May 14th, 2014
We read about this story in the Broward/Palm Beach New Times and wanted to share it with our readers.
When it was time for 12 year-old Wellington, Florida, resident Ryan Shnider to plan his Mitzvah Project, he wanted to provide food to families, specifically peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.
For the past six months, Ryan has been raising money for his “PB&J Project” by baking cookies and making lemonade to sell in front of his house.
“I look at this as turning lemons into lemonade…and into PB&J,” he says. To further fund the project, Ryan emailed Whole Foods Market’s Co-CEOs John Mackey and Walter Robb about his idea. Shortly thereafter, the project went forward. The result is a one-day fundraiser at participating Whole Foods stores in Broward and Palm Beach County in South Florida supporting the Pantry of Broward.
The Pantry of Broward serves seniors in need on low fixed incomes and grandparents raising their grandchildren throughout Broward County. Over 400 senior citizens take advantage of the pantry, which distributes more than 25,000 pounds of food per month.
On Tuesday, May 20, all Whole Foods Markets in Broward and Palm Beach counties will donate five percent of their net day’s sales to Ryan’s “PB&J Project.” In addition, participating stores will sell $2 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, customized with a choice of nut butters, jellies, and toppings, with all proceeds benefiting the project.
Ryan and his family will stop at each participating store during the day to assist with the project. Be sure to congratulate him on becoming a man in every sense of the word.
The schedule for the day is as follows:
- Palm Beach Gardens – 10:45 a.m.
- Wellington – 11:45 a.m.
- Boca Raton – 12:45 p.m.
- Coral Springs – 1:30 p.m
- Pembroke Pines – 2:30 p.m.
- Plantation – 3:45 p.m
Good luck Ryan, we know you will make many people very happy!
May 12th, 2014
Sarah Merians Photography & Video Company has grown into so much more than simply snapping a photo. The “&” in their name represents the company they are today.
They want to be in their clients’ lives for a lifetime, as opposed to just one event. This special relationship they foster with all of their clients, in addition to the wide range of products they create and services they offer, is what sets them apart. They are photographers, videographers “&” so much more.
Over the past 28 years, they have grown into a full-service studio for all stages of their client’s lives. Mitzvah children become brides and grooms, and those brides and grooms have continued to return with their new and growing families. What their clients value most is that they understand how important a once-in-a-lifetime day is!
Sarah Merians Photography & Video Company has launched a new Website filled with inspirational images, trends and services from photo booths to video!
Their newly-designed Website has a “Mitzvah” tab filled with samples of their beautiful work. There are several categories to choose from including Pre-Party Shoots, Photo Booth and Trends.
Pre-Party Shoots: Their Mitzvah photography package includes an in studio pre-party shoot with the Bar Bat Mitzvah child and their photographer. This allows for your child to get comfortable working with their photographer before the party and also allows them to feel special in their very own photo shoot. The shoot can also be geared towards their party’s theme.
Visit the Pre-Party Shoots section of their Website to view their gallery for great ideas!
Pre-Bar Mitzvah Party Family Shoot
Pre-B’nai Mitzvah Party Shoot
Pre-Party Bat Mitzvah Shoot
Photo Booth: Sophisticated, clean and modern, their new Photo Booth set up features a sleek white backdrop. Your event guests can pose for the cameras, or they can snap away on their own with the self-release cable. The end result? Fun and clean images captured documentary-style. The Photo Booth includes cool props, a Flip Book and a video of the Photo Booth pictures. Visit the Photo Booth section of their Website to view their gallery of Photo Booth videos.
Photo Booth Set-Up
Photo Booth Props and Flip Book
View Bat Mitzvah Party Photo Booth Video Here
Trends: Another important feature to their Website is their “Trends” section. They’ve taken the liberty of creating their own “Pinterest” gallery of Mitzvah trends from parties they’ve covered over the last few years. Featured is everything from centerpieces to cakes, specialty entertainment, Mitzvah dresses and suits, photo sign-in boards, photo sign-in books and more, to help their clients or prospective clients plan their own events. Check out the Trends section of their Website to view the latest ideas in Bar Bat Mitzvah celebrations. Make sure to click on page 2 to see more.
Custom Pillows
Photo Sign-In Boards
Photo Sign-In Books
Bar Bat Mitzvah Logos
To learn more about Sarah Merians Photography & Video Company, visit their extended profile page in our Vendor Directory.
May 11th, 2014
On November 9, 2013, the Green family celebrated Jessica’s Bat Mitzvah at East Meadow Jewish Center, East Meadow, New York. To celebrate her love of all-things-shoes, Jessica’s Shoe Gallery was the theme. She couldn’t wait to kick up her high heels and party!
Pictured L-R: Sister Alana, Mom Francine, Bat Mitzvah girl Jessica and Dad Brian.
The photographer was Jack Katz and the rest of the vendor information is at the bottom of this spotlight.
The Havdalah ceremony took place at East Meadow Jewish Center with their own Rabbi Ira Ebbin from Congregation Ohav Sholom in Merrick, New York
Rochelle Peretz created the hot pink and black invitation. We love how the letter “J” is emphasized on the front and back
The Green sisters looked great. Jessica’s ballgown was from Magic Moments Prom and sister Alana’s gown was from Ask Alice
Jessica has always loved shoes and as a child any time she and her mom went into a shoe store she would have to try on 50 pairs of shoes so it was not a surprise when Jessie picked “Jessica’s Shoe Gallery” as her theme.The sign-in book cover, from Hi-Tech Photography Events
Hi-Tech Photography Events created the fashionable shoe decor using Jessica’s color scheme of hot pink and black. The fold-over place cards with logo
Posters of some of Jessica’s favorite shoe designers were used as centerpieces
The adult side of the ballroom was very dramatic with black linens and pink chair ties
The kids area featured an interesting mix of long and round tables
Jessie made her grand entrance up on a balcony overlooking the ballroom. She came out to the theme song, “Jessie” by Debbie Ryan from the Disney Show, “Jessie”
Body Rock Entertainment with MC Spyder provided the music entertainment and had all the guests dancing the entire night. Jessie had a lot of fun with MC Spyder
Jessica had a great time with her friends
Jessica with her dancers provided by Body Rock Entertainment
Jessica’s beautiful family captured in black and white
Jessica and her family posed next to her animal print pink and black cake
Jessica and her dad had a special dance together
The girls were given a dark heather off-the-shoulder sweatshirt with a high heel design and the boys version was a black T-shirt with a sneaker in blue 
The drawstring favor bags were done in black with a white sneaker logo
It was very easy to tie Jessica’s Mitzvah project in with her theme. She organized a shoe drive and collected shoes for Soles4Souls. Jessica collected 400 pairs of shoes and there was barely room for Jessica in the back of their van!
Jessica collected 400 pairs of shoes that were delivered to a warehouse in New Jersey and distributed to people in need
Advice from Mom Fran:
“Enjoy every moment of everything! We spend months planning these parties and they go by in the blink of an eye! I can’t wait to get my video so I can relive the party and even watch with pride (again) as my daughter performs her Havdalah ceremony.”
Vendor Directory
The following vendors helped to make Jessica’s Bat Mitzvah special. If you give any of them a call, let them know you read about their services on MitzvahMarket.com.
Venue: East Meadow Jewish Center, 516-483-4991
Caterer/Cake: Hasson and President Caterers, 516-483-4991
Party Planner: Mom, Fran Green
Decor: Hi Tech Events, 631-923-2256
Music Entertainment: MC Spyder, Body Rock Entertainment, 516- 876-0300
Photographer: Jack Katz, 718-948-3965
Favors: Sue Smith, thecoolestgiveaways.com, 516-466-5728
Invitation: Rochelle Peretz, 516-378-6983
Photo favor magnets: Todd Yahney Events, 800-729-8633
Montage/Videographer: Take-One Video Productions, 201-837-1147
Mom’s dress: Nouveau Bride, 516-868-1500
Jessica’s dress: Magic Moments Prom, 631-474-2647
Alana’s dress: Ask Alice, 516-921-2464
Dad Brian’s tuxedo: Men’s Wearhouse, 516-877-2794
Hair/Makeup: The Hair Bar & Make-up Lounge, 516-308-3153
Mom’s Makeup: Maddie, 631-560-6243
May 7th, 2014
Parsonage Events of West Bloomfield, Michigan, sent us a great Bat Mitzvah we wanted to share.
The party theme was “Oh the Thinks that Talia Thinks!” inspired by Dr. Seuss. They chose this theme because Talia has a playful habit of coming up with silly sayings when talking to her family.
Her Dr. Seuss themed reception was held in the evening at Temple Israel in West Bloomfield, Michigan. The whimsical decorations, from table tops to directional signs, celebrated both Dr. Seuss and Bat Mitzvah girl Talia weaving through every aspect of the celebration.
The photographer was Kate Elliot Photography and the rest of the vendor information is listed below.
The place card table featured different Seuss characters on each card
Table 3 had 3 Fish, of course
Centerpieces were displayed with the famous hat from Dr. Seuss, “Cat in the Hat”
Each centerpiece was “Seussical” in its own way
And beautifully presented
The ballroom walls featured over-sized posters with famous Dr. Seuss sayings and inspirations
The Bat Mitzvah girl enjoyed the Horah. Notice the beautiful flowers strung along the ceiling
Delicious “Cat in the Hat” inspired gelato bar
More than “One Fish, Two Fish…” and Swedish Fish to enjoy on this on this candy buffet!
We thank Parsonage Events for sharing this great Bat Mitzvah with our readers.
Event decor and flowers: Parsonage Events, Event Planner and Day of Coordinator: Bonnie Coleman Steinbock at Elm Events, Venue: Temple Israel, Catering: Matt Prentice, The Epicurean Group, Photographer: Kate Elliott, Kate Elliott Photography, Event signage: Mandell Display Design, Linens and Chiavari chairs: Chair Covers and Linens and Entertainment: Star Trax
May 7th, 2014
Vibrant colors and glow-in-the-dark accents are being used for Bar Bat Mitzvah celebrations on many decor elements. We are seeing this trend on everything from table cloths and napkins, to invitations and place cards, reception chairs, vases, pillows, furniture and more.
Neon offers eye-popping options, so get ready to light up your day or night time Bar Bat Mitzvah celebration!
For Jasper’s Bar Mitzvah, The Event of a Lifetime used neon colors for the place cards and logo
From NY Party Works, this is a new twist on a classic treat. Wow your guests with cotton candy on neon, reusable glow sticks
Sarah Merians Photography captured the unique light-changing chairs and patent leather wrapped tabletops from Party Artistry
Lighter Than Air decorated this room with bright neon colors and spandex neon chair covers for a modern look
A neon-themed Bat Mitzvah with balloon sports centerpieces from Balloon Artistry
The Main Event offers light-up cubes which are a cute and trendy way to add some color to your event. These cubes can be used to sit on, dance on or just add fun additional lighting to your decor
Ping Pong anyone? You will have a big crowd around this neon ping pong table from Interactive Entertainment Group
Jaylor Party Favors neon custom t-shirt favor
Customized neon cubes with the Bat Mitzvah girl’s theme were used at The Sands Atlantic Beach
VIP Luna Rentals is known for their illuminated event furniture in all shapes and sizes
Sweet Dreams Photo Video captured all the neon giveaways at this celebration
Neon can work on lots of wearable favors. These are from A Promos USA/Imagemaker
This Bat Mitzvah invitation suite from Informally Yours has a four-sided neon bevel on the invitation card
This neon lounge area from Jimmy Dee Entertainment looked great at the Sheraton Stamford
Photo Credit: Fantasy Flash Photography and Video
Neon can be part of your “Mitzvah Style” like this tie from Electric Styles on Etsy.com
Out of the Box NY created a unique way for guests to sign-in with this clear acrylic box that held neon acrylic “tickets” with special messages for the Bat Mitzvah girl
Jersey Street Furniture and Doris Dwek Events collaborated on this “neon black light” Bat Mitzvah using pink plexi-glass round tables and graffiti signs that were hung on the walls
Casual Candids Photography took a great picture of the glowing table décor at Rho Restaurant
Flare Event Group had neon black light props for guests to enjoy
Space specializes in glow-in-the-dark decor
Hot Hot Hot Entertainment not only offers great music, but decor design as well
Beat by Beat Entertainment provides neon light-up lounge furniture
NY Lounge Decor has neon light-up cubbies to keep all of the “Mitzvah Swag” organized
Custom invitation with neon colors and silver confetti card stock from Plain Jane Graphics
On this glow-inspired RSVP from Alexandra Bisono, there is a space for a hand written note below each response
Neon chargers from Beautiful Blooms
Party Perfect Orlando set up this neon candy bar for a recent Bar Mitzvah
We found this idea on Pinterest.com and added it to our Party Ideas board. Break a glow stick and put in clear nail polish
Did you have great neon or glowing elements at your child’s Mitzvah? Send us a photo at info@MitzvahMarket.com so we can share it with our readers.
May 4th, 2014
When it came time to decide a Bar Mitzvah party theme for the Greenberg family from Cold Spring Harbor, New York, it was very easy. They spend their summers on Fire Island located on the south shore of Long Island and decided this would be a perfect theme! Their service was held at Woodbury Jewish Center in Woodbury, New York, followed by an evening celebration at Carlyle at the Palace in Plainview, New York.
Pictured Left: Bar Mitzvah boy Brent, Dad Gregg, Mom Tracy, his brothers Ross, Casey and the family dog.
Sherwood Triart was the photographer and the rest of the vendors are listed below.
Earl from Sherwood Triart Photography spent an afternoon with the Greenberg family capturing them at all the places they love on Fire Island. These images were later incorporated into various elements of their celebration and will be in their album as well
Team Greenberg on the beach
Dara Grunberg from Dear Friends created their handsome invitation in deep brown
This celebration was held at Carlyle at the Palace in Plainview, New York
The theme was Ocean Beach, Fire Island. PBG Miller Immersive Environments served as the party planner and transformed the room into a beach paradise. For the adults, one side of room was designed to look like the town and for the kids, the other side of the room was designed to look like the beach
A custom bar featured the famous saying, “Don’t Swing The Lights” to resemble the Albatross Bar in Ocean Beach. Mom Tracy worked there in college
Special touches could be seen everywhere including this nautical centerpiece display. The entire room’s perimeter was wrapped in beach fencing while ocean projections could be seen on the walls
Fisherman netting appropriately served as table cloths
Tables were cleverly created from bikes & wagons (Fire Island has no cars)
Brent hung out in the beach lounge featuring a faux bonfire and concave ocean projection wall. Check out the umbrella cloud ceiling treatment!
The kids lounge area
Those familiar with Ocean Beach know there are a lot of rules. A humorous custom Ocean Beach sign greeted guests
In keeping with their authentic Fire Island theme, this family entered Brent’s celebration the same way they get around all summer! Mom Tracy and Dad Gregg entered on bicycles
Brent entered the room on a long board skateboard pulled by a bike and water ski tow rope!
ET Events provided the music for this celebration with Matt as the MC
For his sign-in board, Brent wanted to re-create the dart board at the Albatross in Ocean Beach. Brent in front of the real thing in Fire Island
PBG Miller Immersive Environments re-created the dart board which served as Brent’s sign-in board for his celebration
Kids goofed around with all the props
Donut wall with Life Ring Donuts and custom sign, “Before you jump ship make sure to grab a life ring”
Brent’s “beachy,” but delicious cake was provided by Carlyle Catering and “dressed up” to match his theme perfectly
Brent with all his friends
Favor bags ready for pick-up!
Red lifeguard Pennies the perfect favor for this Fire Island theme
Some Mom to Mom advice from Tracy:
“Hire an event planner. Let the experts worry about the details so you don’t have to! PBG Miller Immersive Environments was amazing to work with.”
Vendor Directory
The following vendor’s helped to make Brent’s celebration special. If you give any a call, please make sure they know you read about their services on MitzvahMarket.com.
Venue/Cake: Carlyle at The Palace, Mindy Savvides, 516-756-1600
Party Planner: David Miller, PBG Miller Immersive Environments, 516-358-0800
Extra Entertainment (Photo Booth, Pop-o-shot, LED Ping Pong Tables, Corn Hole Bean Bag Toss): PBG Miller Immersive Environments
Decor/Cake/Sign-In: PBG Miller Immersive Environments
Music Entertainment: MC Matt, ET Events, 516-826-6900
Invitation: Dara Grunberg, Dear Friends, 516-456-2514
Photographer/Videographer: Earl, Sherwood Triart Photography, 516-921-2700
Favors: Ali Mitchel, 404-455-9808
Boys clothing: Kenny’s Mens and Boys Wear, 516-921-2660
Mom Tracy party dress: TSE boutique
Hair: Ben, Salon Mayan, 631-683-5757
Make-up: RJ West, 631-271-2108
May 4th, 2014
Here’s a simple and unique way to Go Green with your Bar Bat Mitzvah invitations:
Mitzvites.com is a new company offering paperless Bar Bat Mitzvah invitations with the added bonus of video.
After you select a design, (elegant, classy, traditional or fun), from their Website, it’s easy to enter your information, upload videos and photos, click and send!
You can incorporate all types of video right from your smart phone.
Watch this sample Bat Mitzvah video invitation here
Mitzvites easily tracks and manages your guest list and RSVPs too!
Watch this Bar Mitzvah invitation sample here
Interested? They have a great tutorial explaining how it all works on their Website.
With Mitzvites.com you can save money, time, trees and your sanity!
April 30th, 2014
You can find inspiration anywhere!
BizBash, the leading trade media for the event industry, came out with some cutting-edge decor ideas to incorporate into your child’s Bar Bat Mitzvah celebration.
We wanted to share some of the ideas and featured vendors by writer Heather Lee.
A Bar Mitzvah designed by New York-based David Stark Design and Production had custom super-size signs, like this “Eat” made of favorite books
For a tailgate-party-themed Bar Mitzvah, Sara Renee Lowell of Sara Renee Events in South Florida and lighting company Designs by Sean created sleek cube-shaped photo centerpieces that were illuminated from within
A futuristic Bat Mitzvah designed by Washington, D.C. based Terri Bergman Events featured a custom soda bar fabricated by Chicka Event Production with built-in iPod listening stations
A Pop Art-inspired Bat Mitzvah, designed by Danielle Couick of Magnolia Bluebird Design & Events, was held at the Decatur House in Washington, D.C.
A Bat Mitzvah designed by Boston-based Rafanelli Events incorporated a Willy Wonka theme and a cocktail bar cleverly constructed to resemble candy buttons. Chicka Event Production provided the custom bar
To learn more about BizBash, click here.
April 30th, 2014
We read about a creative mystery themed Bar Mitzvah on Occasions Online and here’s a clue, “We know who did it!”
The Copeland family from Des Moines, Iowa, came up with the theme together and then Mom Christine, a graphic artist with her own company Designs2 Events and Graphics, went to work creating the invitation, styling and event design.
The classic color duo of black and white was used throughout Jacob’s celebration with bright accents of copper and silver.
Amanda Seales was the photographer and the rest of the vendors are listed at the bottom.
Suspects, (we mean guests), were invited to the Bar Mitzvah by this creative invitation suite with Sherlock Homes inspired magnifying glass on the information card and a finger print on the RSVP
The text on the envelope liner was a variety of quotes from Sherlock Holmes stories
Mysterious footprints lined the main entry hall
The “Guest Book” was a Word Search with guests’ names on it. It was fun to watch everyone try and find their name
A copper centerpiece with typewritten font
The creative signage throughout the party was Sherlock Holmes inspired
Guests were invited to help themselves to a “Mystery Soda” bar with a variety of different flavored syrups
Custom backdrop at the dessert table that showcased a Sherlock Holmes style silhouette of Jacob
Chocolate Mouse dessert with personalized spoons and typewriter font
Favor boxes of sweet treats were sent home with guests
Venue: The Caspe Terrace/Bookey Lodge; Event Design & Styling, Invitations: Designs2 Events and Graphics; Photography: Amanda Seals; Music/DJ: Knight Life Productions; Catering & Desserts: Copeland Catering and Boxcarr Farms; Balloons & Tassels: The Flair Exchange
