March 10th, 2019
The Woodmere Club, a waterfront country club located in Woodmere, New York, has a variety of newly renovated spaces that are perfectly suited to host a Bar or Bat Mitzvah. The historic main clubhouse features a lodge-style bar, a grand ballroom that accommodates hundreds of guests, a grille room, surrounded by windows, with views of the 18th hole, and a beautiful outdoor patio overlooking the magnificent grounds.
Whether you’re planning an elegant, formal party or an intimate luncheon, The Woodmere Club will work with you to create the party of your dreams. Their culinary team offers non-Kosher or Kosher style menus, and they also allow Kosher caterers to utilize the facility.
Read on to see photos and learn about recent Bar Bat Mitzvah celebrations at The Woodmere Club.
Inside The Woodmere Club
Recently renovated, the grand ballroom was designed with an eclectic, architectual style that lends itself well to any theme or decor
The ballroom can accommodate up to 285 people, with plenty of room for dancing
For your cocktail hour, or a more casual affair, the outdoor patio offers a beautiful setting
Formal portraits are a must in the sophisticated foyer
The terrace is a beautiful spot for photos
Sunset is an amazing time for photos on the golf course
An elegant driveway greets guests
Exterior view from the golf course
This elegant Bat Mitzvah featured abundant florals and a fuschia and white color scheme
A view of the ballroom with round tables
Large rectangular tables also work well in the space
Creative Touches
The outdoor patio is transformed with white lanterns and a mix of seating options
Games and activities can be set up adjacent to the championship golf course
Filled with natural light, the grill room can be used for Mitzvah games and entertainment
This circular room with high ceilings is a perfect area for kids to let loose
For this Mitzvah with an ice hockey theme, a skating rink was built in the ballroom!
Another view of the rink with casual seating and lounge furniture on the perimeter
Skate lockers were set up next to the rink
To learn more about The Woodmere Club, please visit their extended profile page in our Vendor Directory.
March 10th, 2019
Life is Better on the Ice for Bar Mitzvah boy Jordan Freund. An avid ice hockey player since age seven, Jordan’s Bar Mitzvah theme brought to life his favorite aspects of the game. From a hockey rink dance floor, complete with penalty boxes, to NHL ticket place cards and hockey jerseys galore, this party had it all. Following a service at Community Synagogue of Rye in Rye, New York, Jordan’s guests gathered at LIFE, the place to be in Ardsley, New York where they were treated to a night of non-stop action on and off the dance floor.
Photo above (L-R): sister Brooke, mom Jackie, Bar Mitzvah boy Jordan and dad Lee. The photographer for this event was Angelica Glass. A complete list of vendors follows at the end of this spotlight.
Bar Mitzvah Service
Jordan became a Bar Mitzvah at Community Synagogue of Rye
Nervous and excited, Jordan did a fantastic job at his service
Ice Ice Baby
Jordan's invitation was designed like an NHL game ticket
From the moment guests arrived at LIFE, the place to be, Jordan's theme was front and center
Place cards were displayed on lucite stands and resembled NHL tickets
A circular light-up bar, with Jordan's logo on the floor, was the place to be during the cocktail hour
White and blue lighting created an icy vibe; the high top tables were later used in the kids' lounge
Jordan's logos were scattered throughout the cocktail hour
The blue and white theme continued into the reception with oversized balloons, draping on the ceiling and custom logos on the walls
The hockey rink dance floor was the centerpiece of the party
Penalty boxes, featuring some of Jordan's favorite brands, lined the dance floor rink
Images of Jordan playing hockey were projected on the walls
Lucite trays and votive candles added a cozy vibe to the ice theme
Close up of table centerpieces featuring photos of some of Jordan's favorite NHL players
Jordan's logo appeared on LEDs and other signage
White lounge furniture with custom pillows created a comfy space for the kids
Hockey photos of Jordan through the years captured some of his favorite on ice moments
Jordan's Grandma Carol made this unbelievable cake! She drove to NY from Chicago with all of her baking supplies and began baking the cake two days prior to the event
Sister Brooke joined Jordan for the candle lighting
The DJ kept the dance floor packed all night
Dance floor giveaways included New York Rangers jerseys, logo t-shirts, Big Baller Brand t-shirts and sweatshirts, gift cards and Apple AirPods
Party swag was stored in "The Locker Room"
Special Touches
The sign in board was framed by hockey sticks with Jordan's logo in the center
Jordan's friends surprised him with a special keepsake-- a New York Rangers flag which they all signed
An electric violinist played along with the music from the DJ
LIFE also provided an arcade
Kids (and adults!) could hit the video games when they needed a break from dancing
Everyone stopped by Jordan's Oreo Bar
Traditional, Red Velvet and Birthday Cake Oreos were among the choices
Jordan tested out the custom S'mores bar with Steven, the owner of LIFE
Guests could pick their chocolate, cookies and marshmallows... YUM!
"Dragon Popcorn" was a huge hit-- presented on dry ice, it looked like smoke was coming out of guests' mouths when they ate it
Jordan's logo was printed on custom ISlide favors
Kids took home their ISlides in logo drawstring bags
Logo water bottles were presented as guests headed home
Mitzvah Advice
“I wasn’t sure if I really needed a planner as I enjoy the planning process myself and the venue came with a planner,” says Mitzvah Mom Jackie. “But I’m thrilled that I did decide to hire my own planner, especially when it got closer to the event. She helped with so many crazy details (timeline, tipping, transportation etc…) that I hadn’t realized would make the last few weeks so incredibly busy. I was able to relax the day of the party knowing she was there and not worry about a thing!”
Mitzvah Project
Jordan sold snacks at his synagogue each week before Hebrew school. He donated the proceeds to the ASPCA as he loves animals. The family has a dog and two cats of their own.
Vendor Directory
Venue/Decor: LIFE the place to be, 914-591-4400
Event Planner/T-Shirts/Drawstring Bags: Stacey Nisenson, Full On Events, 973-800-2619
Entertainment: Total Entertainment, 201-894-0055
Photographer: Angelica Glass, 917-741-4160
Videographer: Giulianna Marie Studios, 973-835-4300
Favors: iSlide Customizable Slides, 781-352-0677
Invitations: Etched in Sloane, Sloane Zane, 201-848-6006
Sign-In Board: ShotsOnGoalHockeyFrames.com
Cake: Jordan’s Grandma, Carol David, 815-212-2204
Dresses: Roland Mouret (Mom), Zoe Ltd. (Sister), All About the Dress, 914-690-1593
Suits: Rothmans (Dad), Lubin’s (Jordan), 914-713-0300
Hair/Makeup: Rita Devlin Wolf (hair), 914-588-5471 and Valerie Guglielmo (makeup), 914-320-0944
Transportation: Country Coach Corp., 914-967-5959
March 4th, 2019
By Sophie Glaser
The first time I heard about the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, I was at dinner with my family. I was nine at the time. My parents pulled up a photo of one of our close family friends who had shaved his head to raise money and awareness for pediatric cancer. Something tugged at my heart as I watched the videos on the St. Baldrick’s website about kids with cancer and thought about the many adults in my life who were also diagnosed with cancer.
That was when I knew what I wanted to do. As my long curly hair bounced on my shoulders, I announced to my parents that I wanted to shave my head too. And so, it happened. That was just the first time.
I’ve long been involved with St. Baldrick’s, a non-profit organization that partners with kids, teens and adults to raise money for pediatric cancer research. Volunteers educate, fundraise and spread the word. They also shave their heads in solidarity with those who have lost their hair during chemotherapy treatments.
Towards the end of third grade, I shaved my head for the first time. I raised more than $12,000 for St. Baldrick’s. The fundraising took place over a month, and I wrote letters, contacted my friends and spread the news via the internet to raise awareness about the cause. It was one of the most unforgettable experiences of my life. That’s why, more than three years later when I was thinking about what I wanted to do for my Bat Mitzvah project, it was the first thing that came to mind.
I also wanted to give back directly to the community and do something more personal than simply raising money. So, I taught myself how to knit hats on a loom. My intention was to donate them to the kids in the pediatric oncology ward to keep their bald heads warm during the cold Connecticut winters.
In order to make the greatest number of hats possible, I taught my family and friends how to knit them too. I also taught a class at a local store where I asked my students to donate their first hat to my Bat Mitzvah project.
In the end, I donated more than 65 hats to the Connecticut Children’s Medical Center. I started raising money the September before my Bat Mitzvah. I posted on Instagram and my parents’ Facebook pages, wrote letters, talked to friends and family and even spoke to students at my school about what I was doing. My goal was to raise $5,000.
On February 25th, 2017, the day of my Bat Mitzvah I had raised more than $7,000! But that wasn’t all. During my reception, as I was surrounded by family and friends, I shaved my head for the second time in my life. (This was also after I had already cut off most of it to donate to Pantene Beautiful Lengths, an organization that makes wigs for people with cancer).
Sophie at her Bat Mitzvah before she Braved the Shave!
Guests watched as Sophie did her Mitzvah Project "live!"
The end result and a contagious smile!
The room was brimming with excitement! I had my mom, dad and sister behind me as I sat in the middle of the room facing the enormous crowd of my family and friends. I felt the warmth and support of the people around me permeate the air. Underneath the cheers of my classmates and relatives, I could hear my family sniffle a little from emotion, just like they had done when I shaved my head in third grade. I cried, too, not only because I felt so lucky to be surrounded by the people who supported me, helped me and listened to me as I completed my Bat Mitzvah project, but also because of how important my Bat Mitzvah and my project was to me. Finishing it and seeing all of my hard work culminate in this wonderful event was so special; it was an emotional moment.
One of the things that I learned while doing this project is that it is important to have patience and be confident in yourself and your abilities. While I was fundraising, there would be periods where it looked like I wasn’t going to reach my initial goal. That just made me work even harder, and I surpassed my goal by $2,000. This project also helped me increase my social skills, as I often had to introduce myself to strangers and talk to them about the cause.
This project meant a lot to me, and it really made my Bat Mitzvah special. The support I got from my family and friends on the day of my Bat Mitzvah was overwhelming, and I feel so lucky that I was able to complete my project surrounded by them. My project proves that anyone, anywhere, can help others. I took something as simple as knitting hats and turned it into a long-term project that positively affected my community. When I donated those hats, I felt such a sense of accomplishment and pride.
Shaving my head in solidarity with those who have cancer connected me to them. It helps to break down the stereotypes that come with a bald head; associations of sickness and masculinity. It also empowers me, and others, to take action and help people in any way possible. Hair, to me, is a form of expression, and I feel like there is no better expression than of support and solidarity.
In the months after my Bat Mitzvah, many people asked me why I was bald. When I told them about my project, I helped spread awareness about pediatric cancer and helped point them in the direction of a great organization that helps people around the world. I hope that I can continue my work with the St. Baldrick’s Foundation in the future, whether it is by helping them fundraise, raising awareness or by shaving my head again.
Sophie Glaser is in the 9th grade at Phillips Academy Andover. She lives in West Hartford, Connecticut. Find out more about St. Baldrick’s Foundation, stbaldricks.com and Connecticut Children’s Medical Center, connecticutchildrens.org
Read more about Sophie’s Bat Mitzvah Celebration.
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March 3rd, 2019
For Cassidy Jane Paget’s Bat Mitzvah, guests were asked to “Come Join The Party!,” a tagline the Bat Mitzvah girl came up with herself, cleverly incorporating her initials. This celebration also featured metallic hues, modern decor, and high dress expectations (which did not disappoint!) as Cassidy’s mom Julie co-owns All About The Dress in Armonk, New York. Following the Havdalah Service at Temple Shaaray Tefila in Bedford Corners, New York, family and friends headed to the party at Brae Burn Country Club in Purchase, New York. Event planner Sandi Z from Revolution Events, created a fresh, sophisticated backdrop using silver Mylar balloons to cover the ceiling and walls, dramatic calla lily centerpieces and plenty of activities to keep the party going all night long.
The photographer for this event was Todd Shapera Photography. A complete vendor list follows at the end of this Spotlight.
The evening started with a beautiful Havdalah Service
Cassidy captivated the audience with her confidence and excitement
The Paget family (L-R)- brother Brian, mom Julie, Bat Mitzvah girl Cassidy and dad Adam
Cassidy had several wardrobe changes for her celebration. This first look, by Jovani, was for her Bat Mitzvah service
A brushed metallic invitation gave guests a hint of the color palette for the celebration
Modern Elegance
For the place card table, event planner Sandi Z had Lucite cards cut by a plastic vendor and then sent them to a calligrapher. They were assembled with gold card holders
Vessels of calla lilies, gold chargers and white goblets created focal points on the tables, while a large mirrored bar was built opposite the dance floor
A combination of round and rectangular tables with different centerpieces and linens mixed things up
The colors were silver and gold with pops of blue
CJP, ‘Come Join the Party’ logos by FabuDesigns.com, and metallic silver lounge furniture kept the room looking modern
A silver Mylar balloon installation hung from the ceiling
The wall of Mylar balloons and mirrors created a WOW! moment behind the stage
Cassidy entered the ballroom in a custom silver halter dress with a multitude of gold & clear Swarovski crystals
After her big entrance, the dancers surrounded Cassidy and one of the designers of the dress, Jesus Estrada, removed her ball gown skirt for a dramatic reveal of the third dress which was short with a double skirt trimmed in horse hair
The Paget family enjoyed every minute of their celebration
Julie's dress was a collaboration with designers Jesus and Antonio Estrada. They incorporated tulle details in a fun and sophisticated way so that she would coordinate with her daughter but not look like a Bat Mitzvah girl
MC Mannee kept the music and energy going all night so the dance floor was crowded with both kids and adults; guests also loved the "marathon" Hora!
Special Touches
Mom Julie found this mirror on Overstock.com and planner Sandi Z personalized it with a gold decal. The result? A unique sign-in board in keeping with the event decor
During the cocktail hour, the kids were kept busy with activities including this Urban Hoops pop-a-shot...
... and a neon photo booth
Guests danced their Cass Off! all night long on this custom floor decal
Cassidy's logo was splashed across favors including these buttery soft two-tone gray raglan hooded sweatshirts with gold foil printing for the girls... and lightweight hooded shirts with navy and blue print for the boys. Dance floor giveaways included cozy distressed shorts with a CJP logo and super soft T-shirt’s that said “Dance Your Cass Off”
Custom graffiti neck pillows were made for each of Cassidy's friends
When the party ended, guests came out to see this incredible wall of 400 homemade glitter donuts. Coffee and hot chocolate were also provided in ‘to go’ cups
Mitzvah Advice
“Try not to control the process too much,” suggests mom Julie. “Do your initial planning by reserving your venue and all of your service providers (ie.photographer, DJ/MC, florist, party planner if you are hiring one) far in advance. Then you can sit tight for a while.” As the owner of a dress boutique, Julie says, “Start shopping for your daughter’s dress(es) about 5 months in advance of the party and if you have an early fall Mitzvah take the summer months out of the equation as most girls go to camp. Many off-the-rack dresses have long lead times as they are made overseas and you need to allow approximately five weeks’ time for alterations.”
“The last 2 months prior to the party is when the hard work kicks in,” says Julie. “After mailing your invitations, you start to get your numbers and can order favors, plan your menu and do your seating chart. Also, the end is when you will nail down the entertainment, pick special music, write you candle lighting and Mitzvah speeches. There will be stressful moments but try to keep your wits about you and remember that the party is just a result (or casualty) of the actual event that you are celebrating, which is the Mitzvah. Keep Jewish values in mind and always be kind to your service providers and vendors.”
Mitzvah Project
Cassidy was interested in helping the sick for her Mitzvah Project and wanted to do something to aid cancer research and help find cures since cancer has touched her family. She raised over $2,500 for the Lustgarten Foundation for Pancreatic Research and she participated in a Pancreatic Cancer Research Walk. Cassisdy also volunteered at the A Cure in Our Lifetime spring benefit, which supports breast cancer research, and she volunteered and modeled at a children’s cancer benefit luncheon.
Vendor Directory
The following vendors helped to make Cassidy’s night very special. If you contact them, please tell them you read about their business on Mitzvah Market.
Venue: Brae Burn Country Club Contact, 914-761-8300
Event Planning/Music/Entertainment/Decor/Lighting/Favors/Airbrushing/Place Cards/Donut Wall/Security: Sandi Z/Revolution Events, 914-661-0752
Photographer: Todd Shapera Photography, 914-631-8353
Logos/Graphics: FabuDesigns.com, Amy Wohl, 312-513-1698
Invitations: Jillian Pohly Stationery & Gifts, 917-882-2716
Flowers: Joseph Richard Florals, 914-273-3361
Sign-In Board: Mirror purchased from Overstock.com, logo decal provided by event planner
Donuts: Beascakes Bakery & Breads, 914-273-3612
Dresses: Jovani (Cassidy’s service dress) and Custom designs for party by Jesus and Antonio Estrada, All About the Dress, 914-219-5300
Custom Bedazzled Sneakers: Solemates exclusively for All About the Dress, 914-219-5300
Suits/Men’s Furnishings: Family Britches, 914-238-8017 (suits) and Neiman Marcus
Hair/Makeup: Be Gorgeous, Tsvia Goldberg 914-450-8049 (makeup) and Hott Blowdry Bar, Samantha, 914-273-0020 (hair)
Transportation: Leros Point to Point, 1-800-825-3767 (Mitzvah family) and Chappaqua Transportation, 914-238-4404 (buses for kids)
February 24th, 2019
Planning a Bar or Bat Mitzvah without the help of an event planner could be daunting for some, but Mitzvah mom Jamie Rattien pulled it off without a hitch…twice! “We gave our children the choice of a bigger, more expensive party, or a less expensive celebration plus a vacation of their choice,” says Jamie. “For our son Jacob (who became a Bar Mitzvah in 2016) we had a party and then went to Turks and Caicos. For our daughter Jenna we are heading to Disney!”
From the online resources she utilized (including Mitzvah Market!) to how she managed the budget, Rattien shares how she planned Jenna’s recent Bat Mitzvah. Following a service at Temple Shaari Emeth in Manalapan New Jersey, the Rattiens celebrated with family and friends at the Smithburg Banquet Hall in Freehold. “We rented a banquet hall and, with the help of some amazing vendors, created an amazing party from a literal blank canvas,” she says. “The most important element for Jenna was the DJ because she is a competitive dancer and all of her dance friends would be there.” Dad Peter, an amateur chef, catered the entire event with the help of his own father! Even brother Jacob got in on the DIY effort, rolling out every single table and chair for the party so that his mom could focus on decor and his dad on cooking. Truly a family affair!
Read on to learn how this Mitzvah mom created her own centerpieces, sign-in board, popcorn bar and more.
Vicky Silvermintz Photography was the photographer for this event. A complete list of vendors follows at the end of this Spotlight.
Jenna’s Service
Mom Jamie created this beautiful invitation online
Jenna is all smiles at her service at Temple Shaari Emeth
The Bat Mitzvah girl is joined by (L-R) dad Peter, brother Jacob and mom, Jamie
DIY Details
This before and after shot shows how the Rattien family transformed a blank space for Jenna's big day. Brother Jacob rolled out every single table and chair so that mom could focus on setting up the decor!
DIY centerpieces featured oversized balloons, spray-painted craft boxes (by Grandma!), filled with shredded paper and topped off with tons of candy. Alternating tables were decorated with gold glitter and large martini glasses filled with candy
Mom Jamie created this logo and modified the color scheme of the original
The sign in board was made using a frame and matting from Michael's. The candle lighting centerpiece doubled as decor
Lollipop place cards had the name of each guest and their table assignment (all tables named for candy of course!) with Jenna's logo
Close up of the place card lollipops
Jenna made her big entrance in beautiful blush gown
She did a great job with her candle lighting ceremony. TVs flanked the DJ booth and featured her logo and photo montage
The family was photo bombed by their youngest guests
The Bat Mitzvah girl shows off her custom candy bar. Each guest received a triangle cone bag to fill up and take home
The multi-flavor popcorn bar was a HUGE hit
In addition to beer, wine and soda, Jennalicious Lemonade was the signature pink drink
The vanilla and strawberry cake was made by a local supermarket bakery
Entertainment, Favors & More
The entertainment was the most important part of this DIY celebration; MC Carlos created a high energy atmosphere
DJ Taj was a big hit with the kids
"Everyone was on the dance floor the majority of the party," says mom. "It was amazing!"
The photo booth, provided by the DJ company, entertained guests of all ages
An optional print out or text option was available for guests to commemorate the party; here mom Jamie was joined by her friends
Mom designed this logo and had shirts printed by an online custom print shop
Mitzvah Mom Advice
“Keep a to-do list– even when you feel like you’re adding more than you’re checking off. It will keep your eye on your goals.” says Jamie. “Use sources like Mitzvah Market to inspire you and then put your own twist on things for originality. You don’t need to reinvent the wheel, just put your own spin on it.” When it comes to the budget, Jamie advises, “Allocate the most (money) to the elements that truly make the party. For us, this was the DJ. Since we did not have a party planner and our venue did not have someone to run the show, the DJ set the schedule and tone for the event.”
Mitzvah Project
Jenna created an Amazon wish list full of items to be donated to the homeless men who stay at their synagogue’s homeless shelter program during the winter.
Vendor Directory
The following vendors helped the Rattien family to bring their DIY vision to life. If you contact any of them please let them know you read about their business on MitzvahMarket.com.
Venue: Smithburg Banquet Hall, Denise, 732-804-6658
Event Planner/Decor/Logos: MOM!
Music/Entertainment/Photo Booth: Royal Entertainment, 732-618-0677
Photographer/Videographer: Vicky Silvermintz Photography, 423-736-7327
Invitations: Created by mom using Canva.com
Balloon Centerpieces: Balloon and Co., 848-261-4001
Candle Lighting Centerpiece: Lady J Designs, 631-473-5398
Candy Bar/Bags: Amazon, Party City, Amazing Savings
Popcorn Bar/Bags: Popcorn Wagon Frankenmuth, 989-652-1114
T-Shirt Favors: Jesse’s T’s, 732-903-4613
Cake: Shoprite
Dresses: Azaria Bridal, 732-637-8785
Suits: Macy’s
Hair/Makeup: The Gypsy Shop, Danielle, 732-610-1268 (hair), Lauren Vena, 908-415-7766 (makeup)
February 24th, 2019
Dave & Buster’s has been open in Massapequa since June 2018 and they are offering $500 off when you book by March 31st! Plus all kids get “unlimited simulator play” when you book.
For an afternoon party, they can close down so your young guests can have the space exclusively for a 60-90 minute period of time. They are also offering a 100 person all-inclusive package, or you can customize your event. They hold events in the sports lounge, private room or dining room all featured below.
With a full game room, billiards and a sports lounge, Dave & Buster’s is the ultimate venue for celebrations. Their restaurant and private rooms will be perfect for parties of any size.
To learn more about Dave & Buster’s Massapequa, please contact Karen Kelly at 516-809-8514 or email her at karen_kelly@daveandbusters.com.
To learn more about Dave & Buster’s, visit their extended profile page in our Vendor Directory.
February 20th, 2019
All inclusive Bar & Bat Mitzvah venues are popular with Mitzvah families who want a stress free, one-stop shopping approach. Bobby McKey’s Dueling Piano Bar in the heart of the National Harbor, Maryland, recently began hosting Bar and Bat Mitzvahs with this in mind. They offer in-house catering, full bar, TV screens (for your montage, photos and more), state-of-the-art sound and lighting, a customizable Gifn photo booth, glow sticks and of course the highlight of any Bobby McKey’s event – their dueling pianos, complete with musicians!
“We are so happy we celebrated our son’s Bar Mitzvah at Bobby McKeys,” says one Mitzvah dad. “They took care of everything we needed and worked with us all the way. The food was delicious (definitely get the chicken and waffles), the decorations were great (get the soft drink towers) and the band was absolutely fabulous.”
The space can be modified to accommodate up to 450 guests – with a mezzanine/balcony, main floor, dance area and stage.
Read on to learn more about Bobby McKey’s Dueling Piano Bar and to see images of their unique Mitzvah venue.
Unique Venue
Bobby McKey's is located in the heart of Maryland's National Harbor
With exposed brick walls and loft-like ceilings, Bobby McKey's offers a rustic, cool private event space ideal for a truly unique Bar/Bat Mitzvah
State-of-the-art lighting and video screens add tons of color - which can be customized to your theme/color scheme
The dueling piano bar show is what makes Bobby McKey's so unique
The large dance floor is perfect for the hora
This Mitzvah family decided to hold their celebration at Bobby McKey's after attending the restaurant's dueling piano bar show with friends
Special Touches
Your guests will love Bobby McKey's famous confetti launch
You can choose the timing for the launch
Bobby McKey's Gifn photo booth can be personalized for your Mitzvah
Bobby McKey's drink tower is a big hit with guests - and can be filled with soft drinks for younger guests
The venue even provides glow sticks for your guests
To learn more about Bobby McKey’s visit their profile page in our Vendor Directory.
February 17th, 2019
By Emily Ray Baraf
We live in an age of hyper-personalization, and yet, some of life’s greatest milestones and rites of passage have become rote and even ordinary. This is just what Jacey and Daniel Taub, of Rye Brook, NY, wanted to avoid when planning their son Zack’s Bar Mitzvah.
Having lived through the Bar/Bat Mitzvah scene a few years earlier with their daughter Lily, they wanted Zack’s Bar Mitzvah to be more than just another party with dinner and dancing (though they wanted that, too). They wanted to find a way to make sure the religious and cultural meaning was paramount in the whole experience, truly forging the connection of what it meant to become a Bar Mitzvah.
So, mom Jacey, and dad Daniel, began to think about doing the Bar Mitzvah in Israel. It seemed like the perfect solution. And, while the initial thought may have percolated around the time of Lily’s Bat Mitzvah, the real seeds were planted almost 20 years earlier when Jacey and Daniel ventured to Israel on a family trip. “I was young and had been working non-stop, and then all of the sudden I was part of this multi-generational group of people ages 8-80 for two weeks,” recalls Jacey. “It just felt so special and incredibly meaningful. I wanted to re-create that feeling for my kids.”
Once Zack was on board, Jacey began planning a trip that would be truly special. It needed to be more than just a vacation or a big tour, it needed to be a journey that would ignite a deeper love of Judaism and an appreciation of the values and history inherent in it. “We live in a very Jewish area, and I often worry that the ‘specialness’ of being Jewish is lost on my kids. They take it for granted. I wanted this trip to kindle a newfound love and appreciation for not only the religion, but also our family heritage and all that we’d overcome.”
Zack and family at the Wall
Zack and a soldier
Zack and his family playing basketball with Brothers for LIfe
Zack post basketball
Planning the kind of trip that would check all those boxes was a huge undertaking and became Jacey’s full time job. “I think you get out of it what you put into it…. Basically, I didn’t sleep,” she recalls. She talked to people, searched the Internet and put a lot of thought into what kinds of experiences would make a genuine impact. “I knew I wanted to support the Reform Jewish movement causes on our trip, so our rabbi suggested using ARZA WORLD and Da’at Educational Expeditions to help coordinate things on the ground.”
Despite having a “team” helping her out, Jacey remained firmly in the captain’s seat. She made sure she was an integral part of each and every detail. She Googled, brainstormed and brought her ideas to the experts at ARZA, hoping it was something they could execute. “I didn’t want mainstream,” she says. “I did have to accept that sometimes things wouldn’t work out, but I also made it a point to be really explicate in what I had in mind. More than once, I found myself explaining and re-explaining until I was confident that my ideas had been properly communicated. In short, I made sure that I was creating the kind of experience I wanted, even if that meant a one-on-one with ARZA’s CEO.”
Though it was trying at times, the hard work paid off. From day one, the Taub’s 10-day journey to Israel was unique, meaningful and imbued with spirituality and family history. The very fact of the trip alone was symbolic, creating another entry in the family history book. Almost 20 years to the day after Jacey and Daniel’s first trip, there they were again with the whole family. “It was (basically) the same group, only this time the tree had changed; some of the leaves had fallen off but there were also new branches.”
In many ways it felt like they had come full circle. Decades prior, Zack’s great-great-grandfather had sought refuge in what had then been Palestine. Jacey couldn’t help but wonder what he’d think if he could have seen this group of 26 — including four generations of his family — arriving in Israel to affirm their Judaism.
Rather than take the more common approach of starting in Tel Aviv and ending in Jerusalem, building up to a big Bar Mitzvah finale of the trip, they flipped things upside down. “I didn’t want Zack to be nervous the whole trip,” says Jacey. “I knew after he fulfilled his Bar Mitzvah commitment, he’d be able to more wholeheartedly enjoy himself.”
Zack during his Bar Mitzvah service on the top of Masada
So, they began in Jerusalem, had the Bar Mitzvah at Masada, and then made their way to Tel-Aviv. It unfolded like a journey; starting with religion and history, and culminating in the energy of everyday Israeli life in the city. Along the way they hit all the major sites, getting the full depth of experience in each location.
They didn’t just go to the shuk and look around, they brought a chef, went shopping and then cooked a meal as a group. They didn’t just venture into souvenir stores, they visited a Kabbalah jewelry store and got a taste of Jewish Mysticism. They didn’t just visit war memorial sites, they went to an active base and interacted with Israeli soldiers. In fact, they took this one step further and spent a day with Brothers for Life, an Israeli-based charity focused on helping injured soldiers reintegrate into everyday life.
They spent time with the Brothers for Life community and played a full game of basketball, with each participant playing seated, from a wheelchair, like many of the soldiers. Watching “our whole group, ages 3-73, sitting in wheelchairs, playing with these soldiers, was an amazing experience,” she says. The soldiers thought so too. At the end of the day, they presented Zack with a Tanach – a Hebrew bible — with a heartfelt inscription.
Listening to the soldiers’ stories, made Judaism, Zionism, religion, history and the spiritual meaning of it all come alive, explains Jacey. The experience left an indelible mark on the group, especially Zack. “He left the base thinking, ‘I want to fight for this country; I want to be in the (Israeli) army,’” says his mom.
The actual Bar Mitzvah ceremony took place on top of Masada. Like everything else, it was meticulously planned and entirely unique. When their hopes of having their clergy accompany them on the trip didn’t pan out, Jacey’s cantor in Rye Brook connected her with her cantorial teacher in Israel. The Taubs had a very specific idea of what kind of service they wanted. “I didn’t like that my daughter’s service felt somewhat ‘off the shelf.’ I wanted something more personal this time, so I actually wrote Zack’s service,” says Jacey. “The cantor was amazing at adding the musical element to the service, which is very important. She also put Zackat ease and conducted the service to match what we had in mind. The entire day became a beautiful celebration about welcoming Zack into the Jewish community. It incorporated family, felt relatable and utilized prayers that really meant something to us. Furthermore, we got to integrate pictures, quotes and family heritage. Zack read the Shema out of the prayer book my great-grandmother brought with her when she emigrated, and we drank wine made by her husband, my great-grandfather, that we carried in our suitcases. It was all just so meaningful.”
Jacey also coordinated with a local photographer. “I really wanted a fantastic photographer to capture this once-in-a-lifetime experience so I asked a friend who had lived in Israel for a recommendation of someone great…and he was. He even used a drone!”
Capturing these moments was incredibly important, because ultimately, it was so much more than just a singular religious event, she says. “There are no words that I can put with the image of Zack reading from Buby’s prayer book. All I could think was how far we’ve come. We didn’t just overcome, we’ve persevered and prospered. My great grandparents experienced such sadness and took so many risks to find a better life. They witnessed atrocities, left their home, lost many family members and had to say good bye to loved ones they knew they would never see again. Here we were, their living legacies, all together, freely celebrating everything they held dear and we were the fruits of their labor. I think they would have been kvelling if they could have seen their family now. I had a true moment of gratitude and appreciation.”
Though the Bar Mitzvah ceremony took place in Israel, the family also threw a party to celebrate the event back home. “I wanted to bring some of our journey into the event.” Jacey says. Again, it was all about the experience.
The day began with a service project in which Zack’s friends and the kids from the boarding school he’d been working with as part of his Mitzvah Project, came together to clean up and enhance the school’s gym. They painted bricks and fixed the muddy walkway that often made the gym’s entrance impassable. This was followed by a group excursion to the Westchester Knick’s final game and then later that night there was a party on the Westchester county basketball court. The theme, All-4- One – in addition to being the date of the party (April 1) — was a nod to the final four basketball game, which also occurred that evening. It also referred to teamwork and working together.
“Because there wasn’t a Torah service that day, we invited people to join us in doing a community service project,” says Jacey. “It was important to bring in the idea of Tikkun Olam because this was a celebration of a major Jewish milestone, not a 13th birthday party.”
They also weaved pieces of their Israeli experience into the event. Large monitors alternated footage of the basketball finals, with pictures of their trip. There was a table featuring images of the soldiers they’d met at the base where guests could write notes and/or thank-yous to them. The Havdalah service between the cocktail hour and the main event utilized the same candle they’d used in Israel and spices from various places in Israel including Yad Vashem. Jacey also made little spice bags so each person could take a small piece of Israel home.
Though mainly a kids’ party, the adults in attendance all received little hamsa bags purchased at the Sarona Market in Tel Aviv, filled with Hebrew Bazooka Joe gum and a rubber bracelet symbolizing a donation made to Brothers for Life.
The party brought home the idea of getting outside oneself and helping others. It wasn’t just about Zack the Bar Mitzvah boy; it was about Zack as a leader who could bring people together, working toward a common goal and for a greater good, explains Jacey. “In the end, it was about creating a feeling and an emotion.”
That’s what the Taubs did at every turn. They fostered an energy, set a tone and then leaned into the experience. “I like to think we planted seeds that will blossom into an even greater love for Judaism. My kids always tease me that I’m ‘super-Jew,’ but I feel like throughout this experience we were successful at creating a new family folklore and fostering experiences and memories that will remain etched into our minds, hearts and souls. I remember as we left Israel, my daughter had a ring engraved with the Shema on her finger and my son had a mezuzah around his neck and I just felt like they got it.”
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February 16th, 2019
When you begin the Bar Bat Mitzvah planning process, you look for a Bar Bat Mitzvah venue, DJ to provide music entertainment and a photographer/videographer to capture the special moments. You will also need invitations, favors, a montage, yarmulkes and other fun party elements.
These Bar Bat Mitzvah vendors are located in the Chicago area and can help with your planning.
Check all the boxes for the vendors you are interested in learning more about. Fill in form on bottom.
You can also ask questions and get advice in our Chicago Bar Bat Mitzvah planning group on Facebook. Join here.
February 8th, 2019
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