeli Folk Dancers.
Louis (far left) got all the kids dancing!
Bat Mitzvah girl Eleanor is up in the chair for the horah
Here is the crowd participating in the Israeli dance
Their Events Coordinator/Decorator Diane Kimbrough has known Eleanor her entire life and met with her several times to discuss what she wanted for her celebration. Much of that discussion included Eleanor’s love of nature and other ideas that would capture her passions and bring the outside indoors!
She used natural materials such as logs, lichen, and moss to make the centerpieces for the Kiddush luncheon and dance
Every centerpiece was unique, even down to tiny woodland animals and aged pages from old botanical field guides
The dessert table was the highlight of the décor:
Friends and family made all the desserts, keeping in mind what they knew Eleanor would love!
Realistic chocolate rocks filled hand-turned wooden bowls (made by a member of the family) and nuts and seeds filled small antique birdbaths!
There were candy raccoons, mice, and hedgehogs, and a cake shaped as a log that was adorned with cocoa dusted meringue mushrooms
An edible camp fire featuring chocolate kisses, pretzel rods and logs!
Here’s some Mom-to-Mom advice from Rachel:
“Let people help you! I loved planning my children’s events when they were younger, but now I work full-time. I had hoped to be fully involved with my daughter’s Bat Mitzvah but as the big event crept up, I realized I needed help…a LOT of help! I hired an event planner who happened to be a dear friend. She knew my daughter very well. I loved that she checked in with my daughter often and showed us what she had purchased/collected periodically. That way we knew we all had the same vision. She was great at calming me when I felt panicked and could gently nudge me when it was time to make big decisions. Elaine, from Picture This Nashville, was also wonderful at assuring me we were on schedule and that everything would be okay. She told me when to wait and when to act.”
She adds, “Another aspect of the Bat Mitzvah for which I wasn’t prepared, was the time commitment of my child’s thank you notes! I would recommend allocating the time your child is/was already using to study for the B’nai Mitzvah, and have them continue to use that daily/weekly block of time after the event to write thank you notes. In other words, if they are on a study schedule (daily or weekly), continue to block off that time slot in their calendars to use for the work that begins AFTER the event.”
As mentioned, Eleanor LOVES animals and nature. She began volunteering at Warner Park Nature Center well over a year in advance of her Bat Mitzvah. She spent every Saturday morning taking care of the bird feeding stations and bird blind within the park…no matter the weather. She spent innumerable hours cleaning and refilling bird feeders and birdbaths and assisting with nature park events such as hummingbird banding and Junior Naturalist programs. In addition to her volunteer hours, she donated enough money to begin an “Eleanor Koch B’nai Tzedek” fund at the Jewish Federation of Nashville. She will also be donating a percentage of her Bat Mitzvah monetary gifts to the Warner Park Nature Center in Nashville and the Israel Nature and Parks Authority.
Here is a list of vendors who helped to make Eleanor’s Bat Mitzvah special. If you call any of them, please make sure you let them know you read about their services on MitzvahMarket.com.
Venue: Congregation Micah
Event Planner: Diane Kimbrough, dianekimbrough.ideas@gmail.com
Photo booth: Elaine Pardo, Picture This Nashville
Sign-In board: Picture This Nashville
Music Entertainment: DJ Louis, Louis Lee Entertainment
Party Entertainment: Nashville Israeli Folk Dancers
Caterer: Kevin Alexandroni, SOVA Catering
Photography: friend of the family, Lori Landsberg
Slideshow: Jack Koch, Bokeh Tov Photography
Invitations: Marla Love with Zazzle.com
November 16th, 2011
Sara Getzoff from Plainview, New York is celebrating her Bat Mitzvah on November 26, 2011 at the Plainview Jewish Center.
For her Mitzvah Project, Sara presented teddy bears to Hugs Across America. This organization was honored by the Nassau Region of Hadassah which Sara and her mom are part of.
Hugs Across America is a national organization that distributes teddy bears to young children that are facing hard times. The organization started after the attacks of 9/11.
Hugs Across America Inc., has provided over 410,000 teddy bears to victims in traumatic circumstances such as house fires, natural disasters and medical emergencies.
We got the chance to speak with Sara to learn more:
MM: Why did you decide to take on this particular project?
SG: I am a 4th generation life member of Hadassah.
Sara giving Hugs Across America Executive Director Sue Lucarelli a Teddy Bear
MM: Why did you decide that Hugs Across America would be the beneficiary of your Mitzvah Project?
SG: This charity was honored by the Nassau Region of Hadassah for their work . They donate the teddy bears to young children who face a crisis.
MM: In your own words, what does it mean to you to do a Mitzvah Project for your Bat Mitzvah?
SG: A Mitzvah Project is a way to give back.
MM: Can you give us details of your Mitzvah Project?
SG: I collected money from recycled water bottles and from my savings. I then bought and presented teddy bears to this organization when they were being honored at the Nassau Region Hadassah meeting. They were very touched.
MM: For how long can people donate to this charity?
SG: It is an on going project and they have local chapters.
We want to thank Sara for sharing her project with our readers.
November 16th, 2011
Virtual Dancer, from Entertainment Tonite is a fun, interactive hologram of the guest of honor that is displayed on a light, translucent screen.
Here’s how it works:
Prior to the guest of honor’s big day, ET asks him/her to bring a variety of outfits, i.e. formal, nightclub and sporty attire, to their studios and then videotapes him/her in front of a giant green screen as they follow along with one of the Entertainment Tonite dancers.
They always encourage friends and family to be involved in this new cool attraction.
At your celebration, the hologram screen is displayed next to the dance floor so your guests can interact with your own virtual dancer.
To learn more about Entertainment Tonite, visit their extended profile page in our Vendor Directory.
November 15th, 2011
One of our most popular stories from 2009 was Bari’s Bat Mitzvah Blizzard.
It was a great lesson about celebrating what’s truly important – being together.
Once again, severe weather was to hit the tri-state area. This time the forecast was for snow, over a weekend in October, when the weather is not usually an issue.
The Zinn family from Montclair, New Jersey was excited to celebrate their son Jonah’s Bar Mitzvah on October 29, 2011 with a morning service followed by a daytime celebration at the Glen Ridge Country Club.
Snow had started to fall by 11am, but the service and party went on as scheduled.
Here’s what happened next as told to us by Mitzvah Mom Nancy Friedman Zinn:
We were lucky that our synagogue for the service and the Country Club where we were holding our party were very close to each other.
Our guests made it safely to the Country Club and our cocktail hour went on as planned.
The blackout occurred during our candle lighting ceremony. The funny thing is that I didn’t even realize we had lost power at first because the room has such big windows.
For our son’s candle lighting, we assigned friends and families a word (for example: kindness, community, creativity, individuality, family) and asked them to come up to light a candle and say a few words based on their assigned word about Jonah.
My husband and I had spent my hours struggling to find the perfect song for each guest who would be lighting a candle.
Once the power went out, so did the DJ’s ability to play these songs. So my husband and I started singing them ourselves, and an impromptu sing-a-long ensued. It was great!
The Zinn family
We got through the candle lighting and it was time for the Horah. Again our guests played along and sang Hava Nagila and other Jewish songs. We were all lifted in the chairs as usual. The dancing continued due to our fantastic guests singing the Hustle, Macarena and other popular songs.
The power must have been out for about 1½ hours before the Club was able to get a generator. Although the power at the Country Club did not go back on, we did have music and they were able to serve food.
The party was fantastic both in spite of and because of the storm!
We thank Nancy for sharing her son’s Bar Mitzvah Blackout story with our readers. If you have a story from this past snow storm, let us know at info@MitzvahMarket.com.
November 12th, 2011
Parker Siegel always knew his Bar Mitzvah theme would involve the world of entertainment. He’s been exposed to movies and TV shows through his Mom and Dad most of his life.
He and his Dad both love movies and his Mom has worked in the entertainment industry for the last 20 years. She was even able to have some of her famous friends wish Parker a “Happy Bar Mitzvah” at the end of his very creative montage.
We thank them for sharing Parker’s celebration with our readers.
Pictured L-R: Younger brother Owen, Dad Eric, Bar Mitzvah boy Parker and Mom Jennifer
All party photography was done by Ira Rosen and the rest of the vendor information is at the bottom of this spotlight.
Mom Jenn found her dress at Cami Boutique in Roslyn and got to wear it again at this year’s Emmy Awards!
Jenn wore the ultimate red carpet dress – a full red beaded gown down to the floor with a mermaid bottom
Parker’s invitations were created by Marjorie Berrant of Invitations Plus.
The invitation was a metallic color
The direction and response cards along with the stamp let guests know the theme would be Parker Productions!
The theme of this Bar Mitzvah was “Parker Productions” with many unique touches as you will see below. The flowers and room decor were by Scarcella’s.
The entrance to his party included a red carpet, step n repeat signage by EJ The DJ, and star decals on the floor from Stumps Party. Parker’s logo was by logotournament.com, a logo contest site where designers all around the country compete to come up with an exclusive design for a winning fee paid by you
Many of the “production” decor came from Stumps Party which was recommended by Mitzvah Market!
Parker Productions signage above and below
Mom Jenn used Photofetti for a personal touch
Red roses, black and white trumpets and lamp shades provided elegance for the adult tables
CL from EJ The DJ provided the music entertainment for Parker’s celebration.
Parker “makes his entrance” with the EJ The DJ dancers
Some fun moments from this celebration included:
Towards the end of the celebration, Bravo’s Andy Cohen Mazel T-shirts were handed out to the Moms and were a big hit!
The T-shirts were given to the Moms in these silver tote bags
Mentalist Matthew Furman amazed and entertained the kids during the cocktail hour
Ping pong tables and Pop A Shot were provided by EJ The DJ
Guests “signed-in” on Parker’s actual closet door.
Mom Jenn tells us she got this idea to use Parker’s closet door as the sign-in board from Mitzvah Market!
Parker shares a special moment with both Mom and Dad.
Parker’s celebration fell on Mom Jenn’s actual birthday making it even more special!
Parker with his Dad Eric
Young guests received shorts or a T-shirt created by Aarrow Productions.
Parker shows off the gym bag (by USA Marketing) containing a pair of shorts for his male friends
Shorts for the boys
T-shirts for the girls
The girls received this silver tote bag with a T-shirt by Aarow Productions
With the theme of Parker Productions, it’s no surprise his entrance video and montage were uber creative! Check them out below:
Parker became very fond of rock climbing at a young age. With this in mind, John Braile produced an entrance video showing that no mission is impossible!
Watch the entrance video here
Parker had many celebrity friends who made surprise cameos throughout his montage. Check out what Spot On Pictures can do!
Enjoy and watch here
Guests were served lots of delicious treats on their way out of Parker’s celebration.
Some advice from Mitzvah Mom Jenn:
“Don’t lose sight of who this party is really for. Remember that you want to have an event in which both the kids and the adults have a great night, so be balanced with your plans. And most importantly, make sure you and your family enjoy this special celebration, because there are no better words than when you hear your own child say… it was the best night of their life. Especially when you feel that same way.”
The following vendors helped to make Parker’s celebration special. If you give any of them a call, please be sure to tell them you heard about their services on MitzvahMarket.com.
Venue: Temple Beth Torah, Melville
Caterer: Morrell Caterers
Music Entertainment: MC CL, EJ the DJ
Favors (Shorts, T-shirts, Metallic bags): Aarrow Promotions, Mitch Zimmerman, 516-623-0244
Sports Duffle Bag: Paul Yeomans, USA Marketing, 510-251-8500
Photographer: Ira Rosen
Mom’s Dress: Cami Boutique, Roslyn, 516-621-6906
Mazel T-shirts: Bravo online store
Invitations: Majorie Berrant, Invitations Plus, 516-484-1858
Florist: Scarcella’s, Carolyn, 516-692-6222
Entrance Video: John Braile, 631-796-9315
Videographer: John Braile, 631-796-9315
Montage – Spot On Pictures
Step-n-Repeat/Gobo/Red Carpet: EJ The DJ
Special Touch: Photofetti
Production Signage: Stumps Party
Logo Design: Logotournament.com
Mentalist: Matthew Furman
November 12th, 2011
By Tara Silberg
I’m in 7th grade and I’m excited to be telling YOU what’s happening on the Bar/Bat Mitzvah circuit today with my first post for MitzvahMarket.com.
Every weekend, I travel with my carpool to yet another party all over the tri-state area. Between my school friends, family friends and camp friends, I can have 2-3 invitations a weekend! This keeps me very busy.
And do you want to know the best part for my friends and me? The original things. We love to see things we haven’t seen before. Because really, even though we just started “on the circuit,” we would be tired of all the parties by now if there was never anything new.
For example, in mid-September I attended my friend, Lexi Knee’s Bat Mitzvah celebration. Lexi had something I had never seen before, belly dancing. She made her entrance into the party on a carpet swaying and shaking to the Indian music.
My friend Lexi makes her entrance
Lexi shows off her belly dancing moves
If you have a talent, you might want to think about incorporating it somehow into your party.
That’s all for this time. More to come on the circuit soon!
About Tara Silberg
I’m in 7th grade at Jericho Middle School and I love art. When I say art, I’m talking about photography, painting, and drawing. I also love music. When I feel stressed, I listen to my iPod to calm down. I will most likely attend between 60-70 Bar/Bat Mitzvahs before I finish 8th grade. I’m excited to be reporting from “The Bar/Bat Mitzvah Circuit” for Mitzvah Market.com.
