Archive for January, 2013
January 30th, 2013
Pro-Kippah has now made it possible to show off your favorite baseball teams on your child’s important day.
Pro-Kippah is from The Emblem Source, a family-run company out of Dallas, Texas that has been providing licensed logos for sports teams since 2004. They are the Official Licensee for Major League Baseball & College Bowl Retail Emblems. The Emblem Source now makes the official yarmulkes of Major League Baseball and the NBA.
These emblems are the officially licensed replicas of the actual on-field emblems worn by the players and are made from the same pro-mesh polyester as sports jerseys.
You are sure to score points with these kippot!
Major League Baseball New York Mets Pro-Kippah
The inside of the Pro-Kippah will remain on with clips
Major League Baseball Chicago Cubs Pro-Kippah comes to you packaged
For additional information on Pro-Kippah you can email them at info@theemblemsource.com or call them at 972-248-1909.
January 29th, 2013
The Rosh-Gorsky family from Manalapan, New Jersey celebrated their daughter Avery’s Bat Mitzvah on her 13th birthday, March 17, 2012. Her service was held at the Perrineville Jewish Center in New Jersey and their evening celebration for friends and family took place later that evening at the Encore Event Center in Freehold, New Jersey.
Independent-minded Avery contacted Mitzvah Market herself and provided the information for this spotlight! We know you will love all the details from her “Avery’s Fantasea” themed Bat Mitzvah.
Pictured above (L-R): Dad Ira, Bat Mitzvah girl Avery, Sisters Logan, Drew and Mom Jen.
All photography was provided by Adena of Studio A Images and the rest of the vendors are listed at the bottom.
Mitzvah Invitation & Style
Below, you will see Avery’s original invitation from by dana peeking through the top. It shows the pearl detail and sandpaper lining with ocean blue writing.
The change-of-venue card was sent three weeks after the invitation, as the original venue the family booked needed to be changed
Avery showing off her chic custom high top converse sneakers
Mitzvah Mom Jen showing off her heart and soles while screaming on the Horah chair
Mitzvah Details
A lover of mermaids and the ocean, Avery’s theme was “Avery’s Fantasea,” with a beautiful turquoise palette and a very cool mermaid logo incorporating her initials created by graphic designer, by dana. As guests entered the ballroom, they felt as though they were entering an underwater paradise, created by Marquis Florals with soft blue up lighting and beautiful linens.
Posing with her friends, in front of the step and repeat, Avery wore an ivory satin cocktail dress for the first part of her celebration
The ballroom decor looked like an underwater castle
The centerpieces were made of different shades of blue, purple and white and featured beads and feathers for a beautiful effect
Every table was set up with ocean themed decorations. Each adult couple received a glittered box of handmade chocolate bon bons made and boxed by Mom Jen
Each place setting had a candle for the candle lighting ceremony
To hold and display the place cards, there was a beautiful crystal tree with place card necklaces hanging on the branches
The menu card featured Avery's logo and was placed beside beautiful flowers and pearls
The kids' area with modern furniture
Avery's great dance floor logo
Music & Entertainment
MC Eddie and the entire Noble Productions crew had everyone at the party dancing and partying hard!
Avery enthusiastically enters into the ballroom to the lyrics, "When I arrive," from "Let it Rock
Avery’s friends enjoying
MC Eddie with Avery and her friends
A collection of giveaways that guests received from the DJ
Avery's friends enjoying the music
Guests really enjoyed the Shutter Booth Philadelphia photo booth
Avery and her father surprised their guests by doing a choreographed dance together. One of the songs Bat Mitzvah girl Avery and her dad danced to was Taylor Hick's "Do I Make You Proud?"
Avery and her Dad's special dance picks up speed as they dance to "Everybody Dance Now"
This family decided to do an "inclusive" candle lighting ceremony
The three sisters pose for the candle lighting ceremony
The last candle was for every person at the party. Everyone lit a candle left for them at the table
Mitzvah Favor & Exit Treats
The sweatshirts incorporated her logo too
Guests had the option of many treats from the food truck after the party
A sweet note from Avery was included
Mitzvah Project
For her Mitzvah Project, Avery was part of “The Wish Dance” for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of New Jersey. This event was attended by over 100 people and raised $5,050 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation and sent a 3-year-old boy to Disney World.
The poster to promote the dance
Over 100 guests enjoyed the music and dancing during The Wish Dance event
Mom to Mom
Advice from Mom Jen:
“The party is about recognizing your child’s accomplishments and celebrating her for them. Have fun and don’t sweat the small stuff. Trust your vendors. No matter how crazy and stressful the planning period may seem, everything does come together in the end.”
Vendor Directory
The following vendors helped to make Avery’s celebration special. If you give any of them a call, let them know you read about their services on MitzvahMarket.com
Venue/Caterer: Encore Event Center, 732-577-0495
Decor: Marquis Florals and Event Design By Kim, 732-441-4800
Photographer: Adena, Studio A Images, 201-222-6964
Invitation/logo/place cards: Dana Kaufman, by dana, 732-625-1471
Party Entertainment/Sign-In: Shutter Booth Philadelphia, 215-627-4000
Music Entertainment: MC Eddie, Noble Productions, 732-972-6944
Favors: by dana
Candy Truck: Marquis Florals and Events by Kim
Dresses for Party: Diane & Co. 732-625-8001
Mom’s Shoes: Zappos, Luichiny Brand
Transportation: Concorde Worldwide, 732-577-0023
Party Security: Jennifer, Encore Event Center
January 29th, 2013
We wrote recently about our newest craze: Pinterest.com and all the great ideas we are finding on this new social platform.
Here’s something we recently found on the boards of someone we’ve been following. It’s from Creative Party Buzz and we think it’s a great idea!
Many of us decide to create custom labels for water bottles to give our guests at our child’s Bar/Bat Mitzvah celebration.
If you don’t want to spend the time and money creating labels, just use the newest duct tape that you can find in all the craft stores.
We found these designs by “googling” designer duct tape!
Your water bottles will look great and you don’t have to worry about the ink running!
If you try this out, send us a picture at info@MitzvahMarket.com so we can share it with our readers.
January 29th, 2013
Tobo Foods provides the perfect ending to your child’s Bar or Bat Mitzvah and of course can service Weddings, Sweet 16′s, confirmations and all other occasions as well.
Your guests will long remember the unique and thoughtful way that you said “Goodbye and thank you for coming.”
They now offer a breakfast package as well! This can be served at the end of your party or as a Kiddush after your service.
The “basic” breakfast package includes:
* Tropicana orange juice
* Miniature bagels
* Individual portion of Philadelphia Cream Cheese
* A few pieces of miniature danish
* Hot beverage
* Paper napkin and plastic knife
* Presented in a paper bag to which a colorful ribbon has been attached
* Package can be modified to include full size bagel
Price available upon request. Call 516-623-4624.
To learn more about Tobo Foods, visit their extended profile page in our Vendor Directory.
January 28th, 2013
Alana Segelman of Randolph, New Jersey became a Bat Mitzvah on December 1, 2012. For her Bat Mitzvah project she chose an organization called, Lev Lalev Fund which benefits The Rubin Zeffren Children’s Home in Netanya, Israel. The home was founded in 1962 by the late revered Rebbe of Sanz-Klausenburg when, one evening, a desperate widower abandoned his five small children at the Rebbe’s doorstep.
The Lev LaLev Fund was established in August 2006, with the mission to nurture and care for Jewish girls in need throughout Israel. Lev LaLev has a special Bat Mitzvah Project program. They help girls design a Bat Mitzvah project that will raise funds for a “twin” orphaned girl in Israel. The donations help each girl’s twin and enjoy the extra fun things that go along with a Bat Mitzvah — hair, make-up, a new dress, a trip to the Kotel (Western Wall), photo album, and party.
Alana chose to raise money for her Mitzvah twin named Mazal by organizing a Day of Beauty at The Artistic Academy, a local cosmetology school. We think that Alana is beautiful both inside and out.
We asked her some questions to learn more about this special project:
MM: Why did you decide to take on this particular project?
AS: I decided to take on a Lev LaLev project because I’m so thankful that I could have such an amazing Bat Mitzvah, and I wanted to make another girl feel as happy and lucky as I do. Lev Lalev means “Heart to Heart,” and is an organization to care for Jewish girls in need throughout Israel.
Here is a picture of some of the girls who can be helped by a donation
MM: In your own words, what does it mean to you to do a Mitzvah Project for your Bat Mitzvah?
AS: To me, doing a Mitzvah project means taking on the responsibility to help a girl less fortunate than me, and helping her feel just as thankful as I am.
MM: Can you give us details of your Mitzvah Project?
AS: My aunt Sherri told me about an organization in Israel called the Lev LaLev Fund, which means “Heart to Heart.” It benefits orphaned girls at the Rubin Zeffren Children’s Home in Netanya Israel, which was founded by Rabbi Halberstam in 1962. Rabbi Halberstam lost his wife and 11 children in the Holocaust and spent the rest of his life doing good for others. I decided to set up a Lev LaLev fundraiser for a girl at the home named Mazal. We kind of look alike. The money I raised went towards the extras for Mazal’s Bat Mitzvah —- hair, makeup, a new dress, photos, and for Mazal to visit the Kotel (Western Wall.) The Artistic Academy, a local cosmetology school in Morris Plains, New Jersey that was started by DePasquale Spa, agreed to sponsor my “Day of Beauty” this past spring. They were so generous. The school committed to donating 100% of the fees for services we raised during my Day of Beauty to the Lev LaLev Fund for the orphaned girls. We raised a lot of money for Mazal and I know we helped to make her Bat Mitzvah extra special.
Alana talks Essie nail polish colors with her Mom’s friends Karen, a chef (www.azestforlife.com) who made her Tiffany turquoise Bat Mitzvah cake, and Esther, a religious school teacher, comedienne and Bar/Bat Mitzvah tutor
This beautiful collage displayed at Alana’s Bat Mitzvah service and reception celebrates both Alana and Mazal. It reads, “Mazel Tov Alana” under Alana’s picture, and “Mazel Tov Mazal” under Mazal’s picture
MM: How did you spread the word about your Mitzvah Project?
AS: I invited all my friends and my Mom’s friends to my Day of Beauty and asked those who couldn’t attend on April 9, to give a donation. I also put out flyers at my synagogue and got some beauty clients and donations through that connection. I liked that people weren’t just writing a check, but enjoying something fun while still feeling good about donating.
MM: For how long can people donate to this charity?
AS: There will always be orphaned girls, and there will always be a need for support at The Rubin Zeffren Children’s Home. I will always be taking donations for Lev LaLev or people can donate on the Lev LaLev Website, For more information they can contact: Sheena Levi, Director of Outreach, sheena@levlalev.com, 845-367-7130
We want to thank Alana for sharing this great idea with our Mitzvah Market readers.
Please note: Lev LaLev plans to celebrate the Bat Mitzvah of 17 orphaned girls in Israel on February 18th. If you, or anyone you know, would be interested in helping fund and/or attending the event please go to www.levlalev.com/gala
January 26th, 2013
If you’re worried you won’t be able to incorporate all your different ideas into your party, think again. Sara Renee Events put on an absolutely gorgeous celebration at the Fontainebleau in Miami, and she was able to tie many colors, themes, and performances together to create the perfect world for the Bat Mitzvah girl, her family, and all their guests. Each detail is more beautiful than the next. Here’s a peek into this fantastic party.
Photographs were taken by Magda Photo.
Light pink couches, bright pink curtains, colorful pillows, and photos of the Bat Mitzvah girl set the stage
The baking theme was evident from the beginning as guests received their place cards on a mini whisk in a mountain of sprinkles
Some tables had tall centerpieces topped with huge cupcakes
Other tables had elegant tall glass vases as centerpieces, with small jars filled with sprinkles inside and brightly colored flowers on top. Plus notice the pot holders!
We love the brightly colored bundt pans at each place setting!
The cocktail area was set up like a cafe with high chairs and tables in muted pink
Guests were invited to design (and then keep!) their own Fascinator Hats
Two of the coolest things were the 10 foot tall gumball machine shaped DJ booth and the slinkys hanging from the ceiling
Travie McCoy from Gym Class Heroes performed at the party
There was also a special performance from Jason Derulo
The guests danced under a ceiling of slinkys all night long
Thank you to Sara Renee for sharing this event on her blog. See more of her events on her Website.
January 26th, 2013
thecoolestgiveaways.com has worked with over 1,000 Bar/Bat Mitzvah families to come up with creative ideas for their child’s Bar/Bat Mitzvah giveaways. Whether you need a T-shirt, hoody, zip-up, authentic Jersey, flannel pants or shorts, Sigg water bottles, Fleece blankets, beach towels or hats, their experienced in-house design team will custom create a unique logo and help you find the perfect giveaway for your child’s Bar/Bat Mitzvah.
They also can create many additions and decor items for their clients to completely brand their event. Their goal is to design your party with a logo that can be used throughout your celebration.
It will help your event have a more polished and pulled together look to have elements of your design and logo throughout your party. These special touches are what will make your party stand out.
From a step and repeat, like you see at the Oscars, to custom cocktail napkins and custom water bottles (great for candy bars) to auto mugs filled with hot cocoa at the end of your celebration.
Let one team execute your vision!
Here are 14 ways to maximize and incorporate your logo into your party from thecoolestgiveaways.com
1. STEP AND REPEAT – This gives your entrance the wow factor when you walk in to your celebration. It’s great to use for the backdrop for your pictures. Good from red carpet themes to anyone who wants to add that extra wow!
2. COCKTAIL NAPKINS – This will give your guests a sense of what to look forward to and adds a polish to your event for a very small amount of money.
3. WATER BOTTLES – Great for candy buffets – cute for the kids to fill up as they leave with a favor that they will use again.
4. STAFF T-SHIRTS – Give your party walking decor with custom staff t-shirts. They add polish to your event. Print extras and your DJ can shoot them out on the dance floor to your guests. Very often you can use your logo and print inexpensive tees.
5. LOUNGE PILLOWS – It’s great to customize your space and add a little color and decor. Great to use with solid pillows and save one for your own child as a keepsake!
6. VIP PRESS PASSES – These laminated place cards are a great way for the kids to know where they are sitting. They can be used with or without the lanyard as a place card.
7. CUSTOM CANDY & CANDY PACKAGING – You can add a little extra in your young guests giveaway bags or put these on the adult tables. It can also be an added bonus for the candy buffet.
8. FAT HEADS – Also known as vinyl clings. These oversized versions of your logo add that extra wow to your room and are great for the center of the dance floor. They can also be placed on a wall as a backdrop behind the DJ booth or in the kids lounge area.
9. HOSPITALITY BAGS – These are great for your out-of-town guests. Your guests receive a keepsake from the event that they will use over and over again. This will make your guests feel welcome and it’s a hint of what is to come.
10. CUSTOM BOTTLED WATERS – It’s a good idea to fill up your hospitality bag with custom bottled waters or you can hand these out at the end of the night as your guests are leaving. They come in cool shapes just like voss water.
11. WRISTBANDS – These are great to hand out on the dance floor and can also be used as napkin holders.
12. AUTO MUGS – What a special way to say good night to your guests. Fill up the auto mug with hot cocoa or cider.
13. Personalized Lip Balm – Many families are filling up the hospitality basket with something special for the girls and boys to take home.
14. Custom Baseball Hats – These can be used as a dance motivator and/or a special memory for everyone to take home.
January 25th, 2013
Eric Greenberg Goldy, a 17-year-old New York City High School student is the founder of the Strike Out Pediatric Cancer PCF Bowlathon, a charity event he started five years ago when he was required to choose a charity project for his Bar Mitzvah.
We wanted our Mitzvah Market readers to know about Eric and this special charity that is still going strong five years later.
Pictured L-R: Dad Rob, Eric, Sister Taylor and Mom Roberta
MM: Why did you decide to take on this particular Mitzvah Project?
EGG: I got involved with Pediatric Cancer Foundation through a school community service project called, “The Box Project,” where students brought in different arts and crafts items to put inside of shoe boxes that we decorated to give to kids with cancer. A few years later, my sister got a group of friends together to walk in the Annual Pediatric Cancer Walkathon for her Bat Mitzvah. When it was time for me to choose a Mitzvah Project, I knew that I wanted it to benefit Pediatric Cancer Foundation but I also wanted it to be athletic and fun so I founded the Bowl-a-thon.
The Greenberg-Goldy Family in 2008
MM: In your own words, what does it mean to you to do a Mitzvah Project for your Bar Mitzvah?
EGG: Pediatric Cancer Foundation’s mission is really to help doctors help kids who have cancer and what that means to me– is that by founding and organizing the Annual Strike Out Pediatric Cancer™ PCF Bowl-a-thon, we’re helping as many kids as we can live a healthy and happy life. That, to me, embodies the Mitzvah tradition of tzedakah (charity) or tikkun olam (healing the world).
MM: Please give us details of your Mitzvah Project?
EGG: The 6th Annual Strike Out Pediatric Cancer™ PCF Bowl-A-Thon will take place on Sunday, December 15, 2013 from 11:00- 1:00 pm at Lucky Strike Lanes in New York City to benefit Pediatric Cancer Foundation. They receive no funding from the government or pharmaceutical companies and since 1970, nearly 90% of every dollar raised supports their mission to eradicate cancer. So what that means in terms of the Bowl-a-thon is that a huge percentage of each dollar raised directly helps kids who have cancer.
We’ve booked out the entire bowling alley in hopes of filling it with bowlers of all ages and have set aside lanes for younger bowlers who may need bumpers and slides. The $50 registration fee includes a donation to PCF, two hours of bowling, shoe rental, refreshments, and entertainment. As always, we will be raffling off fun and amazing prizes for both kids and adults. Parents looking for a fun birthday party activity, businesses looking for a meaningful Team Building event, and students looking for a fun community service project should all consider the 6th Annual Strike Out Pediatric Cancer PCF Bowl-a-thon.
MM: What are you doing to spread the word about your Mitzvah Project?
EGG: Besides inviting everyone that I know (and everyone that THEY know), each year I send out hundreds of corporate sponsor letters in hopes that they will support the Annual Strike Out Pediatric Cancer PCF Bowl-a-thon. This year our sponsors include: Appleseeds, Baked by Melissa, Alicart Restaurant Group, Fireman’s Hospitality Group, Asphalt Green, Chelsea Piers, ChariTotes™, Clean Plates, Lucky Strike, New Victory Theater, Protocol, Balloon Bouquets, Cozy’s Cuts for Kids and The Summer Lady. What we offer them in exchange for sponsorship is recognition! We put their logo on the sponsorship page of our Website and in our Press Kits. We also thank them. A lot!
We have been focusing more on social media than ever before. For example, in terms of Facebook every Monday we post a new sponsor logo, on Wednesday we post a picture from past Bowl-a-thons, and on Fridays we post Bowling tips. Besides sponsorships, what we really need are bowlers, so I have been using Facebook and Twitter to get people interested and excited. We also have a Website where people can register, donate, and get more information about PCF: www.pcfbowlathon.org
A letter Eric wrote for the 5th Annual Strike Out for Bowling
MM: For how long can people donate to this charity?
EGG: Yearlong! Our next event is Sunday, December 15, 2013.
MM: Anything else you want us to know about this Mitzvah Project?
EGG: The other important activity that takes place at the Bowl-a-thon is the Design-A-Bag workshop courtesy of ChariTotes. ChariTotes began as an arts and crafts activity that my sister, Taylor thought of where bowlers personally decorate blank canvas bags, make get well cards and then stuff the bags with a notebook, crayons and stickers to give to kids in local pediatric cancer units.
After doing this project at the Bowl-a-thon a few years ago, Taylor thought it would be great to create an actual product that people could buy where 10% of the proceeds are donated to PCF. Taylor and ChariTotes donate over 200 Design-A-Bag kits to the Bowl-a-thon each year so participants could create a bag for a sick child. In past years, student volunteers from the High School of Art and Design and Stuyvesant High School have been on site to help with this project in conjunction with the 92nd Street Y’s TEENSgiving Program!
Great job Eric! One person can make a difference. Thank you for sharing your Mitzvah Project with our readers and Mazel Tov on such a great project!
January 21st, 2013
Celebrity Party Planner Mindy Weiss planned a party at the The BookBindery in Culver City, California with a Harajuku theme.
So how does this become a Bat Mitzvah theme? Check it out.
Pictures for this Bat Mitzvah were taken by Jay Goldman Photography.
The fabulous brightly colored lanterns filled the ceiling and cherry blossoms filled the adult tables thanks to Marks Garden.
Plenty of pillows creates a cozy feel
Fun curved bar area
Lots of great details: beautiful floral displays, hanging from the ceiling are pink and orange lanterns and colorful butterflies are hanging over the large bar
L-R: Dancers in character, guests enjoying
Revelry did the furniture groupings
Famous In-n-Out Burgers for all guests!
A delicious and colorful candy bar!
We want to thank Mindy Weiss for sharing this celebration with our readers.
