February 4th, 2012
Logan J. Pazol from Mendon, Massachusetts decided to create a Mitzvah Project that combined his love of video games and the love he feels for his grandmother!
Unfortunately, his grandmother passed away last March from lung cancer. To honor her, Logan and his dad created Donut Fighter, a video game app. They hope to sell 10,000 games to raise money for pediatric cancer research and treatment.
We spoke to Logan to learn more about this creative project:
MM: Why did you decide to take on this particular project?
LP: My grandmother died recently of lung cancer, so I wanted to do something to help people fight the disease. I’m very interested in computers and video games, so I thought that creating a game and selling it on iTunes would be a good way to raise money to help cancer research.
MM: Which charity is benefiting from your project?
LP: All of the proceeds from your purchase go directly to research and treating children with cancer St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
MM: Can you give us details of your Mitzvah Project?
LP: Donut Fighter is a game I created for the iPhone, iPod and iPad. Once the game starts, you box against a giant pink frosted donut with sprinkles. The game lasts for ten rounds with each round more difficult than the last. When you beat the donut in all ten rounds, the game is completed. You can buy Donut Fighter on the iTunes app store for 99 cents. If you do not have a device, and still wish to donate, you can purchase the game on a Mac or PC with the free download of iTunes.
Donut Fighter game app
MM: In your own words, what does it mean to you to do a Mitzvah Project for your Bar Mitzvah?
LP: It means that I am prepared to take on the responsibilities of the Mitzvot and shows you I am capable of following them.
MM: How are you getting the word out about Donut Fighter?
LP: Information about the game can be found on the iTunes App store. Stories about my project have been on the Fox 25 News, in the Miford Daily News, and the Worcester Telegram-Gazzette. We have submitted stories to technology sites and the MacDailyNews posted it. There is a Facebook page for Jimmy the Fighting Donut created to help awareness. You can help by clicking here to “like.”
MM: Anything else we need to know about your Mitzvah Project?
LP: We are planning on selling Donut Fighter until my Bar Mitzvah on March 3rd but if sales are still strong, we will keep it going.
We hope our readers will help out Logan and buy Donut Fighter! Thank you for sharing this project with our readers.
February 4th, 2012
Courtesy of Atlanta Occasions Online, this Bat Mitzvah theme, “Dana’s Sweet Celebration” was evident in every aspect of the event, starting with invitations.
The candy theme continued with a candy cart, “Dana’s Sweet Shop,” where guests were welcome to fill bags with sweet treats as they left the party.
All Photography from Chuck Robertson Photography.
Taking place at the Westin Hotel Buckhead and with the help of Karen Segal, Your Party by Karen and Event Savvy Atlanta, Dana’s dream of a party full of bright color, loud music and lots of candy came true.
The place cards were displayed in this beautifully decorated wagon
The place cards were made to look like lollipops
Color was everywhere in the linens, ceiling and centerpieces
Each centerpiece was unique, like this one with a whimsical candy theme
Bright blues, greens and zebra made this table really pop!
Everyone needs a job at a Bar/Bat Mitzvah!
The candle lighting took place with votive candles wrapped in zebra print floating in pink water
Guests went to “Dana’s Suite Shop” and filled bags with sweet treats from the colorful candy bar
Dana’s logo was used for stickers on the candy bags
We want to thank Atlanta Occasions Magazine for sharing this sweet celebration with our readers.
February 1st, 2012
At most Bar/Bat Mitzvah celebrations, the young guests receive a favor. Some like to present these parting gifts in a bag.
Lately we have seen some cute totes (some are reusable) and wanted to share what others are doing.
Check out this great assortment from some of our Mitzvah Family Spotlight stories and other vendors that might work for your child’s Bar/Bat Mitzvah celebration!
At Parker Siegel’s Bar Mitzvah a Parker Production tote was given to each guest
Event Planner Michelle Farber from M Studio Events created this shopping bag replica for her son Adam’s Adamcrombie themed celebration
From A Promos USA/Imagemaker this tie dye bag with matching handles is available in 20 colors and can be sold blank or printed
Read about how these favor bags were part of a donation made on behalf of the Udell family to the Music For Life organization
This grocery style bag from Sayings For You comes in many colors
At Erica Levy’s Bat Mitzvah the girls received a T-shirt and a pretty silver tote with Erica’s logo
From Foverer 21 these sunglass totes are $1.50!
From Beaucoup.com these are very eco-friendly totes
Did you use a cool bag for your child’s Bar/Bat Mitzvah favors? Let us know at info@MitzvahMarket.com.
January 24th, 2012
Tori Silberfein from Short Hills, New Jersey will always remember her cool Bat Mitzvah date of 9-10-11!
This family chose to have an elegant, yet fun affair at The Grove catering venue with a special guest appearance from another special Jersey girl!
All photography was done by Wendy Robinson Photography and the rest of the vendors are listed at the bottom of this spotlight.
Pictured left (L-R): Sister Julie, Bat Mitzvah girl Tori and Mom Carol.
Tori’s Bat Mitzvah service was held at Temple B’nai Jeshurun in Short Hills, New Jersey.
Tori’s service dress was from Holly Green
The invitation was created by Simply Invitations incorporating a pink and green theme.
Tori has some great style and looks beautiful in her pink dress which she got from Lynn Kohls.
Tori had an elegant yet fun affair at The Grove. Party Planner Beth Flyer helped Mitzvah Mom Carol with the decor which included beautiful pink linens with sheer overlays having a classic circle design and pink roses for the adults. The kids area was a young hip lounge area in white enhanced with a touch of pink on the pillows.
Gotta love the date
White leather couches and lounge furniture were accented by pink pillows and up lighting
Custom pillows were placed in the lounge area
Pretty pink table linens and pink roses added to the elegant adult tables
Up lighting really adds warmth to a room
Pure Energy provided lots of great music and MC Brian was part of all the action!
Tori’s “shout out” entrance video from Carl Hartman, Green Cheese Media was a big hit!
Everyone watching Tori’s montage
Justin Bieber was one of many celebrities that wished a Mazel Tov to Tori
Olivia Blois Sharpe from the TV hit reality show “Jerseylicious” surprised the guests. She was friendly and added extra excitement to the event. Adults and kids enjoyed her being there. She signed photos, danced and socialized with the guests of all ages. The energy from Olivia added to this wonderful affair.
Palermo Bakery created Tori’s cake.
Bat Mitzvah girl Tori, Mitzvah Mom Carol and sister Julie at the end of the candle lighting
The sign in was one of the custom pillows made for the lounge area that is now in Tori’s bedroom.
Holly Green created the sweatshirt favors.
Tori’s friends received “Flash Dance” style sweatshirts
As guests left the party, they received personalized water bottles and a box of Dunkin Donuts.
The following vendors helped to make Tori’s party special. If you give any of them a call, please make sure you let them know you read about their services on MitzvahMarket.com.
Venue: The Grove Michael Subarsky 973-239-0370
Party Planner: Parties Simplified by Beth Flyer 973-809-7573
DJ/MC: Pure Energy Entertainment, MC Brian 732-536-6195
Favor Person: Chelsey Blake by Holly Green 516-477-8188
Party Entertainment- Creative Games 516-626-1900
Invitations– Simply Invitations 732-617-7211
Calligraphy: Sarah Hayden Calligraphy 973-493-3477
Cake: Palermo Bakery 201-641-1654
Décor: Jersey Street Furniture Rental 973-684-2244
Flowers: Where Flowers Bloom 973-476-0097
Sign in Pillow: Jersey Street Furniture Rental
Service dresses: Mom Tibi-Soho, sister Julie and Bat Mitzvah girl Holly Green
Party dresses: Mom Carol, Tibi-Soho, Bat Mitzvah girl Tori, Lyn Kohls 973-467-7800, sister, Julie Holly Green
Hair: The House Salon 973-379-4233
Makeup: Elaine of Bobbi Brown at Saks-The Mall at Short Hills
Transportation– Barker Bus
Party Security: The Grove
Photographer: Wendy Robinson Photography 973-736-5060
Food at the end: Water bottles with logo and 6-box Dunkin Donuts
Printing for stickers with logo: Print Tech NY/ M Z Print 917-642-6275
January 18th, 2012
When was the last time you tasted the challah at a Bar/Bat Mitzvah?
Meet the Challah King of Beverly Hills Chris Brugler. His challah loaves range from cinnamon and white chocolate to black mission fig and smores.
How about putting a different variety on each of your guest’s tables?
Chocolate Chip challah
The Challah King is located in Beverly Hills, but will ship anywhere in the country.
Contact him at 310-728-0258 or challahking@gmail.com. Visit their Website here.
January 15th, 2012
We found this terrific Mitzvah Project in the Boston Globe.
Isy Mekler is a 7th grader at the Solomon Schechter Day School of Greater Boston. When it came time to decide on a Mitzvah Project, he was inspired by his favorite children’s book, Shel Silverstein’s “The Giving Tree,’’ and its message about generosity.
He came up an ambitious fund-raising idea, he wanted to buy books for needy children. He decided to reach out to various artists across the country and asked them to create a work of art that could be auctioned off. The money raised would give him enough money to buy books.
He sent emails to 300 artists and illustrators and asked them to paint or illustrate a three-dimensional cardboard tree, which he had manufactured in Colombia. According to Isy, it was cheaper to make them there.
These cardboard “kits” were sent to artists/illustrators
Through referrals from the organization Reach Out and Read, who will also benefit from this project, 35 artists did respond. Those trees will be exhibited at the Danforth Museum and School of Art’s Children’s Gallery in Framingham, beginning in May with an online auction being held at the same time.
Artist and teacher Jean Wallace covered her tree in tiny slips of shredded paper containing letters, numbers, and symbols “to inspire the viewer to conduct word searches”
Kate Cosgrove Art & Illustration created this owl infested tree
Congratulations to Isy on a terrific Mitzvah Project. We hope these “tree” works of art raise lots of money for you to purchase those books!
January 15th, 2012
It was double the fun at Lucky Strike Lanes in New York City for the B’not Mitzvah of Sidney & Amanda!
Photographer Jesse Hernandez caught all the action at this bowling alley/club venue. The party was jam packed with many of their friends and family who came to eat, bowl and dance the night away!
Their theme was “sisters” with adorable cute touches including the nicest bowling attire we have ever seen!
We also love the McDonald’s logo using their name
The bowling area features cool lighting and white lounge furniture
Having fun bowling…
The theme “sisters” as a gobo on the floor
The bar area awaits guests
Photos of the girls were used around the venue
Even their drink menu was a play on the “sisters” theme – including Sister Twister Mix and other name appropriate drinks
Guests danced the night away
Family and friends watched the montage at the end of the alley
The “sisters” logo was a take-off on Ed Hardy and was used in many places at the reception
The black napkins with gray ink
The logo was also featured on the plasma screens around the room
We want to thank Jesse Hernandez Photography and Lucky Strike Lanes for sharing this B’not Mitzvah with our readers.
January 9th, 2012
Most Bat Mitzvah girls want to think of themselves as the star of their special day.
Leslie Price of In Any Event was hired to direct this production and gave this special Bat Mitzvah girl her own movie premiere!
Leslie along with an array of top-notch vendors, transformed the New York City Hyatt Hotel’s Ballroom into a movie themed celebration. Instead of playing the montage in the middle of the party, Leslie suggested creating a movie premiere and getting the speeches and candle lighting out of the way early in the celebration so everyone could just enjoy the party without the pressure. It was a huge success, and the montage evolved into a film premiere.
With the help of some fabulous vendors this movie premiere was a hit!
David Nicolas of 5th Avenue Digital was the photographer. The rest of the vendors are listed below.
A step and repeat featured Emma’s logo with the E! looking just like the logo for E! Entertainment Television. The ticket booth sat at the end of the red carpet directly behind a room where the film “Emma Star is Born” was showing!
The menus doubled as place cards and each guests found a Groucho Marx disguise
Instead of showing the montage in the middle of the party, Leslie suggested creating a movie theater to present the montage and candle lighting first so everyone could just enjoy the party without the pressure
Tables were only 48″ instead of 60″, so each table seated 6 and created a supper club feel
Each centerpiece had a movie name
The gobo image of a chandelier was just one of many touches in a room set for a star
Ron Ben-Israel cake maker to stars created this beautiful and delicious movie themed cake
The following vendors made Emma’s party special. If you give any of them a call, please let them know you read about their services on MitzvahMarket.com.
January 1st, 2012
iMingle from Foto Novelty Inc. takes pictures of your guests and allows them to write their message on a touch screen.
Guests get to sign their names, write a message to the hosts, or create artwork. When they are finished, the pictures are printed and also wirelessly sent to a plasma screen for other guests to see. Guests also receive a framed copy, and hosts get a CD with all of the photos.
The iMingle recently won the Biz Bash annual New York Event Style Award for “Great New Product of 2011.”
Foto Novelty can also provide event photo favors services, where your guests are photographed on a green-screen and superimposed into hundreds of digital backgrounds: magazine covers, nature shots, movie posters, travel destinations, Andy Warhol pictures and many more.
For more information, call Stan or Art at 866-452-0527.
December 21st, 2011
Brighten up your Bar/Bat Mitzvah reception with neon colors!
Lately, we have been seeing neon appear in various Bar/Bat Mitzvah elements.
Whether you want to make it a theme or just add a little pop for your child’s invitation, table decor, favors or cake, take a look at some of the ideas we have rounded up and go bold!
A neon candy bar from Michael Jurick Photography
A green neon invitation from Write Next Door
Neon decor from Atmosphere Lounge Dezinz
The forever stamp is in neon and is something you should be stocking up on to use for your R.S.V.P.’s and/or thank you envelopes
This neon invitation from Helene Dorfman, RSVP is part of an upcoming Mitzvah Family Spotlight where neon was the theme
Pinnies from thecoolestgiveaways.com
Party Interiors & My Glow Party provided the decor and lighting for this neon glow party
Multi-colored neon slinkys create this interesting ceiling treatment from Jersey Street Furniture and Jamie K Photography
RSVP Parties Inc. created neon decor for a Bat Mitzvah
Balloon Artistry created a Hollywood theme Mitzvah with a hot pink and green color palette
Hot pink and green neon martini glasses added to the festivities at a Bat Mitzvah by Just Jayne Events
A Promos USA dba The Imagemaker created this colorful neon sweatshirt
Pink Cake Box created this neon cake for a B’nei Mitzvah. The top of the cake includes a logo with neon closed rings and LED lights. Various logos dot the other cake tiers and neon stars, polka dots and stripes complete the theme
Light up acrylic bars in neon colors from NY Lounge Decor
A neon design from Jaylor Party Favors
Did you use neon colors in your Bar/Bat Mitzvah decor? Let us know at info@MitzvahMarket.com.
