April 9th, 2014
Felici Events founder Zohe Felici, one of the most popular and sought-after event planners in Santa Barbara, California, recently created a Bat Mitzvah celebration where the theme of the event was pink, honoring breast cancer survivors including the Bat Mitzvah girl’s grandmother.
This Bat Mitzvah was also dedicated to another one of Felici Events’ clients, The Breast Cancer Resource Center of Santa Barbara.
A pink carpet flanked the party entrance along with paper puff balls hanging from the chandelier
This Bat Mitzvah family wanted to incorporate the Western Wall as a unique guest book. They found the replica above from a local Rabbi. After a few tweaks with foliage and hanging baskets, it served as a great place to leave notes of well wishes for the guest of honor
Pink frames were a nice added touch throughout the event
Maintaining a whimsical feel, wire strands were used to hang the escort cards and paper puff balls from the main chandelier
Pink “mock-tinis” for the kids
Playing with the height of the ceiling of the club’s main dining area, large round balloons were used as part of the centerpieces
The adult side of the banquet room featured shantung linens and mono-chromatic floral pieces
Dessert and cupcakes were provided by Wayne Kjar Cakes as the sweet ending to the night
Event Planner: Felici Events, Photography: Jay Farbman Photography, Venue: Montecito Country Club, Linens: La Tavola Linen, Flowers: Camellia Floral Design
April 9th, 2014
As we have seen in many of our Mitzvah Family Spotlight stories, a locker has become a popular sign-in option. This is something that can be used in your home after your child’s Bar Bat Mitzvah celebration is over.
Airgraphics Entertainment, a special events company that provides airbrushed apparel, photos, and party favors are now offering custom painted kids lockers!
They are available in 11 colors and can be customized with cool graphics.
There is a 3 week turnaround time to order the product, have it painted, and delivered to your Bar Bat Mitzvah venue.
This is perfect to keep in your child’s room for additional storage and decor.
Contact Airgraphics Entertainment to learn more.
April 6th, 2014
By Zoe Gelman
I’m excited to share my first blog post with MitzvahMarket.com. I hope everyone likes these ideas as much as I did.
Over all, my friend Hannah’s Bat Mitzvah was so exciting. It took place at the Zumba Studio in Norwalk, Connecticut.
There was so much energy, dancing, and much more. The music entertainment was provided by Starlight Express and Waldo was the MC. The motivators were really good and helpful too. Their job was to get everyone dancing and play lots of games with many prizes and much more.
Her theme was Instagram and she had a photo booth that was connected to Instagram so any photo you posted to Instagram would also come up on the photo booth. Her guests could edit them, and then print. I have never seen anything like this before. On the couches, she had purple fuzzy pillows with the Instagram logo that read, #hannahgram.
Another thing I really liked was the bows that the motivators threw out into the crowd. No one in my town has had them and kids went crazy over them! They were definitely a big hit! The whole room lit up from the bows and it made the party so much better!
Many of Hannah’s close friends gave speeches at her service (she only invited family and close friends) and her best friend (me) gave a speech at the party. She did it this way so people would not get bored listening to so many memories and inside jokes of other people!
She had a make your own chocolate bar which was really fun. You got your chocolate at the end of the party. The only problem with the chocolate bar was it was very crowded and took people away from dancing. Luckily the motivators were really on top of it and fixed the problem by dancing with them and playing games.
About Zoe Gelman
I’m excited to go to all of my friend’s Bar and Bat Mitzvahs this year, but can’t wait for mine. It will be the last of all my friends. When I’m not with my friends, I’m cheering, all the time. I cheer competitively for an all star team and travel around the country with my team.
April 5th, 2014
The Sollender family from Short Hills, New Jersey, celebrated their son Ethan’s Bar Mitzvah on October 19, 2013, with a Kiddush luncheon at Temple B’nai Jeshurun in Short Hills, New Jersey, and a reception at Space in Englewood, New Jersey.
This celebration was very different from his sister Paige’s, who had a skiing theme. His theme was “E,” not only his first initial, but also his nickname.
Pictured L-R: Dad Marshall, Bar Mitzvah boy Ethan, Mom Shari and Sister Paige.
The photographer was Jeffrey Fleisig Photography and the rest of the vendor directory is listed at the bottom of this spotlight.
Ethan at the Bimah for his service at Temple B’nai Jeshurun in Short Hills, New Jersey.
Julie Maloof Designs created the unique cut-out letter “E” invitation.
The entire Sollender family looked great. The men got their clothing at 580 South. Mom Shari purchased her cocktail dress at Lyn Kohls Boutique and sister Paige found her dress at Neiman Marcus.
The Sollender family in front of the arcade at Space
The family wanted a fun and exciting location for Ethan’s Bar Mitzvah which is why they chose Space, an event venue with built-in video games, a bowling ally and a great dance floor.
Elvira Grau owner of Space created most of the decor using Ethan’s first initial “E.”
The “E” invitation was on display on the place card table
“E” was used around the room as a decor accent
This “E” was part of the adult centerpieces
Ethan’s sign-in was an original painting which incorporated his love of lacrosse and his initial.
Ethan’s sign-in now hangs in his room at home
Hi NRG Sound Productions, with Charlie as the MC, was the music entertainment and they kept everyone dancing all night.
Ethan with MC Charlie
Ethan was in the middle of the action all night
Space offers many activities for guests of all ages.
Magician Jason Silberman wowed the crowd
Space offers great interactive fun
Ethan enjoyed the photo booth
The Main Event was on hand with great photo favors
Mom Shari’s company Images4Ever produced his montage.
Watch here
Party Swag by Zapgo designed the hooded sweatshirt for all of Ethan’s friends.
“E”mazing and delicious pretzels from Philly Pretzel Factory Of Livingston were given out at the end of the party as the guests were leaving.
Ethan worked with the Friendship Circle for his Mitzvah Project. The Friendship Circle extends a helping hand to families who have children with autism and other special needs and involves them in a full range of Jewish and social experiences.
Ethan took a few of their classes and worked at their camp at the end of the summer. He spent a few days with a special needs boy and gave him the experience of an amusement park and Rebounderz Trampoline Park. Ethan enjoyed it as much as he did!
Advice from Mom Shari:
“This is my second Mitzvah that I planned. Both were special in their own way. My advice would be to choose a party that suits your child. The day is about him/her, not anyone else. Include your child in some of the decisions that need to be made for the day. Ask them their opinions so they feel included. When you are at the party, try and say hello to as many people as possible and then just enjoy and have fun.”
The following vendors helped to make Ethan’s celebration special. If you give any of them a call, please let them know you read about their services on MitzvahMarket.com.
Venue/Party Planner: Elvira Grau, Space, 201-567-3810
Music Entertainment: MC Charlie, HI NRG Sound Productions, 718-818-8490
Photographer: Jeffrey Fleisig, 845-596-0825
Invitations: Julie Maloof Designs, 973-615-6952
Favors: Party Swag by Zapgo, Shari Schwartz 973-380-3221
Photo booth: The Main Event, 800-839-0918
Magician: Jason Silberman Magic
Videographer: Lorenzo Esquival, picsbylorenzo@yahoo.com
Montage: Mom Shari Sollender, Images4Ever, 973-945-0573
Pretzel’s: Philly Soft Pretzel Factory, Livingston, NJ location, 973- 994-1004
Sign-in board: Carrie Melandrino, 310-387-0362
Mom Shari’s cocktail dresses: Lyn Kohls, 973-467-7800
Sister Paige’s cocktail dress: Neiman Marcus
Suits for Men: 580 South, 973-758-0580
Hair: Subway Salon, Short Hills, NJ
Make-up: Julu, Beauty-kelly@julubeauty.com
Transportation: Jordan Bus Company, 973-838-5000
April 2nd, 2014
Bar and Bat Mitzvah receptions are not complete without the traditional Horah!
Usually a few strong and brave guests hoist up the Bar or Bat Mitzvah child in the air and then their immediate family as the song Hava Nagila plays loudly.
Friends and family dance around in a circle looking at the guest of honor in the chair as they try their hardest not to look scared.
The Horah is a great photo opportunity and makes for lasting memories.
Here are some fun things that other families have done to start a tradition of their own around their child’s Horah!
The chair above with a special lifting handrail is from Kombert Caterers.
As we reported in the Rothenberg Bar Mitzvah Family Spotlight, the Mitzvah dad custom built the Horah chair made from old hockey sticks!
At this celebration, certain guests were identified as the “Hora Hoister” for a better organized dance
As reported in the Gendler Bat Mitzvah Family Spotlight, this family bought an unfinished chair, painted it and then stenciled the Bat Mitzvah girl’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
If you’re going to be up in the chair, wear some fabulous shoes like this Bat Mitzvah Mom did from the Rosh-Gorsky Bat Mitzvah Family Spotlight story
This family had t-shirts created saying, “Chair Guy” and handed them out to those friends who would be doing the lifting
Flutter FETTI® adds to the festive celebration with a flurry of colorful confetti swirling around a dance floor!
Did you do something special for your child’s Horah? Please share it with us at info@mitzvahmarket.com.
April 2nd, 2014
Linzi Etzion of Linzi Events recently planned a New York-themed Bar Mitzvah celebration for a family from Boca Raton, Florida.
With so many great details, guests felt like they were visiting New York City!
This celebration took place at Delaire Country Club in Delray Beach, Florida, and Domino Arts Photography and Video was the photographer.
The New York Times was creatively used as part of the table tops
The menu resembled New York City subway signs
Fun New York City themed centerpiece
The New York City skyline served as a stunning backdrop against one wall
The kids’ lounge featured graffiti posters in the background
MC James and the Triple P dancers joined the Bar Mitzvah boy and everyone was in a New York State of Mind
The Bar Mitzvah boy made a grand entrance into the ballroom
The dance floor plasma screens featured shots of New York City’s famous landmarks
Full room shot with checkerboard dance floor
We thank Linzi Events for sharing this Bar Mitzvah celebration with our readers.
The following vendors worked on this celebration:
Party Planner: Linzi Etzion, Linzi Events; Photographer: Domino Arts Photography and Video;
Music Entertainment: MC James Campbell and Justin Kratish with Premier Power Productions;
Venue: Delaire Country Club
