Archive for November, 2014
November 12th, 2014
Invitations & Calligraphy By Andrea is your one-stop-shop for all your printing needs for your child’s Bar Bat Mitzvah celebration.
No minimum is required and they can print with a 1-2 day turnaround.
They offer customized invitations, beautifully addressed envelopes, place cards, direction cards, personalized stickers for favors, stationery, thank-yous and more.
Meet Andrea!
All invitations come in various sizes, fonts and colors: 4 by 6, 5 by 7, 6 by 9, 4 by 9, or 6 by 6
Torah place cards
Many fonts and styles to choose from to match your invitation
Call Andrea at 516-794-7259 or email her at invitebyandrea@aol.com to set up an appointment. She can help you with wording and creative artistic designs. Visit her Website here.
November 12th, 2014
Tie A Bow, an event planning firm in Dallas, Texas, created an ESPN SportsCenter theme using inspiration from this sports loving Bar Mitzvah boy.
Owner Jennifer Barry Watkins hit this one out of the park with lots of great detail.
Held at Bent Tree Country Club in Dallas, Texas, the celebration featured an appearance by the Mavs ManiAACs – a popular male dance troupe that is part of the Dallas Mavericks entertainment.
Beginning with the awesome basketball jerseys the family wore, this party was an all-star event from start to finish!
Check out the details below:
Great team spirit as guests were asked to wear their favorite Jersey. Pictured above is the Bar Mitzvah family modeling what they wore!
Guests enjoyed this fun vignette at the entrance to the ballroom
The backdrop consisted of two ten foot light up wall panels with Mason’s sports photos
The place card display was on a table with sports paraphernalia
Baseball cards were used as decor elements on the adult highboy tables for the cocktail hour
Centerpieces were on light up acrylic cubes designed to mimic a trophy
Kids’ tables featured flags from major sporting events
Great signage for an entrance…
The Bar Mitzvah boy ran through paper for his intro like a real football game
Mason’s friends served as the cheering squad
Mason threw out the first pitch of the night to his Dad
Surprise! Mason had no idea the Mavs ManiAAcs were coming
The ManiAACs doing their thing
An awesome dessert presentation and ending to a great night
We thank Tie A Bow for sharing this sports fanatics Bar Mitzvah with us. Venue: Bent Tree Country Club, Music/DJ: Disc Jokey’s Etc, Special Entertainment: Mavs ManiACCs
November 12th, 2014
By Chloe Cornell
Recently I went to my friend Liv’s Bat Mitzvah, which had a graffiti theme at Yotel, located at 570 Tenth Avenue in New York City.
They hired a graffiti artist who created amazing graffiti on a ton of canvases that they hung around the room. The artist also designed pillows, which were on couches and chairs throughout the party. The room looked so cool. A lot of the sayings were a play on Liv’s name – such as “Liv 2 Party” and “Just Liv it.”
Here are some other details I thought were great:
Graffiti pillows were placed throughout the room
There were also life-sized sticker photographs (fatheads) of Liv on the walls
The kids’ party room had a lot of great activities that incorporated the graffiti theme. They had a backdrop of a brick wall with graffiti and a giant picture of Liv that kids could pose in front of
Liv’s family loves to play ping-pong, so this was a great personal touch! They had mini ping-pong tables set up with paddles that had “Liv 2 Party” in graffiti writing on them
Charm station
Another fun element was the “Liv for Charms” station where you could pick out a jeweled keychain to hang on your backpack. They also gave us a crystal letter of our first initial to add to it
Another station that was a particular hit with the boys was the human bowling ball – you get strapped into a ball and then someone rolls you until you knock down three giant pins. I didn’t try this activity, as I didn’t think it would work well with my dress – but the line to participate was the length of the room!
The giveaway bag featured the tagline – “Liv 4 Swag,” and inside were sweatshirts with her graffiti logo
They gave out cool T-shirts, Beanie hats and sweatpants on the dance floor which all had the graffiti sayings and logos on them
At the end of the celebration, there was waffle cabin, where you could have regular or chocolate covered waffles, and bagels to take home for the next days’ breakfast. On the bag for the bagels it read, “liv4myjewishbreakfast,” “liv4sunday2chill,” “liv4bagels,” “liv4sleepinglate,” and “#breakfastbyliv”
In addition to the clever theme and décor, the party was non-stop fun and everyone had a great time. We got a lot of take home gifts to remember the night for a long time.
Vendors:
Pillows, Stickers, Charm Station: Pilot Consulting, smorrispilot@yahoo.com
Music Entertainment: Total Entertainment
Party Planner: Gourmet Advisory, Melissa Rosenbloom
Logo Liv2Party: And That
About Chloe
I’m a 7th grader and live in Westchester, NY. I love tennis, soul cycle, fashion, hanging with my friends, and traveling around the world. Camp Vega is my summer home and my favorite place on earth! I founded the company #Kindnessistherealcool for my Mitzvah Project, and invite everyone to visit us on Instagram @kindnessistherealcool and join the movement. I am very excited to celebrate my Bat Mitzvah in March, 2015.
Read blog post #1 here
November 10th, 2014
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November 9th, 2014
Buying a Bar and Bat Mitzvah child a special tallit is something many families will do. Some try to match color and fabrics to what the guest of honor is wearing or even to their celebration theme.
Tallit by Ina Bearak Helfand specializes in custom tallit and works with each family on choice of style, color and fabric fashioned to your personal taste.
Made from the finest silks, wools as well as other exotic fabrics found from all over the world, Ina loves designing a tallit with a person’s interests and fabrics of loved ones or where their personality comes through.
Did you know that the tallit is the only “accessory” mentioned in the Torah?
The ties used in this design belonged to the Grandpa for a young lady who wanted to feel the presence of her late grandfather at her Bat Mitzvah. Culling through his ties, the family chose a lovely combination to create a wonderful memory and keepsake
Three rows of music and three rows of ribbon were essential to designing this musical tallit with silver grosgrain accents and the tzitzit and musical Atarah (around the neck)
This creation series shows the many color possibilities available in creating your own designs
Your ideas are welcome, so email Ina at sewcool39@aol.com or call her at 914-245-3173.
November 9th, 2014
Words Of Wisdom
By Dr. and Mrs. Mitzvah (aka David and Danielle Ockman, “Favor It Things“)
We celebrated our son Blake’s Bar Mitzvah on October 11, 2014 and can’t wait to share all the details in our Mitzvah Family Spotlight story – coming soon!
Here are some things we would like to share about our experience:
TOP 5 THINGS TO REMEMBER
- Start planning early—-it’s never too early
- You are the parent, you make the decisions
- It’s ok to make your reception as small or as large as you like! Celebrating a simcha is a mitzvah!
- Have a B’mitzvah “day of coordinator”—you cannot be dealing with all the details that day
- Things may be forgotten, no one will notice
TOP 5 THINGS WE LEARNED ABOUT PLANNING A B’MITZVAH RECEPTION
- Tradition should be respected, don’t be “so unique” that you drop the things that make it a b’mitzvah (this is not a birthday party!)
- Involve the older generations, bring the history and the future together at the reception—it is a gift to be able to honor grandparents and great-grandparents
- Bring the WOW factor—keep guests intrigued
- End the reception before it ends itself, don’t let it dwindle down
- Leave the guests with one last surprise before they leave
ABOUT DAVID AND DANIELLE OCKMAN
David and Danielle Ockman love South Florida and reside in Deerfield Beach with their 12 year old son Blake, and 7 year old daughter, Skylar. Blake’s B’mitzvah is scheduled for October, 2014.
David is a licensed clinical psychologist practicing in the field of addictions for over 20 years and Danielle is a Social Worker and the Dean of Students at a private Jewish Day School. Danielle’s passion for making people treats lead her to preparing “specialty and custom” chocolate and edible B’mitzvah favors for “Favor It Things.” David and Danielle have become known in the B’mitzvah community of South Florida, as they host the Facebook group, “South Florida Bar Mitzvah and Bat Mitzvah Planning Group.” Some consider this group to be the B’mitzvah hub, bringing parents and vendors together for a “virtual B’mitzvah showcase” everyday. Since starting the FB page, David has been called “Dr. Mitzvah” and the couple continue to talk many B’mitzah parents down off the ledge!
Catch up on what you might have missed:
Blog post #1 here
Blog post #2 here
Blog post #3 here
Blog post #4 here
Blog post #5 here
The Ockman Bar Mitzvah Family Spotlight story
November 9th, 2014
The Feldman family from Charlotte, North Carolina, celebrated their son Joshua’s Bar Mitzvah at Providence Country Club in Charlotte, North Carolina. Joshua’s mother Stephanie, a designer of invitations, party decor and favors, was excited to finally create those items for her own child! Joshua is an ice hockey player for the Charlotte Junior Checkers. Originally from New York, his favorite team is the New York Rangers.
Pictured L-R: Dad Ross, Bar Mitzvah Boy Joshua, Mom Stephanie and Brother Jack.
The photographer was Wayne of St. John Photography and the rest of the vendor information is listed at the end of the spotlight.
The invitation was designed and assembled by Mom Stephanie owner of Cutie Patootie Creations. The navy pocket invitation included a service card, accommodation card, celebration card and response card
Family and friends gathered at Temple Beth El to watch Joshua become a Bar Mitzvah 
Joshua’s needlepointed kippah and tallit bag were handmade by Grandmother, Joan Feldman
The family looked great dressed for the occasion. Dad’s suit came from Saks 5th Avenue, Joshua and Jack’s shirt and pants were from Nordstrom as was Mom Stephanie’s navy blue gown. We love that she did her own hair and makeup! The family outside the Providence Country Club
The theme of the party was the New York Rangers. It turned out fabulous, thanks to the creative design eye of Mom Stephanie owner of Cutie Patootie Creations.The backdrop of the escort card table was the Madison Square Garden jumbo-tron designed with Joshua’s photo
The escort cards were New York Ranger tickets with the all time greatest players with their jersey numbers as the table numbers
The front and back of the place cards
Mom Stephanie collaborated with party planner Kelly from Head over Heels Weddings and Events to create an ice type feel for the room. The table linens were pewter and the
chairs were covered in white
Ice Sculpture centerpieces were very “cool”
Each table featured a hockey player with their jersey number as the table number
Custom Gobo with Josh’s logo
The entire room was draped in white with blue up-lighting throughout
Concession sign for the kids’ buffet
Cutie Patootie designed all the details for the party including the clever wording on the custom cocktail napkins
Elegant menu for the adults
Custom dessert station toppings
The frame around the sign-in board was created using hockey sticks and the matting was purchased from Michael’s
Joshua was involved in most of the design decisions except for this surprise candle lighting 6 foot long ice sculpture was designed by Mom and hand carved by Artisan Ice Sculptures.This was a surprise for the Bar Mitzvah boy!
The Feldman Family candle lighting
Joshua surrounded by his hockey teammates
All of the great hockey themed favors came from Cutie Patootie. including this hockey puck squishy in silver custom tins
A table scape with party favors displayed beautifully and an amazing jumbo-tron
Customized Hershey chocolate bars with Josh’s logo
Some advice from Mom Stephanie:
“Enjoy the process as it is a once-in-a-lifetime event! Don’t lose focus about what this event is really about and most importantly, the more you stress, the more your child and immediate family members will stress! Just remember HAVE FUN!!!!”
Vendor Directory
The following vendors made Joshua’s celebration special. If you contact any of them please make sure they know you read about their services on MitzvahMarket.com
Venue: Providence Country Club, 704-846-8475
Party Planner: Kelly, Head Over Heels Wedding & Events, 704-840-6415
Invitation/logo: Mom Stephanie, Cutie Patootie Creations, 704-776-0738
Photographer: Wayne, St. John Photography, 704-889-7800
Videographer: Rob, Visual Impressions, 704-525-0190
Decor Design: Mom Stephanie, Cutie Patootie Creations, 704-776-0738
Music: DJ Big Bad Ben, 800-242-1243
Photo Booth/Draping/Lighting: Charlotte DJ and Events, 888-623-5737
Favors: Mom Stephanie, Cutie Patootie Creations, 704-776-0738
Centerpieces/Candle Lighting: Artisan Ice Sculptures, 704-569-9392
Food Signs/Sign in Board/Table Numbers: Mom Stephanie, Cutie Patootie Creations, 704-776-0738
Mom Stephanie’s dress: Nordstrom
Suits for Family Members: Brooks Brothers and Nordstrom
Hair/Makeup: Mom Stephanie did her own!
November 9th, 2014
Todd Yahney Music and Entertainment specializes in Bar and Bat Mitzvah parties. Their enthusiasm, experience and willingness to address every question and concern will far exceed your expectations. They create a fabulous event that fits your lifestyle and your budget.
For over three decades, Todd Yahney Music and Entertainment is one of the most trusted names in the entertainment industry. They are not just a DJ company, they are a full-service event company and a one-stop-shop for all of your event needs. Awesome MCs/DJs, fabulous photo stations, photography, videography, lounge decor, up-lighting, and much more! The staff at Todd Yahney Music and Entertainment will make sure that you enjoy being a guest at your own party!
Todd Yahney Music and Entertainment’s Website Has A New Look!
Under the Celebrations tab on their new Website, they have a special section dedicated exclusively to Bar & Bat Mitzvahs.
In addition to the extensive information about Bar Bat Mitzvah entertainment, Todd Yahney proudly posts testimonials from satisfied clients on their Website. It’s one thing to read how other families felt, but another to actually hear them! Read and listen here.
As a one-stop-shop for all of your Bar Bat Mitzvah needs, they offer full-service Event Planning:
Their event planning services encompass everything from venue research, to design and decor services and full orchestration of your event from start to finish
In addition to Photography and Videography services, there is section on their Website dedicated to Photo Favors with a variety of options to choose from, for example:
Six Second Photo Magnets combines Classic Black and White photography with the fastest station on the market: two photos in only 6 seconds and all the props and signs to go with it
Color Blast Photos create a dramatic effect by printing all images in black & white, but keep a hint of color resulting in a striking artistic image
The Games & Entertainment section of their Website includes Sport Games & Gaming Systems, a Money Booth, Airbrush Tattoos, Casino & Gaming Tables and so much more!
Consider a Wire Artist as a unique entertainment option. All sculptures are created and customized at the event
Their talented Caricature Artists create wonderful fun portraits of your guests to take home
They also offer clients the option to customize their event space, including Lounge Furniture, Room Decor and Up-Lighting:
Lounge Decor
Custom Projected Gobos
Up Lighting
No event would be complete without music from Todd Yahney Music and Entertainment. They pride themselves with providing the best in MC and DJ entertainment, and of course, the incomparable Scott Yahney Band.
Their experienced MCs know Bar & Bat Mitzvahs
The Todd Yahney Band is available for Bar & Bat Mitzvahs
To learn more about Todd Yahney Music and Entertainment, visit their extended profile page in our Vendor Directory.
November 8th, 2014
By Lila Mueller
Breathing hard, I pushed myself to the top of the next stair, stopping for a quick rest. I looked out over the landscape in front of me. Weeks earlier, I never could have guessed that hiking to the top of Masada meant waking up at four in the morning, groggily pulling myself into the car, and walking up an impossible set of ancient stairs so that I could view the sun rise over the Dead Sea. But sure enough, that was exactly what I was doing. The air was still cool, but the temperature was sure to rise soon, so I continued on, determined to make it to the top before the real heat settled in.
Lila Mueller and her family and friends in Golan Heights
Lila and her brother Simon in Israel
My Bat Mitzvah at home in New York City had happened nearly a month earlier. Being surrounded by my friends and family for one unforgettable night had been so much fun, but in Israel, I felt more connected to Judaism than I ever had been before. During my entire time there, I never picked up a Torah or a prayer book, but I didn’t need to. Everywhere I went — the Western Wall in Jerusalem, the Dead Sea in Ein Bokek, or the lofty Golan Heights — all held with them a sense of family, a feeling of belonging in the land that the Jewish people fought so hard to call home.
Wherever you walked, Biblical figures had stepped thousands of years before. The landscapes were rich with history, and it was almost overwhelming to look upon the scenery of some of the most monumental events in the world and know that you were connected; still are connected.
When I told my friends that I was taking a trip to Israel for my Bat Mitzvah, I was met with different reactions. Some people’s faces twisted into concerned uneasiness. “Isn’t there… like… a war there or something? Isn’t it really dangerous?” they would say. And while they weren’t completely wrong, I never felt unsafe during my time there. True, it was a bit unsettling to see hotel security guards ready to grab their guns at a moment’s notice, but it was actually reassuring to know that everybody was prepared.
Some friends looked at me with pitiful, almost laughing gazes. “Have fun,” they said without feeling, and I could tell they felt almost bad for me that I had to spend time in what was in their eyes, such a boring place. They couldn’t be farther off. The vibrancy of the newer cities, like Tel Aviv, combined with the power of the older cities, like Jerusalem, made for a country so full of life that sometimes you had to step back and just breathe. The overwhelmingly beautiful countryside and the culturally rich architecture and museums were never dull and always exciting and new.
Being in Israel also put things in perspective and helped expand my world view. I soon came to realize that constant war and violence, raging mere miles away, was simply accepted. I also realized that Israel is not just a place for Judaism, but for many other religions and people. From the Armenian, Christian, and Muslim quarters of the Old City to the Druze villages in the Golan Heights, Israel is truly a homeland of acceptance regardless of where you come from.
During our stay in Jerusalem, we visited Yad Vashem, the Holocaust remembrance museum, which was an important, although sad, experience. It showed me that people may hate you for whatever reason they have, but there will always be good in the world.
Being in Israel was such a great experience in general. I had so much fun every day, doing wildly different things all the time. I never could have imagined that a trip to Israel would include driving ATVs up a mountain, swimming in the Jordan River, walking through ancient tunnels under Jerusalem, and so much more, all in less than 10 days.
Going to the Holy Land of the Jewish people was uplifting and helped me start to realize my place in the world. It was such an amazing trip and I hope to be lucky enough to go back someday.
Read A Mother’s Take: Visiting Israel For My Daughter’s Bat Mitzvah by Jennifer Unter here.
Lila Mueller is an 8th grader at The Anderson School in New York City.
Get a copy of Mitzvah Market Magazine here.
November 8th, 2014
By Jennifer Unter (mom of Lila Mueller)
I had my Bat Mitzvah on Masada in 1982 and I hoped it would be as significant for my daughter, Lila, when it was her turn.
When I started planning a trip to Israel for her Bat Mitzvah, so many thoughts fought for supremacy: will it be too hot in July for my 78-year-old father? Will our 10-year-old son make it through one day doing both Yad Vashem and the Israeli Museum? Will it be safe for all of us? And, most importantly, will it be as meaningful for Lila as my Bat Mitzvah trip to Israel was for me?
I didn’t grow up in a particularly religious family. We celebrated Shabbat by having dinner all together on Friday nights, but rarely went to synagogue. I wasn’t sure about God, but when I went to Israel, I felt the presence of something greater than myself. I saw people at the Western Wall praying together (at the time, it wasn’t separated by gender), leaving notes and I was struck by how powerful it felt to believe. That trip didn’t change the role of religion in my life, but it left me with a love for Israel and Israelis and pride in being a Jew that has never gone away. I returned when I was 16 for a teen tour, but I hadn’t been back since, so I was more than past due for a trip to the Holy Land.
Fast forward over 30 years, and here I was, planning a trip for two kids, my husband and father to experience Lila becoming a Bat Mitzvah on Masada. I was planning this trip in the midst of planning her New York Bat Mitzvah. That was a Saturday service with Kiddush luncheon and Saturday night party for 150 people. I knew the event would be special since we love our synagogue, CSAIR in Riverdale, and had wonderful family and friends in attendance, but this trip to Israel was a gift from my father to our family, and I couldn’t be more thrilled. I tried to impart my excitement to the kids, especially Lila, but I felt that my words fell short. I figured they’ll love it as much as I did when we got there.
Jennifer Unter and her daughter Lila in Israel on Lila's Bat Mitzvah trip
Instead of doing the Bat Mitzvah tour, on a friend’s recommendation we hired Tiyul Acher (en.tiyulacher.com) a company that organizes private tours (and that I highly recommend) to plan our trip and provide a local guide to take us around the country. We saw the Golan Heights, Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Dead Sea, Masada, Be’er Sheva and Netanya. Our days were jam packed with activities: ATVing up the Hermon mountain with a dip in a fresh water spring, picking berries I had never heard of (white mulberries!), water hikes, walking over the Old City walls in Jerusalem, Kotel tunnel tour, camel riding, seeing a ton of family on my father’s side in Tel Aviv…I could go on and on. And the food: the best hummus and labne I’ve ever eaten in a tiny restaurant in a Druze village, and to-die-for falafel and unforgettable pita with lamb from a stall in the Muslim Quarter of Jerusalem.
I knew the kids were having a ball, but our son, Simon, seemed more engaged than Lila, asking the tour guide lots of questions about the places we visited. Despite admonishments from both my husband and me to stay off her phone, we saw Lila pulling it out, presumably to take pictures, but she was also surreptitiously texting and keeping tabs on what her friends were doing. Was any of this sinking in? Was she understanding what a special trip she was on and appreciating it?
Masada was toward the end of the trip, and we planned to hike up the snake trail at 4:30 am to see the sunrise. Close family friends who we met when Lila and their son were in nursery school were in Israel for the month, so we joined forces for a short but meaningful B’nai Mitzvah ceremony at King Herod’s Northern Palace.
The hike up Masada was arduous for my father and I was worried he wouldn’t be able to get to the top and see the ceremony. But, amazingly, he made it and we were all there, at this incredibly well-preserved palace, sweating in the blazing sun and watching the two young teens become bona fide members of the Jewish community. After touring the breath-taking site of Masada, we headed down the cable car, exhausted, to lounge by the pool and escape the overwhelming heat.
We had one more day in Israel after that, and I could tell we were ready to go home. The non-stop days had taken their toll (not to mention some early jet lag) and sleeping in our own beds after 12 nights away was a tempting prospect. Before we left, I asked Lila how she felt about the trip. Enthusiastically, she told me she loved it.
Back in New York, after a few days of sleeping in, she wrote her piece for Mitzvah Market Magazine, and it was then that I realized how much she did take in on the trip. She clearly understood both the beauty and hardship of Israel and the role it plays in the life of Jews around the world. When I think about the trip, I’m overcome with gratitude to my father for taking us, pride in Lila’s growth and maturity, and love for my family and for the country of Israel.
Read Finding My Place in the World in the Holyland by Lila Mueller, Jennifer’s daughter here.
Jennifer Unter is a book agent in New York and mother of two children, Lila and Simon.
BAR/BAT MITZVAH CEREMONY SITES
There are many wonderful places to choose from to have your Bar/Bat Mitzvah services and celebrations in Israel. The most popular days for services are Monday, Thursdays and Saturdays. Make sure to confirm that the location of your choice is open on the day you wish to have your ceremony. Go to bar-and-bat-mitzvah-in-israel.com to view the different locations. Here are some of the most popular ones:
The Western Wall, known also as The Kotel. The Western Wall Heritage Foundation offers a free service to help families with everything from initial planning of the event to helping conduct or explain the service. Additional assistance is available, including lending Tefillin (phylacteries), or Talitot
(prayer shawls), and organizing a tour of the Western Wall tunnels for the Bar/Bat Mitzvah child and family following the service.
The Southern Wall, Jerusalem, is no less holy than the Western Wall, for it is part of the remaining Southern enclosure of the Temple Mount. Unlike at the Western Wall, ceremonies are held according to your and your Rabbi’s traditions – so men and women can celebrate, sit and pray together.
Neot Kedumim: The Biblical Landscape Reserve in Israel is located halfway between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. This unique recreation of the physical setting of the Bible in all its depth and detail allows visitors to see life as it was lived by our ancestors 3,000 years ago.
The Western Wall Tunnels, (Strictly Orthodox), is one of Israel’s most splendid archeological discoveries. The Tower of David Museum of the History of Jerusalem: Private ceremonies may be held in the historic courtyard and gardens at the ancient citadel.
The Hurva Synagogue: Destroyed in the War of Independence in 1948, it is now a simple and elegant memorial. It has become a symbol of the Jews’ return to the holiest city.
Synagogues around Israel: A synagogue in Jerusalem, or anywhere in Israel is an ideal location, especially if you wish to hold the service on Shabbat.
Masada: Ceremonies atop Masada are held in the remains of the Zealots’ Synagogue, said to be the world’s oldest Synagogue still in use. Services are conducted by a rabbi of your choice, according to orthodox, conservative, reform or reconstructionist tradition.
RESOURCES FOR BAR/BAT MITZVAH TRAVEL TO ISRAEL
• Tova Gilead, Inc., tovagilead.com – As a tour operator since 1982, Gilead operates small, upscale and unique tours. Three-generation family trips are her specialty.
• ARZA World, arzaworld.com – ARZA World creates 9, 11 and 13 day comprehensive tours of Israel with local reform rabbis performing the Bar/Bat Mitzvah ceremony in Jerusalem at the Southern Wall at the Davidson Center, The Goldman Promenade, Mt. Scopus, or on the rooftop of Hebrew Union College.
• Israel Discover Tours, israeldiscoverytours.com– This company is family owned and operated for 25 years, offering three different tours (12 day Deluxe, 14 day Deluxe or December Deluxe), with options for different budgets. The ceremony is at Masada and presentation of certificates is in front of the Menorah outside the Knesset (the Israel Parliament).
• Authentic Israel, authenticisrael.com – Find a wide range of programs including family and celebration experiences and custom private tours. They arrange the tour, ceremony and celebration. On the family tour, they provide a tour leader and a youth counselor.
• Travel and Events in Israel, travelandeventsinisrael.com – Custom tailored for your family, they help with your itinerary, book hotels according to your budget, connect you with a rabbi who will assign the Torah portion and make all necessary arrangements. They also offer custom special events at unique destinations in Israel.
• Mabat Platinum, LTD., mabat.com – Designs a tailor-made trip for you and your family.
• Gil Travel, giltravel.com – With over 40 years of experience, Gil Travel can help you plan a private tour or organize a group tour, while arranging all of the touring details.
• Jewish National Fund Travel and Tours, jnf.org– Join a Bar/Bat Mitzvah tour or plan a private one and have your service at the Southern Wall in Jerusalem or other sites throughout Israel. JNF also provides other opportunities including planting trees in Israel, coordinating a Mitzvah Project and participating in the B’nai Mitzvah Remembrance Wall.
• Keshet, keshetisrael.co.il – The Center for Educational Tourism in Israel helps you create a tailor-made Bar/Bat Mitzvah trip to Israel that introduces your family to the land and history through youth centered programming, hands-on Mitzvah Projects and encounters with local people.
Get a copy of Mitzvah Market Magazine here.
