July 30th, 2014
Mitzvah Moms come up with the best ideas! We discovered this unique organization and we can’t wait to pass it along to our readers.
The Make it Count Project provides creative and useful craft projects, to be completed at your event, for charitable donation. You choose the project you want and the charity organization that will benefit.
Amy Wynn Brown from Studio City, California, was thinking of something to do for her daughter’s Bat Mitzvah other than hiring entertainers or give party favors which get thrown away or forgotten. Brown spoke to her Rabbi about her concerns and he reminded her that the importance of this type of occasion for a 13 year-old boy or girl isn’t the party or gifts, but “to give back to the community as an individual, not just as a family.” Brown used her extensive background as an event planner, volunteer art teacher and clothing manufacturer to make her idea a reality.
Mitzvah kids participating in a Make It Count project
Here are two examples of projects available from The Make It Count Project:
The Hobby Box project is an activity box that guests decorate with patterned tapes and stickers and then fill with games, puzzles and craft activities. They created The Hobby Box project when a woman in the office was helping raise money for a boy she knew who was fighting cancer. While undergoing chemo therapy, the young boy was bored and it was clear he needed something positive to do to keep his mind and creativity active.
The Hobby Box
They also have Baby Blankets large enough to cover infant incubators at a hospital’s ICU. Hospitals need the blankets to help block some of the light for the sensitive eyes of the infants. They also add a personal touch to the baby’s first “crib” and parents love to look in and see the color surrounding their baby.
Colorful Baby Blankets
The original concept was created with “Mitzvahs” in mind, they have since expanded to include other special occasions. They now sell “Make It Count” kits, so you can participate from anywhere in the country.
For more information, visit their Website. Check them out on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.
July 27th, 2014
We read about this great Mitzvah Project in the The Queens Ledger and we wanted to share.
Marshall Nisselbaum of Forest Hills, New York, handed $2,000 to people he’s never even met before all in the name of helping animals! Animals are a part of his extended family, and this 13-year-old is determined to prove just that by raising funds to rescue and provide better lifestyles for homeless animals.
Marshall celebrated his Bar Mitzvah on May 17, 2014, and at that time launched “Marshall’s Mitzvah Project. He also asked his parents to spend less money on his Bar Mitzvah party, so he could donate some additional funds to local rescue groups.
Nisselbaum partnered with Trylon Vet Care, a local veterinary practice where Dr. Stephen Wyler and his colleagues have provided care since 1992, to heal and assist pets. They also coordinate with nonprofit foster homes, which rescue animals from shelters and provide them with care until a permanent home is found.
Trylon accepted tax-deductible monetary donations, food, toys, clean towels, and new or gently used pet carriers.
“I wanted to raise enough money and gather food, toys, and supplies so that animals can be adopted in forever families,” said Nisselbaum.
Marshall’s Mitzvah Project was his first fundraiser, although he has supported charities such as the World Wildlife Fund and aided black-footed ferrets, gray wolves, and other African mammals.
“I have personally contributed about $150 over the past 8 years,” said Nisselbaum.
Nisselbaum is also an advocate for animal rights. “You should think about what you’re doing,” is his advice to animal abusers. “It’s hurtful to living creatures, and that’s not fair, since all living creatures deserve the same rights as humans.”
Since it first opened, Trylon Vet Care has provided care for the Nisselbuam family pets, including cats Jojo, Jem, and Scout, as well as a male ball python named Ty.
Marshall handing over a check for $2,000 from the money he raised
Trylon Vet Care has a “doggie bank” on its front desk and collects funds that are used quarterly to buy food and supplies or donated to individual groups. This past quarter is dedicated to Marshall’s Mitzvah Project. Trylon Vet Care has corporate sponsors, and Hill’s Science Diet and Purina Pet Foods are participating in the effort.
“Marshall is a true inspiration,” said Trylon Vet Care practice manager and Forest Hills resident Karla Wallach. “There are so many stories about how today’s youth is stuck in a technology coma, apathetic to the troubles of the world. However, it’s young people like Marshall that will lead other young generations to take on the world’s social concerns, and use the power of today’s technology for positive change in our world.”
We thank The Queens Ledger and the Nisselbaum Family for sharing Marshall’s amazing Mitzvah Project with our readers.
July 27th, 2014
Lindsy Steinberg of Lindsy Steinberg Events in Houston, Texas, specializes in event planning and design. She recently created a unique Bat Mitzvah theme that we had to share.
The Bat Mitzvah girl has a love for superheroes of all kinds, so Lindsy put her super powers to work and created a Comic Book style party with fabulous details.
Working with some great vendors, including Invitation Solutions, who created custom placemats, napkins, t-shirts and menus for the party and RE Event Solutions who created the custom furniture.
Natural Expressions was the photographer.
Kippot customized with the Super hero logo and “L” for Lisa
Custom programs look beautiful with a blue accent ribbon
The vibrant graphics, as seen on these placemats, were used throughout the party
And on the menu
High-top cocktail tables with spandex and comic font logo decal really pops!
Super photo props
The logo front and center on the bar
An awesome entrance with all of Lisa’s logos and exclamations displayed
Make-your-own frozen yogurt sundae station that would not have been the same without the custom cups they created
Digital caricature artist added to the fun
We thank Lindsy Steinberg of Lindsy Steinberg Events for sharing this Super-fantastic Bat Mitzvah with our readers.
Party Planner: Lindsy Steinberg, Lindsy Steinberg Events; Photographer: Natural Expressions Photography; Custom cocktail napkins, programs and Kippot, Invitation Solutions; Lounge furniture, RE Event Solutions; Music/DJ, Maxed Out Entertainment
July 20th, 2014
Flash Tattoos are gorgeous, metallic, jewelry-inspired temporary tattoos!
This is the must-have trend this summer and all the rage at sleep-away camps too.
We think this would make a great activity at your Mitzvah reception.
Flash Tattoos are non-toxic and safe for anyone to wear. All Flash Tattoos pass safety standards for the cosmetic and toy product industries and meet all U.S. and international regulatory requirements.
They are tattoos for serious (and not so serious) fashionistas. Just apply, glimmer and go!
Sophisticated, elegant and temporary
The perfect accessory
They last up to 7 days and each kit contains 4 sheets of fun
Check out their Website at Flash Tattoos.
July 13th, 2014
Tracy Davis Fox owner of Party Artistry, a full-service event-planning group with offices in New York and New Jersey specializing in event design, created a wonderful Bat Mitzvah for her own daughter that we had to share.
Deciding on a progressive party concept, this creative Mitzvah Mom and event planner re-used various spaces within the Hilton Short Hills located in Short Hills, New Jersey.
While guests were focused on the formalities at hand, the Party Artistry team along with the help of Almar Tent and Party Rentals who supplied all the tenting, flooring and furniture, were busy “flipping” rooms from one decor to another.
Photography by Roy Cafaro of In Sync Photography and Tamara Contreras of Tadaisy Photography.
A sanctuary complete with stained glass windows, an ark for the Torah and beautiful vivid fresh florals was created for a warm and meaningful Havdalah service
The main room was ready for the adult cocktail hour where guests enjoyed the beauty of a white and green environment
Sleek and modern were mixed with Victorian and industrial to keep things interesting
What better way to divide a room than with 8 foot tall panels of the Bat Mitzvah girl?
Metallic green drapes mixed with crisp white helped to transform the room. The light-up bars on both sides of the room provided a place to sit, stand and enjoy the festivities.
The “Flip” of a space happened when the sanctuary was transformed into an elegant dinner tent complete with 40 foot long tables and gorgeous red lighting!
Mismatched chairs surrounded the solid red table coverings for a unique and original look
While the adults were dining, the kids were going crazy in “Club Wild Fox” which was one big dance floor covered in leopard and animal prints
Within the dinner tent was a “custom kitchen” set up for presentations to reflect Lexie’s love of the food shows and cooking. Instead of a traditional candle lighting ceremony, a “recipe for life” was mixed in front of guests
The “Shakey Ground” live band was ready to go when guests re-entered the room for the after party and a whole new atmosphere
We thank Tracy Davis Fox of Party Artistry for sharing this great celebration with our readers.
Party Planner: Tracy Davis Fox, Party Artistry; Venue: Hilton Short Hills; Tent, Flooring, Staging, Furniture and Tables: Almar Party and Tent Rentals; Music Entertainment: Shakey Ground Band;
Photography: Roy Cafaro, In Sync Photography and Tamara Contreras, Tadaisy Photography.
July 8th, 2014
Did you know that July is National Ice Cream Month? Who doesn’t like ice cream? Whether it’s summer, winter, spring or fall, it’s hard to resist this creamy treat.
Treat your guests to something really special by renting these fun ice cream trucks or carts. Make sure you have a variety of flavors and order enough ice cream for everyone to have seconds.
You’ll surely scream when you see these unique ways to serve your Bar Bat Mitzvah guests their ice cream!
Delicious Ice Cream has two 1950s-era fully restored ice cream trucks available for your next event. With each rental a uniformed ice cream man will deliver fully stacked frozen treats in museum-style trucks. They have a 1950 open style ice cream truck and a 1954 closed cab ice cream truck.
All the classic flavors are included: Strawberry Shortcake, Chocolate Eclair, Toasted Almond, Creamsicle, and more
The trucks typically take 1st place at car shows
Little Baby’s Ice Cream is a hand-made, small-batch, super-premium Ice Cream Company. They specialize in unique and surprising flavor combinations with additional emphasis on providing non-dairy and vegan options to suit every kind of taste.
Little Baby’s Ice Cream Cart
Dippin’ Dots is fresh ice cream that has been chilled to -40 degrees to provide a unique taste experience. Dippin’ Dots is not available at traditional retail outlets, so it’s extra special to serve it at your Bar Bat Mitzvah celebration.
Dippin’ Dots can be set up as a stand-alone dessert offering, or part of a dessert table
June 22nd, 2014
One way to make sure your guests enjoy their Bar Bat Mitzvah favors, is to make them edible!
There are plenty of ways to add a memorable and unique touch when choosing a food favor.
They can be designed with various colors and themes.
Below are some great edible favors we found and had to share.
Favor It Things creates custom chocolate favors like these entirely edible frames and photos!
We found these “look too good to eat” favors on Biz Bash. Creme Delicious henna-inspired cakes are miniature works of art and one of Oprah’s favorite things!
Send your child’s photo or logo to Manjar Sweets and the bakery can turn them into edible Instagram sugar cookies frosted to look like the popular social media company’s camera icon
Another Biz Bash find, Fred’s Marshmallows gives the artisanal treatment to the campfire favorite, with flavors such as key lime and apple pie. The company is available to cater events and can even create edible marshmallow centerpieces
Good Karmal offers handcrafted flavored and salted caramel gifts that are wrapped in positive quotations. These bite-sized flavorful gems deliver a positive message to your guests with every sweet bite
Candy With a Twist creates personalized smores kits with custom logo’d marshmallows
Parker’s Crazy Cookies takes photos and turns them into little caricatures which are baked fresh for each online order
Sweeties by Kim creates decorative oreos in many designs
Did you have an edible favor at your child’s Bar or Bat Mitzvah? Let us know at info@mitzvahmarket.com.
June 18th, 2014
We are seeing many, many “signs” at Bar Bat Mitzvah celebrations. Is “signage” a trend?
There are so many uses for signs, you can take helpful information and express it in a creative way. There’s even room for you to be unique and create something on your own.
If you’re looking to add some creativity and visual pop with some special messages, here’s a few ideas to get you started:
Julie Cohen from It Events by Julie, created a fun Bar Mitzvah based on the book, Diary Of A Wimpy Kid featuring clever signage. See more of this story here
Brian Ambrose Photography shot Max’s Baseball themed Bar Mitzvah that included fun signage!
Alice in Wonderland theme from Ann Marie Casey Photography featured “Alice” themed signage
At Jasper’s Bar Mitzvah there was a sign explaining that the napkin rings were made out of Jasper Stone and doubled as bracelets for the ladies to take home. From Party Planner Melisa Imberman, The Event of A Lifetime, Inc.
Stacey Kesselman of Exceptional-Events transformed a ballroom into “Goldy’s Backyard Barbecue,” the Bar Mitzvah boy’s nickname. See the rest of this story here
Magnolia West Events created the “campy” signage for the Beinhaker Family Spotlight story which took place at a sleepaway camp
It’s dessert time, Dig In! Photographed by Sterling Tyler Photography
“Live Your Goals” for a soccer themed Mitzvah from Munoz Photography
Simcha’s Events created this Beach Bummin’ theme for Blake’s Bar Mitzvah. See the rest of this story here
For this “dog” themed Bat Mitzvah, many signs were used including Sit!, Treats, and Drop It. To see the rest of this Mitzvah Inspire story, click here
Did you have unique signage at your child’s Bar Bat Mitzvah? Let us know at info@MitzvahMarket.com.
June 18th, 2014
The Feinstein family of Montville, New Jersey, celebrated son Andrew’s Bar Mitzvah on March 23, 2013, at Pine Brook Jewish Center in Pine Brook, New Jersey. The reception following was held at the One & Only Westmount Country Club in Woodland Park, New Jersey.
Andrew’s Bar Mitzvah was close to the week of March Madness and basketball is his favorite sport. They wanted to find a way to make this theme unique. In between Mom’s busy work schedule, she selected some key vendors to pull the party together and make it special and fun.
Pictured above L-R: Dad Jon, Mom Shari, Bar Mitzvah boy Andrew and Brother Matthew.
Photography by Mario and Nina took care of the pictures and the rest of the vendors are at the end of the spotlight.
Andrew posed in front of the beautiful torahs wearing the tallit from his grandparents, Marvin and Marsha Serota
The classic invitation, navy blue and silver, was from Andrea Kronethal of Small Fry Press
Andrew’s love for college basketball was thoughtfully woven throughout the party. Mom Shari worked with Small Fry Press for awesome place cards. Joining the collaboration was Atlas Florists who created the centerpieces, sign-in board, background for the place cards and the archway sign that wowed guests when entering the ballroom
Basketball jersey shaped place cards were a real crowd-pleaser
A great decor element was custom signage with Andrew’s logo and lights that fit perfectly in the archway
Andrew standing in the ballroom before his guests arrived. The wall of windows were covered with blackout fabric by Atlas Florist to give a nighttime feel to a daytime party
The centerpieces were actual basketballs suspended in nets
The ballroom all decked out
Andrew and his friends really enjoyed the cocktail hour which took place in a heated tent outside the venue with pennants for every March Madness team
The basketball themed gift box
The dancers were dressed in referee uniforms
Andrew’s guests waving him into the room with custom printed rally towels
The dancers surrounded the guest of honor
Andrew up in the chair for the Horah
Andrew took over the MC duties from MC Gregg
The family incorporated a candle at each adult place setting and had each person light the candle with Andrew during his candle lighting
The Feinstein family took a minute for a great photo op
The desserts from The One and Only Westmount Country Club made a grand entrance with this flaming Baked Alaska to accompany a huge assortment of desserts and a sundae bar
Palermo’s Bakery scored big time with this custom cake for Andrew
Tying the March Madness theme together was Core Promotions who printed the sweatshirts, drawstring bags and the towels
Andrew and his closest friends kept the party going when they took a stretch limousine back to his house for a sleepover
…on their way to Andrew’s house
Drinks were given to guests as the party ended with custom labels from Small Fry Press
Mitzvah Project
Andrew teamed up with Nike’s Reuse-a-Shoe program and collected worn-out athletic shoes. Nike recycles them into material used in sports surfaces like basketball courts for kids around the world.
He collected hundreds of pairs of sneakers
Some advice from Mom Shari:
“Become important to a few vendors. Use their efficiencies and make it easier on yourself. For example, Small Fry Press not only created our invitations, they created the table place cards, name tags for the sweatshirts, water bottle labels and out of town guest cards. Atlas Florists created the centerpieces, but they also created the sign in board, created the scene for the place cards and the archway sign in the entrance to the ballroom. Pure Energy was the DJ for the evening but they supplied the photo bar, zap photos and plasma screens as well. Core Promotions printed the sweatshirts, drawstring bags and the napkins. Booking multiple tasks with these 4 vendors made my vendor list for the evening smaller than most affairs. Second Mom Advice: If you are a type A personality like me, leave it at home the day of the party. You hired your vendors to do their jobs, let them handle anything that comes up. Don’t get wrapped up in any issues and ENJOY the day/evening you worked so hard to plan.”
The following vendors helped to make Andrew’s Bar Mitzvah special. If you give any of them a call, let them know you read about their services on MitzvahMarket.com
Venue: Stephanie Del Gatto, One & Only Westmount Country Club, 973-256-2700
Photography/Videography: Mario, Photography by Mario and Nina, 973-696-2400
Decor: Matthew, Atlas Floral Decorators, 212-707-8355
Music Entertainment, plasma screens, zap Shots: MC Gregg, Pure Energy Entertainment, 800-419-5355
Invitation and place cards: Andrea, Small Fry Press, 914-747-6668
Sweatshirts, sports sack favors, towels napkins: Gerry, Core Promotions, 973-794-5355
Cake: Palermo’s Bakery, 201-614-1654
Card Box: Briana Deedmeyer, 908-692-5281
Name tags, water bottle labels, out of town guest cards: Small Fry Press, 914-747-6668
Mom’s dress: Coco’s Chateau, 973-812-8800
Men’s suits: Steve, The Clothing Center, 732-254-0870
Hair: Steven, Makeup: Kim, Bollo Salon, 973-402-3900
June 11th, 2014
In honor of the unofficial start of summer we can’t wait to share this amazing beach themed Bar Mitzvah from Simcha Lourie, owner of Simcha’s Events, a premier event planning company in St Louis, Missouri.
Simcha and her team created a beach themed Bar Mitzvah inside the Meadowbrook Country Club in Ballwin, Missouri.
With the tropical decor and beached themed details we are shore you will love this one!
Video Gate Studio was the photographer and the rest of the vendor information is listed below.
The surprise theme of “Beach Bummin’ with Blake” was revealed as guests entered the ballroom
Blake entered the room with his sisters and parents by his side
Guests looked at weathered boards to find out where they were seated
Exclusive Events custom-built this bar in the middle of the ballroom
For the tables on the adult side, simple but beautiful exotic flowers served as the floral element with raffia table cloths
Kids sat at custom surfboard tables designed by Exclusive Events
Blake’s Mitzvah “entrance style” included shorts and flip flops
Some of the adult guests were seated at elevated cabanas overlooking the party
A view from the cabana table
Young guests could ride a surf simulator with a custom designed game that featured Blake
“Mazel On The Beach” drinks were served to the adult guests
Signage for the Kids Bar were posted in the sand
Blake up in the chair during the Horah wearing a “Bite Me” shark fin hat
All the guests wanted to wear one too!
Favors were given out from the custom t-shirt shack
We thank Simcha Lourie and her team from Simcha’s Events for sharing this creative Bar Mitzvah with our readers.
Event Planner: Simcha Lourie, Simcha’s Events; Venue: Meadowbrook Country Club; Photography: Video Gate Studio; Decor: Exclusive Events
