Archive for November, 2014
November 6th, 2014
Photo by Andi Schreiber Photography
Bar/Bat Mitzvah 101
By the time your son or daughter steps up to the bimah one Shabbat morning to recite
his or her haftarah, they will understand perfectly well what the first half of this sentence
meant. But will you? And will you be able to explain it all to your guests? Here is a short
glossary of important Hebrew phrases to know before you go:
Aliyah: In Hebrew, the word aliyah means to go up, or, as a noun, an ascent. During the Torah reading portion of the service, some members of the community are offered an aliyah, meaning they are called up to the bimah to perform a certain role. This can include reciting the blessing over the Torah, reading from the Torah, dressing the Torah and returning it to the ark, or some other function. It is considered an honor to be called up, and as such it is often given to family members and close friends of the Bar or Bat Mitzvah.
Aron Ha-Kodesh: Literally meaning “the holy ark,” the Aron ha-Kodesh is an ark where the sacred texts used during a prayer service are held. Mostly, this includes one or more scrolls of the Torah and perhaps a similar looking scroll that will hold the haftarah portions. The ark itself is meant to symbolize the mishkan (tabernacle) in which the ancient Israelites stored the sacred tables Moses received on Mount Sinai.
B’nai Mitzvah: B’nai Mitzvah is the plural of Bar Mitzvah and is the term used to describe the coming of age according to Jewish tradition. Literally meaning “master of commandments,” becoming a Bar or Bat Mitzvah means the person is obliged to observe the Jewish commandments, and a ceremony, along with a celebration, takes place to mark this moment. The Bar Bat Mitzvah event is a formal and spiritual declaration of a child’s accession to adulthood. Jewish tradition designates Bar and Bat Mitzvah age as 13 for a boy and either 12 or 13 for a girl.
Bimah: Hebrew for stage, the bimah is the raised location in the sanctuary where the Torah is read. At Bar and Bat Mitzvahs, family members and close friends are often called onto the bimah for an aliyah, or to assist with the service.
D’var Torah: Literally “a thing of Torah,” a d’var Torah is a speech that tried to convey a life lesson or message supported by the story in the weekly parasha or haftarah (scripture readings). After the Torah portion is read, the Rabbi will give a d’var Torah, typically as part of a sermon; when a child becomes a Bar or Bat Mitzvah, he or she delivers a d’var Torah as well, often tying it into personal experiences.
Davening: A transliteration of the Yiddish word, meaning praying, to daven is to pray. Like in many other faiths, davening can take numerous, varied forms, from mediation to the more traditional chanting of prayer in synagogue.
Haftarah: Often mispronounced as “haf-torah,” the haftarah is a selected reading from one of the other sections of the Jewish Bible (Old Testament). Traditionally, the haftarah is recited after the Torah reading on the Shabbat or another holy Jewish day, and is usually thematically related to the parasha. It is customary for the Bar Bat Mitzvah to read this portion of the scriptures in addition to any part of the parasha he/she has read.
Kiddush: This is the blessing recited over wine on Shabbat and other Jewish holy days. Kiddush derives from the Hebrew word kadosh, which means holy. By saying kiddush, one is proclaiming the holiness of the day.
Kippah: The Hebrew name for the traditional head covering worn by Jews in synagogue as well as, for some, in daily life. Often called a yarmulke, its Yiddish name, the kippah is meant to signify a Jew’s recognition of the presence of God. In more orthodox Jewish sects, only men wear kippot (plural of kippah), though some observant women cover their heads using hats, veils, or wigs. Less observant Jews often choose to wear kippot only during religious pursuits, such as when in a synagogue or while studying sacred texts. And some more liberal Jews do not wear a kippah at any time.
Minyan: The number of people required to be present for certain prayers to be recited. A minyan consists of 10 Jewish adults, or, for Orthodox Jews, 10 Jewish males. When a child becomes a Bar or Bat Mitzvah, he or she is eligible to be counted in the minyan.
Motzi: The blessing recited over bread, which ordains the start of the meal. On Shabbat and other holy days, a festive, braided challah bread is used.
Parasha: The weekly Torah portion read in synagogue. On Shabbat, a cantor or members of the congregation read the parasha. The Torah portion is divided into seven sections. As a new member of the Jewish community, the Bar Bat Mitzvah will often read a section or even the entire parasha during his or her Bar or Bat Mitzvah service. Once children receive their Bar Bat Mitzvah date, the parasha they will read from is known.
Shabbat: The Jewish day of rest, where everyone is commanded to stop all work before sundown on Friday and enjoy the company of friends and family until sundown on Saturday. This is also typically the day on which Bar and Bat Mitzvahs are held (by custom though not by requirement). It is customary to indulge in an extensive meal on Friday night with guests, and the following morning a longer prayer service is usually held. Shabbat is meant to be a moment of peace in an otherwise hectic world and, depending upon one’s level of observance, some choose to refrain from many activities on Shabbat such as driving, writing, or watching TV. A special Shabbat service is held in most synagogues on Saturday morning that includes these three parts: Shacharit, the morning prayers; the Torah Service, which includes the reading of the Torah and the haftarah (the focal point of the Bar Bat Mitzvah); and Musaf, the additional Shabbat prayers focusing on song-like praises of God.
Simcha: The literal definition of simcha is joy. Simcha refers to a special happy occasion in a Jewish life, such as a Bar or Bat Mitzvah, a bris, or a Wedding.
Tallit: A tallit is a traditional prayer shawl worn by Jewish adults while praying in synagogue. At each of the four corners of the garment are fringes of string, or tzitit in Hebrew, that are braided and knotted as a way to remind Jews of the commandments issued in the Torah. Anyone of Bar Bat Mitzvah age or older who approaches the bimah to take a leadership role in the services is required to put on a tallit; beyond that circumstance, however, there are different customs on who wears a tallit, according to different sects of Judaism. Orthodox sects of Judaism traditionally reserve the privilege of wearing a tallit to married men, while conservative and reform sects allow both sexes to wear a tallit, starting from Bar Bat Mitzvah age.
Torah: Torah has multiple definitions, but in this context it refers to the first five books of the Bible, often called the Five Books of Moses. The Torah recounts the creation of the world and the establishment of the Jewish faith, while also offering a set of laws on which Jewish life is based. The Torah is divided into 54 portions with one read each week (two weeks have double portions). The reading of each week’s portion (or part of the portion in some traditions) serves as the focal point of the Shabbat prayer services.
Trope: In Jewish tradition, sacred text is chanted rather than simply read, whether for public reading or for study. Trope is the Yiddish word for the 1,400-year-old system of distinctive marks that function as musical notation and punctuation for the biblical text. The trope determines the actual tune used by readers for the parasha and haftarah. As part of their preparation, some B’nai Mitzvah learn the names and tunes for each trope marking so they can figure out the cantillation for themselves.
Get a copy of Mitzvah Market Magazine here.
November 6th, 2014
By Isabella Spar
For my Mitzvah Project, I decided to do something close to my heart. Last summer, when I got home from sleepaway camp, I found out that my mom had been diagnosed with a benign brain tumor. Although it was benign, it was located in a very bad part of the brain and was already causing damage. She needed to go to Massachusetts General Hospital for six weeks of proton radiation. One week after I got home, my family and my grandparents all left for Boston. This was a very hard transition for me and my younger sister, Alexa, since it all happened so suddenly. I was very scared, sad and angry.
During her radiation, we were given pink rubber wristbands to wear, with the words “Hope”, “Faith”, “Strength”, and “Survivor” as a way to inspire the patients and their families. My family and I never took off these bracelets because they meant so much to us.
We then found out that at the end of each patient’s course of treatment, they get to ring a very large bell to symbolize the end of their radiation and a new beginning. The bell has a plaque which reads: “Ring this bell, three times well; its toll will clearly say, my treatment’s done, my course is run, and now I’m on my way.” Patients recite this and then ring the bell three times while family members, staff and other patients celebrate with them. As we watched other patients ring the bell, we saw that it served as a source of inspiration and accomplishment for them.
Isabella was at a dedication ceremony for a bell that she donated at the John Theurer Cancer Center at Hackensack University Medical Center. Watch this special video
here
Everyone looked forward to their bell-ringing date. Towards the end of her treatment, my mom asked my family to get her a pretty bracelet with a bell on it. After we searched the internet but didn’t find anything, she asked if I could make her a bracelet. Together we created a beautiful bangle bracelet with a bell charm and two others with the words “Hope” and “Faith.” My mom liked it so much that I made more for the whole family. Then she had me make extras to give to other patients who had become her friends, in order to help inspire them as well.
My mom wore the bracelet to her bell ringing. Both the bracelet and the bell ringing ceremony were such a source of motivation and accomplishment for my mother and our whole family. In fact, my grandfather bought her a miniature bell for our home for her to ring every day and remind her of her new beginning.
We soon discovered that only a few radiation centers in the United States have bells for their patients to ring. Suddenly I knew what I would do for my Mitzvah Project. I created Project Bell to raise money to donate these “new beginning” bells to centers around the country.
I began to make and sell bracelets, chokers and leather wristbands with inspirational charms to raise money for my project. One hundred percent of the net profits go to buy bells and plaques for radiation centers that don’t have them. Everything is sold on my Website projectbell.org for $18, or “chai,” which means life. So far I have raised over $5,500 and donated 15 bells.
Photos by Rodrigo Diban Photography
I have been invited to several bell dedication ceremonies, but two really moved me. At Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx, I got to watch Gladys, a hospital employee who had just finished her treatment, be the first person to ring the bell that I had donated and rejoice with her family, friends, doctors and technicians. She asked me to take photos with her. We stood next to the bell, hugging each other, as she cried tears of happiness and thanked me for donating it. I had a similar touching experience at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, CA, where I got to observe Art ringing their new bell. He hugged me right afterward and the entire room broke out in applause and tears. I got to hear about his treatments and experiences during radiation, as well as meet other patients who would one day be ringing the bell. It was incredible to see how much the patients and their families looked forward to this special day. I felt so honored to be part of both of their special moments.
This Mitzvah Project has really impacted my life. It brings me joy to know that there is something for the patients to look forward to, like a light at the end of the tunnel. I love seeing the faces of the patients when they get to ring the bell. I also love knowing that the bracelets I make provide a source of inspiration for so many.
This has made my Bat Mitzvah extra memorable because not only did I have a special day, but I was able to help other people have their own special day. Plus, giving back to other patients helped me get through the sadness, fear and anger I had been feeling about my mom’s diagnosis. (She’s doing great, now, by the way!) More than 12,000 patients a year will ring the bells I have donated to hospitals and radiation centers throughout the country, which makes me so happy.
Although my Bat Mitzvah is over, I am definitely not stopping Project Bell. By the time I go to college, my goal is to have every radiation center in the United States that wants one to have a bell. This is a ton of radiation centers, but it would be absolutely amazing to know that I have made that much of an impact.
Isabella Spar is an 8th grader from Ardsley, NY. To learn more about her project, to buy inspirational jewelry, or to donate so she can buy more bells, visit projectbell.org.
Get a copy of Mitzvah Market Magazine here.
November 5th, 2014
By Gail Slogoff With Bethany Kandel
If you ask me about my Bat Mitzvah celebration (circa 1970’s), I can describe the dress that I wore in detail — floral Laura Ashley inspired beige and burgundy. I can recall the DJ — Purple Haze — and I can remember the food, especially the desserts that were served — cotton candy; a real out-of-the-box idea for that time period. But, if you ask me to recall what my sign-in board looked like or even where it is 30-plus years later… I have absolutely no idea. I imagine that it was probably thrown out years ago when my parents sold my childhood house after I graduated from high school.
Flash forward to January 5, 2013, and my son Zachary’s Bar Mitzvah. I really wanted to do something unique for his sign-in that would not only celebrate the occasion, but also give him something useful that he would cherish. I decided that a quilt made of his favorite t-shirts would be the perfect memory saver. In it I also incorporated several pieces of baby clothing that I had saved, including the onesie he was given at birth at the University of Pennsylvania Hospital. At his celebration, friends and relatives wrote their Mazel Tov wishes on the back of the quilt using fabric markers and now Zach has a lasting reminder of that night that he sees daily since it sits on the end of his bed.
(Pictured above: Zachary’s t-shirt quilt)
WHAT’S NEW
Sign-ins have long been a way to give guests a chance to leave a heartfelt note for the Bar or Bat Mitzvah child, but they keep evolving. While the traditional boards are certainly one option, and can be a way to display some beautiful photos of your child, there are many other creative ways to showcase your child’s interests, personality and style, inject some fun into the décor, extend the party’s theme or add some “wow” factor. The bottom line is to try to find something that will be both decorative and worth saving over the years to memorialize the event and won’t end up hidden away in the basement or
worse, in the garbage, says Melisa Imberman of The Event of a Lifetime, Inc. “I usually recommend something you can somehow put to use after the party,” she says, like mirrors or pillows. “They’re functional and don’t take up much space.”
The Pieced Palette offers giant floor pillows or 37” beanbags that can be imprinted all over with your child’s logo or name
and covered with messages from your guests. “Afterwards, it becomes a piece of furniture,” says company owner Jane Sheinfeld. “It’s a great place to sit and play video games or hang out and it actually means something to you.”
Sign-in pillow from The Pieced Palette
Sign-in beanbag from The Pieced Palette
BJ Boyd often recommends a photo booth album to her clients at Parties! Rare to Well Done, which combines an activity, a favor and a sign-in all in one. “For every picture taken we print out an extra that the attendant pastes into a book,” she explains. Then the guests sign next to their pictures. “That’s worth keeping,” she says. “It’s easy to store and years from now it’s going to be cool to see what that person looked like the day of your party.”
Sign-in mirror from Parties! Rare to Well Done
Photo Credit: Creative Photography by Maya
Here are some hot trends to inspire you and take you way beyond the traditional guest book of days long gone:
DIGITAL
Here’s a digital twist on the photo/sign-in book that’s also a great cocktail party activity; the iSign® Guestbook from Simon Elliot Events. It all starts at the iSign® kiosk where guests sign or write a message in their own handwriting on a tablet with the special iSign® App, choosing ink colors and custom backgrounds that can be tailored to your event. A professional photographer takes each guest’s photo and then the messages and pictures are transmitted wirelessly to a LED screen for everyone to see. One month after your party you receive a customized hardcover keepsake book with all the images and greetings on personalized pages as a great reminder of your special event. It also comes with a disc containing all of the messages in digital format for emailing to family and friends.
The iSign Guestbook by Simon Elliot Events
PROPS
Here’s where you can really get creative. Almost anything and everything can be turned into a guest sign-in. Sports jerseys,
guitars, camp trunks…the list goes on and on. Does your daughter have a passion for fashion? Consider having everyone sign a plain white dressmaker’s mannequin that can serve double duty if she’s into sewing her wardrobe. Have a world
traveler? Sign a globe. A mirror is a great sign-in (but note, Sharpies smudge; you need to use paint pens). Be sure to cover a section in the middle with tape if you want a clean area to remain so the mirror is still functional when it’s hung in your child’s room. How about just using your child’s initials? Head to a craft store and buy a giant wooden letter (or several for their first, middle and last names); spray paint them to match your color theme and hand out the pens. These make a fun wall hanging when the party’s over.
Or, consider using something from your child’s own room, says Imberman. Turn a young musician’s plain black music stand, a desk chair, bookcase or even their bedroom door into a sign-in prop. Since 2008 when MitzvahMarket.com suggested using a child’s own closet door as a creative sign-in board, hundreds of kids have taken the suggestion. Simply unhinge your child’s door and deliver it to your venue. Have family and friends sign and tag it; return it home and rehang. Permanent memories! For those who aren’t so good with tools, the custom painted children’s lockers offered by Airgraphics Entertainment are one of the hot trends in sign-ins. The lockers are available in 11 colors and can be painted with cool graphics before being delivered to your venue.
SPORTS
Sports items are always popular sign-ins. Skis, surfboards, giant tennis balls…you name it; if there’s a sports activity there is likely a Bar/Bat Mitzvah theme and a related sign-in. The bigger, the better. A snowboard has more surface area to sign than a skateboard, but even a basketball works; everyone just has to write a little smaller. And most party planners can have your logo or name airbrushed on almost anything. These items can be displayed in your room afterwards or used, especially if it’s something like a basketball backboard or even a ping-pong table that’s truly functional.
OLD SCHOOL
Do kids today actually know what a typewriter is? For a retro look, why not stick a typed note in a vintage typewriter that says, “Please sign our guestbook.” Guests can practice their QWERTY typing skills as they type their notes onto colorful cards which can later be placed into a book. Other fun ways to leave lasting messages or well wishes is on smooth rocks, in colorful envelopes, even written on Jenga game pieces. These can be displayed in a glass bowl at home; perfect to peruse when your child is looking for love and inspiration. So let your creative juices flow as you decide on your own unique way to keep the memories of this milestone alive. The sky is certainly the limit.
Does your child want to help others through their sign-in? There is a way with The Adaptive Design Association’s Kids
For Kids Mitzvah Project. For a $300 donation to the ADA, you get a custom chair made of super strong cardboard,
primed and painted and ready to be decorated by you and your guests. After the party, the chair becomes both a
lasting memory and a useful piece of furniture. All proceeds go right back into building custom adaptations for children
with disabilities. For more information contact jen@adaptivedesign.org, 212-904-1200.
The Adaptive Design Association Chair
RESOURCES:
Airgraphics Entertainment: www.airgraphics.biz, 973-247-1844
Simon Elliot Events: www.simonelliotevents.com, 516-586-6822
The Event of a Lifetime, Inc.: www.theeventofalifetime.com, 914-762-5770
Parties! Rare to Well Done: www.partiesraretowelldone.com, 267-312-1990
The Pieced Palette: www.thepiecedpalette.com, 914-420-1746
Adaptive Design Association: www.adaptivedesign.org, 212-904-1200
This story is from the new 2014 Mitzvah Market Magazine. If you would like to request a free copy, click here.
November 5th, 2014
Who better to find the latest and greatest for all things Bar Bat Mitzvahs than our own Mitzvah Moms!
We have spotlighted over 200 families and we thought it would be fun to call out some of the “Mom Finds” that you might have missed.
When the Segelman family from Randolph, New Jersey, celebrated their daughter Alana’s Bat Mitzvah, it was a three-day celebration!
We love Alana’s idea for thank you cards: she included photos of each guest in their individual thank-you note; a very thoughtful and personal touch!
Alana spray-mounted photos to the inside of the card so each guest received a photo of themselves at the celebration!
To see more ideas from the Segelman Bat Mitzvah Family Spotlight story, click here.
To see our past Mom Find, click here.
November 5th, 2014
Recently twins Blair and Zach celebrated their B’nai Mitzvah in a very unique way! Their celebration was at Sky Zone Indoor Trampoline Park in Deer Park, New York.
This 40,000 square foot facility offers five lanes of Foam Zone, three lanes of Sky Slam, four 3-D Dodgeball Courts, an enormous main court area and plenty of bouncin’ fun!
The pictures (and video) below tell the story and show the fun at this party! Enjoy…
Big signage and photos of Blair and Zach on the big screen greeted guests at the entrance to their celebration
Additional blow-ups of both Blair and Zach were around the room
Light-up highboy tables for guests in the main area
Plenty of room for guests and staff (all in orange) ready to supervise the young guests
The Entertainment Tonite crew ready to celebrate with guests
Playing in the main area
A game of dodgeball
Just bouncin’ around!
Bat Mitzvah girl and friends having fun!
three lanes of Sky Slam
Foam Zone fun
Blair and Zach are all smiles!
Watch this video to see all the fun action at this B’nai Mitzvah here
To learn more about Sky Zone Indoor Trampoline Park, visit their Website.
November 3rd, 2014
By Adam Koss
This Fall, I will become a Bar Mitzvah. About a year ago, my parents asked me how I wanted to celebrate the milestone event in my life. Most kids, like my sister, have a big party after their synagogue service. My brother decided not to have a big party, but rather to celebrate by having his Bar Mitzvah in Jerusalem at the Kotel. The idea of a big dance party wasn’t really interesting to me and since we’d already been to Israel for my brother’s Bar Mitzvah, I wanted to do something different. My parents were supportive and decided to give me the freedom to celebrate my Bar Mitzvah in a way that would be meaningful to me. The one thing they stressed was that I needed to come up with something that would fulfill the mitzvah of giving back to my community in some way.
My mom also told me that a good Mitzvah Project involves something you are passionate about. I love baseball a lot. So I came up with the idea to take a road trip and go to all 30 Major League Baseball parks in the USA and Canada. My parents work from home, which made it possible for us to travel all summer long. I did some research to find out that other people have done this trip in one summer. I read an article about two people who did the trip in college and reached out to them for some advice. They gave me some great advice about planning and contacting the teams. They also raised money for charity when they did their trip, which gave me the idea that I could do the same and connect it to my Bar Mitzvah. Their advice ultimately made this trip possible.
I thought that instead of a party, I could ask friends and family to help me raise money and support three charities that help kids with life-threatening illnesses. The first was the Make-A-Wish Foundation which grants wishes to kids with serious diseases. Since this baseball trip was my wish, I wanted to help make other kids’ wishes come true. The second organization I picked was the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, which raises money for research and cures for childhood cancer. My dad and I had shaved our heads as part of our synagogue’s team and raised money for them in the past. The third was the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, which raises money to help create a world without type 1 diabetes. I have a grandfather who struggles with diabetes and I hate seeing him go through it. It is something I want to help cure.
To raise money, I created a “Home Run Club” where instead of Bar Mitzvah gifts, friends and family could pledge a certain amount of money for every home run I witnessed on my trip. At the end of the trip, they would pick one of the organizations to donate their pledged amount. Based on averages, I knew there would be about 60-70 home runs in 30 games, so it would be a great way to raise money to help other kids.
As my parents and I started planning, we created a Website (adamsmlbroadtrip.com) that explained who I was and what I was doing. Then, we reached out to every MLB team and told them about my road trip. The idea began to take on a life of its own as people started to “get it” that this was so much more than a trip to see some baseball games. I was amazed that 22 out of 30 MLB teams gave my family free tickets to a game. Other teams offered stadium tours, on-field batting practice, signed items and merchandise. Two highlights of the summer were when one team let me throw out the first pitch and when I met a player who donated money to my fundraiser.
Adam scores a signature from Cincinnati Red’s Second Baseman Scooter Gennett
Adam gives an on-field interview at Busch Stadium in St. Louis
We also decided to reach out to Hilton hotels to see if they would help us out. Again, the response was great. In almost every city with an MLB ballpark, Hilton put us up for free. In many cases, they had Bar Mitzvah “gifts” of snacks, drinks and personalized items waiting for me in the hotel room. One manager said that he remembered secretly leaving his own Bar Mitzvah party to go check the ballgame scores.
There were so many people I met who shared stories of their baseball memories and I realized there were a lot of baseball fans in this country. The trip itself was amazing. I successfully saw a game at every MLB Park and we were able to complete the trip in 60 days. I gave lots of interviews as we went around the country. People seemed really excited about my trip and fundraising project. Several MLB players even donated.
By the time the trip was done, I saw a total of 73 home runs and raised over $20,000 for the three organizations. More than 200 individuals and families have donated so far. Many of them are family and friends but almost half of them are people I met while we were on the trip.
It was also a great way to spend time with my family and see a lot of the United States. We recorded our experiences throughout the summer in a blog that is on my Website. Even though the trip is over, we are still accepting donations and they keep coming in. Instead of a Bar Mitzvah party that lasted a few hours, I had a Bar Mitzvah experience with my family that lasted for two months, with memories that will last a lifetime. I learned that the world is full of truly generous and amazing people. As I take my place as an adult in my community this Fall, I realize that I have made a difference and it feels great.
Adam Koss is a seventh grader from Syracuse, NY. To learn more about his Mitzvah Project or to make a donation visit www.adamsmlbroadtrip.com.
Get a copy of Mitzvah Market Magazine here.
November 2nd, 2014
Jimmy Dee Entertainment is one of New York’s most sought after sources for Entertainment and Enhancements for Private Events. Their attention to detail in the planning phases of an event carries through to the talent that is placed at the event. They have very high standards for their staff, as does their clientele, and clients take comfort in knowing that they are trusting the success of their event in the hands of people who care about it just as much as they would their own.
Being in business as long as they have, they’ve seen trends come and go. In order to not only stay in business but to be renowned within their market, they are constantly innovating and expanding to keep up with the trends in events and trends in technology.
Jimmy Dee Entertainment works hand-in-hand with their clients in planning and designing their event. Every aspect from the décor and logo, to the sound and lighting setup, and the flow of the event is meticulously planned and organized so that when all ideas come to fruition, the clients get to enjoy being a guest at their own event!
Jimmy Dee Entertainment offers clients several ideas to upgrade their entertainment package including great lighting options such as:
Uplighting – A technique used in lighting design to enhance the atmosphere of any given space. It involves placing lighting fixtures on the ground and focusing them upward. This method of lighting is one of the easiest ways to dress up an event space. It can add color to a neutral surface, such as a wall or column. By carefully selecting the placement and focus of their lighting fixtures, they can brighten any room and give it an inviting glow. If you want your event space to radiate elegance, Uplighting is the way to go.
Custom Gobo – A great way to add a personal touch to a venue. Gobo stands for “Goes before Optics.” It is a metal disc that is custom engraved to the client’s specifications. They insert the disc into a high power gobo projector to create a great personalized effect.
Dance Floor Lighting – Modern and controlled systems which create a sophisticated yet groovy atmosphere and experience. They are not the old-school, disco-y or strobe light effects. Many times, it will even help keep guests on the dance floor as it enhances the overall experience.
Dance floor lighting can be set to move with the music, or set to fade through a specific sequence. Because the dance floor lights are computer controlled they can be color mixed, or washed with “full color” to virtually any color imaginable. They can transform a simple room into a dance floor haven!
To learn more about Jimmy Dee Entertainment, visit their extended profile page in our Vendor Directory.
November 2nd, 2014
We saw these decorative oreos on PartyFavoritesblog.com and had to share it with our readers.
From Etsy seller Sweeties By Kim, these are Oreo cookies hand-dipped in Wilbur chocolate. The beautiful artwork is done with an edbile colored cocoa butter design. They come in a variety of patterns and styles:
Baseball and many other sports are available
Animal prints
Many patterns, colors and styles
A great idea for a Mitzvah Favor or serve to your guests as a dessert to remember!
For more information, visit Sweeties By Kim.
November 2nd, 2014
This story begins with our friends in South Florida who are part of Dr. and Mrs. Mitzvah’s Facebook page!
We saw that the Ginsburg family recently celebrated their daughter Lexi’s Bat Mitzvah and started posting photos. One of the photos featured hand painted converse sneakers!
Bat Mitzvah girl Lexi wore them to her party with her party dress instead of heels. They were very comfortable and matched her decor perfectly.
We had to know more…
Handpainted Converse sneakers
Lexi’s sneakers were a perfect match to her theme and colors by Perfect Party of Boca
Enter Alyssa Reise, the artist responsible for these custom sneakers. Mitzvah Market contacted her and she quickly sent additional photos to us; each one uniquely created for the guest of honor. She works on any white canvas sneakers such as Converse or Vans.
When we asked her for more information, she explained that she does this free-of-charge! That’s right, FREE! People send her any white canvas sneakers with a list of what they want and/or pictures. She draws on the sneakers and sends them back. She will ship anywhere. She needs at least one month, because as you can imagine, at her price, there is a wait!
You can email her at areise@msn.com. She has created hundreds, starting with her own kids, years ago.
Her only request is to send sneakers that you know will fit! She says, “Drawing on a pair that isn’t guaranteed to fit is a waste of time!”
We are sure her wait list just got much longer!
November 2nd, 2014
The Maskell family of Muttontown, New York, celebrated daughter Dylan’s Bat Mitzvah service at North Shore Synagogue in Muttontown. The evening celebration took place at Temple Sinai in Roslyn, New York. Dylan wanted a sophisticated and modern party with only one requirement…plenty of teal! With a great color palette, clever poems and delicious Mitzvah Exit treats, it was a wonderful evening enjoyed by all. Added bonus: Mom Keri made the amazing Bat Mitzvah cake and treats!
Pictured above (L-R): Dad Sean, Brother Griffin, Sister Riley, Bat Mitzvah girl Dylan and Mom Keri.
The photographer was Hi Tech Photography Events and the rest of the vendor information is listed at the end of the spotlight.
The family worked with Beth Shapiro of Invitations with Love to create a custom invitation in teal and black with Dylan’s name in different fonts. The center was black linen silk screened in two colors with rhinestones surrounded by turquoise glitter paper
Dylan had her service at North Shore Synagogue and immediately following was a brunch for all of the out-of-town guests, family and close friends. Dylan was all smiles up on the Bimah
Dylan posed for photographs outside Temple Sinai.Dylan twirling in her gown giving a peek at her comfortable footwear
The beautiful white tulle gown, adorned with crystals and teal accent
The whole family looked great
Hi Tech Photography Events created the modern decor in teal, the Bat Mitzvah girl’s favorite, using black and silver accents. The seating chart, which resembled the invitation was a focal point in turquoise glitter surrounded by teal votives and blinged-out candles
The illuminated bar with Dylan’s name and logo
Stylish and fun pre-Mitzvah portraits of Dylan lined the ballroom
The entire ballroom was lit with blue up-lighting that created a bright, crisp palette
There were alternating centerpieces with feathers and hanging crystals. Check out the chair backs in sequins!
This centerpiece featured teal LED crystals in a black trumpet vase with black feathers
On the communal tables, there were silver sequin table runners with illuminated Manzanita branches decorated with hanging votive candles and crystals
The wall above the buffet was all about Dylan with fabulous photographs from the pre-shoot
Details galore at this party starting with the out-of-town goodie bags included water, goodies, directions to the temple, to the brunch and to the party; each with a handwritten note from Dylan
Vases of varying heights added interest to the table decor. Notice the taller vase with the same graphic treatment from Dylan’s invitation, very cool!
DYLightful signature drinks in honor of Dylan
Custom beverage cups with Dylan’s name and logo used for drinking during a surprise performance later in the party
Custom water bottles with Dylan’s logo and the words Dance Past Midnight (for her initials) were given to guests when Dylan made her entrance
Using the graphics from the invitation, these custom mint tins were created by REM Products
Ear plugs were available for guests sitting near the dance floor
Hi Tech Photography Events created custom vinyl clings to decorate the sign-in door from Dylan’s bedroom closet
The back of the door signed and ready to be put back on Dylan’s closet
Dylan entered into the ballroom on the shoulders of the EJ the DJ dancers
Dylan was up in the chair…
…so was Dad Sean
The dancers, along with MC Kershal, posed with Dylan
Dylan, surround by her friends, sang “Cups” from the movie “Pitch Perfect” using her custom cups
Guests and dancers had fun striking a pose
Lots of fun SWAG with Dylan’s logo was out on the dance floor including baseball hats, pajama pants, shorts and bandanas. Hats for those who lifted chairs during the Horah and for crazy dancers
White boxer shorts looked great with the teal logo
Guests received cozy pajama pants too!
Adam (Realman) Rinn wowed guests. Mom Keri found him at a Mitzvah Market Celebrate! Party Showcase. Adam performing: Now that’s a “hard act to swallow”
A labor of love, Mom Keri made the beautiful multi-layered cake
Mom Keri also made chocolate covered Oreos to match the color palette
These whipped bite cupcakes are from Whipped Creperie & Dessert Bar
The low floating votive candles were used for the candle lighting
A nice shot of the Maskell family
Dylan surrounded by her friends
Bat Mitzvah girl Dylan and her dad danced to Aerosmith’s “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing”
Parents Sean and Keri toasted Dylan during the party
Creative Specialties created the cool favors for Dylan’s friends. There were lacrosse shorts for boys and cut/ripped cropped t-shirts for girls. Limited edition sweatshirts were made for immediate family and a few friend
The front of the girls’ shirt
…and the back with Dylan’s initial’s highlighted in teal
Since both Mom and Dad are dentists, there were personalized toothbrushes for everyone when they left
“THX 4 Coming!!” key chains
Slippers for the moms on the front seat of each car
A poem from Dylan on each pair of slippers
Mitzvah Project
Dylan’s Mitzvah project was to raise money for The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. A very close family friend has a son who was recently diagnosed with this disease. Dylan thought of a way to use her gymnastics skills to raise money. They had rubber bracelets made up that said “iflip 4 Jack” “Help find a cure.” The family also did a walk-a-thon for “Team Jack” as well.
The Maskell family had rubber bracelets made up that said “iflip 4 Jack” “Help find a cure.” The bracelets were sold for $3 and each and every time someone bought a bracelet, Dylan did a back-handspring flip for them!
Some advice from Mom Keri:”It is never too early to start planning! The most clever thing I did was ride on the coat tails of my friend whose daughter’s Bat Mitzvah was 2 months prior to mine. I figured that if I did everything that she did at the same time – I would be stress free the weeks prior to my own. Well, it WORKED! I really kept to a “fake timeline” and even pressured my vendors, dress fittings, etc. to be on the same page. I’m so glad I did it that way. It allowed me to take in the week leading up to the Bat Mitzvah. It was busy enough the week of, so without the added stress of any last minute details — I really took it all in, sat back and let this amazing day carry the momentum the entire week. Some other advice — clip coupons and buy when things go on sale! Baskets at Michael’s, socks at Modell’s, etc. And last, if you can DYI – it saves a ton of money, it only costs a little time and the rewards are so gratifying. Doing so much of it myself and with Dylan gave us such a great feeling.
Vendor Directory
The following vendors helped to make Dylan’s celebration special. If you give any of them a call, please let them know you read about their services on MitzvahMarket.com.
Venue: Temple Sinai, 516-621-6800
Party Planner: Mom Keri
Decor/Flip Books: Hi Tech Photography Events, 631-923-2260
Music: MC Kershel, EJ the DJ, 800- 358-4335
Invitation: Invitations with Love, Beth Shapiro, 516-314-7298
Favor Sweatshirts/Lacrosse shorts/Hats/shorts/pajamas/slippers/keychains: Creative Specialties, Michelle, 516-348-1346
Party Entertainment: Strongman Adam Rinn, Adam Real Man
Cake: Baked by Mom Keri
Sign-In door/Cling-ons: Hi Tech Photography Events, 631-923-2260
Table Decor: Photo-fetti, 866-496-3168
Dance floor give-aways: Creative Specialties, Michelle, 516-348-1346
Rubber bracelets: Michelle Collins, 516-459-6495
Toothbrushes: Mom Keri known as Dr. Keri
Cupcakes: Whipped Creperie & Dessert Bar, 732-747-0076
Socks: Modell’s Sporting Goods
Custom water bottles: Tailor Made Water, 516-686-6821
Bat Mitzvah girl Dylan and sister Riley’s dresses: It’s Simply For You – closed
Mom Keri’s dress: Mieka, 516-200-5501
Hotel for guests: The Roslyn Hotel, 516-625-2700
Make-up: Filis Forman, 212-580-0687
