Cutting Edge Bar Mitzvah & Bat Mitzvah Hype Videos & Montages
August 9th, 2020

Cutting Edge Bar Mitzvah & Bat Mitzvah Hype Videos & Montages

For many years it was the Bar Mitzvah or Bat Mitzvah MC that introduced the guest of honor into their celebration. Reel Life Cinematography, a video production company, has opened the door to a brand new way to get the party started with their creative Hype Videos.

Each Hype Video is unique to the Bar Mitzvah or Bat Mitzvah child’s personality. These mini movies showcase their talent and/or favorite parts of their life. They can even include family members for a more fun and personal touch.

With more than 20 million views on YouTube alone, Reel Life Cinematography knows what teens connect with and relate to the most. “Our goal is to do more than entertain your guests,” said Chris Tsalikis, Co-founder of Reel Life Cinematography. “Production value is a huge part of the experience. We’ll make your Hype Video or Photo/Video Montage the highlight of your celebration.”

Reel Life Cinematography will work with your family through each phase of the production process and use their creative expertise to make sure your Hype Video or Photo/Video Montage is unique and high-quality. “We understand how important this day is to you,” said Billy Anastasiou, Co-founder of Reel Life Cinematography. “We’re extremely passionate about creating an unforgettable video that your guests will remember months after your event.”

To see examples of Reel Life Cinematography’s Bar Bat Mitzvah video work, see below.

Hype Videos

Bar Mitzvah & Bat Mitzvah Montages

For more information about Reel Life Cinematography, visit their extended profile page in our Vendor Directory.

You can also ask questions and get advice about montages in our regional Bar Bat Mitzvah planning groups on Facebook. Join here.

Best Friends Celebrate with Virtual B’nai Mitzvah
August 2nd, 2020

Best Friends Celebrate with Virtual B’nai Mitzvah

Best friends Zachary Tamarkin and Eric Zager of Allentown, PA had planned separate Bar Mitzvah celebrations – Eric’s in March and Zachary’s in June, 2020 – prior to the Coronavirus pandemic. When it became clear that plans would need to change, their families joined forces to celebrate their simchas with a Zoom B’nai Mitzvah and socially distant celebration. Held on Zach’s original date, the day was festive, meaningful and definitely memorable. 

Each family participated from the safety of their respective homes, while their rabbi from Temple Beth El in Allentown conducted the temple’s first-ever virtual service from his house. Both families had Holocaust Torahs in their homes, making their services even more significant.

In the afternoon, they came together at the Tamarkin’s house, where they rented a frozen treats truck and had guests sign up for 15-minute time slots to drive by, get a treat, and have a quick, socially distanced visit with the Bar Mitzvah boys. Outdoor decor included homemade lawn signs, the boys’ custom logo, and photos of the friends over the years. Guests received a custom face mask and other favors made by the families. Prior to the Zoom, they hand delivered or mailed goody bags to create excitement for the event. 

Read on to see photos from this awesome socially distant celebration:

Zach & Eric’s Virtual B’nai Mitzvah

Mitzvah Advice

“Hire a DJ/entertainment company to help run your virtual Mitzvah,” says Zach’s mom Tama. “While a virtual event was not what we had planned or hoped for, we were able to add meaning and connection. Having someone else run the Zoom, (Xtreme Event Group did ours) it put us at ease and also made for a seamless and professional event which guests connected with.”

Mitzvah Project

For Eric’s Mitzvah Project, he was joined by Zach and other friends when he regularly visited Country Meadows Retirement Community this winter to spend time with residents and talk about his love of sports. The conversations often turned to other topics and the boys loved hearing stories from the residents and learning life lessons.  Eric will now be joining Zach to complete a Mitzvah Project with Mitzvah Circle, a local organization that the Tamarkin family has engaged with that was created to fill gaps and provide items that are not covered by government assistance to families most in need. When it is safe to do so, Zach and Eric will be organizing a service day for their friends and family to go to Mitzvah Circle’s warehouse to help package customized care packages with clothing, shoes, diapers, period supplies, books, household goods, toiletries and more for families in crisis.

Vendor Directory

Virtual Service Coordination & Well Wishes Montage Video: Xtreme Event Group, 732-536-8155
Photographer: Heather Gogal Photography, 610-704-9274 and DAVisions Photography, 610-258-5805
Custom Masks: Big Tex Banners and Flags, 888-849-2749
Invitations: InkRedible, 610-398-8599
Food Truck: Frozen Island, 302-353-8868

Thousands of Bar and Bat Mitzvah families are sharing information and ideas about virtual Mitzvahs, re-booking their celebrations and more in Mitzvah Market’s 17 regional Facebook groups. Join here

 

 

The Virtual Simcha by Xtreme Event Group: Virtual Photo Booth
July 24th, 2020

The Virtual Simcha by Xtreme Event Group: Virtual Photo Booth

Xtreme Event Group has been providing Bar and Bat Mitzvah entertainment and event planning services to the NY Tri-State area and beyond since 2004. 

In the wake of the Coronavirus pandemic, Xtreme Event Group has expanded their operations to include “The Virtual Simcha.” An all-inclusive nationwide virtual party planning service, The Virtual Simcha allows families and their clergy to conduct a traditional Bar Bat Mitzvah service using video-conferencing technology in conjunction with professional live entertainment and video production.

The team at Xtreme Event Group will function as Event Planner, Security & IT Coordinator, Event Host, Virtual Photographer/VideographerProduction Expert and more. They will curate and produce a Custom Montage and Well-Wishes Video, create an Animated Entrance Logo, Photo Gallery and Word Cloud, produce an edited Group Photo and run Interactive Trivia and Games with guests.

They recently launched a new service! Their Virtual Photo Booth allows Bar Bat Mitzvah families and guests to have all the fun of a traditional photo booth, in a virtual format. This new technology allows users to take photos, GIFs, and Boomerangs (with any device, from anywhere!) and includes a microsite gallery custom, branded photo layouts and a virtual step-and-repeat. You can test it out below!

Xtreme Event Group’s goal is to create a completely stress-free experience so that Mitzvah families can can sit back, relax and enjoy their child’s important day! 

The Virtual Simcha Services Include:

While The Virtual Simcha service does not replace a traditional party, it creates a vehicle to connect with loved ones and to celebrate the hard work and accomplishments of the Bar/Bat Mitzvah child. 

To learn more about Xtreme Event Group, visit their profile page in our Vendor Directory.

Thousands of Bar and Bat Mitzvah families are sharing information and ideas about virtual Mitzvahs, re-booking their celebrations and more in Mitzvah Market’s 17 regional Facebook groups. Join here

 

 

How To Organize Photos For A Bar Bat Mitzvah Montage
July 24th, 2020

How To Organize Photos For A Bar Bat Mitzvah Montage

Organizing photos from the past 13 years for your child’s Bar or Bat Mitzvah montage may feel like a daunting task. Where do you even start? How do you decide between thousands of photos and videos?

We went to an expert and got some advice. Images4ever is a full-service video montage company, but more than that, they are storytellers. They have this organizing thing down pat, and thankfully they’ve put together a comprehensive list of instructions and categories for you to follow. 

So, here goes…

HOW TO ORGANIZE PHOTOS FOR A BAR OR BAT MITZVAH MONTAGE

There are two options on how to organize photos for your child’s video montage:

1. By Category 

2. By Chronological Story 

Most people choose the “Category” option. By dividing your pictures into 6 categories, it is easy to make a great photo montage. There is no exact number of pictures for each section. The focus should be on the end number. Images4ever believes 100-125 is the right amount of pictures. The goal is to make a montage that is about 9-11 minutes long.

Bar Mitzvah montage, Bat Mitzvah montage, photographs

Watch Charlie’s Bat Mitzvah Montage here

Here are the six categories they recommend:

CATEGORY 1: PICTURES OF BAR BAT MITZVAH CHILD 

Baby pictures and pictures of your child at different ages. By going through the years, you can show how much your child has grown. You can include pictures from a pre-Mitzvah shoot. You do not need to show pictures from every year of your child’s life.

Bar Mitzvah montage, Bat Mitzvah montage, photographs

CATEGORY 2: PICTURES OF BAR BAT MITZVAH CHILD WITH MOM AND DAD

Images4ever recommends pictures of mom and dad with the child together, in addition to mom and dad alone with the child. You’ll want to avoid a larger number of photos with one parent or the other.

Bar Mitzvah montage, Bat Mitzvah montage, photographs

CATEGORY 3: IMMEDIATE FAMILY PICTURES

These pictures should be of brothers and sisters with Mitzvah child and family pictures. Mom and Dad should be in these pictures too. Pictures from special family memories like trips or special events work really well. 

Bar Mitzvah montage, Bat Mitzvah montage, photographs

CATEGORY 4: EXTENDED FAMILY PICTURES

This category includes pictures of the child with their cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents and close family friends (those friends your kids call “aunt, uncle, and cousin”). Try not to leave anyone important out. Be mindful of feelings when choosing pictures and try to include an even amount of each family member.

Bar Mitzvah montage, Bat Mitzvah montage, photographs

CATEGORY 5: SCHOOL FRIENDS PICTURES:

School friends pictures can be throughout the years or just current friends, whichever is more appropriate for your child. 

Bar Mitzvah montage, Bat Mitzvah montage, photographs

 

CATEGORY 6: CAMP FRIENDS OR SPORTS/ACTIVITY/HOBBY PICTURES

From camp, you probably have tons of pictures as most camps take pictures throughout the summer. If your child doesn’t go to camp, include pictures of the child playing sports, musical instruments or other hobbies.

Watch Ben’s Bar Mitzvah Montage here

Dividing your pictures into these categories should make your life a lot easier and hopefully save you some time. 

To learn more about Images4ever, please visit their extended profile page in our Vendor Directory.

How to Word Bar Bat Mitzvah Postponement Cards
July 5th, 2020

How to Word Bar Bat Mitzvah Postponement Cards

You’ve successfully rescheduled your child’s Bar or Bat Mitzvah. Now it’s time to let your guests know about your new date.

With so many events being postponed in the wake of the coronavirus, you’ll want to make sure your friends and family put your new Bar Mitzvah or Bat Mitzvah date on their calendars. Following up with an official email or change of date card is definitely recommended. “Many families are looking for a formal way to communicate their new Bar or Bat Mitzvah date with their guests,” explains Jeanne Woodyard of Invitations4Less. “We’ll help them create a fun, unique message.” 

Vendors are creating everything from digital change of date cards to Bar Bat Mitzvah Websites to keep guests up-to-date. See below for some creative examples.

How to Communicate Your Bar Bat Mitzvah Change of Date

Did you send a clever postponement card that you would like to share? Let us know at info@mitzvahmarket.com.

Thousands of Bar and Bat Mitzvah families are sharing information and ideas about virtual Mitzvahs, re-booking their celebrations and more in Mitzvah Market’s 17 regional Facebook groups. Join here

Most Outstanding Bar Bat Mitzvah Appetizers
June 26th, 2020

Most Outstanding Bar Bat Mitzvah Appetizers

 
If you’re like us, the past few months at home have you missing the dancing, decor and delicious FOOD at Bar Bat Mitzvah celebrations more than ever.
 
We recently asked members of our regional Bar Bat Mitzvah Planning groups on Facebook to name their favorite Mitzvah hors d’oeuvres. Top pick? Mini hot dogs of course! We also asked a top Mitzvah caterer, to share their recipes for most requested apps.  

Top 5 Bar Bat Mitzvah Appetizers

Try This At Home

Looking for a little Mitzvah culinary inspiration at home? SPACE Events, which recently launched a mobile SPACE Kitchen, is a full service event planning, design, production and entertainment company based in Englewood, NJ. They say that their crab cakes with mango salsa and lamb chops with chimichurri sauce are two of their most requested hors d’oeuvres for Bar and Bat Mitzvah celebrations. They’re sharing their secret ingredients with our readers:

We all hope to be back enjoying these delicious Bar Bat Mitzvah celebration appetizers soon!
 
For more Bar Bat Mitzvah planning inspiration, check out our library of Mitzvah Ideas and join our regional Facebook groups.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mitzvah Market Magazine: The Power Of A Personalized Tallit
June 22nd, 2020

Mitzvah Market Magazine: The Power Of A Personalized Tallit

By Bethany Kandel

While every Bar Mitzvah boy and Bat Mitzvah girl may wear a tallit during services, the pieces of cloth are all unique.

Wrapping oneself in a shawl during prayer or reading from the Torah is meant to aid in attaining a proper mood of reverence for God. Made of silk, cotton, wool, or synthetics, a tallit can be plain and simple, or highly adorned. What transforms it from a mere piece of cloth into a tallit are the tzizit, the specially knotted fringes on the four corners, which are to remind us of the commandments of the Torah.

The tallit a young boy or girl wears for their Bar or Bat Mitzvah, can have great significance. Some are passed along from generation to generation. Others are bought on a trip to Israel. And now, many young people are choosing to either make or design their own, to add personal and truly unique meaning and expression to the symbolic garment.

Do you love the color purple? Design one in all its gorgeous shades. Why not weave in the names of your beloved late grandparents? Or how about including a whole family tree? When you design your own tallit, the sky is the limit. Here are some ways to create your own:

Weaving At The Loom Room

For the past four years, the Loom Room founded by the sisterhood at Neve Shalom Synagogue in Metuchen, NJ, has been a hub of activity and creativity. Hundreds of tallitot have come off the loom with colors that represent the rainbow, as well as the traditional blue and white stripe.

“It’s a priceless experience for the whole family to create a custom tallit,” explains Cory Schneider, founder of the Loom Room. Not only are they creating a one-of-a-kind family heirloom, but “It’s a journey they do together. It creates powerful memories. You don’t get that when you buy a tallit in the store.”

Laurie Solomon recently completed tallitot for each of her two young sons and a challah cover for her daughter there. The entire family took part in the weaving process, from the 93-year-old great-grandmother, to the youngest 6-year-old son. Why do it now, when her sons are only 10 and 6? “To make sure all the generations were around to participate,” says Solomon.

“I was never a weaver; I had no idea what I was getting into,” she adds. But over the months of work, she became very proficient. Now that the projects are complete, she’s excited for them to be worn by her sons in the future. “It’s something so meaningful and they’ll have forever. I hope they’ll remember the love and work that went into making them, and always think of us when they wear them; even we’re no longer around.”

Make Your Own

“I want the tallit to be a work of art,” says New York textile artist Susan Schorr. She works with students at West End Synagogue to design, dye, and paint on silk, sometimes using an ice-dye method. For kids who are vegetarians, or especially environmentally aware, she offers fabric made out of bamboo, pineapple leaves, cruelty-free silk, and even from recycled soda bottles.

Before starting the process, she encourages the kids to go through a design process and play with color until they find something they love. “I remind them to think to the future,” she says. “Some designs might be great for a 12-year-old, but they aren’t going to want to wear them at 17. They all want something they are going to be proud of.”

Some students incorporate photos, embroidery, and other embellishments. They often want to print quotes, including the traditional blessing. “I had one student who wanted to use the quote ‘Man plans; God laughs.’ The parents weren’t too happy about it, until they discovered that it was the quote the grandfather had used in his law school yearbook. Then they loved it.”

She encourages all the family members to get involved in tying the tzizit to make it even more special.

One-of-a-Kind Creativity

When Maxine Feldman was planning her son’s Bar Mitzvah 15 years ago, she wanted to do something creative for him. So, the New York City printmaker designed a tallit in his favorite colors, green and yellow.

She collaborated with a quilter from Ashland, OR, to complete the project. When people kept asking where she got his tallit, a business was born. Now Feldman works with local students to create custom tallitot out of raw silk. She hand-paints the four corners and a colorful stripe down the middle or a piece to go underthe atara. She can also make a matching pouch.

“I ask them what colors they like; what color combinations,” she says. “They love playing around with swatches and choosing color schemes. They want to be a part of the process instead of going to the store and just picking out a premade one. These are special and they’ll last a lifetime.”

Resources to create or commission your own hand-crafted tallit:

• Susan Schorr: To learn about classes or commission a tallit contact, srschorr@aol.com
• Maxine Feldman: Find out how to commission a handmade tallit by emailing, maxigirl425@optonline.net
• For information about the Neve Shalom Loom Room, contact Cory Schneider, 717-574-1807, or email corstan65@gmail.com, neveshalom.net/sisterhood
• There is also a loom room at the JCC of Wyoming Valley in Wilkes-Barre, PA, 570-824-4656, ext. 237, jewishwilkes-barre.org/activities/programming/tallis-weaving-at-the-jcc
• Pennsylvania Rabbi Rayzel Raphael makes personalized silk-painted tallit and offers workshops where you can make your own. 215-782-1221, shechinah.com/shechinah-silks.html
• The Tallis Lady sells hundreds of varieties of handmade tallitot, plus tallit clips, beaded and crocheted kippot, and more. 201-321-4995, thetallislady.com
• Artist Jan Lichtenstein’s work can be seen at itsbyjan.com. Contact her to commission a tallit, jan@itsbyjan.com.
• Etsy: Many artists on etsy.com sell all types of customized tallit.

Mitzvah Market Magazine 2019-2020Get your FREE copy here.

 

 

The Best Ideas for a Virtual Bar Bat Mitzvah Project
June 14th, 2020

The Best Ideas for a Virtual Bar Bat Mitzvah Project

If your Bar Bat Mitzvah child is home for the summer, this is a perfect time for them to work on their Mitzvah Project, or move their existing project to a virtual format.

Many Mitzvah projects can easily be started (and completed) from the safety and comfort of your home. Food shopping for the elderly, donating books to an under-served community and hosting virtual fundraisers are just a few of the causes young tweens can do with minimal help from an adult.

See below for Mitzvah Market’s Favorite Virtual Mitzvah Project Ideas and Organizations: 

Projects Related to COVID-19

Perhaps the easiest Mitzvah Project to implement right now is to send letters to vulnerable members of your community who may be at stuck at home due to the Coronavirus pandemic — or to local healthcare workers who are on the front lines. 

Ideas from The Mitzvah Bowl

The Mitzvah Bowl is a terrific online resource for meaningful Mitzvah projects. Here are some of their ideas:

Where to Donate Your Mitzvah Project Proceeds

Bar Bat Mitzvah Twinning Program

 

For more Mitzvah Project ideas visit our library of stories here

To get ideas about Mitzvah Projects in your area, join one of Mitzvah Market’s 17 regional Facebook groups here.

Bar Mitzvah Celebration at Professional Sports Stadium
June 7th, 2020

Bar Mitzvah Celebration at Professional Sports Stadium

Die hard baseball fan Spencer Friedman of Marlboro, New Jersey celebrated his Bar Mitzvah with an party at Citizen’s Bank Park in Philadelphia. A few months before the event, his family took part in a once-in-a-lifetime photo shoot at the stadium. Event photographer Jen Davis captured every moment of this special all access experience, from the dugout and locker room to the batting cages and the field. 

See below for photos from this unique pre-shoot as well as Spencer’s Bar Mitzvah celebration.  

It’s a Beautiful Night for Baseball

Other Vendors Used: All Around Entertainment, Aramark (Food Service), Invitation by Skylographic Designs.

To learn more about Photography by Jen Davis, visit her profile page in Mitzvah Market’s Vendor Directory.

For more creative Bar Bat Mitzvah venue ideas in your area, check out Mitzvah Market’s 17 regional Facebook groups where thousands of parents are sharing ideas. Join now!

Step-By-Step instructions For Planning a Zoom Mitzvah Service, Celebration & More
May 31st, 2020

Step-By-Step instructions For Planning a Zoom Mitzvah Service, Celebration & More

NEW “LISTEN & LEARN SERIES” FOR BAR BAT MITZVAH PARENTS

If you’re planning or thinking about planning a virtual Bar or Bat Mitzvah, please join Mitzvah Market and Xtreme Event Group on Wednesday, June 10th at 7:30pm EDT for an online seminar. 

We will give you step-by-step instructions for planning a Zoom Bar or Bat Mitzvah service, celebration and more! With Fall 2020 dates uncertain, this is your opportunity to become educated on the virtual possibilities and new trends in at-home Mitzvah celebrations. From setting up the technology and lighting to trivia, photo booths and additional fun for your guests, you don’t want to miss this FREE informative session. 

**You must register here in order to receive the Zoom meeting ID and password. Further information will be sent a few days before the event. Friends must register separately.