August 12th, 2015
The Candy Isle is a unique concept that brings the candy store to your child’s Bar Bat Mitzvah party.
This first of its kind “store” can serve as your Bar Bat Mitzvah candy buffet with 18-36 bins of your favorite candy.
The Candy Isle has different configurations (straight, square, triangle and rectangle) allowing accessibility to many guests at one time.
You can truly be “ like a kid in a candy store!”
The containers, which commemorate your event, can also be your guests’ favors
To learn more, visit their Website.
August 12th, 2015
Remember when?
As you are planning your own child’s Bar or Bat Mitzvah, it’s only natural to think back when you were 13 years old and were going through the same rite of passage. Were you calm, nervous? Do you still remember your torah portion?
Was your celebration in the afternoon, night? At a Temple or club? Did you have a theme?
We thought it might be fun to have a “Bar Bat Mitzvah Throw Back” with our Mitzvah Market readers and vendors.
Please email us (info@mitzvahmarket.com) your Bar or Bat Mitzvah picture and we will add it to our story below. Please also share any memories from your Bar or Bat Mitzvah service/celebration.
David Greenhill standing in from of his sign-in board at his Bar Mitzvah in 1985
Gili Warsett shared her funny “peace” themed Bat Mitzvah with www.kveller.com
Cheryl Block, circa 1980 at Temple Beth Torah, Philadelphia, PA
“Pictured above are my brothers and sisters at my brother Paul’s Bar Mitzvah in 1972. He’s the tallest on the right. I’m the cute girl in the middle and almost 2 years old. I don’t personally have any memories because I think I went to sleep in my stroller shortly after this picture. The affair was at Temple Shaare Zion in Brooklyn. My mother chose this venue because it was the most beautiful synagogue she knew of in Brooklyn. She had the service and kiddush luncheon the week before at our local synagogue. Then a week later, the Saturday evening celebration with a fabulous candy cart and his theme was sports related. The gowns were purchased at Lester’s in Brooklyn. At that time, Lester’s sold gowns. They were hanging from almost the ceiling of the store.” — Reader Stephanie Masheb
TV Executive Jeff Zucker is featured in Jill Rappaport’s book, Mazel Tov: Celebrities’ Bar and Bat Mitzvah Memories. He says, “I have vivid memories of my Bar Mitzvah. I remember that I wasn’t at all intimidated by being in front of people, or scared of it. I enjoyed it. I assumed that’s what you did and that it was a normal way you have a Bar Mitzvah. It was a good experience. You know, my Mom planned the whole thing. It probably took a year to do that. I was happy with it, the service and the party. And I remember the party was afterward at the Starlight Roof of the Doral Hotel in Miami Beach.”
Melissa Schorr, author of Goy Crazy celebrated her Bat Mitzvah in 1985 in Riverdale, New York and at Tardi’s in the Bronx. She remembers, “I was determined to wear white, like my cool older cousin had for her Bat Mitzvah earlier that year, so here is the sad style result: I look like a lace doily. My main memory of that day: having a big zit on my cheek that was immune to any cover-up make-up we tried. The horror! My mother ended up having the photographer air brush it out of the final pictures”
Kids Mitzvah style then and now! On the left is Sheri Lapidus, founder of MitzvahMarket.com in a cranberry corderoy vest and skirt standing with her friend Randi Goldstricker on our way to a Bar or Bat Mitzvah in 1977. On the right, today’s 13 year olds going to a Mitzvah celebration! (L-R) Cassandra Heah, Carly Lapidus and Samara Chafitz. Oh how styles have changed!
Adam Cohen on his Bar Mitzvah day. Here is his memory, “What was the deal with Cross pen and pencil sets? Why do you need to give a 13 year old a pen and a pencil? I also remember some of the kids flipping butter from the forks onto the ceiling and the parents were not happy, but all and all I remember it being an amazing day!”
Marty Wohl’s Bar Mitzvah was in 1951 and he remembers being scared to death until those first words came out of his mouth!
Advertising guru and TV host Donny Deutsch celebrated his Bar Mitzvah in Queens in November, 1970. See more celebrity Bar/Bat Mitzvah pictures in Jill Rappaport’s book, Mazel Tov: Celebrities’ Bar and Bat Mitzvah Memories
Mike Greenspan remembers having far less kids at his Bar Mitzvah celebration than what his kids recently had at theirs!
Steven Gordon’s Mom remembers: My son’s Bar Mitvah was on a Sunday afternoon at Leonard’s in Great Neck. The suits were rented tuxedo’s. We didn’t want black and the tuxedo place in Bayside thought this was a good alternative. What did we know?! We had lots of fun. Viennese tables were all the rage, wheeled in after the dinner with great fanfare
Faron Greenfield from Low Schmaltz remembers, “While I wore the traditional suit and tie for the ceremony seen here, the party outfit was a Miami vice inspired pastel-colored suit, complete with the jacked sleeves pushed up. The evening’s entertainment was delivered by breakdancers and a DJ – who I still think has one of the best monikers for a Bar Mitzvah circuit DJ that I’ve ever heard – The Black Rabbi”
Roy Lapidus in his crushed blue velvet suit celebrated his Bar Mitzvah at Leonard’s in Great Neck on Halloween and remembers worrying about being egged!
Please email your picture to info@MitzvahMarket.com and let us know if you have any questions.
Thanks!
August 9th, 2015
Who better to find the latest and greatest for all-things Bar Bat Mitzvahs than our own Mitzvah Moms?
The Gordon family celebrated son Jack’s Bar Mitzvah on January 10, 2015, at Washington Hebrew Congregation, in Washington, DC.
Jack loves to ski and play tennis so when thinking about his Bar Mitzvah celebration, the family knew this themed event would be the perfect way to share his favorite hobbies with his favorite people.
There were some really unique pieces that were part of the day that added some love and fun including an 8 foot tall sign-in board covered in tennis balls in the shape of a “J” that was made by Jack and his grandfather Steve.
The amazing “J” sign-in was made of tennis balls created by Jack and his Grandpa. The family collected used tennis balls from several area tennis clubs and they spent several hours together sawing wood and attaching each tennis ball
Guests signed each tennis ball and this large “J” now hangs in Jacks’ room
To see the rest of this Mitzvah Family Spotlight, click here.
To see our past Mitzvah Mom Find, click here.
August 9th, 2015
The Notrica family from Cortlandt Manor, New York, celebrated their daughter Nyssa’s Bat Mitzvah at Temple Israel of Northern Westchester in Croton-on-Hudson, New York.
The celebration with close family and friends had an “Around the World” theme at Elevate Event Lounge in Yorktown Heights, New York.
Pictured L-R: Sister Lucy, Mom Stacey, Bat Mitzvah girl Nyssa, Dad Cory and Sister Hannah.
The photographer was H&H Photography and the rest of the vendor information is listed at the end of the spotlight.
The family worked with Invitations4less.com on the classic layered invitation. A chocolate brown and sky-blue ribbon completed the invitation.
Nyssa during her formal temple portraits
The family outside their synagogue
Elevate Event Lounge gave the family the atmosphere they wanted — a warm intimate feel with a “night club” vibe!
Nyssa has her sights set to travel to foreign countries and thought an “Around the World” theme would be fun. Nyssa’s dad Cory designed the logo.
Guests enjoyed an amazing array of food choices from “Around the World” such as sushi, Italian and Mexican buffets.
Pizza was a big hit!
Mexican tacos and chips with all the fixings
H&H Photography created the poster board of Nyssa.
Guests wrote notes to Nyssa
Suzie of Olden Designs on Etsy.com created world atlas bags to be used as table centerpieces.
The bags were beautiful luminaries
Nyssa made her entrance with one of the dancers
MC Dan and Double Image Event Production provided the music entertainment and did a great job. The dancers interacted with guests and kept the action going throughout the party.
Guests had fun on the dance floor
Nyssa front and center surrounded by her friends
Elevate Event Lounge also provided a photo booth and photo station.
The props were a big hit!
Nyssa and her friends were all smiles
There were many warm moments throughout the celebration.
Dad Cory spoke and toasted daughter Nyssa
They also shared a dance together
Homestyle Desserts Bakery created the delicious “Around the World” themed cake. The base was created to look like a suitcase with three tiers of delicious cake embellished with “Around the World” icons and landmarks
Nyssa posed in front of her cake
The family used MazelTovGear.com for the logo’d drawstring favor bags.
Elevate Lounge’s cubbies were a great spot for guests to store their favors and photos
Nyssa’s logo looked great
Flannel pajamas
Nyssa volunteered at an animal shelter called Pets Alive Westchester in Elmsford, New York. She played with the cats and walked the dogs.
Some advice from Mom Stacey:
“The first thing to book immediately is the venue, photographer and the DJ. Once that’s done, the rest falls into place. Use lots of checklists. The really do keep you organized and on top of things!”
The following vendors helped to make Nyssa’s Bat Mitzvah special. If you give any of them a call, let them know you read about their services on MitzvahMarket.com
Venue: Elevate Event Lounge, 914-352-6400
Music Entertainment/MC/Party Entertainment: Double Image Event Production, 914-773-1950
Invitation: Invitations4less.com
Photography/Sign-in board: Dan Fried, H&H Photographers, 914-591-4200
Favors: Eileen Bowden, MazelTovGear.com, 855-629-3543
Cake: Homestyle Desserts Bakery, 914-737-4659
Décor: Brian Williams Events, 845-628-0614
Florist: Cooke’s Little Shoppe of Flowers, 914-862-4558
Custom made Luminaries: Suzie, Olden Designs on etsy.com
Dresses for family members: Bloomingdales, Amazon.com, Neiman Marcus Last Call and Ruelala.com
Hair: Salon Alicia, 914-762-2007
August 5th, 2015
Are you looking for a Bat Mitzvah celebration filled with lots of color? The Celebration Society Website recently featured a Bat Mitzvah with a colorful theme that we wanted to share.
Tobi’s Bat Mitzvah celebration was held at Ivy Hall, an event venue in Roswell, Georgia. With lots of vibrant color, this fun event reflected the personality of the guest of honor herself. The theme was “Color the World Sweet with Tobi.”
The party was planned by Tammie Wilson of The Party Girl Events, the photographer was Jon Marks Photography.
As Tobi’s guests arrived they walked under an over-sized paint brush with the theme, “Color the World Sweet with Tobi” written on the brush
Pictures of the Bat Mitzvah girl growing up were spread out with blank spaces for guests to sign
The Bat Mitzvah girl with her family
The linens were really bold and vibrant and captured the colors of the rainbow
Each table was a different color and included paint cans and paint palate centerpieces
The colorful cans and palettes were placed on Lucite stands
The kids lounge included a colorful sofa and accent pieces and a large custom palette for the Bat Mitzvah girl
The dessert bar was a bright spectrum of sweet treats toppling from clear paint cans and wrapped Rice Krispie paint brush treats from Crazy Brain Chocolates
We thank The Celebration Society and Tammie Wilson of The Party Girl Events for sharing this sweet Bat Mitzvah with our readers.
Event Planner: The Party Girl Events; Photography: Jon Marks Photography; Venue: Ivy Hall; Catering: Events Catering; Decor: Let’s Celebrate; Entertainment: DJTOD; Photobooth: SocialBox; Lounge Furniture: AFR Event Furnishings; Stationery: Invitations by Roberta; Rice Krispie paint brush treats: Crazy Brain Chocolates; Videography: Blue Orchid Productions.
August 5th, 2015
Hart To Hart Entertainment is the longest running DJ Company in the New York area that has been performing at Bar Bat Mitzvah celebrations! Since 1981, they have amassed an outstanding reputation for service, sound system quality, and consistent DJ & MC excellence. The hundreds of fabulous customer evaluations they receive every year is a true testament to their outstanding quality and work ethic.
They are a One-Stop-Shop that offers all things entertainment for your Bar Bat Mitzvah Celebration!
Lounge Furniture and Lighted Bars: They are a premier furniture rental company and they service the entire New York and Tri-State area including Maryland, Boston, Baltimore, Providence, Michigan, Maine, and surrounding areas. Their extensive collection of lounge furniture rental inventory is among the highest quality in the industry.
Colorful kids’ lounge
Modern lounge with lighted pink accent tables
Lounge vignette with lighted tables and centerpiece
Unique lighted bar
Lighted Dance Floors: They offer the latest in designs and technology to create unique and colorful dance floors for non-stop dancing. They are happy to work with your Bar Bat Mitzvah theme and color scheme.
Changing colors are all the rage
Sleek dance floor to match your room decor
Guests of all ages love light-up dance stages
Interactive Games: Fun and games are a big part of your child’s Bar Bat Mitzvah party. Hart to Hart Entertainment offers new interactive games such as Giant Light Brite and the Giant iPhone.
Imagine a giant Light Brite at your child’s Bar Bat Mitzvah party
For interactive fun, the giant iPhone is the hit of the party
Live Musicians: Hart to Hart offers Event Entertainment and Bands, each with it’s own style and specialties.
Soloists/Harpists/Pianists: These versatile musicians can perform a diversified range of standards, Broadway show tunes, contemporary and classical music.
Live percussionist playing along with the DJ at a Bar Mitzvah
Live saxophone player at a Hart To Hart Live Bar Mitzvah. Hart to Hart Live is where we incorporate 3 or 4 musicians with a DJ package
For more information about Hart to Hart Entertainment, visit their extended profile page in our Vendor Directory.
August 2nd, 2015
The Siegel family from Richboro, Pennsylvania, celebrated son Jeremy’s Bar Mitzvah at Shir Ami in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, followed by an evening reception at Southampton Day Camp in Southampton, Pennsylvania. Jeremy loves hockey and the Southampton Day Camp was transformed into a hockey arena for the night. We featured sister Lauren’s Bat Mitzvah a few years back, see that celebration here.
Pictured L-R: Dad Craig, Sister Lauren, Mom Dana and Bar Mitzvah boy Jeremy.
The photographer was Impressions Photo and Video and the rest of the vendor information is listed at the end of the spotlight.
Jeremy did a wonderful job reading from the Torah and reciting his prayers during his service at Shir Ami
The Siegel family looked great! Mom Dana’s gown was from Zinnis of Philadelphia, Sister Lauren’s dress from Dare Boutique and Jeremy and Dad looked stylish in their suits from Schweon’s Clothing & Formal Wear
The creative seating chart was embellished with mementos from Jeremy’s former teams. The table featured trophies and patches Jeremy received over the years playing hockey
Jeremy has a true passion and talent for hockey. Let’s Party with Valerie did a fabulous job making guests feel like they were in a hockey arena. The dance floor was an exact
replica of a hockey rink
The centerpieces were jerseys from Jeremy’s former teams, including “Siegel #42”
Jeremy had two items guests could sign. One was an over-sized picture of him on the ice, the other, a replica of the Stanley Cup. Both were placed on a table surrounded by pictures of Jeremy playing hockey
Michael Adelson of Luria Visuals did a great job with the entrance video. Watch Jeremy’s entrance video here
MC Johnny of Unique Musique and his dancers did a great job – guests enjoyed dancing throughout the party. Friends and family cheered when Jeremy skated into the ballroom for his entrance
Dad Craig used hockey sticks to create the custom Horah chair
MC Johnny did a great job interacting with guests
Everyone was on the dance floor
Jeremy and guests enjoyed the montage made with love by Jeremy’s Aunt Wendy
RL Cake Designs incorporated lots of hockey elements into his Bar Mitzvah cake
Jeremy honored family and friends by calling them up to light candles during his candle lighting ceremony. Jeremy reading his candle lighting poems (which Party Poems helped him write)
Jeremy surrounded by his friends after the candle lighting
Show Me the Favors created two color versions of the hooded sweatshirt favors, one in grey and one in red. Both had Jeremy’s logo on the front and a hockey player on the back.
Each was wrapped with red and black ribbon
The back of the sweatshirt
Great night was had by all. At the end of the night, Jeremy wearing his sweatshirt favor, hoisted “The Cup”
Bar Mitzvah Project
Jeremy worked on a project for an organization called Face Off Against Cancer. It is a charity hockey tournament that takes the fight against cancer to the ice.
Vendor Directory
The following vendors helped to make Jeremy’s Bar Mitzvah special. If you give any of them a call, let them know you read about their services on MitzvahMarket.com
Venue: Southampton Day Camp, 215-355-4567
Photographer: Impressions Photo & Video, 215-354-4420
Catering: B & T Catering at Southampton, 267-304-1622
Music Entertainment: Larry, Unique Musique, 800-556-6535
Decor/Sign-in: Valerie Felgoise, Let’s Party With Valerie, 610-213-5675
Favors: Jodi or Shira, Show Me the Favors, 856-912-4006
Candle lighting Poems, Hope, Party Poems, hopeyp25@comcast.net
Entrance Video: Michael Adelson, Luria Visuals, 215-934-7247
Cake: RL Cake Designs, 215-519-8772
Dresses for family members: Zinnis of Philadelphia, 610-328-1900
Sister Lauren’s dress: Dare Boutique, 856-424-8300
Suits for family members: Schweon’s Clothing & Formal Wear, 215- 357-0600
July 29th, 2015
Michele Moss of Michele Moss Events sent us a very chic Bat Mitzvah she planned and coordinated at the beautiful Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa in La Jolla, California.
The Bat Mitzvah girl, Esme, wanted a Parisian pink poodle themed party to celebrate her special day. Elements such as a vintage mirror seating chart, an Eiffel Tower candle lighting display and a unique custom dance floor had guests saying “Ooh La La” all night long!
Photography by Brandon Colbert Photography.
As guests entered they had the feel of walking into a Paris marketplace adorned with vintage tea carts with awnings, floral arrangements, galvanized tins, French bread and magazines
A baroque framed mirror was personalized with handwritten calligraphy to show the guests to their tables
A custom guest book made for Esme
Guests were asked to pick out a vintage postcard from Paris and write a short note, then they were to place the cards in the envelopes attached to the pages
A pink birdcage with a shabby chic frame and sign in French “Cartes” (cards) was used to hold cards and gifts
A mime greeted guests as they entered the Parisian wonderland
The ballroom beautifully decorated with a over-sized Gobo with Esme’s name
There were alternating centerpieces, above is the black candelabra with dangling crystals
The other, an Eiffel Tower centerpiece, had gorgeous floral arrangements surrounded by crystal rhinestone
candles in a blush pink water
Each table setting was made up of a black Gothic charger plate with custom menu and favor. The Chiavari chairs were mixed with a beautiful black and white stripe bustled chair covers with a crystal brooch
Favors were a glass bell jar with two French macaroon cookies in a vanilla/chocolate and strawberry variety. The gift tags had a vintage inspired poodle, glitter flag, Eiffel tower charm and imported paper flower
Esme making her entrance escorted by the mime
The custom round dance floor was a showstopper by Platinum Pro. It had her beautiful logo, a gorgeous
silhouette of a girl in Paris walking her poodle
Esme’s young guests were entertained with many interactive stations including hair, makeup and tattoo stations
A perfume station
The creative candle lighting ceremony took place on a large Eiffel Tower display
These Chanel-inspired votive candles are so chic
The cake deliciously captured the theme
What a beautiful backdrop for this magnifique candy buffet
We would like to thank Michele Moss Events for sharing this very special Bat Mitzvah with our readers.
Event Planner/Lounge Furniture/Custom sign-in book/Candle design: Michele Moss, Michele Moss Events; Venue: Estancia Lajolla Resort & Spa;Photographer: Brandon Colbert Photography; Hair & Makeup: Call Me Beautiful; Music/DJ: J Soul Productions; Dance Floor: Platinum Pro; Florist/Candle execution: Blue Petal Events; Perfume Station: Pastiche; Flipbooks: A Little Scene;Wax Hands: Wax Creations; Candy Buffet: San Diego Candy Buffets; Hair & Makeup Station: Kasey Johnson, Glogirl Makeup Artistry; Ice Cream Station: Ben & Jerry’s; Lounge Furniture: Michele Moss Events; Rental Company: Miranda Entertainment.
July 29th, 2015
Are you looking to throw a Bar or Bat Mitzvah celebration that can’t be beat when it comes to fun?
Enter West Rock Events….Think less traditional and get the party started inside West Rock Indoor’s state-of-the art Entertainment Complex! Their venue boasts over 100,000 square feet of space, which can be tailored to any theme. They have held parties with a luxe nightclub feel to an all-out sports party with actual games played on a huge turf field. Whatever your concept is, they will help you create it.
They also offer several different catering options, including kosher caterers, and work with the tri-state areas hottest DJ and Entertainment providers.
Check out some photos from a recent sports Bar Mitzvah celebration:
Check out the huge space and flexible options at West Rock Events by visiting their extended profile page in our Vendor Directory.
July 29th, 2015
Once your child’s Bar/Bat Mitzvah date comes and goes, all that planning will be behind you.
BUT, there is one other task you will need to accomplish that might be the toughest one of all – getting your son or daughter to write their thank you notes!
Many families choose to order their “thank you” cards at the time they are placing their order for their Bar/Bat Mitzvah invitation. This is a great way to get it off your to-do list and match your invite.
We want to share another option with our readers. It’s an idea from a Bat Mitzvah girl herself. Tara Silberg, our 13 year old reporter celebrated her own Bat Mitzvah in October of 2011 and thought it would be fun to create her own thank you card.
She selected a picture from her Bat Mitzvah and created fold-over cards on Snapfish.com.
Not only is our 13 year old guest blogger a talented writer, but she also comes up with great ideas!
Check out her other posts here.
