September 11th, 2013
Karen Ard Photography recently featured the B’nai Mitzvah of two first cousins.
Emma and Griffin had a fun luncheon with music going all day while the kids ran around doing various activities and eating great food from Rita’s Gourmet Catering and bread from Homeboy Industries bakery.
Their service and luncheon can only be called, “California cool.”
Check it out below:
The cousins’ Moms, Cathy and Stacey, did an amazing job planning their event. Cathy was also the officiant at their service!
Lots of family arrived from across the country to be at this B’nai Mitzvah
We love their sign!
A funny picture of the cousins was tied to the traditional candy thrown at the end of the service. It says, “Throwing candy at us is supposed to be sweet?”
Here’s where guests signed-in for Emma
And one for Griffin too!
Delicious food was from Rita’s Gourmet Catering including sliders and mac n cheese
Guests received bread from Homeboy Industries bakery
The candy bar with lunch bags saying “Griffin & Emma’s B’nai Mitzvah”
Near the candy bar guests could grab toothbrushes with the cousins names off a table of photofetti
Thanks to Karen Ard Photography for sharing this B’nai Mitzvah with our readers.
September 11th, 2013
The Brodsky family from Orlando, Florida celebrated daughter Sara’s Bat Mitzvah on December 1, 2012. There was a morning service at Congregation of Reform Judaism in Orlando, followed by an evening party at two different venues where they celebrated with a Cirque de Sara theme!
Pictured L-R: Brother Jake, Dad Mike, Mom Lisa and Bat Mitzvah girl Sara.
Mike Basher of A Magic Moment Photography was the photographer and the rest of the vendor information is listed below.
Mom Lisa has a small stationery business, RSVP 2 Me and ordered this festive invitation from Carlson Craft.
Pretty turquoise with a flower border
Sara’s stands underneath the marquee in her beautiful cocktail dress designed and made by Brenda Johnson of Brenda Johnson Designs.
Sara looks great in her custom blue cocktail dress
The theme was Cirque de Sara. Mom Lisa used 99designs.com, a marketplace for graphic and logo designers. After holding a contest on their Website, she hired graphic artist Leo Cadiz who came up with the best logo.
A great logo that really captures the theme of the party
Sara’s party was held in two venues right next to each other, with cocktails at The Abbey and the reception at The Mezz located in downtown Orlando.
Guests were greeted with a red carpet marquee that read, “One Night Only Cirque de Sara.”
The Brodskys worked with event planner Faye Novick of Just Events! and the decor was created by Just Celebrate and Raining Roses Productions.
The room had pops of colors
Whimsical centerpieces were fun to look at and celebrated Sara’s love of music
The lounge had great up lighting which was provided by The Abbey
Arthur’s Catering provided unique food stations.
A yummy slider station was very popular
Jammin Express and MC Jason provided the music entertainment and kept Sara’s guests on the dance floor all night!
Sara accompanied by performers
Sara is the center of attention with the Jammin Express dancers
On the dance floor with her friends
Sara giving a thumbs up while having the best time on the dance floor
Their entertainment was very unique and included interactive performers such as contortionists, jugglers, hula-hoopers and even a lady dressed up as a “live” candy bar.
Lighting up the dance floor
We love this candy girl
The logo was used as the cover of the sign-in book.
Mom Lisa put it together from MyPublisher.com
Patrick with A Magic Moment worked with Sara to create a candle lighting video. The video recorded Sara announcing who would light each candle, and then showed a photo loop of those people (for each candle) with Sara and her family over the years. It solved the problem of not being able to hear when the guest of honor announces the candles.
Check out the video here.
Sara starting her candle lighting ceremony
The favors- embroidered towels and drawstring bags- were from Infinity Embroidery.
We love the colors and the logo!
Sara collected new toys and crafts to donate to Harbor House, a domestic violence shelter. She wrapped and shrink-wrapped the items and used them as the centerpieces for the Kiddush lunch, and brought them to the shelter the following week.
When Sara brought over all the centerpieces, the shelter gave the Brodsky Family a tour and explained to Sara their mission and how they serve the community
Advice from Mom Lisa:
“Plan early and relax. Enjoy the day and night. If something doesn’t go as planned, chances are your guests will not notice, and if they do, it really does not matter. They are there to share a great moment with you, and they will all have a great time, no matter what. Your child worked hard and as long as they have the time of their lives, the event is a success.”
The following vendors helped to make Sara’s Bat Mitzvah special. If you give any of them a call, please let them know you read about their services on MitzvahMarket.com.
Venues: Jenna Tempe, Artful Events, 407-704-6268
Party catering: Lori Player, Arthur’s Catering, 407-331-1993
Kiddush luncheon catering: Stacey, Bagel King, 407-657-6266
Party Planner: Faye Novick, Just Events!, 407-748-4717
Invitation: Mom Lisa, RSVP 2 Me, RSVP2Me@me.com
Photographer: David Basher, A Magic Moment, 407-536-6636
Videographer: Patrick, A Magic Moment
Music Entertainment: MC, Jason Bank, Jammin Express, 954-659-disc
Décor/florist: Jesus Rodriguez, Raining Roses Productions, 407-854-3500
Lounge Furniture rental: AFR Furniture Rental, 407-271-3267
Custom Logo/Place cards: Leo Cadiz, ThatsCadiz
Logo Contest Website: 99 Designs
Favors: Orit, Infinity Embroidery, 305-769-2202
Extra Entertainment: Green screen booth: Bill, Elite Party Entertainment, 866-354-8341
ID cards/keychain & dog tag engraving: Eric, Cocktail Hour Entertainment, 954-612-7431
Candy Girl: Richard or Doug, D Squared Productions, 407-704-6937
Candy Bags for Candy girl: Nuts.com
Entertainment: Contortionist, juggler, hula hooper, unicycler, David DePietto, First Class Entertainment/Anna Jack Entertainment, 631-831-4627
Sign-In board: MyPublisher.com
Candle Lighting display: Raining Roses, 407-854-3500
Bat Mitzvah Custom dress: Custom cocktail dress, Brenda Johnson Designs
Service dress: Nordstrom
Mom Lisa’s dress: Neiman Marcus
Suits for family members: Macy’s
Hair/makeup: Carrie Czunas, Vintage Sky, 407-654-6235
Out of town hotel for guests: Embassy Suites Orlando
September 8th, 2013
Kona Ice is a one-of-a kind experience that delivers premium tropical shaved ice and would be a great addition to your Bar Bat Mitzvah celebration.
Their colorful truck, decorated with tropical animals and playing Calypso music is a great way to have interactive entertainment and dessert.
Kona Ice has over 40 flavor options that include include: Mango, Wedding Cake, Strawberry Daiquiri, Fuzzy Navel and Root Beer Float. Guests can then select from the “flavor wave,” a do-it-yourself flavor bar on the side of the truck with toppings like Pina Colada, Cherry, Blue Raspberry, LemonLime and Tigers Blood.
The company takes pride in fundraising, and has given back more than $4 million to communities all over the country.
Over 40 flavors to choose from
A do-it-yourself toppings bar
You can just hear that steel drum music playing!
There are over 140 Kona Ice trucks around the country.
For Kona Long Island, click here.
For Kona Ice NJ, click here
To find one near you click here.
September 8th, 2013
New look, same great service! EJTheDJ.com gets a makeover…
EJ The DJ Inc. utilizes its worldwide resources to customize entertainment for your affair. The EJ staff is always on the lookout for what’s hot and about to hit. They know what is the next “big thing” in the world of entertainment and are ready to incorporate it into your affair.
Now it’s easier than ever to learn more about their services by visiting their newly designed Website at www.ejthedj.com.
New look with easy navigation
Their talent section features videos of their MCs, dancers and extra musicians:
To see more click here
Are you looking for lighting? With a combination of LEDs and intelligent lighting, they can change the entire atmosphere of your party with the push of a button.
You can work one on one with their designers to coordinate the perfect look. See more photos in their lighting area here
Get creative with your seating and their lounge furniture!
Bring the night club look to any venue. Check out more lounge decor here
When looking for added fun, EJ The DJ can provide photo novelties, airbrushing, crafts and much more!
Learn more about all their extra activities here
You will also find a Videography and Photography area. Whether you want a custom entrance video, montage, event recap or just photography, they have it all!
Watch some samples in their video and photography area here
In the center of it all is your party dance floor.
They have white dance floors, holograms, parquet or checkered to name a few. See more examples in their dance floor section here
To learn more about EJ The DJ, visit their extended profile page in our Vendor Directory.
September 7th, 2013
By Marisa Thalberg, ExecutiveMoms.com
I’m excited to share my personal experience in planning my daughter Hannah’s Bat Mitzvah. In going through this process, I have had time to think about my own Bat Mitzvah. I wanted to share some of my memories….
It was one of the most glorious days of my adolescence, with roughly twice the number of friends and family together to celebrate my ascent into “womanhood” (as Jewish tradition would have it) than my husband and I would have between us at our wedding.
Perhaps because photos of my growing up are scattered, having an album of my Bat Mitzvah photos keeps the memories of that day that much more clarified in my mind than most others from those surrounding years. My father as it turned out would pass away only 7 years later; my favorite grandmother just 4 years after that, so the preserved sight of them laughing and reveling makes this event all that more special to me.
My family and I, on my Bat Mitzvah day in 1982
Flash forward to today, and it is a true sense of time warp. How could I be the parent now beginning to plan my own oldest daughter’s Bat Mitzvah? As typical busy, modern, New York parents, the role religion has played in our lives is hugely tempered, and arguably far more ambiguous than it was when I was growing up. In fact, right or wrong, one of our priorities in trying to find any kind of congregation to align with, was that it would offer our kids a just one-day-a-week religious school option, which felt proportionately acceptable to us relative to all the other activities that hold sway over our family’s calendars.
However, as suggested above, it is the realization that ultimately, my Bat Mitzvah remains such a seminal memory from my youth of family, love and tradition, that it is important to me that my girls have the opportunity to have this same milestone event, hopefully surrounded by those most special to us as well.
And that brings us to… the PLANNING of a Bat Mitzvah.
In NYC and perhaps even worse in the surrounding suburbs, Bar and Bat Mitzvahs have become wild extravaganzas – weddings on teenage steroids. My mother – who claimed a preference for tuna fish even as my dad aspired to give her caviar – was as I increasingly appreciate now, a visionary ahead of her time. In planning my Bat Mitzvah, her priority was to be budget-savvy yet resourceful. Her inspired venue? (which I’m sure I initially resisted) She convinced the private school I attended on Long Island (at which I was in a very small minority of Jews) to ‘rent’ us the space and let us convert the gym into a reception hall. In her mind this was a place with personal significance to my life, uniqueness, and appropriateness to a 13 year old vs. a standard catering hall.
As you can see, the exterior was as gorgeous as any venue one might ever choose
The party inside spared nothing – yet somehow was just RIGHT
All these years later, my tastes and style are quite different from my mother’s – yet I realize it will be her creative approach that I’m actually emulating in trying to plan for MY daughter a Bat Mitzvah that for HER turn, is also… just right.
ABOUT MARISA THALBERG
Marisa Thalberg is the founder of Executive Moms which for 11 years has provided content and community for fabulous women who are both professionals and mothers. An executive herself, she is also the head of corporate digital marketing worldwide for The Estée Lauder Companies. She has been widely acknowledged for her work on both fronts, including being named a Working Mother of the Year, an Advertising Age Woman to Watch, and a featured mother in UNICEF’s State of World’s Children report. She lives in Manhattan with her husband David and their two daughters Hannah, age 12 and Avery, age 7. She will be celebrating Hannah’s Bat Mitzvah in November 2013 and is blogging about her planning experience for both MitzvahMarket.com and on her blog.
Read about Hannah’s celebration here.
September 2nd, 2013
That’s right, it’s tennis season!
With the U.S. Open underway in Flushing Meadows, New York, we decided to take some inspiration from this great sport.
Here’s our best shot at ways you can incorporate some smashing ideas and decor elements into your child’s celebration.
Paper Rock Scissors created this chic tennis themed invitation
We love the clever wording on the R.S.V.P. as well
Custom invitation designer Ana Dolan created these tennis themed place cards
From Sarah Merians Photography, a tennis themed Bar Mitzvah lounge area
Jersey Street Furniture created a sophisticated players lounge for guests at Tribeca Rooftop in NYC
The theme of “Ace it with Adam” started out with chocolate tennis racquet place cards and a collage centerpiece of his best tennis moments by Custom Parties by Bobbie
The Portrait Shoppe was the photographer for this tennis themed Bar Mitzvah at the Dix Hills Jewish Center
Bart Gorin Photography took this shot of a tennis themed centerpiece
The Glitter Connection created this fun centerpiece with lots of dimension. There is no “backside” to the piece, so there is something to see from every angle and they even used images of real tennis pros
From Covered in Candy, this will make quite a “racquet” at any Bar Bat Mitzvah reception, and can be used as table decor or on a dessert table
The Event Of A Lifetime created mini tennis courts that were used on the cocktail tables in the kid’s lounge
This Bat Mitzvah girl loves tennis! Simon Elliot Events did a photo session with her and created blow-ups which were placed around the party room as part of the decor
Dazzling Parties created this entrance, including the sign-in “tennis shirt” at the Seawane country club
This illuminated tennis bar for Spencer’s celebration is by PBG Events
Balloon Artistry created this U.S. Open inspired entrance for Maxwell’s Bar Mitzvah celebration
A custom votive centerpiece from Perfectly Planned Events
Chris Jorda Photography brought us this sophisticated shot of a subtle tennis themed Bar Mitzvah
MazelTovGear.com coached this family and created a tennis logo using neon colors
A Promos USA aced it when they created these logos
No foot fault here with these great grippy socks from Cool Party Favors
A cool players lounge from It Events by Julie
A tennis themed entrance from Linzi Events
Julie Sadowsky Graphics designed this U.S. Open logo which really played on the Bar Mitzvah boy’s name
This stunning tennis themed cake was photographed by Hy Paul Studio
Serve up a cake like this from The Art of the Cake
Chocolate and vanilla cupcakes faced off on a green tennis-court cake from Le Basque
Did you have a great tennis themed Bar Bat Mitzvah? Send it to us at info@mitzvahmarket.com.
September 2nd, 2013
The Museum of the Moving Image in New York City was the spectacular venue for the B’nai Mitzvah of twins Rachel and Avery Friedman on April 13, 2013.
The family wanted a service and celebration that was all-in-one and this special venue, a unique and modern museum in New York City, fit the bill perfectly.
Pictured L-R: Bar Mitzvah boy Avery, Mom Nancy, Dad Alan and Bat Mitzvah girl Rachel.
Josh Strauss Studios was the photographer. Additional vendor information is listed below.
The service started within the Museum of the Moving Image’s theater with a personalized service including homemade siddurs. The twins’ paternal grandfather was too ill to attend but he appeared, larger than life, to give his blessing on the movie screen in a pre-taped blessing. Immediately following the service, guests moved into the museum’s café and galleries for their celebration.
An amazing stage and built-in backdrop for their service
The family chose the readings for their prayer book which was designed and put together by Ana Dolan Couture Invitations
These totally original, customized view-master invitations were created by Image 3D. Mom Nancy got the idea from her party planner, Amy Jacobs of Chandelier Events, and found the DIY view-master company online.
The disk came packaged in a view-master, so guests could click through the images. The text, with all important details about the B’nai Mitzvah, “floated” on top of each picture. Driving instructions and R.S.V.P. cards were slipped into each box.
Rachel and Avery looked great. Rachel’s cocktail dress was from All Dressed Up and Avery’s suit was from Lubins.
Posing together in the museum’s sleek lobby before their guests arrive
The Museum of the Moving Image is located in Astoria, Queens, a borough of NYC. One of the reasons the family selected this venue is that part of the party fee goes to helping the museum maintain its collections and community programs.
One of New York City’s cool and hip cultural venues
The venue dictated the theme of television and movies and that was subtly conveyed in the dinner menus and other party elements.
The printed menus were designed to look like TV dinners
Event Planner Amy Jacobs of Chandelier Events NY helped the Friedmans bring color into the sleek white interior of the museum by using décor and flowers in the colors of a TV test pattern.
Eclectic flower arrangements in white modern vases added pops of color
The table numbers were television screens with color bars on the bottom
Simple signage stood out on the white walls
When you have an event at the Museum of the Moving Image, you get the entire venue which includes all of the exhibits. Guests were able to experience all of the cool interactive exhibits the museum has to offer.
Learning the art of animation
Dubbing your own voice into a famous movie
Making a flip book…starring you!
EJ The DJ and MC James C provided non-stop music and entertainment for Rachel and Avery’s celebration.
Avery and Rachel make their way into the reception as friends and family cheered them on
Rachel and Avery up in the chair together
Avery and Rachel’s friends gathering around the dance floor
The Friedmans gave their guests favors of modern popcorn poppers filled with gourmet popping corn with Avery and Rachel’s logo on them.
The favors looked great all lined up
Microwave popcorn poppers double as a serving dish
Mitzvah Mom Nancy wrote a beautiful and funny speech for her children. She is a popular blogger who pens From Hip to Housewife. Here is a link to the speech: Rhumba Through Life: To My Kids on Their B’nai
Rachel worked with the local JCC in their Gift of Literacy Program; she tutored a second grader in reading once a week throughout the school year. Avery made numerous visits – both through Dorot and on his own – to elderly people looking for company. Additionally, the building where they live has an aging population and both kids have regularly visited their most elderly residents, most of whom are now gone.
Some advice from Mom Nancy:
“We were very nervous about our party being “over the top.” I didn’t want to send the message that the party was more important than the process, or the ceremony. But in the end, our venue, The Museum of the Moving Image was all the “over the top” we needed. Don’t plan too far ahead – it just means more time to worry. And don’t lose sight of the fact that the party is about your child (or in my case children) and not about you.”
The following vendors helped to make Rachel and Avery’s B’nai Mitzvah special. If you give any of them a call, let them know you read about their services on MitzvahMarket.com.
Venue: Museum of the Moving Image, 718-784 0077
Party Planner: Amy Jacbos, Chandelier Events, 646-415-8675
Music Entertainment: MC James C, EJ the DJ, 800-358-4335
Photographer/Videographer: Josh Strauss, Josh Strauss Studios, 347-228-1064
Caterer: Thomas Preti Caterers, 212-764-3188
Invitation: Image 3D, 503-632-2470
Siddur Cover Design: Ana Dolan Couture Invitations, 203-722-5231
Florist: Rebecca Shepherd Floral Design, reb.shepherd@gmail.com
Favors: Kathy Ellman, Bayard Designs, 212-228-9400
Party entertainment: Balloon Artist, Party Magic Entertainment, 800-539-8743
Bat Mitzvah girl Rachel’s Dress: All Dressed Up, 914-690-1593
Bar Mitzvah boy Avery’s suit: Lubins, 914-713-0300
Mom Nancy’s dress: Bergdorf Goodman
Dad Alan’s suit: Martin Greenfield Clothier, 718-497-5480
Makeup: Lisa Rinaldi, lisamarierinaldi@gmail.com
September 2nd, 2013
Gotham T-shirts designs and prints favors for over 200 Bar Bat Mitzvahs a year.
They offer personalized custom screen printing, embroidery, art and theme designs for Bar Bat Mitzvah celebrations.
Their fashion designs look best on hooded and zipper sweatshirts, T-shirts, flannel PJ sweatpants & nylon draw string back packs.
Recently they printed T-shirts for Ed, an 83 year old man who decided to celebrate for the second time! His Bar Mitzvah was held on February 23rd at the Aventura-Turnberry Jewish Center in Florida and included T-shirt favors for his family and close friends!
Designed and printed by Gotham T-shirts
We asked why Ed wanted to celebrate his Bar Mitzvah for the second time and were told, “The reason for a “2nd Bar Mitzvah” is that there is Jewish lore that a lifetime is equal to 3-score +10 years. That would mean that life ends at 70 years, therefore, 13 years after that would make the Bar Mitzvah 83-years old.”
Ed’s celebration was an intimate event with immediate family and close friends. It took place in a restaurant in the building where Ed and his wife live, The Hampton’s at Aventura.
Ed was thrilled to have everyone together to celebrate his special event. Mazel Tov to Ed and his family and thank you for sharing your story with Mitzvah Market.
To learn more about Gotham T-shirt, visit their extended profile page in our Vendor Directory.
August 28th, 2013
84West Studios, a floral design, entertainment, and photography studio located in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida just completed a great “Around the World” themed Bar Mitzvah.
Held at the famous and beautiful Eden Roc Hotel in Miami Beach, the company provided the decor, DJ entertainment, lighting, video, and photography for this Bar Mitzvah boy.
They even created his own personal airline to “transport” his guests.
Check out this great adventure.
The outside of the Eden Roc Hotel
There was a jet way entrance leading the guests into the reception area
There was a flight attendant to stamp “passports” and give guests their boarding passes (place cards)
“Daniel Airlines” was ready for take off
When guests entered the spacious ballroom, they felt they were about to embark on a great adventure
Blue and green floral arrangements designed to look like globes were placed on sleek pedestal vases that were filled with blue LED crystals
The food stations were the focal point of the room, and each station represented a different country
Each station, such as this Asian station, had a giant lit photo backdrop with native flowers and decorative items on each table
A close up of the special decor elements on the table
Welcome to Italy
Dancing and music were enjoyed by all
We thank 84 Studio West Studio for sharing this great “Around the World” theme with Mitzvah Market.
August 28th, 2013
Space is a unique party space with all high tech games, extravagant entertainment, unique decor and customized menus.
When you book your party at this venue you can expect FUN! They know that this celebration is for 12-13 year olds and want your young guests to play the games, enjoy creative, fun food, chill in a lounge setting, listen to great music, dance and have the time of their lives!
Now they are offering something new – Foam Mitzvahs!
Guests are told in advance and towels are provided. Check out all the fun below and watch all the action here:
To learn more, visit their extended profile page in our Vendor Directory.
