November 17th, 2010
We are well into Fall!
Will your child be celebrating their Bar or Bat Mitzvah during a fall or winter month?
Cool days and nights will be here any time now so we thought it might be fun to get into the spirit of the season with some great Fall edible favors offering festive colors and delicious tastes to wow your guests.
Martha Stewart Weddings mini pecan pies in a custom stamped bag
Tasty Fall themed cookies from Felix The Cook
Does it get better than this? From Amy’s Gourmet Apples
Custom Labels for U makes the packaging easy!
Above and below from Amy Atlas
November 10th, 2010
Let’s talk about Bar/Bat Mitzvah themes…are they in or out?
Many kids don’t want a “theme,” but did you know that color as a theme can work beautifully and can really make a room pop!
Evantine Design located in Philadelphia, PA. put together an amazing Bat Mitzvah using the vibrant colors of of hot pink and orange! Check out these photos below:
The table clothes were orange with pink flowers!
Being an avid dancer, the Bat Mtizvah girl had a request. She wanted to include a subtle “So You Think You Can Dance” theme in the design. The Papery of Philadephia created a logo of the Bat Mitzvah girl “striking a pose”
The kids were seated for dinner at long tables on one side of the ballroom. Sizzling hot pink linens, orange bar stools and white vases filled with gerbera daisies were all the decorations that were needed to create this colorful look!
Guests were invited to leave notes, wishes, dreams and drawings on quilting squares that would later be made into a bedspread for the Mitzvah girl’s bedroom.
The birthday cake from Cake Art Studio truly reflected the overall design concept
An assortment of goodies, such as chocolate covered marshmallows, gumballs, orange licorice, strawberry mini cupcakes, good-n-plenty, rock candy, orange sours and peach rings fill the dessert area
To see another Mitzvah Inspire story from Evantine archived on MitzvahMarket.com, click here.
November 5th, 2010
She might be only eleven years old, but Shaina Agami from Margate, Florida is starting her Mitzvah Project well in advance. She wants to make sure that people will always remember her brother Danny, a 25-year-old who was killed in Iraq.
Shaina’s brother Spc. Daniel J. Agami had enlisted in the U.S. Army after the Sept. 11 attacks because, his father Itzhak Agami said, “he felt a responsibility for his country.”
A frequent guest of international news shows, he infused wit and humor into the drudgery of military life, even coining a name for his camouflaged skullcap; he combined the Hebrew term kippah and combat to come up with the new word, Kombaticah.
His sister Shaina decided to sell those same skullcaps, now emblazoned with his name and rank, to benefit the Aleph Institute, a Chabad-Lubavitch program that caters to the spiritual needs of Jewish military personnel and their families. So far, she has raised $1,500. Each skullcap sells for a minimum donation of $5 and comes with a photo of Daniel and a copy of the “Prayer for the Safety of the American Military Forces” in Hebrew and English.
We spoke to Shaina about her very special Mitzvah Project and here’s what she said in her own words:
MM: Can you give us details of your Mitzvah Project?
SA: I created a big “exhibit board” that I take with me when I set up a table to ask for donations. I display the kombaticahs and other information about the Aleph Institute.
MM: Why did you decide to take on this particular project/charity?
SA: Because when my brother came home from the Army for Passover in 2007 he wore a military Kippah. He dubbed it “The Kombaticah.” So my mom was thinking that we should sell them as a Bat Mitzvah project and I thought it would be a good idea to raise money for The Aleph Institute. I want to help keep my brother’s memory alive and for people to remember his heroism and what he gave for his country.
MM:Does your project have a start or end date?:
SA: I started in August 2010, and will continue until I reach my goal of $5000.00 or more!
MM: In your own words, what does it mean to you to do a Mitzvah Project for your Bat Mitzvah?
SA: Well I think what I’m doing for my Bat Mitzvah Project will help the U.S. Jewish military men and women serving our nation around the world.
MM: If it involves a donation, what are you doing to spread the word?
SA: Well people who are buying them tell other people and the word spreads. I have also been interviewed by newspapers, Chabad.org, Channel 7 news.
MM: For how long can people donate to this charity?
HB: Aleph Institute just added a shopping cart to their website, so this may continue even after my Bat Mitzvah. They can donate any time.
To donate and receive your Kombaticah yarmulke please click here.
November 5th, 2010
This black tie “paradise theme” Bat Mitzvah for Jessica is courtesy of Leuxo Photography, a Chicago-based full-service photography studio, luxury photo book publishing house, and professional photo lab. The party included break dancers, fresh lobster sushi, caviar, belly dancers and even a live monkey. The 250 guests had a great time at the Hilton Northbrook/Allgauer’s in Chicago’s North Shore area. Check out some of the party details below:
Thank you to Leuxo Photography for sharing this Bat Mitzvah celebration with our readers.
November 5th, 2010
You spend so much time thinking about the cake design and taste, but what about how to show off your Mitzvah cake?
Check out Raise the Cake, a new company that designs custom cake stands to match your theme or decor. There are several pre-designed options, from modern to glitzy to fun and funky.
You can even set-up a consultation to have a stand custom designed to your exact wants and needs. This is a great way to express your child’s personality and really make their cake stand out! Check out some options below:
A great way to display place cards too!
For more information, check out their Website.
November 3rd, 2010
A company in Winter Park, Florida now has Sprinkes CakeShooters. For those who love their sweets, this push-up pop contains the perfect ratio of cake and icing in all kinds of varieties. They can ship anywhere in the country.
This could be done in a glass as well but the concept of having your cake in a plastic push-up form is something definitely different.
For outdoor events or just for something different than everyone else, this could be lots of fun. The label on each pop can be customized with your child’s logo.
The shooters are available in four flavors: Yellow Raspberry Swirl, Pina Colada, O.M.G. (a mix of raspberry swirl and chocolate buttercream icing), and the Sprinkles Signature (vanilla Bavarian cream and white icing). These on-the-go sweet sensations are also available in vegan and gluten-free options.
Tori Spelling just had some for her daughter Stella’s birthday party!
For more information, visit their Website.
November 2nd, 2010
We keep referring back to the Stationary Show and all the great ideas and companies we came across and here is another one.
Dochelle Custom Creations offered one of the most innovative ways to display your seating chart. What a unique way to wow your guests when they enter your reception!
The company is known for their invitation design which uses spectacular embellishments and luxurious accents such as fabrics, crystals, rhinestones and ribbons. Now those items can also dazzle your seating chart!
Guests can check where they are seated using this “storybook seating chart”
There is also the seating scroll which 30 x 40 and includes your guests names and table numbers. It is adorned with gold tassels and is displayed on a standing easel
For more information, please visit their Website.
October 29th, 2010
If your child plays tennis and wants to incorporate this sport into his or her reception wait till you check out these pictures.
Event Planners FOS Decor from Toronto, Canada designed & produced this party in September 2010. The photographer was Henry Lin.
In order to come up with a design concept for this event, the design team thought about various elements including desired mood, lighting, texture and overall theme. For the venue, the client picked Tennis Canada at the Rexall Center, one of the biggest venues in Canada used to hold international Tennis Championships. The goal was to transform an empty 30,000 square foot tennis dome into a venue that would accommodate 300 guests and make everyone feel like VIP’s. The raw open space gave them the freedom to create without limits as it had no focal point or flow.
A custom dance floor was made specifically for this event resembling a tennis court and it was positioned in front of the stage. The dance floor split the room into two sections making the space more open and yet unified
There was a lot of draping used at this event. The cocktail reception was draped in white sheers and up lit in several different colors to create a warm and inviting ambiance. There was a contemporary feel using a white plexiglass bar, communal and cruiser tables
The centerpieces consisted of an acrylic structure containing cat grass at the base (to simulate the court), floating tennis balls throughout the middle (strategically positioned on different levels to create an illusion of flow) with a crystal globe set at the top surrounded by a wreath of fresh white hydrangeas and vandella roses
The place card table was decorated by fresh grass with seat cards placed on top
The entrance to the dining room was swagged open and detailed by giant tennis rackets
For the traditional candle lighting ceremony, they created a custom built acrylic table displaying hundreds of tennis balls
We want to thank FOS Decor and Henry Lin for sharing this unique Mitzvah with us!
October 27th, 2010
We are reading more and more about Bat Mitzvah Clubs that are starting around the country.
Through Chabad these groups are forming to develop leadership training, a better understanding of the Bat Mitzvah, work on community service opportunities and the opportunity to meet other Jewish girls.
The idea behind the club is that through interesting and fun activities you will make new discoveries about yourself and the meaning of Bat Mitzvah.
The Bat Mitzvah Club is an organization for girls, by girls, starring girls. Most club members meet monthly.
Join one in your community or start your own! Some of the clubs meeting around the tri-state are:
Long Island
The Bat Mitzvah Club of Great Neck
The Bat Mitzvah Club of Port Washington
The Bat Mitzvah Club of the Five Towns
New Jersey
The Bat Mitzvah Club of Livingston
The Bat Mitzvah Club in Montville, NJ
The Bat Mitzvah Club of South Brunswick
Westchester
The Bat Mitzvah Club of Westchester
October 27th, 2010
We love when we find ideas that serve a dual purpose.
Coming up with centerpiece ideas for your kiddush or party can be a challenge. You want them to look great but what happens when the party is over? How many years can you store them in your basement or garage?
Book Centerpieces for Tzedaka is a program of the Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey and they offer a great solution. The idea began eleven years ago when a volunteer for Bergen Records decided to create her son’s Bar Mitzvah centerpieces out of books. They took the idea to a party planner who made a prototype.
These handsome book themed centerpieces can be rented for all types of special occasions including Bar and Bat Mitzvahs.
Each centerpiece contains a stack of children’s books, that sits on a round mirror base. It is wrapped in cellophane and can be customized to match your decor by adding balloons and/or ribbons. They can be delivered and picked up from your party depending on where you live.
As an added bonus, a bookmark is attached to each centerpiece, acknowledging the donation that has been made on the Bar/Bat Mitzvah child’s behalf.
All proceeds from the centerpiece rentals go to support the Bergen Reads Literacy Program, sponsored by the Jewish Community Relations Council of the Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey.
Bergen Reads combats illiteracy by providing volunteer reading buddies to public school students ages 5-8 who need extra help with their reading skills. Contact Beth Figman at 201-820-3947 or email her at bethf@jfnnj.org.
For another great centerpiece idea, read our story about centerpieces made from school supplies. Click here.
