Mitzvah Inspire: Fontainebleau
January 26th, 2013

Mitzvah Inspire: Fontainebleau

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.

thecoolestgiveaways.com: 14 Creative Ways To Use Your Logo From Start To Finish
January 26th, 2013

thecoolestgiveaways.com: 14 Creative Ways To Use Your Logo From Start To Finish

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.

 

 

Mitzvah Project: The 6th Annual Strike Out Pediatric Cancer Bowl-A-Thon
January 25th, 2013

Mitzvah Project: The 6th Annual Strike Out Pediatric Cancer Bowl-A-Thon

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 23rd, 2013

Cancer Stinks Children’s Foundation

Mitzvah Inspire: Fun Harajuku Mitzvah
January 21st, 2013

Mitzvah Inspire: Fun Harajuku Mitzvah

 

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.

 

 

 

The Gendler Bat Mitzvah Family Spotlight
January 21st, 2013

The Gendler Bat Mitzvah Family Spotlight

The Gendler family from Plantation, Florida celebrated their daughter Brittany’s Bat Mitzvah on November 3, 2012 at Temple Kol Ami Emanu-El in Plantation, Florida. The evening reception was at a unique venue, Hangar 9 located within the Ft. Lauderdale Executive Airport. There were so many special touches, created especially for Brittany’s special day by her Mom Linda, which tied in with her theme and were “first class!” We can’t wait to share them with you.

Pictured L-R: Dad Richard, Bat Mitzvah girl Brittany, Mom Linda and older Brother Justin.

All party photography was done by Barry Dryer of Affordable Affairs and the rest of the vendors are listed at the bottom of the spotlight.
 


A close-up of the kippot basket made by Mom Linda

Along with the kippot basket, Mom Linda loved making the service programs and spice bags for the service as well


Their custom invitation, from Talento Designs featured the party’s destination and was a pop-up of  Brittany as a flight attendant! Jet Brittany Airways introduced the theme of the Bat Mitzvah celebration

The clever wording on the RSVP card looked like an airline ticket


The theme was “Jet Brittany Airways,” and this was incorporated in every aspect of the party. Bat Mitzvah girl Brittany posing on the wing of a plane!

The spacious Ft. Lauderdale Executive Airport was a big and open airplane hangar with small private airplanes parked right outside. With over 250 guests, it was the perfect venue with plenty of room


Mom Linda worked closely with Mitch Amsterdam of Silver Lining Productions who transformed the big open venue into “Jet Brittany Airways” with a vivid color palette of hot pink and turquoise. A custom step and repeat red carpet welcomed all the Gendler’s guests arriving at “Jet Brittany Airways”

The hot pink linens, turquoise seat cushions, napkins and silver chiavari chairs created a colorful look


Brittany shows off her custom floor logo


Each table featured a different gate number


“Jet Brittany Airways” signage was outside the venue as well

Brittany checking-in with her flight crew before take-off

Mom Linda and Dad Richard making their entrance


An unfinished chair was purchased from Wood You Furniture. Linda painted it and then stenciled Brittany’s name, date and Hebrew name on it. She also added a beautiful quote from the Torah on the front and decorated it with lots of big rhinestones. The horah chair is now in Brittany’s room


Brittany is up in the chair!

Mom Linda made the glitter sneakers for the guest of honor


This great DIY bathroom basket had all the important items


Mom Linda also loved making the gift baskets for the out of town guests

 MC Ross of Rock With U Entertainment really got the crowd going with non-stop fun


The Rock With U Entertainment flight crew ready for take off!

Laser nails for the girls


The boys had video game fun!


Brittany and her crew

The candle lighting ceremony was beautiful with a sparkle table and alternating pink and turquoise votives

Organized in hot pink bins All the details of this event soared to new heights right down to the favors created by Squeegee Science.


The front of the shirt “Jet Brittany Airways”

 

The back included names of Brittany’s official flight crew rooster

As the guests headed onto their final approach, there was a pink and turquoise candy bar and boxes of Krispy Kreme donuts for each guest. Mom Linda designed and set up the candy cart with handmade gumball necklaces and coordinating glitter


Krispy Creme Donuts display

 Some Advice from Mom Linda

“This was my second go-round. My son’s Bar Mitzvah was three years ago and the best advice I can give is to be organized. I had a 3” binder I used for planning that contained dividers for every vendor I worked with (i.e. venue, caterer, decorator, DJ, invitations, favors, entertainment, photographer, videographer, transportation, temple service, etc…). My binder (or “bible” as my friends called it) actually frightened some of my vendors when they saw it. One look at it and they knew I had done my homework and shopped around for all my price quotes. Anytime I needed information or phone numbers it was right there at my fingertips and easy to access just by flipping to the section I needed.”

Brittany’s Mitzvah Project

Brittany is a competitive gymnast and wanted to incorporate that into her Mitzvah Project. The owner of the gym she trains at donated use of the facility for a fundraiser for Can’t Stomach Cancer, The Foundation of Debbie’s Dream. Her teammates and coaches volunteered to work the fundraiser and they also got a DJ to donate his services.

Can’t Stomach Cancer (CSC) was created by Debbie Zelman, a close family friend with incurable stomach cancer. The entire Gendler Family has been involved with this charity. Brittany put together “Cartwheels For Cancer” an afternoon of food, fun and flipping at West Broward Gymnastics Academy. Her friends were invited to come and asked to bring a donation for CSC. The event was promoted on Facebook and Giveforward.com and donations came rolling in. Over 63 kids attended
“Cartwheels For Cancer” and over $1,200.00 was raised.

Vendor Directory

 The following vendors helped to make Brittany’s celebration special. If you give any of them a call, let them know you read about their services on MitzvahMarket.com

Venue: Hangar 9 at the  Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport, 954-828-4955
Party Planner: Mom Linda
Décor/florist: Mitch Amsterdam, Silver Lining Event Production, 954-917-1020
Catering:
In-Flight Catering, a division of Silver Lining Productions
Photographer/Videographer
: Barry Dryer, Affordable Affairs, 954-241-7001
Invitation:
Miriam Conceicao, Talento Designs Invitations, 561-347-8165
Music Entertainment:
MC, Ross Bielejeski, Rock With U Entertainment, 954-531-7900
Favor person: Kids Tshirts, Brett Wilkin, Squeegee Science
Extra Entertanment: Sara, Krispy Kreme Donuts, 305-949-5171
Kids Candy Cart: Kirk, Sugarman Candy, 954-746-2773
Flip n Pics: Barry Dryer, 954-663-0464
Laser Nails: Ann P. Fernandez, 954-389-3987
Fun Photos: Affordable Affairs
Game Zones: James, Party Antics, 954-255-1100
Horah chair: Mom Linda
Mom’s suit for service: Nordstrom’s Boca Raton Towne Center, Mom’s evening dress Susan Rose Dresses
Bat Mitzvah girl Brittany’s dress for services: Lisa, Shop Pink & Blues, 954-452-7775
and evening dress: Michelle Mario Pucci Boca, 561-982-8382
Suits for family members: Sam Nassour, Men’s Wearhouse, 954-423-4124
Hair/makeup: Alicia Truc, Femme Fatale, 954-240-5794
Double Decker Bus: Crystal, Corporate Coaches

Sign-In With Style
January 20th, 2013

Sign-In With Style

 

 Most Bar Bat Mitzvah celebrations have some form of a sign-in board. We have written about cool sign-in boards in the past.

 At left is a painted bench, done by artist Austin Guerra for a sign in that now is in the Bat Mitzvah girl’s room.

 Here are some great and unique ideas for your child’s sign-in.

 

 

 

 
For this basketball themed Bar Mitzvah, the Lapidus family created their own basketball floor using adhesive wood stripes from Home Depot glued to a piece of plywood. Total cost = $45.00


From Jesse Hernandez Photography, this Bar Mitzvah boy had his guests sign-in on his Guitar Hero!

A mirror sign-in from Dazzling Parties that now hangs in the Bat Mitzvah girl’s bedroom

This hockey themed Gorelkin Bar Mitzvah spotlight had a DIY sign-in made from plexi-glass with the guest of honor’s name and hockey number in graffiti. Markers were tied with yellow hockey laces for guests to sign

From Max Aureli Photography, this Bat Mitzvah girl has an interest in fashion and her sign-in featured ribbons hanging from a mannequin. Guests left personal messages on the different colored ribbons


This unique sign-in from Simon Elliot Events used the Michael Jordan Jumpman outline, filled in with photos of the Bar Mitzvah boy

From Wendy Robinson Photography, a beautifully decorated box with a slot to just drop in a heartfelt message

From Beautiful Blooms, a locker to sign for a sports themed Bar Mitzvah


This beautiful sign-in pillow is from The Pieced Palette

 

For a fashion themed Bat Mitzvah, this DIY family had guests sign-in on a mannequin bust

For a Bat Mitzvah girl who loves ice cream, her photography session was printed on aluminum tiles then joined as a mural from Sarah Frances Photography


This LED lit screen, also from Simon Elliot Events, features a customized board frame and is now hanging in the Bar Mitzvah boy’s room

From Munoz Photography, we love this “Grateful Dream” bus created for Drew’s Bat Mitzvah

 Did you have a unique sign-in idea for your child’s Bar Bat Mitzvah? Let us know at info@mitzvahmarket.com.

 

January 17th, 2013

PAWS

The Kamiel Bar Mitzvah Family Spotlight
January 15th, 2013

The Kamiel Bar Mitzvah Family Spotlight

Casey Kamiel celebrated his Bar Mitzvah on October 20, 2012.  He has an unusual, large family tree filled with parents, step-parents, siblings & step-siblings who love him madly.

All the pieces to his puzzle resulted in a party filled with warmth and happiness at The Wilshire Grand Hotel in West Orange, New Jersey. An intimate and moving Havdalah service was followed by Casey’s friends and family partying the night away at a 1940’s retro baseball style celebration.

Mom Dayna Platnick plans parties for a living…but planning her own child’s was a whole different ball game.

 

Pictured above L-R: Mom Dayna and Bar Mitzvah boy Casey.

The photographer was Jesse Hernandez Photography and the rest of the vendors are listed at the bottom of the spotlight.

 

Mitzvah Service & Invitation

Mom Dayna & Stephanie Tarre of Stationery Stephanie created this custom invitation from Spotlight Designs.
 

Mitzvah Details

Baseball was the theme which is Bar Mitzvah boy Casey’s passion. This party was done with a vintage feel and his logo, “Casey@ the bat” was taken from the famous baseball poem, “Casey at the Bat” written by Ernest L. Thayer. Mitzvah Mom Dayna and Jersey Street Furniture hit a home run with the vintage baseball decor. With a palette of orange and chocolate brown they created the feeling of 1940’s baseball, a la the movie “The Natural.” The room was also draped and lit in amber lights. Where the Flowers Bloom created the beautiful centerpieces. 


  

Music & Entertainment

Shine Events provided the music entertainment. 

 

Mitzvah Favors & Exit Treats

Late in the evening, baseball-style-vendors offered “Casey @ the bat” t-shirts to the adults while kids received an awesome hoodie! Shine Events built Casey’s Corner and it was the place to be at midnight! Complete with magazines, bottled water and retro candies, kids and adults were thrilled with the late night treats.

 

Mom to Mom

Advice from Mom Dayna, a party planner:
“Finding the right DJ, florist, photographer, etc. aren’t an easy task. After working with many vendors over the years, I chose an all-star cast to create “Casey @ the bat.” To me, the hard part was dealing with the emotional end of this event during the weeks leading up to it. True, the party was undeniably important to Casey & me, but ultimately I was wrestling with the fact that he was turning 13 and my baby is gone forever. On October 20th I was overwhelmed with sheer joy; beaming as my son read from the Torah, as he hugged & kissed his grandparents and as he rocked on the dance floor with his ‘Wolfpack.’ Best advice I can give? Just be in the moment; be present and feel every emotion because it’s over in a blink.”

 

Vendor Directory

Here is a list of the Mitzvah Vendors who helped make Casey’s Bar Mitzvah special. If you call any of them, please let them know you read about their services on MitzvahMarket.com.


Venue
: The Wilshire Grand Hotel, 973-731-7007
Party Planner: Casey’s Mom, Dayna Platnick Events, dakamiel@aol.com
Music Entertainment: MC Mike, Shine Events
Cocktail Hour Guitarist:
Jason Liebman Music
Favors:
Alison Halper, ID Clothing, alisonhalper@aol.com
Extra Entertainment: Shine Events, March Madness Tourney, Air hockey & Airbrush Tattoo, Casey’s Corner newsstand
Photo Wall: Total Entertainment
Photographer:
  Jesse Hernandez Photography
Videography: Kristin O’Gorman Productions, kristen.ogorman@gmail.com
Invitation: Stationery Stephanie
Florists: Where Flowers Bloom
Computer Calligraphy:
Lory Bernstein, loryrb@aol.com
Décor:
Jersey Street Furniture
Day of Event Coordinator: Cynthia Pesce Events
Sign-In board: Casey’s closet door, painted by Mom
Mom’s Dress: Neiman Marcus
Suits for family members: Sam’s Fine Men’s Clothing
Hair/makeup: Rita Scrivo-Longo, My Cinderella’s Dream
Party security:
Bar Mitzvah Bouncer
Socks: Epic Sports

 

Mama’s Custom Cookies
January 15th, 2013

Mama’s Custom Cookies


Mama’s Custom Cookies
can create unique, fun, personalized, delicious custom cookies as place cards, candle lighting giveaways, logos and parting Mitzvah exit treats.

Here are some examples:

 

 

 These Moustache cookies on a stick can be used as props for your photo booth and then enjoyed as a delicious treat

 Have Mama’s create cookies to match your theme!


Monogrammed cookies are fun. Add a sticker or more frosting and you have a place card!


Initials


Any sports theme

Customize any app on a cookie!

 

For more information, visit their Website.