Ezer Mizion

Mitzvah Project: Trauma Awareness

We read about a great Mitzvah Project in the Sun-Sentenial about Miami resident Hannah Mayer honoring the hospital that saved her father’s life.

When Hannah’s dad Jonathan was involved in a near fatal bike accident a few years ago, he was helped out by the trauma center team at Memorial Regional Hospital in Hollywood, Florida. Hannah was inspired to do something wonderful for them.

MM: Why did you decide to take on this particular project/charity?
HM: My dad Jonathan was involved in a near fatal bike accident a few years ago, he was helped out by the trauma center team at Memorial Hospital in Hollywood, Florida. This inspired me to raise money to provide awareness of traumatic accidents and educate people about ways to avoid traumatic situations.

MM: Can you give us details of your Mitzvah Project?
HM: We raised money and awareness for the Memorial Hospital Foundation by participating with my father in the Bayfront Challenge Triathlon in Homestead, Florida. The race includes a 1/4 mile swim, a 14 mile bike ride (roads closed to cars), and a 5K run and I placed first in my age division. I also organized the Miami Arts Charter School’s Trauma Awareness & Prevention Day. The school event featured the hospital’s trauma team speaking about ways to prevent injuries and  I spoke with middle school and high school students about my experiences and selling bracelets to help trauma patients. We raised close to $5,000 from the triathlon.

Hannah and her family

MM: Anything else we need to know about your Mitzvah Project?
HM: Funds raised benefit the Memorial Hospital Foundation and will also be used to help out-of-town family members of trauma victims pay for hotels and other expenses while their loved ones recuperate in the hospital. I really never thought about how important safety was until he got into the accident and I see kids at school all the time and they make dangerous decisions and I thought to myself, ‘Is there a way we can prevent that?’ and then I thought that this could be an opportunity to make people aware of what trauma is and to show them how important safety is,” she said.

MM: In your own words, what does it mean to you to do a Mitzvah Project for your Bat Mitzvah?
HM: I’ve learned a lot of what being Jewish means to me and I also learned a lot more of what safety means to me.

MM: For how long can people donate to this charity?
HM: You can still donate to the Memorial Hospital Foundation in Hannah’s honor at https://mhsfoundation.org/donate/hannah.

We wish a Mazel Tov to Hannah and her family as she became a Bat Mitzvah on October 11, 2013.

Be A Part Of Our Mitzvah Mishap Story

Be a part of a Mitzvah Market story!

We are once again looking for Mitzvah Mishaps and “Lessons” learned.

“Mishaps” are those crazy things that happen that make you say, “Oy Vey!” but in the end, it all worked out.

There is a lot of planning that goes into your child’s Bar Bat Mitzvah service and celebration. It is an unforgettable milestone, even if a curve ball was thrown your way.

Do you have a funny story to tell? We would love to hear about it and share your lesson learned with our readers.

This story is meant to be light and humorous. We are not looking to name names or write badly about any businesses. For example, did you wear your sneakers to the Temple and forget your high heels at home? Did you give the wrong address on your direction cards? Did someone confuse the date of the celebration and show up a week late? 

It’s a gentle reminder to us all to keep things in perspective and remember that, Laughter is the Best Medicine!

Share your “Mitzvah Mishap” at info@MitzvahMarket.com.

Photo Tattoos From Xplosive Entertainment

We love learning about something new from our readers! We were told that photo tattoos using greenscreen technology was a big hit at a recent Bar Mitzvah. We discovered this is being offered by Xplosive Entertainment.

Xplosive Entertainment, a New Jersey-based DJ event firm, is always striving to push ideas to their maximum potential. Photo booths and photo stations are very popular, so they decided to take this proven winner and make it even more interactive and customized.

Their Photo Tattoo Station was born!

They have seen the popularity of television shows such as, “Miami Ink” and “Best Ink,” and decided to use this popular trend in their events. Pop culture celebrities such as Adam Levine, Justin Bieber, The Rock (Dwayne Johnson), and Angelina Jolie have all helped to bring tattoos into the mainstream. Their event enhancement features you, (the guest), along with a group of your friends and/or family, superimposed into a temporary tattoo. Using their state-of-the-art photo printing equipment and combining it with a little bit of creativity, the end result is a captured photo that can be put temporarily on your arm, ankle, or wrist. You can even spice this station up with a themed prop box. This idea is a great way to add that “WOW” factor to your next event.

Guests are able to have the photo of their choice temporarily tattooed on their arms!

To learn more about Xplosive Entertainment, visit their Website.

The Haft Bar Mitzvah Family Spotlight

The Haft family of Syosset, New York, celebrated son Scott’s Bar Mitzvah on January 26, 2013, at Midway Jewish Center followed by a reception at North Shore Synagogue both in Syosset, New York.

Scott had a baseball “Field of Dreams” theme with Mom Beth creating most of the decor herself, including individual handmade invitations. It’s amazing what she did with her HP Printer!

There is also an incredibly touching Mitzvah moment that took place with Scott’s grandfather, who could not attend the ceremony in person.

Pictured L-R: Mom Beth, sister Danielle, Bar Mitzvah boy Scott, sister Rachel and Dad Michael.

Photography by Neal was the photographer and the rest of the vendors used are listed at the bottom of this spotlight.

Scott had a Havdallah service at Midway Jewish Center.

Scott at the Bimah

Mom Beth designed and handmade each invitation from start to finish. They were layered on silver mirrored card stock with navy border and trim. She purchased the materials, cut every piece of paper and printed them at home on her HP printer!

The outside of the invitation with Scott’s monogram tag

Classic, elegant and beautifully done

Since Scott is a huge baseball fan it was easy to pick out his theme, “Scott’s Field of Dreams.” They did not want to limit themselves to only one baseball team or only Hall of Fame players. They went with the idea that if you could put together the perfect baseball team, across the generations, which players would you choose? 

The sign-in book was made using iPhoto software

Mom Beth created most of the decor and she hit a home run! The place cards were attached to a batting net. Scott’s logo was incorporated into the centerpieces and positions on a baseball team were used for table names. Each centerpiece had two photos of players who played that position.

A baseball batting net held the place cards

Baseball accessories decorated the bottom of the place card display

Baseball ticket place cards created by Mom Beth

Scott enjoying the room filled with festive balloons before his guests arrived

Mom Beth’s handmade centerpieces included Mickey Mantle, a player from Scott’s “Dream Team”

The centerpieces looked great on each table, here’s “Third Base”

In addition to everything else she did, Mom Beth created candy torahs to be placed at each table setting.

Two “smarties” candy rolls wrapped in a custom paper

 Maximum Entertainment with MC Matty provided the entertainment for this celebration.

 Scott made his entrance in his favorite sports jersey

Scott posing with his dancers

MC Matty entertained the kids during the cocktail hour

Everyone loved the music

Scott’s grandfather lives in Florida and was unable to travel for Scott’s Bar Mitzvah. The Haft family would not accept the fact that he could not be present for the motzi or candle lighting for his only grandson’s Bar Mitzvah. Wanting to video conference or Skype him in, Mom Beth mentioned it to Joey, the owner of Maximum Entertainment.  The next thing she knew, Beth was on the phone with DJ Eddie who assured her he “would handle it all,” and he did! Live from Florida, on a 10 foot screen, Scott’s grandfather did the motzi over the challah and took part in the candle lighting ceremony. The Haft family was very grateful.

Scott listening to his grandfather say the prayer over the challah

 
For the candle lighting ceremony, Scott had a great baseball cake with baseball cupcakes for the candles.

Baseball diamond cake and cupcakes from Strauss Bakery

Scott’s family during their special candle

The Haft family enjoyed Scott’s Mitzvah favors, created by Mom Beth. She designed and printed them from her computer and made them herself from blank shirts she ordered online.

Scott visited the Town of Oyster Animal Shelter to spend time socializing with the cats. Some of the cats and kittens are frightened and need to be played with in order to make them feel more comfortable around people and make them more adoptable.

 Scott continues to visit Town of Oyster Bay Animal Shelter even though his Bar Mitzvah has passed

Some Mom to Mom advice from Beth:
“The best advice I can give is not to wear a watch to the party. I have a beautiful gold watch I wear when going out. A friend gave me this advice and at the last minute, I didn’t put the watch on, but went with a bracelet instead. Without having a watch to look at and obsess over timing, I felt as if the night lasted forever! In terms of the actual planning part? Relax. Whether you are doing it yourself, or have others doing it for you, it will all come together.”

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

Venue: North Shore Synagogue, 516,921-2282
Caterer: Keith Senzer, Del Mir Caterers, 516-802-5492
Photographer/Videographer: Photography By Neal, 631-754-7442
Music Entertainment/Extra Entertainment: MC Matty, Maximum Entertainment, 516-826-8632
Party Planner/Invitations/Favors/Place cards/Centerpieces: Mom Beth
Balloons: Balloons N’ More, 516-501-0135
Invitation Materials:  LCI Paper, Divine Ink and Michaels
Cake: Strauss Bakery, 718-851-7728
Sign-In board: iPhoto.com
Shirts for Favors:ShirtChamp.com, 888-269-9477
Place card table poster: Minute Men Printing of Forest Hills, 718-275-2161
Dresses for family members: David’s Bridal
Suits for family members: Kenny’s Menswear,  516-921-2660
Hair/makeup: Salon Hype, 516-719-0877

Bar Mitzvah Bouncer Is Ready For The Mitzvah Season

Bar Mitzvah Bouncer, Inc. is a full service professional chaperone company specializing in the supervision of children at Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, Sweet 16s, Graduation and Birthday Parties.

Parents can relax and enjoy the big day while the children are supervised. Their services include the supervision of the children at the party, during the Temple services and while in transport to and from the party.

As a new season of Bar/Bat Mitzvah celebrations are about to begin, here are a few reasons it’s important to have the Bar Mitzvah Bouncer company at your affair:

1. Supervise Your Young Guests
The dancers from your entertainment company will be keeping your guests on the dance floor, while the DJ will be socializing and keeping the party flowing. The Bar Mitzvah Bouncers are at your affair for the sole purpose of supervising your young guests.

2. Your Candle Lighting Ceremony
You and your child prepared a wonderful candle lighting ceremony, and with Bar Mitzvah Bouncers present you will not be concerned that the children will be making noise during this memorable portion of the party.

3. Transportation Supervision
If you are providing transportation to the party, you will not have to ask someone to ride the bus with the children- the bouncers do that for you as part of the many services they offer.

4. Monitoring The Bathrooms
The thought of children playing around in the bathrooms or outside the ballroom will never be a concern for you.

5. Enjoying Your Celebration
Knowing that your child’s friends are being properly supervised will allow you to relax and enjoy the party.

To learn more about Bar Mitzvah Bouncer, visit their extended profile page in our Vendor Directory.

Celebrations Go Digital

By Stephanie Kepke Kaplan

In today’s increasingly wired world, it’s no surprise that the hottest Bar Bat Mitzvah trends are digital. Whether it’s an Interactive Centerpiece, an electronic sign-in board, strolling photographers who snap photos that can be instantly personalized or even an app that allows smart phone pictures and videos taken at your child’s celebration to be pulled together and compiled into a keepsake video, there are more ways than ever for your guests, young and old, to connect with the guest of honor and each other.

With so many options available, you can simply dip your toe into the digital pool with electronic invitations, which are budget and Earth friendly. Or you might choose to dive right in with a digital graffiti wall that guests can “spray paint,” a hashtag specific to your party that allows photos to be posted on Instagram and instantly printed for your guests or even a favor featuring a QR code that will bring guests to a website with a thank you note and photos of the party.

Read on to find out more about some of the hottest trends as Bar Bat Mitzvah celebrations go digital.

What if your centerpiece was actually an interactive part of the celebration fun, rather than just a stagnant bouquet of flowers or a cardboard cutout with balloons? How amazing would that be? Well, Keep Interacting offers the Interactive Centerpiece, which is just that – an interactive part of your event. Guests can not only watch a slideshow of photos as they are taken, but thanks to the company’s proprietary software, they can also select photos to share on social media, email photos to each other, and even edit and print their favorites all right then and there.

You can also incorporate your montage photos – plus the piles that didn’t make the final cut –into the Interactive Centerpiece slideshow. Best of all, it solves the age old dilemma of finding the perfect party favor; simply order a photo print package and guests can order prints of their favorite photos and enjoy the happy memories of your child’s Bar/Bat Mitzvah any time they wish.

In addition to making your Bar Bat Mitzvah centerpiece part of the action, how about giving the tired old sign-in book or board a digital-age makeover? The iSign® by Simon Elliot Events is sure to engage your guests and have them talking about your event long after it’s over. The iSign® kiosk features custom graphics, a large display screen, and the iSign® app, which enables guests to use a stylus to write a guestbook message in their own handwriting. Messages are transmitted wirelessly to the LED screen for all to see. Guests sign on a page that corresponds to their relationship with the Bar Bat Mitzvah child – school friends sign a school themed background, camp friends a camp themed background, etc. –and not only do their words and drawings show up on the screen for all to see, but a professional photographer snaps their photo to add to the page. The iSign® is even portable and can be brought right to your guests. After the party, the greetings and photos are compiled into a customizable keepsake book to be treasured forever.

In addition to the iSign®, Simon Elliot Events offers Strolling Photos™ – photographers dispatched throughout the party venue to snap candids, which are instantly transmitted to iPads. Guests are then free to add their own personal stamp to the photo, drawing on it, adding stickers, filters, borders or any number of other special effects. The photos can be instantly emailed, posted to social media or printed and presented in your choice of frame options as the perfect party favor.

Simon Elliot Events also offers fantastic favors for the younger set – why give out a simple t-shirt or sweatshirt when your child’s friends can decorate headphones at a “Custom Beatz” kiosk, customize near field technology portable speakers (just lay your device on it and it instantly plays your music) or their new Selfie Photo Booth where guests can trigger the exposures with a wireless remote and then print and edit on site. Simon Miller, owner of Simon Elliot Events, explains their philosophy on favors: “We’re always on the lookout for new electronic trends and try to stay one step ahead of what is currently the popular fad.”

More than just a fad, apps are a way of life for most people, making everything from organizing your day to making dinner reservations easier. And the Bar/Bat Mitzvah scene is no exception. So many guests snap pictures on their smartphones, but the hosts never get to see them; now you can preserve those memories forever and see your party as your guests see it with an app for that.

You can’t be everywhere at your child’s party, but you can relive the wonderful moments you may have missed with the MitzvahMix app from Storymix Media. Share the app with all your guests beforehand and then let them capture all the party fun and post it to Facebook. Afterwards you’ll get all the great photos snapped and videos shot from your guests’ smartphones into one professionally edited video, plus you get all of the raw footage.

Or pair the app with video cameras. Storymix Media can send you up to five video cameras (with two hours of video capacity each), so your guests can record all the special moments of this once in a lifetime event themselves. Simply send the cameras back and in return you will receive an up to sixty minute professionally edited video with all they shot, plus whatever they captured with their own smart phones. You can choose from seven editing themes and personalize the video with scenes and titles or let Storymix Media do it for you. “The kids really enjoy having the cameras to run around and take video,” says Mike Fisher of Storymix Media. “It’s a really great way to go about capturing the essence of the event.”

This story is from the 2013 Mitzvah Market Magazine. If you would like to request a free copy, click here.

Mitzvah Inspire: The JULry Box

Linda Morrow Photography brought us this beautiful, bejeweled Bat Mitzvah reception celebrated at Cedarbrook Country Club in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania.

The theme of the evening was “The JULry Box,” creatively using the Bat Mitzvah girl’s name, Julia.

The event planner was Bonnie Pakman.

The place cards were displayed in jewelry boxes with a spinning ballerina, a special touch for a Bat Mitzvah girl who loves to dance. We also love the “Be JULed” sign

Each place card was embellished with colorful crystals

The Bat Mitzvah girl ready for some fun!

 A crystal “J” hung from the beautiful centerpieces

For an elegant look, table numbers were placed in crystal frames with colorful stones 

Pretty beading hung on the sparkling signage

The turquoise linens with hot pink chair back bows really pop on the guest of honor’s long dais table

This clever sign-in was a bulletin board where guests left messages on colorful cards

A beautiful black and white photograph with the spotlight on the dazzling Bat Mitzvah girl and amazing cake

The cake, from RL Cake Designs, displayed all of Julia’s interests

Even the desserts had bling; candy necklaces and custom “J” chocolates for a sophisticated touch
 

Photographer: Linda Morrow Photography
Party Planner: Bonnie Pakman, bapakman@gmail.com
Venue: Cedarbrook Country Club
Cake: RL Cake Designs

Mitzvah Inspire: Red Sox Mitzvah

In celebration of the recent World Series win by The Boston Red Sox, we thought this would be a great time to show you this baseball themed Bar Mitzvah.

It wasn’t just any baseball themed Bar Mitzvah, it’s one with a surprise Red Sox appearance enjoyed by all.

Nancy Goldstein of Amazing Celebrations hit a home run with this very festive celebration at the Simsbury Inn in Simsbury, Connecticut.

Photography was by Brian Ambrose Photography.

Custom pennant place card display

Cute signage directing guests

The ballroom with a black and white color theme

Baseball pennants in acrylic vases as centerpieces

The menu with very clever wording

The kids had their own lounge area with LED tables

Everyone had a great time with Wally the Green Monster, the official Boston Red Sox mascot

A great photo op with a Fenway Park backdrop

The colorful sports themed candle lighting display included all of the Bar Mitzvah boy’s favorite teams

Candy, in vibrant, colorful buckets, was a hit at the end of the night

The favors were plaid pajama pants with the Bar Mitzvah boy’s event logo

Party Planner: Nancy Goldstein of Amazing Celebrations
Photography: Brian Ambrose Photography
Venue: Simsbury Inn
Lighting/Entertainment: Boppers Events
Surprise visitor: Wally, The Green Monster, the official mascot of the Boston Red Sox.

We thank Nancy Goldstein of Amazing Celebrations for sharing this wonderful Bar Mitzvah with our readers.

B’not Mitzvah Celebration at Sleep Away Camp

It was an easy decision to pick the venue for the B’not Mitzvah of Madison and Joey Siegel. The Siegels are owners and directors of Tyler Hill Camp, a popular sleep away camp in Tyler Hill, Pennsylvania. The weekend started with a bus ride to camp followed by a delicious barbecue lunch. Color War broke out with a plane dropping down flyers, setting off lots of excitement. The weekend was filled with a lakeside Havdallah service, Color War breakout and competition, lots of dancing plus a bonfire and fireworks.

Pictured L-R: Dad Andy, Bat Mitzvah girl Joey, Bat Mitzvah girl Maddie, little sister Dylan and Mom Wendy.

The photographer was Dave Welsford Photography. The rest of the vendor information is listed at the end of this spotlight.

Wow Creations designed the fold-over invitation in the girls favorite colors of purple with apple green trim.. The attire read, “Labor Day Cool” for adults and “Club Chic” for the kids

The outside of the envelope featured a cute round sticker with their names

Bat Mitzvah girl Joey greeting her guests as the buses arrive

A plane flew overhead dropping flyers announcing the Color War breakout!

Flyers with guests on Team Maddie or Team Joey were dropped from the plane

Whether you were on Team Joey or Team Maddie, everyone enjoyed the friendly competition

The sneaker relay competition 

Friends liked the tug-of-war rope competition

The Havdallah service, led by Rabbi Diana Gerson, was held near the lake in the gazebo on the beautiful grounds of Tyler Hill Camp.

The first half of the service took place outside

 Homemade service programs

The weather report for the weekend was questionable and since they wanted the service to be outside there was a “Plan B.”  They arranged in advance for the Dining Hall to be set up for an indoor service. As it turned out, there was a massive thunderstorm in the middle of the outdoor service. Just as it was about to pour, they hustled everyone inside and they picked up the service right where they left off! As luck would have it, the rain stopped just as the service ended and the cocktail hour was outside
 

Large cut out letters of the girl’s names lined the path into camp

Here’s Maddie next to her letters

The place cards for the adults were handwritten letters as if Maddie and Joey were writing from camp. They were displayed on thick tree bark

The Rec Hall had a “club look” with curved lounge furniture and up lighting from Todd Yahney Entertainment

Homemade containers of s’mores ingredients served as delicious centerpieces on each table

The girls looked beautiful in their service dresses and their party gowns. Here they are in their white service dresses holding candy centerpieces for the kids tables

Both girls changed into beautiful gowns for the party

 Todd Yahney Music and Entertainment, who is used to visiting camps all summer, provided the music entertainment and kept the dance floor packed all night long!  Todd Yahney Entertainment set up and ready to rock!

The sisters making their entrances…

With the help fo the Todd Yahney Entertainment dancers

Everyone was on the dance floor all night long

MC Todd having fun with Maddie, Joey and their friends

The Siegel family front and center with all of their guests
 

 Maddie and Joey during their candle lighting ceremony surrounded by their friends

You can’t have camp without a bonfire

After the party, the night ended with a wonderful camp tradition, fireworks!

The favors were burn-out hooded sweatshirts from Everything Camper. The girls model their sweatshirt favors
 

On Sunday morning guests enjoyed brunch and the Sunday morning camp tradition of “Bagel Toss.” Bagel Toss is an activity all campers love. Each bunk gets to elect a counselor to throw a bagel. The counselor that gets it the closest to the target without going out of bounds wins a prize for the bunk! 
 

Getting ready for the Bagel Toss

Mitzvah Project

Maddie and Joey chose two organizations for their Mitzvah Projects.

Through UJA-Federation they created a personal page. Check it out here

Instead of gifts, the Siegel family asked guests to make a donation to one of two organizations that best “spoke to them.”  SCOPE-NY (Summer Camp Opportunities Promote Education) is an organization that provides scholarships for inner-city kids to go to a non-profit sleep-away camp every summer.  The other organization was a Long Island day camp, Camp Kehilla. Camp Kehilla is a camp for kids with Autism and special needs.  So far, they have raised more than $11,000 for Camp Kehilla and $10,000 for SCOPE.  They are going to be volunteering for both organizations as well.

Some Mom Advice from Wendy:

“Oy…I wish I had relaxed more and not worried about what was out of my control. If your event is dependent on the weather, be prepared for anything and everything, make your alternative “inclement weather” plans ahead of time and then move on. I focused so much on the weather report (the Weather Channel app still haunts me in my dreams) that I had a hard time staying focused on the rest of the plans for the weekend. I think I would have enjoyed the planning ten times more if I had not obsessed over whether it would or would not rain! Rain or no rain, it would be the most memorable and amazing experience for my daughters — and that was what it was all about! I also wish I had extended my invitation list to more of our friends and not worried about whether or not the venue would be too crowded. The more the merrier, and I regret that I didn’t invite a couple of more people that I wish had been there simply because I was worried about space.”

Vendor Directory

The following vendors made Maddie and Joey’s B’not Mitzvah very special. If you give any of them a call, please let them know you read about their services on MitzvahMarket.com.

Venue: Andy and Wendy Siegel, Tyler Hill Camp, 516-656-4220
Rabbi: Diana Gerson, Our Family Rabbi 
Party Planners: Mom Wendy and Dad Andy
Caterer: Tyler Hill Camp chefs along with chefs from Lake Bryn Mawr Camp and Conference Center
Photographer/Montage: Dave Welsford Photography
Videographer: D and M Video 201-768-1899
Music Entertainment/Candid Photography/Photo Favors/Lounge Decor/Up lighting: MC Todd, Todd Yahney Entertainment, 516-781-4700
Favors: Jessica Jacobs, Everything Apparel, 516-450-5288
Invitation: Suzi Evangelatos, Wow Creations, 516-997-0451
Cake: Rockland Bakery, 845-623-5800
Décor/florist: Carmen Bolin Floristry, 800-263-9975
Madison, Joey service dresses: Fetch Dress Boutique, 516-864-0660
Madison, Joey and sister Dylan’s dress: Nikki’s Dresses, 631-385-6093
Mom’s service dress: M’stique, 516‑496‑3488
Mom Party Outfit: Lester’s
Hair/makeup: Stefanie 516-351-7953
Transportation: Stout’s Transportation, 800-245-7868
Party security: Tyler Hill Camp staff