January 31st, 2020
Spectrum Designs Fd. is a social enterprise with a social mission to help individuals with Autism lead full & productive lives through the world of work. To that end, we have 3 non-profit businesses where 75% of our staff are individuals on the Spectrum. Custom Apparel & Promotional items (www.spectrumdesigns.org) and gourmet granola and treats (www.spectrumbakes.org) and a boutique laundry (www.spectrumsuds.org)
By purchasing Bar & Bat Mitzvah items through Spectrum, you are literally changing a life for individuals who face a 90% unemployment rate after aging out of school-based programs/supports at 21. A win-win for Bar & Bat Mitzvahs- a one stop shop to support Autism employment and purchase your swag!
January 28th, 2020
OneFamily cares for victims of terrorist attacks in Israel. Become a true hero by sponsoring the bar or bat mitzvah of a victim of terror, or sponsor a poor family for the entire year! Donations of all sizes go towards repairing shattered lives. We can arrange bat/bat mitzvah twinnings anywhere in the US (anywhere in the world, really). You will receive your “twin’s” profile and we will help you establish a relationship. The twinning donation can be made at any time. If you choose to do a fundraising project, we will help you find something creative that will be enjoyable to you and meaningful! Mazal tov on your simcha! Thanks for sharing your celebration with OneFamily victims in Israel.
January 26th, 2020
Siblings Nathanial and Samantha Glucksman were born 16 months apart, so sharing their B’nai Mitzvah was an easy choice. “They are so close, so it was very special for them to do this together,” says mom, Danielle. The family, from Ontario, Canada, chose The Avenue Banquet Hall for their “dress to impress” simcha, following a weekday service at their synagogue.
The next challenge? How to combine the siblings’ two very different themes. Nathanial loves European soccer, while Samantha is a big musical theatre fan. Through the use of creative graphics and a simple, unified color scheme, each child was represented.
Among the special moments, the siblings entered the reception on adjacent red and green carpets (red for Broadway and green astro turf for soccer); guests found their place cards disguised as theatre or soccer tickets and a cotton candy table ended the night on a sweet note.
The big surprise of the celebration was a performance by the original Toronto cast of The Lion King! “Nathanial was in on the surprise but Samantha was not as we wanted it to be a magical moment for her,” explains Danielle, who worked with the venue to coordinate this special act.
The photographer for this event was Joel Nadel of Event Imaging. A complete list of Vendors follows at the end of this Spotlight.
Sibling Service
Invitation to the weekday service at Beth Emeth Bais Yeshuda Synagogue
The family before the ceremony- Samantha, dad Jeffrey, mom Danielle and Nathanial
The siblings on the bima
A special moment for their family
For their Mitzvah Project, Nathanial and Samantha created their own gift baskets for a local animal shelter. The baskets were displayed as centerpieces at the brunch following thier service
Double the Fun Reception
The invitation to the weekend party revealed the two themes of the night
Ready to party!
As guests entered the reception, they saw oversized posters of European soccer teams and Broadway shows
Place cards were designed as tickets
Close up of tickets, with the siblings' logo
Sign in boards: Manchester United for him and Hamilton for her
Signs, featuring a bold graphic logo, cleverly merged the two themes
Inside the reception, silver and black linens, accented by red napkins kept the color scheme bold and bright
Red lights added additional drama
Centerpieces were crafted out of lucite stands and boxes with soccer team logos...
and Broadway musical images and quotes
Nathanial made his big entrance down a green astro turf carpet (behind to his left)
Samantha skipped down her very own red carpet
The horah
Everyone had a blast on the dance floor!
The DJ kept the dance floor packed
Dance floor giveaways included sports jerseys, stuffies, plush pillows and more
Custom high tops were designed with Samanthas favorite musicals
Special Moments
The original Toronto cast of The Lion King made a special performance
Samantha joimed the cast on stage
Samantha and Nathanial with their dancers - who kept the energy up all night!
Photo booth backdrops featured Times Square...
...and the Manchester United locker room
The night ended on a sweet note thanks to the cotton candy table
Mitzvah Advice
“Take time to plan, research and enjoy the event!” says mom Danielle. “Also, collect giveaways ahead of time. I started buying stuffies and other goodies from sales after Christmas, Valentine’s Day, store closing events etc…”
Mitzvah Project
Nathanial and Samantha love animals so they picked the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals as their Mitzvah Project. At the brunch following their service, each table featured a box, made by Nathanial and Samantha, filled with items needed by the shelter. In addition, through the Canadian Society for Yad Vashem, Nathanial and Samantha participated in the Bar/Bat Mitzvah Twinning Program, to commemorate the lives of two children who died in the Holocaust.
Vendor Directory
The following Vendors helped to make this celebration a success. If you contact them, please let them know you read about their services on MitzvahMarket.com.
Venue/Event Planner/Security: The Avenue, Marla Kay, 905-669-0777
Music/DJ: Bounce Entertainment, 416-647-2677
Photographer/Photo Booth: Event Imaging, Joel Nadel, 416-613-8368
Videographer: Ori Watkin Video Productions, 905-660-3125
Entertainment/Lion King Performance: St Kitts Music Inc, George St Kitts, 905-841-6489
Invitations/Logos/Place Cards/Sign-In Board/Decor: Rock Paper Events, Heather Glowinsky, 647-497-5320
Cotton Candy Table: Farco Entertainment, 905-761-9948
Dresses: Honey, 905-836-0040 (Samantha); Laura, 877-937-8630 (mom)
Custom High Top Sneakers: Etsy.com
Suits: North Boys, 905-771-0987 (Nathanial); Harry Rosen, 1-800-917-6736 (dad)
Hair/Makeup: Daiana Stetter, 647-308-0702 (hair); Dana, Sephora Hillcrest, 905-780-9433 (makeup)
Planning your child’s Bar or Bat Mitzvah? Ask questions and get advice from other Mitzvah parents in your area through Mitzvah Market’s 17 regional Facebook groups. Join here.
January 20th, 2020
By Jared Schwartz
Tradition, family, and giving back has been a big part of my life since day one. Yet, it’s only recently that I truly understood its importance.
From a young age I have been attending my family’s Adam Scott Weiss (ASW) Cares for Kids fundraisers year after year. When I was as young as five, I never really understood the meaning behind them. To me, it was just a fun party, as I would see family and friends, eat good food, and ask the DJ to play my favorite songs. However, I will never forget sitting at family dinners and hearing everyone discussing ways to improve the fund, and planning for the upcoming year. During these years of repeating these traditions I began to understand what this was all about.
My mom’s oldest brother, Adam, was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer when he was 10 and she was 7. As you’d expect, Adam spent many days in the hospital, and time passed quite slowly. Adam had nothing but a hospital bed and a tiny TV in his room at NYU Langone Medical Center. Few toys, games, and books could be found in the hospital playroom. Not only was this terrible for the children in the hospital, but boring for my mom and my uncles, who would always visit Adam for extended periods of time on the weekends.
Unfortunately, Adam passed away at age 12, which left my mom, grandparents, and uncles devastated. But sitting there, just being sad wouldn’t help anyone; it couldn’t be an option. So, after mourning, they created ASW Cares for Kids, a family foundation. The mission was to make sick kids’ lives more enjoyable and help them and their families pass time faster while they’re undergoing treatment as a patient in the hospital. Drawing on their experience while Adam was in the hospital for so many weeks, they began to transition the 9th floor of NYU Medical Center into a more child-friendly environment; adding a functional playroom, media center, library, a pantry where a family can warm a home cooked meal, and a treatment room for invasive procedures with an elaborate fish tank and movie screen to distract the children during these painful treatments.
When I began to study for my Bar Mitzvah and the cantor spoke to our class about a Mitzvah Project, it was very obvious to me what I would do. As I always knew that diagnosis of a sick child cannot be helped, however the way a sick child goes about their day can. So, I spoke with the Supervisor for Pediatric Services at Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital at NYU Langone and we brainstormed ideas. She told me that bubbles, Play-Doh, Uno, other card games, and crayons are items that are always needed for the children. Because they are concerned about spreading germs, these are single use items and they can never be shared.
After that conversation, my mom and I had a card printed up to be enclosed with my Bar Mitzvah invitation asking all my guests to kindly bring some of these items with them on May 11th. With that, the Amazon deliveries to my house bringing boxes of Crayola, decks of cards, and bubbles were amazing! Friends from Florida and Massachusetts, who were unable to attend but wanted to help, sent as much as they could.
And then, coming home from my party with eight boxes full of the requested items made my whole Bar Mitzvah experience worth it. Knowing and hearing from people and the child life specialists working at Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital about how many kids’ lives and days were about to be made more enjoyable was so special to me and made it so worth my while.
Jared with some of the donations he collected for hospitalized kids
One lesson I’ve learned from studying my family’s organization and becoming a man in the Jewish religion officially at my Bar Mitzvah, is how to make the best out of everything that happens to you in your life. In fact, that was one of the main points I wrote about in my speech on my special day; if something in your life isn’t going right, don’t waste your time on that, find something else to do, or learn and grow with it. This is a lesson I am continuing to use and will take with me forever.
As I said, tradition is a big part of my life. One of my goals is to take the keys of this charity and inspire others, including, hopefully, my siblings and cousins. I hope to keep the tradition going, and someday give my own kids the gift of doing things in your life to benefit others that I was given at a young age. At the end of this Mitzvah Project, my wish is to expand on the mission to help hospitalized children and their families.
To give back will become my personal tradition.
Jared Schwartz is an 8th grader from West Harrison, NY. To learn more about ASW Cares for Kids, visit aswcaresforkids.org.
Get your FREE copy here.
January 11th, 2020
If there’s one thing Bo knows, it’s basketball. As a basketball player and fan, he knows players and stats from before he was born! When it came time to plan his Bar Mitzvah celebration, his family knew that basketball would play a major role, and they brought in Melisa Imberman from The Event of a Lifetime, Inc. to help bring his vision to life.
Imberman turned a sports facility, Fenom Fitness in Harrison, NY, into a vintage basketball lounge. In collaboration with Hi Tech Events, the space was completely transformed into a sports enthusiasts dream. The tagline “Bo Knows” was repeated throughout many elements at the event – including decor, food presentations, favors and more. Custom graphics and logos played a major role in the decor and branding for this event. All wall hangings at the venue were replaced with custom graphics and photos from the pre Mitzvah shoot and were turned into vintage magazine covers and ads. Signage pointed the kids to the boys’ and girls’ locker rooms where they found their names on the lockers with logo rally towels.
The biggest moment of the night was definitely Bo’s (surprise!) grand entrance… on the shoulders of the world famous Harlem Wizards, who also performed a brief show, took selfies and more!
Above photo: Bo is joined by his mom, dad and little sister on the court. The photographer for this event was Hi Tech Events.
Read on to see more photos from this Bat Mitzvah Baller:
Custom Graphics
Basketball Bonanza
The main court at Fenom Fitness was totally transformed with custom LED screens, graphics, decor and games
A custom Jumbotron created a major WOW moment when guests entered the court
Bo's logo was printed across the entire dance floor
A photo of Bo playing basketball was superimposed on a custom graffiti mural which was designed to mimic the existing graffiti on one of the gym's walls
Vintage pennants were hung from the ceiling, and a variety of games, including customized cornhole, were available to play on the court
A VIP lounge for the kids featured benches with logo stadium seat cushions and a Players Club for the adults was set up with distressed leather couches and logo pillows
Custom throw pillows for the kids lounge...
... featured various Bo Knows logos
The sign in board was made from a basketball hoop/backboard of course!
The gift box was cleverly disguised as a customize mail box
Imberman covered up the venue's vending machines with branded graphics
Bo's image and party swag greeted guests as they entered the venue
Bo's entrance was pretty grand… his parents and younger sister were introduced, guests were given giant foam fingers to greet the Bar Mitzvah boy: Bo surprised everyone by coming out on the shoulders of the World Famous Harlem Wizards!
A Horah to remember!
After the Horah, the entire team came out to celebrate with Bo and his guests
After the Wizards short show, dancers kept the action on the dance floor
Dancers wore Bo Knows jerseys; guests put on their giveaway t-shirts, custom hats, socks and more
Imberman brought in a brand new interactive game, Boomerang Array, for Bo and his guests. This was the game's Bar Mitzvah debut!
Adults and kids all had a blast taking photos in the Boomerang Array which creates GIfs for guests to share on social media
The Nike Fit Plus challenge was a big hit with guests
Here Bo gets in on the fun!
Everyone wanted to be on the leader board for the BBX pop-a-shot
Cornhole and The Elite Feet Sock Shop kept everyone busy
The Selfie Photo Booth had, of course, a basketball court backdrop!
Food & Favors
During the cocktail hour, waitstaff dressed in basketball jerseys walked around serving food -- think mini pizzas in a logo pizza box!
Dinner was served from concession stands representing some of Bo's favorite foods including...
Food was served in custom logo concession stand containers and trays
Branded napkin dispensers and cocktail napkins with basketball stats
Bo's Burgers & Beyond...
Mexican...
... and Asian
For dessert there was a yummy chipwich bar
Waiters also walked around with bite sized desserts
Bo Knows... that his guests looked great! These cute decals decorated restroom mirrors
Bo's friends picked up their classic basketball swag from this Souvenir Shop; each child took home a vintage sweatshirt, backpack, and other branded items (tshirts, seat cushions, autographed photo of the Harlem Wizards etc...)
Kids took home these cozy, vintage hoodies
Dance floor giveaways included basketball jerseys, t-shirts, hats and customized message fans
Another view of Bo's souvenier (aka party favor!) stand
At the end of the night, guests visited one last concession stand where they were given a to-go tray to load up with drinks and treats
Logo water bottles for everyone to take home
Total Transformation
Watch how The Event of a Lifetime transformed this space in a time-lapse video
here
We thank Melisa Imberman and The Event of a Lifetime, Inc. for sharing this totally unique and creative Bar Mitzvah with us. For more information about The Event of a Lifetime, Inc. check out their extended profile page.
January 11th, 2020
If you’re in planning mode for a Bar or Bat Mitzvah, you don’t want to miss this sale on premium lounge decor! Supreme Productionz Furniture and Décor Rental, based in Somerset, NJ, is holding their Warm Up to Winter sale and the savings are BIG!
Book by February 1, 2020 to lock in the following lounge package for $1,200:
2 high back white leather lounges
6 white leather ottomans
2 rectangular LED coffee tables
4 LED high boy tables with toppers
8 ghost bar stool chairs with tufted white leather cushions
1 circular lounge with center cone
Supreme Productionz will work with you to create the perfect décor layout to compliment your theme. See below to learn more about the sale and to see photos of their merchandise.
Learn more about Supreme Productionz Furniture and Rental Décor by visiting their extended profile page in our Vendor Directory.
January 5th, 2020
Vicki Ross, of Plan-it Vicki, is a seasoned event planner working throughout New York, Connecticut and Massachusetts. She recently planned an over the top gymnastics themed Bat Mitzvah in Hartford, CT. While the theme celebrated Bat Mitzvah girl Camryn’s love of gymnastics, the overall aesthetic was decidedly sophisticated and elegant.
“From the beginning of the planning process I knew this was going to be a special party,” says Ross. “The mitzvah girl and her family made it clear they wanted it all, and in the end, I think they got that, and more!” Ross transformed the G. Fox Building in downtown Hartford into a Roaring Twenties club, making the most of the art deco space. Silver linens, crystals, white orchids and dramatic purple lighting created a magical feeling. Two variations of Camryn’s logo (both featuring gymnast profiles) on lounge pillows, napkins and more, kept the mood fun and youthful.
Read on to see more from this unique celebration:
Camryn's invitation featured her color palette and an art deco vibe; hints of what was to come at her celebration!
Guests knew they were in store for a special night as soon as they saw the walking, talking place card table!
The sign-in board featured a design that echoed Camryn's invitation
A simple, elegant card box
Photos of the Bat Mitzvah competing were used as art throughout the venue
The Bat Mitzvah girl surrounded by her beautifully branded decor
Inside the two story atrium, a lounge space utilized furniture of various shapes and sizes
Another view of the lounge
Aerialists entertained guests during the cocktail hour
The entrance to the reception featured a giant arch and bejeweled pipe-and-drape uplit in shades of purple
Inside the art deco ballroom, purple lighting was used for dramatic effect
Silver and white table linens sparkled
Votives cast a beautiful glow
Feathers and crystals added to the theme
Gymnastics profiles with LED lighting added to the thematic decor
Gymnastics elements were featured at the bar
Clever branding throughout the event...
... even on cocktail napkins
Plan-it Vicki created a candle lighting centerpiece by using a painted balance beam and marquee letters
The step and repeat featured both of Camryn's logos
Friends of the Bat Mitzvah girl took home a metallic drawstring bag with their party SWAG inside
Custom phone charger favors were a big hit
We thank Vicki Ross of Plan-it Vicki for sharing this beautiful Bat Mitzvah with our readers. To learn more about Plan-it Vicki, visit their profile page in our Vendor Directory.
Additional vendors who helped to make this night unforgettable: Venue: G Fox Ballroom/Marquee Events, 860-278-4466; Photographer: Kate Lauren Studios, 860-508-2159; Invitations/Sign-In Board: Etched in Sloane, 201-848-6006; Centerpieces: Pentimento Flowers, 860-836-9503; Lounge Furniture/Entertainment: Boppers Events, 866-865-3535; Table Linens: Peak Event Services, 781-341-1600; Favors: Halo2cloud, 888-907-6274; Aerialists: Cirque to Go, 203-232-5208; Human Place Card Table: Screaming Queens Entertainment, 212-714-8097; Cocktail Napkins/Drawstring Party Favor Bags, Blue Light Promotions, 914-205-3328
For more Bar and Bat Mitzvah inspiration and ideas, join one of Mitzvah Market’s 17 Regional Planning Groups on Facebook here.
