Archive for October, 2013
October 14th, 2013
Lindsey Sklar from Bucks County, Pennsylvania, might look familiar because she’s one of our teen bloggers! When it came time for her to select a Mitzvah Project, it was easy….all she had to do was look at her own sister, Eva.
Eva was diagnosed at 6 weeks old with Ocular Albanism, a genetic birth defect that impairs her vision.
We thank her for sharing her Mitzvah Project with our readers.
Pictured L-R: Eva and Lindsey Sklar
MM: Why did you decide to take on this particular project?
LS: I chose this for my Mitzvah Project to raise money for The Noah Organization in honor of my sister Eva. The NOAH Organization stands for The National Organization for Albinism and Hypo-pigmentation. This organization supports research and development for children and families with Albanism and Ocular Albanism. This disease affects Eva’s eyesight and is a condition in which the eyes lack melanin pigment. Eva is highly functional in a regular classroom setting with special accommodations made for her including larger text textbooks and magnifying tools.
MM: Can you give us details of your Mitzvah Project?
LS: My family and I sold homemade chocolate chip cookies and lemonade on Saturday, September 21st in my hometown in Holland, Pennsylvania. With the help of generous family, friends and others who donated, I raised almost $900 towards a cause that is important to me! I was shocked at the amount of friends and family that came to support my family. I am so lucky to have so many caring people that took the time to stop by and donate. I also had many close friends stop by for cookies and lemonade including, Haley Schwartz, Amanda Hyman, Allison Reinhardt and Elizabeth Wolf. I am so happy I could do something to help others and it makes me feel so proud!
Eva’s best friend Abigail Levine brought her soccer team to the cookie sale. Eva was so excited!
We would like to thank Lindsey for sharing her inspiring Mitzvah Project with our readers. We hope it inspires you to start something similar in your hometown. To learn more about The Noah Organization, visit their
Website.
Read Lindsey’s blog post about her experience being “on the circuit” here.
October 13th, 2013
Fringe & Company is a full-service event design and decor company in South Florida. They recently planned a Bar Mitzvah for a comedy-loving boy and created a “Comedy Improv Night” theme.
Get ready to enjoy one of the funniest Bar Mitzvah themes we’ve seen!
John Canning Photography photographed the event. The venue was Benvenuto Restaurant in Boynton Beach, Florida.
Place card table was a riot!
Each guest got a different funny prop as a place card
Wind-up chatter teeth place cards
A very funny centerpiece on the cocktail tables included, among other things, a rubber chicken!
The ballroom was decorated with posters and balloons in a black, red and silver color palette
“Did you hear the one about…”
Poster centerpieces featured the Bar Mitzvah boy’s favorite comedian…himself
Family members holding up funny signs
All-in-good-fun signage in the photo booth
The candle lighting ceremony had all the right elements for a big laugh
We thank Fringe & Company for sharing this great Bar Mitzvah with our readers.
October 8th, 2013
The Laff family celebrated daughter Haylie’s Bat Mitzvah on June 15, 2013, at Ohev Shalom of Bucks County in Richboro, Pennsylvania. There was an evening reception at Spring Mill Manor in Ivyland, Pennsylvania.
Haylie has been playing tennis at the Doylestown Tennis Club outside of Philadelphia, since she was five years old and there was no question that the theme of her celebration would be tennis.
Pictured L-R: Dad Josh, younger Brother Jared, Mom Amy and Bat Mitzvah girl Haylie.
HyPaul Studio Photography was the photographer. All the vendor information is at the end of the spotlight.
Haylie’s service took place at Ohev Shalom of Bucks County in Richboro, Pennsylvania.
Haylie on the Bimah for her formal portraits
A pocket-fold invitation, created by Paper Rock Scissors, set the theme of the celebration.
Paper Rock Scissors also designed the custom monogram logo
Clever wording for the RSVP included tennis phrases
Haylie and her family looked great. Haylie’s dress for her service was purchased from Party Girls. For the reception, her one shoulder platinum dress with crystal embellishments was from Rena Elle Couture.
(L-R) Ready for her service and ready for her party
Mom Amy’s black gown was from Berta Sawyer. Dad Josh and Brother Jared purchased suits from Schweon’s Clothing & Formal Wear for Boys & Men
Since the reception attire was black tie, Schweon’s suggested they replace the buttons on Jared’s suit with satin buttons, after the morning services. They rented a tuxedo shirt, vest and bow tie to complete the tuxedo look rather than renting or purchasing a tuxedo for the evening.
Party Planner Valerie Felgoise of Let’s Party with Valerie, aced the decor. Working with lime green and black as the color palette, Valerie welcomed Mom Amy’s participation in the decor. Amy made a lampshade which was covered with pictures of Haylie.
Guests enjoyed pictures of Haylie on the place card table
Tall cylinder vases with large tennis balls look modern and sophisticated
Silhouettes of Haylie playing tennis adorned some of the tables
Paper Rock Scissors created a custom “thank you” from the family to their guests that sat at each place setting instead of a menu
Floral arrangement in the shape of a tennis ball
A beautiful ice sculpture with Haylie’s name engraved
An “H” for Haylie dotted with mini tennis balls added to the bar decor
A wonderful way to honor family, these pictures included four sets of great grandparents and Haylie’s brother Matthew.
Pictures surrounding a framed poem were displayed on a piano as guests entered the cocktail hour
Haylie’s mom created the sign-in board as well as the gift box with Haylie’s custom logo.
Haylie is all smiles as she makes her way into her reception.
Entering the ballroom
Smiles and high fives for everyone
No foot fault here, a great idea to put the socks in a tennis hopper.
A Sharp Production with MC Jay Berkovitz was the amazing MC for the night!
Dancers dressed in their best tennis attire including Haylie!
Haylie had a great time with her friends
Haylie enjoying a dance with her dad.
Lochel’s Bakery aced the cake and cupcakes used for the candle lighting.
We love these cupcakes and cake
Haylie and Jared lighting the candles together
A family friend helped to coordinate the sweatshirt favors.
Each sweatshirt came in a duffle bag with Haylie’s logo
Awesome logo using their last name, “Laff”
To help celebrate Father’s Day the following day, the Laffs had the Sunday Philadelphia Inquirer and coffee for their guests to take as they left. In addition, there was a surprise dessert waiting for them outside. Jimmies Cupcake Truck was parked ready to handout cupcakes named after famous tennis players (including Haylie!). Guests were welcome to grab a cupcake (or two) to enjoy on their way home.
Haylie and Jared helping to hand out cupcakes
Custom labels by Paper Rock Scissors were used on water bottles for guests to grab on their way home
Spring Mill Manor set up a “to go” coffee station at the end of the evening with Styrofoam cups with Haylie’s name, tennis racquets and tennis ball in lime green
After watching a movie entitled “Praying With Lior,” Haylie realized that not everyone is capable of going to religious school, participating in services, and ultimately becoming a B’nai Mitzvah. She wanted to help bring Jewish experiences into the lives of children with intellectual and physical disabilities. After doing some research, she found a group called The Friendship Circle in Newtown, Pennsylvania. This program aims to provide Jewish children and teenagers with special needs and their families with many of the social and recreational opportunities that are currently available to the general community. Haylie also volunteers in a program at Ohev Shalom called Celebrations! a program for individuals with varied intellectual disabilities. She just experienced the first year of the program!
Some advice from Mom Amy:
“I am a person who likes to plan ahead. It was helpful to me to keep a running list of ‘big things’ and ‘little things’ to do. I kept a binder with all my communication, estimates and receipts for each vendor. I found it helpful to cross off as many things off of my list ahead of time that I was capable of. For example, I ordered my Kippot and bought the socks for the girls ahead of time. The biggest piece of advice is to accept the fact that things will go wrong. During the process I thought that I may lose my mind….at the end of the day it all works out.”
The following vendors helped to make Haylie’s celebration special. If you give any of them a call, please let them know you read about their services on MitzvahMarket.com
Temple: Ohev Shalom of Bucks County, 215-322-9595
Venue: Spring Mill Manor, 215-675-6000
Party Planner: Valerie Felgoise, Let’s Party with Valerie, 610-213-5675
Photographer/Videography: HyPaul Studio, 215-364-4144
Music Entertainment:A Sharp Production/MC Jay Berkovitz, 215-938-7738
Invitation/Place cards: Paper, Rock, Scissors, 610-825-2130
Custom logo/labels for water bottle: Paper, Rock, Scissors
Candle lighting cake/cupcakes: Lochel’s Bakery, 215-773-9779
Logo’d Styrofoam Cups: Yours Truly By Kate, 215-340-1148
Haylie’s service dress: Party Girls, 215-579-9899
Haylie’s party dress: Rena Elle Couture, 856-482-5551
Mom’s service dress: Saks Fifth Avenue
Mom’s gown: Berta Sawyer, 215-572-8826
Dad Josh and brother Jared tuxedo’s: Schweon’s Clothing & Formal Wear for Boys & Men, 215-357-0600
Cupcake Truck: Jimmie’s Cupcake Truck, 215-699-9090
Hair/make-up: Elite Concepts Salon, 215-364-7112
Transportation: All Threes Luxury Sedan & Taxicab Service, 215-333-3333
October 8th, 2013
The R.S.V.P. card of your child’s Bar Bat Mitzvah invitation gives you an opportunity to infuse a little fun….and that’s just what some Bar Bat Mitzvah families have done!
We have found many cool R.S.V.P. cards with fun wording. Here are some of our recent favorites to share with you.
To read our past R.S.V.P. card story, click here.
Zach Lipson’s Bar Mitzvah R.S.V.P. card cleverly incorporated his love of wrestling
Invitations by Lisa came up with this clever R.S.V.P. card for a “road trip” Bar Mitzvah theme
From Digby Rose, this R.S.V.P. card is fun and vibrant and the basketball theme represents the Bat Mitzvah girl’s favorite sport
The Gendler Spotlight featured a travel themed Bat Mitzvah which took place at an airport, thus their R.S.V.P. card looked like a plane boarding pass from Talento Designs
For this Bar Knicksvah, the Lapidus family (who can also be seen at the bottom of the card) used clever wording from FabuDesigns.com
As this R.S.V.P. card states, “Be There” or “Be Square” from Invitinglee
Dear Friends created this adorable R.S.V.P. that reads, “Welcome to Mc Andies, Can I take your order?
“Celebrating with friends and family is the perfect match” for a tennis themed Bar Mitzvah from Pioneer Announcements
The R.S.V.P. card from FabuDesigns.com for Emily’s Eatery Bat Mitzvah was fashioned after a traditional guest check from a restaurant
Great R.S.V.P. card and envelope for a ski themed Bar Mitzvah from La Petite Fleur
From Luscious Verde an R.S.V.P. card, simple and hip
Your guests will feel like they are the star of the show with this R.S.V.P. from BarMitzvahCards.net
For a soccer themed Bar Mitzvah invitation, Invitations4less.com created this fun R.S.V.P.
Did you have a cool way for your guests to R.S.V.P? Let us know at info@MitzvahMarket.com.
October 2nd, 2013
New York City event designer Jes Gordon, whose company properFUN plans some of the finest events in New York City, recently planned this chic Bat Mitzvah.
The Bohemian National Hall was transformed into a sophisticated and fun celebration for a Bat Mitzvah girl who loves pink.
Brett Matthews Photography was on hand to photograph the party and Marcia Selden was the caterer.
Shades of pink up-lighting set the tone against the white furniture
Crisp white banquette in the adult lounge
Pintuck leather ottomans with acrylic trays created a hip lounge vignette near the dance floor
White leather lounge vignettes flanked the dance floor while the Bat Mitzvah girl’s logo, “XOX,” decorated the walls
Rows of purple orchids and candlelight lined the lounge tables
Upon entering, guests saw the Bat Mitzvah girl’s custom logo and her photo slide show displayed on plasmas
Custom cocktail napkins
The view from above
Custom mini margarita pizza boxes
Sleek pink gift bags jazzed up the white cubbies
We thank Jes Gordon of properFUN for sharing this great Bat Mitzvah with our readers.
October 1st, 2013
This was the second celebration for the Golden family from Franklin Lakes, New Jersey at Trail’s End Camp in Beach Lake, Pennsylvania. We already ran a Mitzvah Family Spotlight story for older sister Ally, who celebrated there in 2010. Dani wanted a weekend celebration like her sister had two years before. Trail’s End Camp was the perfect location to combine her love of camp and soccer which became her Bat Mitzvah theme.
Simon Elliot Events was the photographer for this event and the rest of the vendors are listed at the bottom.
Pictured L-R: Mom Leslie, Bat Mitzvah girl Dani, sister Ally and Dad Lee.
Invitations to Dani’s weekend lead guests to a custom Website that was built by Amy Wohl from FabuDesigns.com. Check out details from her celebration on her Website here
Dani’s friends arrive by bus Saturday morning to begin the fun!
All areas of the beautiful camp were available for guests to enjoy
Dani stands on the porch of the bunks where guests all stayed for the true camp experience
Dani’s friends are ready for some fun!
During the day, Simon Elliot Events divided Dani’s friends into teams and oversaw the “color war” fun! Dani and her friends are ready for the 3-legged race!
Different colored t-shirts, created by A Promos USA/ImageMaker, were given out to Dani’s friends
Each team also had a flag also created by A Promos USA/ImageMaker
After a day of fun, it was time for Dani’s Bat Mitzvah service. Due to bad weather, the service, which would have taken place at the lake was moved inside to the dining hall, but that did not stop Dani from doing a terrific job! Dani is all smiles with her Torah
Looking Golden! Sisters Dani and Ally got their dresses at All Dressed Up. Mom Leslie’s dress was from Bergdorf Goodman. Dani’s skirt was removable to reveal a shorter dress underneath
“Life is Golden” signage flanked the entryway. Place cards, created by Artistic Displays, greeted Dani’s guests in the dining hall at Trail’s End Camp
For Dani’s sign-in, Honesdale Florist decorated a mailbox for guests to write special messages on postcards.
Dani’s friends sending her a postcard with good wishes
FabuDesigns.com designed the postcards
Dani makes her entrance in her shorter dress
Dani and the Untouchable dancers
The music entertainment was provided by Untouchable Events with Joe as the MC. Everyone was on the dance floor all night
Checkerboard printed napkins and various pastels linens created a fun look in the dining hall
Honesdale Florist provided the centerpieces which each stated, “Life is….”
The soccer cake was created by the Trails End Camp baker
Mitzvah Moment Dani and her friends enjoying the camp grounds
Ally toasts her little sister Dani
“Live” event painter Martin Harding worked all night to complete a painting capturing the celebration. The finished painting is now hanging in the Golden’s home
Each of Dani’s friends had a personalized drawstring bag, flashlight and sweatshirt, created by A Promos USA waiting for them on their beds in the bunk. The sweatshirt featured her logo,”Life is Golden”
Dani posing with her sister Ally by the lake and modeling the sweatshirt favor
At the end of the celebration, family and friends gathered by the lake for s’mores and a surprise fireworks show! Friends enjoying the bonfire and s’mores in comfy clothes
A showstopping fireworks on the lake was enjoyed by all
Bat Mitzvah Project
Dani volunteered for two weeks as a buddy at Camp Acorn in NJ. Camp Acorn is a summer/winter social and recreational program for children and young adults with multiple disabilities.
Since camp is such a special place for Dani, she wanted others less fortunate than her to have a camp experience.
Some Mitzvah Advice from Mom Leslie
“Having an event planner to oversee the schedule of events for the daytime was key. We were able to enjoy the activities and spend time with our guests.”
Vendor Directory
The following vendors helped to make Dani’s celebration special. If you give any of them a call, please let them know you read about their services on MitzvahMarket.com.
Venue/Caterer/Cake/Party Security: Trail’s End Camp
Day of Event Planner: Michelle Collins, Simon Elliot Events, 516-586-6822
Photographer/Videographer/Photo favors: Simon Elliott Events, 516-586-6822
Website/Postcards: Amy Wohl, Fabudesigns.com, 312-513-1698
Favors/Flags/Color War shirts: Mindy, A Promo USA/ImageMaker, 800-987-8966
Music Entertainment/MC: MC Joe, Untouchable Events, 212-924-6299
Décor/Florist/Sign-in mailbox: Honesdale Florist, 570-253-3050
Place cards: Lori & Michelle, Artistic Displays
Live Event Painter: Martin Harding, 201-965-3441
Dresses for family members: Dani & Ally, All Dressed Up, 914-690-1593
Mom Leslie: Bergdorf Goodman
Hair/makeup: 5th Ave Hair Color Studio & Spa; Makeup, Artistic Brushworks
Transportation: Avery Transportation, 570-729-7153
