April 27th, 2014
FINDING YOUR OWN BMBFF: BAR MITZVAH BEST FRIEND FOREVER
By Dr. and Mrs. Mitzvah (aka David and Danielle Ockman “Favor It Things“)
This B’mitzvah story starts out like most everyone’s story… couple has a son, boy needs a B’mitzvah, couple panics for 3 years trying to figure out how to make the event and pay for it!
Our story takes a turn though, and this clinical psychologist and social worker found ways to cope and “de-stress” using our B’mitzvah planning as “therapy.”
It all started over a year ago. We turned to Mitzvah Market to get ideas and found a plethora of information and were put on the right track. We started a Facebook page for just some of our friends. They joined and we shared B’mitzvah questions, thoughts and stress. Friends of friends started to join and then vendors “jumped on the bandwagon.” Having Mitzvah Market and then our local Facebook page lead to a sense of support and camaraderie that was unexpected, became invaluable to our planning and has boosted our knowledge about all aspects of B’mitzvah. Rabbis and Cantors are there to answer religious questions, vendors of every type help with the B’mitzvah party questions and the B’mitzvah parents are partners in support (and readily give their opinions).
For 20 years we have been encouraging patients, clients and students to partake in social support to cope with fear, anxiety and isolation. Now here we are, “practicing what we preached.” We were no longer alone—hundreds of people wanting to make the best spiritual experience and celebration for their beloved children were with us. Some had “a lot more” and some had “a lot less,” but there we are all together. We had an unplanned social support network, this is where our story took a different turn and lead us to the most “stress free” B’mitzvah planning EVER.
We guess that no solution is ever 100% fool proof. There was one strange “con” to this super support group.
Many who joined the group thought that we were B’mitzvah experts or planners, which we are NOT!
We have ended up fielding questions that were technical and some vendors thought we were their competition, which we are also not!
Once some of their misconceptions were clarified, we really found a way to be one big happy family.
The Ockmans with their daughter Skylar and son Blake
Photo Credit: Debby Gans Photography
Our group became our “hobby on steroids” and has been a major stress reliever, LIVE B’mitzvah chat 24-7!
We have made friends that we will have for a lifetime through our B’mitzah journey and we will mention them in future entries as they have taught us so much.
We won’t lie, some unofficial therapy sessions are needed on occasion for our B’mitzvah parent friends. As they say—“helping others is the best way to help yourself!”
We have earned the new titles of “Dr. Mitzvah” and “BMBFF” lol —Ricia Lesk coined this term, Bar Mitzvah Best Friend Forever. A BMBFF is a new friendship you have made to “get through the B’mitzvah planning” because no one in your every day life could take listening or talking about it anymore!
We are 168 days away from Blake’s B’mitzvah according to the “D Day” iphone application we have on our iPhones (highly recommend using this application).
So what did we do first? We searched for our venue.
We love Hotel venues and searched all hotels in our vicinity and found the grand foyer and ballroom we wanted.
Hotels make us feel like we are on vacation and most of them offer a “suite for the family” on the night of the affair. Our “out of town” and local guests have the option to stay over and join in the “after party.”
And more time can be spent with people who made the trip from far away. Our local DoubleTree by Hilton Deerfield Beach in Boca Raton was chosen and Michelle Brooks has taken care of us ever since.
She was the beginning of what we believe will be a B’mitzvah dream team. Blake started his lessons this month at Temple Beth Am of Margate and everything is on track.
By the way, what is our group motto? “Good Luck is the result of good planning” and those are words we will live and report by. We love that our support has just gone national, thanks to our blog series on Mitzvah Market!
Next time we hope to share more about the ways that we are keeping our stress low and making the most of our new B’mitzvah friends, and hope that you reach out to those planning around you and get your own “BMBFFs!”
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!
April 27th, 2014
The Blumberg family celebrated daughter Brooke’s Bat Mitzvah with a morning service at South Huntington Jewish Center in Melville, New York, and an evening reception at Pine Hollow Country Club in East Norwich, New York.
Pictured L-R: Dad Steve, Bat Mitzvah girl Brooke, Mom Stacey and Sister Emma.
Hi Tech Photography Events was the photographer and the rest of the vendor information is listed at the end of the spotlight.
The sophisticated purple and white invitation was from Sealed With A Kiss (SWAK)
Brooke’s beautiful ball gown was from Peaches Boutique. It had a sparkling sweetheart neckline, beaded corset top and tulle skirt
Brooke’s name in Gobo lights dazzled the front entrance
Using purple and white for the color scheme, Hi Tech Photography Events completed the look of the ballroom with purple up-lighting and over-sized photos of Brooke in purple frames.
Lamp shades, matching Brooke’s invitation, were featured on tables
The kids lounge area was decorated with white leather couches and rectangle silhouette boxes with pictures of Brooke on all four sides
Photo cylinders and mints decorated the tables
Brooke made a grand entrance as the ET Events dancers carried her into the ballroom for her entrance
Brooke had a great time with her friends
A jazz routine performed by Brooke and her sister Emma was a big surprise for everyone!
Brooke and Emma posed together after their performance
Brooke’s cake was created by Baked to Perfection. The cake matched the decor perfectly
Brooke and her parents
Brooke surrounded by friends during the candle lighting ceremony
It was a great moment when Brooke’s friends presented her with a handmade beautiful memory
The Coolest Giveaways designed the long sleeve sweatshirt favors which included a silhouette of Brooke dancing. Here is Brooke posing in the sweatshirt over her gown
For an extra special treat, New York City’s popular crew from Wafles & Dinges were there to serve their famous waffles. It was a big hit with the kids and the adults!
Custom labeled water bottles for the ride home
Sister Emma can’t wait for her Bat Mitzvah “Coming Soon!”
Brooke’s Bat Mitzvah Project
Instead of one Mitzvah Project during the Bar Bat Mitzvah year, the Blumberg’s temple has the 6th grade children participate in three “chesed” or kindness projects. Brooke’s projects included weekly visits to play with a 6-year-old boy with autism at his home through a program called Ariella’s Friendship Circle. She also participated in the synagogue’s “Souperbowl Sunday” during which they prepared and delivered sandwiches to local shelters, and participation in UJA-Staples “Supplies for Success,” purchasing items to fill backpacks for students in need.
Some Mom Advice from Stacey:
“As for “Mom to Mom” advice, I started my planning well in advance in order to make the few months before the Bat Mitzvah less stressful. This allowed us to truly enjoy the excitement of the time leading up to our celebration.”
Vendor Directory
The following vendors helped to make Brooke’s celebration special. If you give any of them a call, please let them know you read about their services on MitzvahMarket.com.
Venue: Pine Hollow Country Club, 516-922-0300
Décor/Photography/Videography/Sign-In Book/Photo Booth: Laura, Hi Tech Events, 631-923-2260
Music Entertainment/Games: MC Carl, ET Tonite Events, 516-826-6900
Favors: Sue Smith, The Coolest Giveaways, 516-466-5728
Invitation: Sealed With A Kiss, 516-860-5495
Cake: Baked to Perfection, 516-944-5642
Brooke’s service dress: 2B Seen, 516-921-5777
Brooke’s party dress: Peaches Boutique, 773-582-0102
Mom Stacey’s service: Nordstrom
Mom Stacey’s party gown: Runway Couture, 516-308-4639
Emma service: Denny’s Childrenswear, 516-681-4490
Emma Party: Nikki’s Dresses, 631-385-6093
Steve suit: Saks Fifth Avenue
Hair: NV Hair Company, 631-271-2111
Makeup: Natural Style Cosmetics, 631-944-6184
April 26th, 2014
Floral Sentiments has been exchanging innovative and creative ideas with their clients for the past thirty years.
A popular trend right now is to incorporate beautiful, lush arrangements on top of a glass vessel with up lighting for that WOW effect.
The adult guests will love the elegance of the décor created.
Keeping in mind that it’s a Bar or Bat Mitzvah celebration, themed arrangements can be incorporated for the younger guests that reflect their personalities.
Below is a theme integrated with an elegant floral centerpiece.
The table is dressed traditionally, with a tall floral centerpiece with baseballs and wheat grass immersed inside of the vase along with cellophane to catch the light. This proves that any theme can be combined with sophistication
An artistic theme can be stimulating for your guests.
In this example, Floral Sentiments brought in large artist palates, oversized paintbrushes, and flowers to coordinate with table colors
Floral Sentiments can also create a unique musical theme that gives a similar WOW effect.
Decorative iPods are part of these centerpieces and include playlists of favorite musicians. Music notes, balloons, and lush, colorful flowers were also included
To learn more about Floral Sentiments, visit their extended profile page in the Vendor Directory.
April 23rd, 2014
We recently saw a wonderful Mitzvah Project featured on ABC-TV’s Good Morning America and wanted to share it with our readers.
Billy Cook, a 12-year-old from Washington Township, New Jersey, is a self-described “baseball fanatic” and he sure hit a home run with his Mitzvah Project!
Combining his love of the game, specifically the New York Yankees, and honoring U.S. soldiers serving overseas, he came up with the idea of “Billy’s BASEballs” for his Mitzvah Project.
Billy had originally planned to send letters to the troops to complete his service requirement. Like most, Billy is a busy kid with school as well as playing baseball and basketball. An idea from his mom, Phylisse Cook, to include baseballs with his letters to the troops, sparked an even bigger idea.
She said, “Why don’t we just write the letters right on the baseballs.” A great idea was born.
With the aid of his mom, dad and brother, since October Billy has sent 1,500 baseballs to soldiers serving as far away as Afghanistan.
“We send a lot to AFRICOM, the largest military base outside the U.S.,” said Cook. “We send 18 balls at a time and one person becomes the baseball ambassador and hands them out to their unit.”
Billy and his family have purchased over 100 baseballs while the rest have been donated by family, friends, local businesses and baseball organizations. The Cooks handle the shipping of the baseballs and worked with the Major Stuart Adam Wolfert Institute in New York to determine where around the globe the baseballs should be sent.
They ask people to address the notes with, ‘To Our Heroes,’ and then they write a message of hope. The family brings baseballs to groups like the Girl Scouts and host tables at local events where anyone can sign a baseball for a member of the U.S. Armed Forces.
Billy has received many great notes of thanks: one soldier wrote that he joined the military after he was cut from a Major League Baseball team and that this was the coolest gift he’s ever received and that it was so personal it brought him back to his youth.
Recently Billy was awarded Citizen of the Year from the North Jersey Crime Prevention Unit.
Though Billy’s Bar Mitzvah will be held in April, he is leading the effort to continue and expand “Billy’s BASEballs” to make sure it continues after his Bar Mitzvah.
For more information on Billy’s BASEballs, click here.
April 20th, 2014
The Hack family from Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, celebrated daughter Morgan’s Bat Mitzvah at the BallenIsles Country Club in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. Her theme was Morgan’s TV Land and it was a stylish sitcom soiree.
Pictured L-R: Dad Craig, Bat Mitzvah girl Morgan and Mom Alison.
Flash Photo and Video was the photographer and the rest of the vendor information is listed at the end of the spotlight.
Rachel Kurland Ink in New York, created the Lucite invitation in pink and lime green
Morgan at her beautiful temple
Picture perfect in pink
Dalsimer Atlas Florists created the decor around the TV Land logo in a hot pink and green apple color palette. Each table centerpiece was created around TV Land’s popular shows with a special guest inserted into the posters. A great idea for the seating chart
Morgan and her parents at the entrance to the kids’ lounge
Morgan’s face was superimposed on each centerpiece like this one for “Punky Brewster”
Morgan as “Doogie Howser, M.D.”
Guests had the opportunity to write a note to Morgan in a customized photo sign-in book done by Flash Photo and Video
In a very creative video, Morgan appears in her favorite shows aligning with the TV Land theme. The story line of the video was Morgan watching TV and then she climbed into the TV and appeared on each of the shows that she had as corresponding tables at her party. All the kids and adults love “Full House”
Here is Morgan’s dad in a scene where he is pulling her out of the TV
Morgan up in the chair!
Everyone danced the Horah
There was lots of great music and dancing and interactive games for Morgan and her guests
Cocktail Hour Entertainment provided the fun including air brush pillows, flip books and wax hands which doubled as favors
Morgan and her dad in front of the custom pink and green Step and Repeat
Guests got to have fun with word blurbs while taking pictures
The chocolate covered dark and milk chocolate pretzels were packaged beautifully to be enjoyed on the way home. Exit treats were customized logo on the bags
Mitzvah Project
Morgan does many social action projects with her Mom. Family Promise is an organization that houses homeless people in their temple four times per year for a week. Morgan is very involved in Family Promise as well as Rosh Hodesh.
Some Mom Advice from Alison:
“Preparation!!! Do as many things ahead as you can and demand your vendors do the same as to not trouble you the week of with things they could have solidified months ago.”
Vendor Directory
The following vendors helped to make Morgan’s celebration special. If you give any of them a call, please let them know you read about their services on MitzvahMarket.com.
Venue: BallenIsles Country Club, 561-622-0220
Decor/Florist: Dalsimer Atlas Florist, 800-423-2622
Photography and Videography/Sign-in book: Flash Photo & Video, 561-640-7753
Extra Entertainment/Favors: Air brushing, flip books, wax hands, Cocktail Hour Entertainment, 954-612-7431
Entrance video: TRIdent Artistry, 561-972-1236
Invitation: Rachel Kurland Ink, rkink@optonline.net, 845-323-4948
Logo: PS Designs, Karen Philip and Carolyn Snider, 508-358-0287
Morgan’s Service Dress: All Dressed Up, 914-690-1593
Morgan’s Party Dress: So Sweet Boutique, 407-260-0708
Dad’s suit: Brooks Brothers
Mom’s party dress/service dress: Mario Pucci Boca/Saks Fifth Avenue
Makeup: Palm Beach Makeup, 561-348-0618
Hair: Tricia Green, The Spot Salon, 561-355-8825
April 13th, 2014
Interactive Entertainment Group is a nationwide direct source and full service event production company.
They produce unforgettable events for their clients including the following elements: DJs, MCs, photo favors, lighting, cocktail hour entertainment, light-up lounges, specialty acts, interactive games, montages, entrance videos, fun food carts, and a variety of craft, party favors and party endings.
Interactive Entertainment Group recently launched three exciting new products perfect for Bar Bat Mitzvah celebrations.
1. InstaCam Photo Booth & Print Station
The InstaCam photo booth provides an event experience like no other. You get the traditional photo booth experience on a print that looks exactly like an Instagram post that can be customized, with the ability to take photos and print from any Smart Phone in the room.
Step 1 – Guests take a photo with Instagram from their Smart Phone or directly at the Kiosk.
Step 2 – Use Custom Hashtag when posting your picture to Instagram.
Step 3 – Photos instantly print at the Instagram Kiosk.
Social Events
At any social event, this will create a photo booth experience that truly embodies the best of yesterday and today. Photos post to Instagram and can stream to Facebook, Twitter, Smug Mug, Emailed or SMS Texted.
2. Urban Hoops
Urban Hoops is an inner city park inspired basketball game gone hi-tech. The game is enclosed with authentic chain link fencing. The backboard is made to look like the side of a brick apartment building. Our hi-tech LED flatscreen scoreboard is built into the backboard. The vinyl ball return is printed asphalt with court chalk lines. All graphics on the scoreboard can be customized including the background image and two places for logos or photos. Music is queued to play themed tunes.
The software for the scoreboard has two modes:
Tournament Mode: Four players face off to see who advances in the final four tournament. Each player has their name entered into the computer interface and their names show up on the LED scoreboard. Also, you can customize the name of the shot clock timer. They have 60 seconds. Their score will advance digitally with the authentic looking scorebaord. They’ll get 3 points when there is 15 seconds left. At the end of the game the buzzer goes off and a winner is declared on the scoreboard, if they are in the top 10 scores of the night they will go on the top ten list that displays between games and on a separate monitor constantly.
Carnival Mode: Urban Hoops takes two proven favorites: Basketball and race type games where you complete against other players, such as roll-a-ball horse race and balloon races. Our carnival mode combines the two. An attendant checks players into the computer interface so their basket is activated. Five second countdown and buzzers sound off. On LED screens built into the backboard each player has his own animated avatar basketball player dribbling a basketball (that can be changed for logos) that is advancing toward their on screen basket, every time a players basket is scored. When their Avatar reaches a basket, he stuffs the ball in and that numbered player will be declared a winner for a prize. The amount of baskets to win is adjustable in the interface but generally it is the first to score 10 to 15 baskets.
3. Virtual Graffiti Wall
How it works: Instead of paint, when the cap is pressed the can ‘sprays’ light. The digital paint appears wherever the can is sprayed, just like spraying paint on a real wall. As well as its wide palette of paint colors, new features such as animated stars, swirls, drip effect paint and a variety of stencils are now available, and we can even custom make further spray patterns and stencils to reflect your event or client. The wall can be used in all event settings. The virtual interactive digital graffiti wall excites guests and gives them the ability to express their own artist creations on a larger then life canvas. Any image can be loaded as a background so guests can easily paint like a coloring page, or allows for custom branding with logos or themes. Guests use a realistic spray paint can. After the guests create their art they can print a copy onsite or save it to a computer or website. Now with Green Screen and Social Media upload capabilities.
Guests love the Virtual Graffiti Wall!
To learn more about Interactive Entertainment Group, please visit their extended profile page in our Vendor Directory.
Mention promo code Mitzvah Market and receive $100 off. Offer good until June 1, 2014. New customers only please.
April 12th, 2014
Can you sell advertising?
Our sister company NYMetroParents, publisher of LI Parent, Brooklyn and Bergen/Rockland Parent is looking for advertising salespeople who are energetic, smart, personable to sell print, digital and event media.
* Established markets with existing accounts.
* Base salary
* Large commissions
* Full benefits
* Full time and part time opportunities.
Apply to dmgsales@davlermedia.com.
Join our fun and talented team. If you aren’t interested, share with a friend who is looking for a job.
April 9th, 2014
Felici Events founder Zohe Felici, one of the most popular and sought-after event planners in Santa Barbara, California, recently created a Bat Mitzvah celebration where the theme of the event was pink, honoring breast cancer survivors including the Bat Mitzvah girl’s grandmother.
This Bat Mitzvah was also dedicated to another one of Felici Events’ clients, The Breast Cancer Resource Center of Santa Barbara.
A pink carpet flanked the party entrance along with paper puff balls hanging from the chandelier
This Bat Mitzvah family wanted to incorporate the Western Wall as a unique guest book. They found the replica above from a local Rabbi. After a few tweaks with foliage and hanging baskets, it served as a great place to leave notes of well wishes for the guest of honor
Pink frames were a nice added touch throughout the event
Maintaining a whimsical feel, wire strands were used to hang the escort cards and paper puff balls from the main chandelier
Pink “mock-tinis” for the kids
Playing with the height of the ceiling of the club’s main dining area, large round balloons were used as part of the centerpieces
The adult side of the banquet room featured shantung linens and mono-chromatic floral pieces
Dessert and cupcakes were provided by Wayne Kjar Cakes as the sweet ending to the night
Event Planner: Felici Events, Photography: Jay Farbman Photography, Venue: Montecito Country Club, Linens: La Tavola Linen, Flowers: Camellia Floral Design
April 9th, 2014
As we have seen in many of our Mitzvah Family Spotlight stories, a locker has become a popular sign-in option. This is something that can be used in your home after your child’s Bar Bat Mitzvah celebration is over.
Airgraphics Entertainment, a special events company that provides airbrushed apparel, photos, and party favors are now offering custom painted kids lockers!
They are available in 11 colors and can be customized with cool graphics.
There is a 3 week turnaround time to order the product, have it painted, and delivered to your Bar Bat Mitzvah venue.
This is perfect to keep in your child’s room for additional storage and decor.
Contact Airgraphics Entertainment to learn more.
April 6th, 2014
By Zoe Gelman
I’m excited to share my first blog post with MitzvahMarket.com. I hope everyone likes these ideas as much as I did.
Over all, my friend Hannah’s Bat Mitzvah was so exciting. It took place at the Zumba Studio in Norwalk, Connecticut.
There was so much energy, dancing, and much more. The music entertainment was provided by Starlight Express and Waldo was the MC. The motivators were really good and helpful too. Their job was to get everyone dancing and play lots of games with many prizes and much more.
Her theme was Instagram and she had a photo booth that was connected to Instagram so any photo you posted to Instagram would also come up on the photo booth. Her guests could edit them, and then print. I have never seen anything like this before. On the couches, she had purple fuzzy pillows with the Instagram logo that read, #hannahgram.
Another thing I really liked was the bows that the motivators threw out into the crowd. No one in my town has had them and kids went crazy over them! They were definitely a big hit! The whole room lit up from the bows and it made the party so much better!
Many of Hannah’s close friends gave speeches at her service (she only invited family and close friends) and her best friend (me) gave a speech at the party. She did it this way so people would not get bored listening to so many memories and inside jokes of other people!
She had a make your own chocolate bar which was really fun. You got your chocolate at the end of the party. The only problem with the chocolate bar was it was very crowded and took people away from dancing. Luckily the motivators were really on top of it and fixed the problem by dancing with them and playing games.
About Zoe Gelman
I’m excited to go to all of my friend’s Bar and Bat Mitzvahs this year, but can’t wait for mine. It will be the last of all my friends. When I’m not with my friends, I’m cheering, all the time. I cheer competitively for an all star team and travel around the country with my team.
