May 23rd, 2012
We hear about the great swag celebrities receive at all the major awards shows (i.e. CMA’s, SAG Awards, Golden Globes, Oscars).
When you think about it, guests at a Bar/Bat Mitzvah celebrations receive lots of loot too! From the wearable favors, DJ tchotchke and photo favors, to the dual purpose place cards and Mitzvah Exit treats, our arms are also full when leaving a party.
A group of young guests leaving a Bat Mitzvah celebration with all their swag!
Here’s some ideas of the swag we’ve been seeing at Bar/Bat Mitzvahs around the country:
From SoBe (South Beach Photo Booth Company) comes SoBe Ice! These fine crystal pieces give their portraits an especially unique presentation. They are available in all sorts of custom sizes and shapes
Silicone bracelets from Balloon Artistry come in all colors and can be personalized with your special message
From the Dukofsky Bat Mitzvah and Interactive Entertainment Concepts the swag bags featured kids sweatshirts, t-shirts and jewelry favors
A “swag” draw string bag for your guests loot from thecoolestgiveaways.com
From Candy Depot, their chocolate covered pretzels are embellished with edible glitter and packaged with a bow. These are available in one or two pieces and come in a variety of colors to match your decor
From Alfa Card, customized iTunes download cards for your guests
Funtastic Photo Favors creates permanent heat transfer pictures on high gloss dog tags, key chains, luggage tags, cell phone cases, iPhone cases and dry erase boards!
Entertainment Tonite gives guests a variety of items on the dance floor. From top left clockwise: light up fan, mohawk hair, flashing dome ring, fedora hat, LED mouthpiece, arm sleeve tattoos
The Main Event’s Mobile Flip Book Studio sets up a backdrop at your event and records a short video of your guests hamming it up and having fun with themed props and custom signs. In under two minutes, these video clips are then translated into still images and bound in a professionally designed custom cover featuring your event theme, party date and photo or logo of your choice
Did your guests receive lots of swag at your child’s Bar/Bat Mitzvah celebration? Let us know at info@MitzvahMarket.com.
May 19th, 2012
Seventh-grader Elora Rosedale from Canton, Connecticut did not have to think hard about what to do for her Mitzvah Project.
Her Mom Aileen has been battling cancer and it was important to her to contribute to a cause that not only affects her Mother, but many others in her community.
Pictured left: Elora and her Mom Aileen
We spoke with Elora to learn more about her Mitzvah Project that brought healing to her community:
MM: Why did you decide to take on this particular project?
ER: I really wanted to help people out that have cancer because my Mom has been battling breast cancer for most of my life.
MM: In your own words, what does it mean to you to do a Mitzvah Project for your Bat Mitzvah?
ER: It means that I get to help out people that are less fortunate than others.
MM: Can you give us details of your Mitzvah Project?
ER: In honor of my Mom who has been going through chemotherapy treatments and has battled breast cancer since February 2003, I organized some fund raising at Canton Middle School. For Pajama Day, kids could wear pajamas to school with a $2 donation and teachers could wear jeans or pajamas by contributing at least $5. I raised almost $1100! I also sent out an email to my friends and family and raised $1500. A group of women from our sisterhood formed a knitting group and are making chemo shawls that are being donated to the place where my Mom gets her chemotherapy treatments. We are also making 50 chemo companion bags that will be donated to the Partnership for Breast Care at Hartford Hospital to fund 30 bed jackets that are given to women who are newly diagnosed with Breast Cancer. We are also donating gift cards to the sisterhood knitting group because they are going to keep knitting even after my Bat Mitzvah.
On Pajama Day, from left, are Aime Freedenberg, Sam Cabeceiras, English teacher Sarah Foster, Emily Mitchell, Caitlyn Love, Meg Callahan, Maddie Brown and Maggie Coleman
MM: How are you getting the word out about Healing Prayer Shawls?
ER: My English teacher, Sarah Foster helped me put together a video using my thoughts and personal story about why the effort was so important. The video uses images of a cross-section of society to show that the disease affects everyone.
Elora would like to keep the momentum going. Anyone interested in helping with raising funds or in knitting prayer shawls is welcome to contact Aileen at hseinwoods@comcast.net.
We thank Elora and her Mom Aileen for sharing their story and Mitzvah Project with our readers.
May 16th, 2012
This Bar Mitzvah boy from Bloomfield, Michigan is a rock fan. The only location he wanted for his Bar Mitzvah celebration was the historic live-music venue, The Crofoot located in the heart of downtown Pontiac, Michigan. The Crofoot is a full-service professional event space providing all the services necessary for the creation of a Rock n Roll Mitzvah!
Andrea Solomon was the event planner and Bob DiTommaso was the photographer.
Check out all the photos below:
An outdoor entrance sign made it look just like there was a real concert being held
Posters were put on the front windows of The Crofoot
The Crofoot created posters with 4 different designs
Michael Mcfeaters Designs created the large sign with a sketch of the Bar Mitzvah boy
Guests found their place cards at Will Call
Guests received backstage passes that a friend of the Mitzvah family designed
The savvy Mitzvah Dad found a great deal on lanyards on Ebay
Real record albums were hung from the ceiling on the patio area of the venue
Old record albums with candles made up the centerpieces
The view from the DJ booth
Andrea the event planner provided the acrylic candle lighting sign, and a candle with his name on it
We thank both Andrea and Robert for allowing us to share this celebration with our readers.
May 12th, 2012
This Atlanta family held a great laid back Bat Mitzvah in their backyard for their daughter Kyra in August 2011. Flips flops were the theme and they had lots of clever touches.
Photographer Chuck Robertson caught all the action.
The Bat Mitzvah girl’s logo on the service program
This table displays the yarmulkes, programs and pictures of the Bat Mitzvah girl’s parents at their Bar/Bat Mitzvahs.
The logo for the Kiddush lunch centerpieces
Great signage leading guests to the Flip Flop celebration
The pool was decorated with fun flip flop balloons
Cheerful and creative flip flop flowers made from actual flip flops!
When the sun went down the dancing started
Love the outdoor screen for watching the montage
The dance floor
Gotta love the horah in a bathing suit!
You need to cool off after all that dancing
Sweet dessert to a great party
We thank Chuck Robertson for sharing this fun Bat Mitzvah with our readers.
May 9th, 2012
When Kelsey Hirsch of Schwenksville, Pennsylvania heard about the Jerry Sandusky Penn State abuse case, she realized this could be the perfect opportunity to fulfill her dream of helping others and help prevent child abuse.
Since Kelsey’s Dad is an active alumni of Penn State, he suggested that Kelsey work with Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN), an organization against sexual violence. Kelsey decided to design and sell wristbands using the RAINN slogan: “HOPE. COURAGE. STRENGTH.” She has named her Mitzvah Project Bands4RAINN.
We spoke with Kelsey to learn more:
MM: In your own words, what does it mean to you to do a Mitzvah Project for your Bat Mitzvah?
KH: I think it means that everyone should help someone or something to make the world a better place.
MM: Can you give us details of your Mitzvah Project?
KH: I am taking donations and selling wristbands that say “HOPE. COURAGE. STRENGTH.” This is RAINN’s slogan and I’m raising money to help survivors to have these qualities. I am selling the bracelets for $3 each. They can be bought online at www.store.rainn.org.
MM: Why did you decide to take on this particular project?
KH: My parents explained everything about the Sandusky scandal at Penn State University and my first response was to ask how I could help. This project is my answer.
MM: If it involves a donation, what are you doing to spreading the word?
LH: I have setup a twitter account @bands4RAINN and also a Facebook page at facebook.com/bands4rainn. Each day we give a quote regarding “HOPE. COURAGE. STRENGTH.” We also post pictures and give information regarding survivor support and other areas that mirror my message.
MM: Does your project have a start and end date, if so what are they?:
KH: I started the project in November 2011, when I heard about the Sandusky scandal. While it officially ends on September 8, 2012, I hope it will continue until after I go to college (or longer).
MM: Anything else we need to know about your Mitzvah Project?
KH: I would really like to have everyone wearing a Bands4RAINN bracelet and hope that I can build this to a national level. While I have been featured in the Penn State “Daily Collegian” and on WPSU’s “Centre County Report,” I would like to see this grow to a more national level. Kelsey’s Bands4RAINN, her total raised has passed $5,500 and still growing.
We would like to thank Kelsey and her family for sharing her special Mitzvah Project with our readers.
Read an update about Kelsey’s Mitzvah Project here.
May 8th, 2012
Who is planning a Bar/Bat Mitzvah this Fall 2012? We already reported on the color of 2012 – Tangerine Tango.
We thought you might like to know the rest of the “it” colors for Fall 2012. Pantone, the authority on color unveiled their Pantone Fashion Color Report Fall 2012.
The report features the top 10 colors for the upcoming fall season and might give you some party decor inspiration.
Take a look at the colors you can expect to see reigning on the runways, special events and homes all across the country.
We hope we’ve given you some color inspiration for your Bar/Bat Mitzvah celebration!
May 4th, 2012
Hebcal.com is a free Jewish calendar and holiday Website. It includes a powerful custom Jewish calendar form that lets you generate a list of Jewish holidays for any year (past, present or future).
We like that you can take your child’s Bar/Bat Mitzvah date and plug it in here: www.hebcal.com/converter – click on the button that says, “Convert Gregorian to Hebrew Date.”
It will show you the Hebrew date of your child’s Bar/Bat Mitzvah as well as the name of the parsha (section or story) from the Torah that will be read on that date.
Now your child can begin studying!
For more information, visit their Website.
May 4th, 2012
Think you have seen all the ways a soccer Mitzvah can be done?
Think again. Evantine Design created the decor for a black and white elegant themed soccer Bar Mitzvah.
This sophisticated party took place at Green Valley Country Club in Lafayette Hills, Pennsylvania.
Photography was done by Susan Beard.
Although the Bar Mitzvah theme was soccer, this family did not want the party to have lots of sports paraphernalia so they went with a “referee-inspired” black and white striped fabric that was used on vases, chair backs, pillows and lampshades.
The place card table had a masculine feel with green flowers such as Limona Roses, Anthurium, Green Goddess Calla Lilies and Orchids. They were used in arrangements with tropical leaves and wheat grass
Images of the Bar Mitzvah boy were life like in the entrance area
The table numbers had black and white photographs of the Bar Mitzvah boy in action
The kids sat at long black satin covered high community tables with white bar stools. The lamp shades were the black and white stripes
The cocktail room had chairs covered in the black and white fabric
The adults were seated at white vinyl upholstered light up tables and the dance floor had the boy’s monogram
Very cool ice sculpture with the Bar Mitzvah boy’s monogram
The cake was created by Truli Confectionary Arts and was a replica of the Bar Mitzvah boy’s soccer bag
Here are a few other vendors who helped to make this Bar Mitzvah celebration special.
Logo and Artwork: Two Paperdolls
Location: Green Valley Country Club
Lighting: Eventions Productions
May 2nd, 2012
LunahZon Photography captured all the details of this “Back to the Future” themed celebration for a Bar Mitzvah boy who loves Marty McFly!
The party took place at the Renaissance Charlotte South Park Hotel with Creative Events Charlotte hand-making many of the props to fit in with this 1985 movie.
Check out how elements from your child’s favorite movie can be incorporated into their theme below:
Guests were greeted with a place card table featuring a clock and DeLorean, both elements from this great movie
The place cards featured photographs of the Bar Mitzvah boy that were taken during a “Back to the Future” photo shoot
The sign-in board also featured pictures from the photo shoot
The DeLorean car made famous from the movie was on display
Centerpieces were a clock which played an important part in the movie
Photo favors were taken with this famous background
The favors were T-shirts with hover boards on them
During his candle lighting ceremony, the Bar Mitzvah boy wore an orange vest ala Marty McFly!
We thank LunahZon Photography for sharing this creative Bar Mitzvah party with our readers.
May 1st, 2012
A candle lighting ceremony is a beautiful tradition that is part of many Bar/Bat Mitzvahs celebrations.
In the past, we wrote a story called, Candle Lighting Displays: No Formal Cake and we thought it would be fun to revisit that idea and see how families are creatively displaying their candles!
See some of the ideas we found below:
Jelly beans in clear paint cans from a celebration at Mamaroneck Beach & Yacht Club
An amusement park themed candle display from Adams Creative Images
The Mendelsohn Family had a neon display. They used 2” square bud vases and filled them with water balls and different color lights with floating candles on top
Posh Able Events created a pretty sea inspired candle lighting display
From Party Decorations by Marlyss, this creative display is for a Cirque du Soleil themed party
Balloon Artistry created these floating candles around the Bat Mitzvah cake
Verbena Designs created these votive candles with the Bat Mitzvah girl’s name
From the Gnat family, they used ceramic letter dishes, filled with candy from Lane Ivy to spell out their daughter’s name
An overhead view from Allison Sargent Events with beautiful color and ribbons
A creative candle lighting set up for Brandon from VIP Caterers
For a baseball themed celebration from its Events by julie
From Adams Creative Images this Bat Mitzvah girl had clear vases with a single beautiful flower
Did you have a creative candle lighting display? Let us know at info@MitzvahMarket.com.
