March 14th, 2012
If you live in the tri-state area there is a special exhibit coming to New York City that we think you should know about.
Bat Mitzvah Comes of Age is a collaboration between the National Museum of American Jewish History in Philadelphia and Moving Traditions. It will run March 6, 2012 – April 27, 2012 at the Laurie M. Tisch Gallery at the JCC in Manhattan.
The exhibition will include oral history recordings of Bat Mitzvah stories from around the country and across Jewish movements, a timeline of relevant historical milestones and an interactive component in which visitors can share their coming-of-age story and photos.
Judith Ginsberg & Adele Wall Ginsberg, Larchmont, NY September 19, 1959
Courtesy of Judith Ginsberg
This special program is to mark the 90th anniversary of Judith Kaplan’s Bat Mitzvah. It is a traveling exhibition featuring the remarkable story of how, in less than a century, individual girls, their parents and their Rabbis challenged and changed the practice that we write about here on Mitzvah Market!
Amy Memis, Binghamton, NY 1979
Courtesy Rabbi Amy Memis-Foler
In conjunction with the exhibition, the Museum will feature a series of programs the last two Sundays in March, including on March 25th a presentation by actress Mayim Bialik and a panel discussion on coming of age in America, featuring leading scholars on Jewish ritual and rites of passage.
On both Sundays, the Museum will host “Collect-o-Rama,” in which visitors will explore and share Bat Mitzvah stories through personal artifacts or photographs, and have their objects considered for the Museum’s collection.
The exhibition will also include narratives and artifacts from everyday trendsetters to prominent women, such as Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan and Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg.
For information, contact 646-505-5700 or visit jccmanhattan.org. To inquire about bringing the exhibition to your community or JCC, please contact Jennifer Groen, Director of Education and Program at Moving Traditions at 215-887-4511, x103.
March 13th, 2012
Zach celebrated his Bar Mitzvah service and party on January 7, 2012 at Ultimate GaGa in Syosset, New York.
Although this family had previously celebrated their daughter’s Bat Mitzvah with a black tie affair, for Zach they wanted something completely different that would match his personality.
They went with a very laid back affair with casual attire. Zach told his friends to wear their “coolest kicks” and all the kids showed up in sneakers!
Simon Elliot Events was the photographer and the rest of the vendor information is listed at the bottom of the spotlight.
Pictured left: Bar Mitzvah boy Zach
Ultimate GaGa is a venue that can accommodate your service as well as your celebration all under one roof!
Zach’s Bar Mitzvah service took place in a separate room at Ultimate GaGa
Zach’s service program
Simon Elliot Events created Zach’s printed invitation which instructed guests to visit a custom Website made just for his celebration.
Once on the Website, guests could get all event information, a custom RSVP and database for the host. It also featured multiple online games, an online guestbook, and custom google maps directions to the venue
This is the inside of the printed invitation guests received
Zach and his sister Shelby are excited to celebrate!
Shelby’s Velvet brand dress is from Bloomingdale’s
Lori Bellan from NY Lounge Decor served as the party planner and along with Simon Elliot Events, transformed GaGa for Zach’s celebration with family and friends.
Hart To Hart brought in the white dance floor
NY Lounge Decor provided the furniture
Simon Elliot Events created the cool vinyl logo
A lounge area for guests
Simon Elliot Events created these large vinyl signs after a photo shoot with Zach
A step and repeat with Zach’s logo
Hart to Hart provided the music entertainment with Marco as the MC.
Marco has fun with the crowd
Zach makes his entrance
Break dancers from Hart To Hart entertain guests
Zach and his friends pose for a picture
Friends having fun!
Taste of H, a division of H On The Harbor provided the catering.
Zach’s celebration was one big cocktail party with passed foods and stations all night
Many fun games were brought in by Interactive Entertainment Concepts (IEC) to entertain the guests.
A fun mechanical bull!
Batting cage
A digital wall
Guests have fun with the basketball court at Ultimate GaGa
Along with the basketball court above, this light up floor is part of Ultimate GaGa
MazelTovGear.com created the favors for the boys – Flow Society Lacrosse shorts with Zach’s name and Bar Mitzvah date down the side. Party Girl Eventz created the American Apparel shirt for the girls.
The boys received these lacrosse shorts
The girls received this American Apparel shirt with Zach’s logo
A candy bar was waiting for guests as they exited the celebration.
Some advice from two-time Mitzvah Mom Dana:
“This was my second affair. Two years ago my daughter wanted a black tie extravaganza for which she could dress like a princess. We did that and really focused on what she wanted. We had photos of her all over the room, a runway to go with her fashion theme and bright pink sweatshirts. This time around Zach wanted a completely casual affair. We totally switched gears and went that route. As much as I would have liked to have worn another gown, I remembered that this event was for him. I wore my jeans! Keep your child in mind at all times when planning. I know both kids will never forget their special day.”
The following vendors helped to make Zach’s Bar Mitzvah special. If you call any of them, please let them know you read about their services on MitzvahMarket.com.
Venue: Ultimate GaGa, 516-921-4242
Party Planner: Lori Bellan, NY Lounge Decor, 516-921-2011
Music Entertainment: MC Marco, Hart to Hart
Photographer: Simon Elliot Events, 516-586-6822
Videographer: Simon Elliot Events
Caterer: Alan Feinstein, Taste Of H
Favor/Lacrosse shorts: Jim Levi, Mazel Tov Gear, 855-629-3543
Favor/Girls shirts: Party Girl Eventz, 516-426-1459
Party entertainment: Interactive Entertainment Concepts, 800-760-0724
Invitation: Website and mailer, Simon Miller, Simon Elliot Events
Décor: Simon Elliot Events and NY Lounge Decor
Hair/makeup: NV Salon which is now Cactus in Huntington/Marianne Natural Style
Party security: Provided by Ultimate GaGa
March 10th, 2012
What began as a required Bar Mitzvah Project for eighth graders Brandon Keller and Tyler Gold, who attend Curuso Middle School in Deerfield, Illinois, turned a passion for basketball into a terrific fundraiser.
The boys who have been friends since preschool combined their love of basketball to raise more than $14,000 for 3 charities over the last two years.
Pictured above: Brandon Keller and Tyler Gold
Their idea was to combine their initials and form the TGBK Basketball Shootout. This basketball skills competition would raise money for three charities meaningful to the young men: Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation, the Jill Landau Triple Negative Breast Cancer Fund and Propionic Acidemia Foundation.
“My cousin died of a brain tumor the year before and I wanted to do something to give back,” Tyler Gold told us. “We both love basketball, had a Mitzvah Project to do and decided to do this.”
Gold was referring to his 14-year-old cousin, Lucas Goldbaum who died two years ago. Keller wanted to raise money in memory of a college friend of his mothers who died of cancer and fight a disease that afflicts one of Brandon’s cousins.
Gold and Keller did most of the work by themselves, according to Nancy Gold, Tyler’s mother. They contacted Joy of the Game in Deerfield to ask if it would donate its facility. They went to more than 40 local merchants asking them to donate prizes and other things for the event.
“It’s amazing what they accomplished,” Nancy Gold said. “They got help from their families but they went to local businesses, asked for something and they (the businesses) gave them $25 gift cards.”
They were so pleased with the results in 2011 raising nearly $7,000 they decided to do it again on January 13, 2012. This time they took in more than $7,000 for the three causes.
“We were really pleased with last years results but we wanted to do better,” Tyler Gold said. “We wanted to keep giving so we did it again. We plan to keep doing it every year.”
Basketball is a passion for Keller and Gold. They both play for Caruso and hope to play for Deerfield High School next year.
We thank them for sharing their Mitzvah Project and hope it inspires others to create a basketball fundraiser in their local community.
March 7th, 2012
Recently we wrote about a new candle lighting idea and asked that readers share what they did for their child.
We heard from Amy, one of our readers who did something clever that she wanted to share.
They called it the “Rock Garden” candle lighting and it’s easy to copy for your child’s Bar/Bat Mitzvah candle lighting ceremony.
This family bought inspirational rocks with various sayings (i.e. inspire, protection, wisdom etc.).
The Bat Mitzvah girl decided who should get which rock and their names were written on the back.
She wrote something special for each group that were called up to the cake and explained why she picked that rock with that word for them.
According to Mitzvah Mom Amy, “It was wonderful and now she has this gorgeous and memorable rock garden.”
If you did something creative for your child’s candle lighting ceremony, please share it with us at info@MitzvahMarket.com.
March 7th, 2012
This colorful Bat Mitzvah for Julia comes to us from Person + Killian Photography.
Rafanelli Events put together this fun interactive celebration at WGBH Studios in Boston.
Julia’s logo was evident on the walls, straws and even cupcakes for her candle lighting ceremony. The decor can be called fun and interactive!
It’s hard to image that this is a television studio! The main lobby was divided into two areas for the cocktail hour
The adult side was modern and sleek while the kids area had interactive activities
Julia’s logo was evident throughout the party on many elements. Here it is used on a display for their candid photo favors
Guests looking for their photos
After the cocktail hour, guests went into the theater for a special video presentation
Guests celebrated in this grand room!
Logos on the dance floor and orange and pink washed the room
Very cool circle screens around the room played music videos and showed pictures of the family
Another view of the celebration room
Julia’s logo even appeared on napkins and straws
The tables looked pretty with low flowers and menu cards
Fun props used for the photo favors
More decor elements
Cupcakes were used for Julia’s candle lighting
Colorful banners decorated the tables
Guests were able to grab delicious treats!
Young guests grabbed their favors!
The following vendors were used to make Julia’s celebration fun.
Entertainment: KLASS Universal Entertainment
Catering: MAX Ultimate Food
Lighting: Port Lighting
Rentals: Be Our Guest
Dance Floor and Stage: Peterson Party Center
Video: Boston Wedding Films
Flowers: Table and Tulip Entertainment
March 3rd, 2012
Boxing isn’t the most common Bar/Bat Mitzvah theme, but Party Excellence did a terrific job bringing this Bar Mitzvah boy’s favorite sport to life at LIFE: The Place To Be in Westchester, New York.
Take a look at some party elements below:
The centerpieces were a combination of two different styles. Half of them were their signature collage style pieces and half of them were 3D pieces. Both featured the brick wall feel (to represent the outside of a boxing gym) and then boxing gloves and a silhouette of a boxer
The tables were named Round 1. Round 2 etc..”
Additional decor elements included a seating chart for the adults with the names listed on the inside of a boxing ring, and a lifesize stand up of the guest of honor
For the entrance into the kids lounge area, a boxing ring was created using Frankie’s Fight Night Marquee sign with poles, blue roping and two silhouettes of boxers on each side of the entrance. This created a themed walk through for the kids to enter the lounge area
The back wall behind the adult tables was plain white so 5 inch letters were created to spell FRANKIE. Each letter was a brick wall pattern and outlined in red glitter to give it some pop. They covered the length of the entire wall
To learn more about Party Excellence, visit their Website.
March 3rd, 2012
Jordan Dictrow of Marlboro, New Jersey celebrated her Bat Mitzvah on October 22, 2011 with a Havdalah service followed by a black tie evening party at the Eagle Oaks Golf and Country Club in Farmingdale, New Jersey.
Her theme was “ An ExJORDANary Evening” and when you see the pictures and most importantly read about the special touches this family incorporated you will agree with us that this was an elegant, extraordinary and meaningful Bat Mitzvah for a family who truly appreciates what they have.
Pictured left (L-R): Sister Sydney, Dad Adam, Sister Ryan, Bat Mitzvah Girl Jordan, Mom Deb
All photography was taken by Jeff Tureaud. The rest of the vendors are listed at the bottom of the spotlight.
Jordan’s custom invitation by Simply Invitations By Cindi was on ivory stock with gold calligraphy. Each one was embellished with a beautiful brooch.
Jordan is very close to her Aunt Jen who had been diagnosed with Breast Cancer in November 2010. Thankfully she is doing well and was able to celebrate with the family. As you will see, they had many touches relating to breast cancer in honor of her special aunt!
Jordan with her Aunt Jen. Notice Jordan’s tiara, it’s what Aunt Jen wore at her wedding
The Dictrow’s beautiful calligraphy on the invitation’s envelope was made more special with a customized Zazzle stamp for Breast Cancer Awareness month
The Dictrow family also handed out pink breast cancer awareness bracelets to their guests during the party. Everyone loved the words on the bracelets: “Faith,” “Hope” and “Strength”
Jordan looks like a princess in her beautiful gown from Diane & Co.
Sisters Sydney and Ryan got their pretty pink dresses at Maci Design
The service was held in a separate room at the Eagle Oaks Country Club.
Jordan arrives for her service and celebration
Jordan did a great job during the service
The yarmulke basket had a beautiful gold ribbon and bro0ch also created by Jordan’s Aunt Jill. Both of Jordan’s grandmothers worked very hard over the last 2 years crocheting all the yarmukes!
Mom Deb worked with Phyllis of Extraordinary Productions to create an understated elegant room with some glamorous accessories.
The beautiful escort card table featured votive candles and a crystal candlelabra
Pictures of Bat Mitzvah girl on the place card table was a nice touch!
A beautiful vibrant arrangement of pink and white flowers adorned the adult tables
The elegant ivory menu card had hot pink calligraphy
Lower centerpieces had small touches of cream feathers to accent the flowers on the table, the inspiration was Jordan’s dress
The dais sign which said “An exJORDANary Evening” was blinged out and the chandelier in Jordan’s logo had crystal accents
Pure Energy provided the music entertainment with Brian as the MC.
Jordan “makes her entrance”
Jordan hamming it up
Jordan with Denver of Pure Energy and her friends by her side
Jordan and her Dad have an exJORDANary moment during their Father-Daughter dance.
Top Elements provided the favors for Jordan’s friends.
Jordan’s friends show off their pink sweatshirt favors
The boys posing in their sweatshirts
The favor bag is as nice as the favor!
The cake and candles both were accented with pink ribbons and broaches, an element carried through from the invitation.
Eagle Oaks Golf and Country Club made Jordan’s beautiful cake
Now that Mitzvah Mom Deb has successfully planned her daughter’s Bat Mitzvah, she is giving us this advice:
“Make a lot of to-do lists and confirm all your vendors a few days before!”
Jordan volunteered in the JUST FOR KIX program in Old Bridge, New Jersey teaching special needs children how to play soccer. She also walked in numerous Cancer Care walks and in May, the Dictrow’s walked as a family in the Revlon Run/Walk For Women in NYC in honor of her Aunt Jen and raised over $14,000. Their team was called “Baked With Love” because Aunt Jen loves to bake and started the company right before she was diagnosed.
The “Baked With Love” team
A coming attraction poster for sister Sydney greeted guests as they were leaving. Mitzvah Mom Deb is already working on a fantastic theme for her next daughter’s Bat Mitzvah in April, 2014.
The following vendors helped to make Jordan’s party special. If you give any of them a call, please make sure you let them know you read about their services on MitzvahMarket.com.
Venue: Eagle Oaks Country Club
Party Planner: Phyllis Skolnick, Extraordinary Productions 732-308-3080
Music Entertainment: MC Brian, Pure Energy Entertainment 732-536-8991
Photo Favors: Pure Energy
Tattoo’s: Tattoos by Bernadine Ferrari 973-299-9146
Décor/Florist: Extraordinary Productions
Favors: Top Elements 732-972-8290
Cocktail Hour Music: Phil Engel Band 732-616-4040
Invitation and Menu Card: Simply Invitations by Cindi 732-617-7211
Calligraphy: Jeanette Lorenzon 973-723-1793
Cake: Eagle Oaks Golf and Country Club
Photography: Jeff Tureaud 732-598-7907
Videographer: Unlimited Exposures 732-617-1588
Stamp: Zazzle
Dress for Mom: Rona’s Boutique
Dress for Jordan: Diane & Co
Dresses for sisters: Maci Designs
Hair: Studio 455, 723-972-9890
Makeup: Debbie Kasoff 732-972-6910
Transportation: Concorde Limousine
