April 25th, 2010
We bet you never realized that by buying a kippot you can help people less fortunate. A true Mitzvah!
MayaWorks Kippots are crocheted by Mayan women who live in San Marcos, Guatemala. As a proud member of the Fair Trade Federation, MayaWorks pays artisans at prices they set, provides technical assistance and educational opportunities and meets other Fair Trade criteria. These artisans would otherwise have no outlet for their handiwork.
But MayaWorks is also much more than just an outlet for Mayan products. MayaWorks believes that community development happens through the economic development of women who otherwise have limited ways to participate or contribute to the economic stability of their families. Giving women an opportunity to earn an income from their skills gives them self-confidence and hope for themselves, their children, their family and their village.
The work of the kippot crocheters makes a difference in their daily life. Doing this means more food on the table; it means children can go to the local school and for some families it means they may be able to bring electricity into their home; or take a bus to town to visit a doctor.
See all their other products here and view a video which explains more.
April 21st, 2010
Marisa Camacho is another great example of our kids making a real difference!
She’s a 12 year old in 7th grade from Cherry Hill, New Jersey and wasn’t sure what she wanted to do for her Mitzvah Project. Unfortunately, when her family got the bad news that Marisa’s favorite Aunt had been diagnosed with breast cancer she knew what she needed to do.
Her “Auntie Barb” was diagnosed after her annual mammogram, which she went for every year. The good news is that the cancer was caught early, and the prognosis is very positive. However, these events made Marisa think about how important it is to care about your health and to make sure you get your check-ups. She decided to pick a Mitzvah Project that would benefit either breast cancer research or education, and then found the Maurer Foundation.
Marisa thought about selling cookies for a great cause. So far she has sold 150 pink and white cookies, and has a goal of selling at least 200. She has sold them in her synagogue and to friends, and has received a lot of positive feedback for this project. Many people didn’t know about the Maurer Foundation before buying the cookies, and Marisa has been happy to spread the word. She says that “It’s good to know that I can make a difference in other people’s lives, and make people aware of the support for this terrible disease.”
MM: Does your project have a start and end date, if so what are they?:
MC: I started this project in February 2010 and will be doing it through my Bat Mitzvah, May 29, 2010.
MM: Why did you decide to take on this particular project/charity?
MC: My Aunt has breast cancer and I wanted to do something that would help other people like her.
MM: In your own words, what does it mean to you to do a Mitzvah Project for your Bat Mitzvah?
MC: t means that I am responsible enough to help out someone else with something they need, instead of them helping me out. It makes me feel like I can contribute in a big way in someone’s life and make a difference in their life.
MM: Can you give us details of your Mitzvah Project?
MC: My Mitzvah Project is called, “Cookies for a Cause.” I am raising money for breast cancer awareness and education by selling cookies to benefit the Maurer Foundation.
MM: If it involves a donation, what are you doing to spreading the word?
MC: I am talking to all my neighbors, friends, family, and putting up signs at my synagogue.
MM: For how long can people donate to this charity?
MC: People can always donate money to the Maurer Foundation but my cookies for sale will go until my Bat Mitzvah on May 29th.
Click here if you would like to contribute to Marisa’s cookie fundraiser and help a great cause.
If your child is interested in selling cookie to benefit Maurer Foundation, you can get more information by calling 516-535-5370.
April 18th, 2010
We love when Bar and Bat Mitzvah families get creative with incorporating personalized details throughout their party and cakes are no exception.
Whether you are getting your cake from a bakery or from the caterer do not hesitate to give them an inspiration point, such as your child’s favorite sport, hobby or colors to give your Bar or Bat Mitzvah celebration an extra punch of personality to your party!
See more from this celebration
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Did you have a creative cake at your child’s Bar or Bat Mitzvah? Let us know at info@mitzvahmarket.com.
April 17th, 2010
Here at Mitzvah Market we have said many times that your child’s Bar or Bat Mitzvah invitation can set the tone for your event.
Whether you are more traditional, whimsical or unique there are plenty of invitations to choose from. Everything from the very high end with a collage of your child’s photos to the DIY type. Whatever style you are looking for, it’s fun to see the array of invitations available.
For this Mitzvah Inspire story, we searched high and low to bring you the sampling below. We hope you get inspired!
Take a look below at some of these inviting invitations that caught our eye.
The above and below pictures comes from invitation company Lehr & Black. This “stop sign” box opens to the invitation featuring the Bat Mitzvah girl’s picture
Invitation by CardTricksDesigns features a skiing theme invite fashioned like a ski jacket – zipper and all!
Invitation by CardTricksDesigns in a silver tin box replicating Coke A Cola
Two Paper Dolls created this destination Mitzvah ensemble including the “save the date” which arrived in a coconut
Two Paper Dolls created this one too. We love the denim pocket!
Traditional and modern wood veneer from Night Owl Paper Goods
Bold, rich & vibrant colors for a contemporary feel from Arabella Papers
This Lucite invite by Alpine Creative Group is very sophisticated and elegant.
This “wave” design uses suede and is from bell’ INVITO
A flower power invitation from Letterpresslove.com features a die-cut
We loved this LP record invite created by Leonardo Vatkin Photography. It was featured in the Vatkin Bar Mitzvah Family Spotlight
You can even pick up your invitations when you are shopping at Costco. Their line is beautiful and convenient!!
We hope these invitations have inspired you!
April 11th, 2010
If you are looking for a new way to add a personal touch to your Bar or Bat Mitzvah party celebration, check out the latest offering from NY Party Works.
They have full custom color printed balloons that can feature your Bar or Bat Mitzvah child’s picture or even your guests faces on them!
You can also use them as Bar/Bat Mitzvah favors. Both sides of the balloon can be printed on so you can see your special touch from any angle.
To learn more about NY Party Works, visit their extended profile page in our Vendor Directory and watch our Vendor Video Series about them.
March 24th, 2010
LCI Paper is an online company who specializes in DIY Mitzvah stationary. Their mission is to provide consumers with a quick and affordable way to purchase fine stationery for printing and to help the do-it-yourself planner.
Their site provides an abundance of tips and ideas to assist you in creating your one-of-a-kind, custom invitation and other items needed for your child’s special day.
Orders purchased on or before 3:00 p.m Eastern Standard Time, Monday – Friday are fulfilled the same day!
We love their custom napkins that are easy to design and affordable. Do you have a specific design in mind? Take the creative approach and design your own personalized napkins, coasters, bags, gift tags and more.
You get to preview the look of each item as you proceed through the easy online personalization process. Get creative and design your own party accessories!
March 23rd, 2010
Hello All!
The Tieman Family from Randolph, New Jersey celebrated their daughter Amanda’s Bat Mitzvah on November 21, 2009. She had a Havdalah party at their Temple, Adath Shalom in Randolph. Amanda’s theme was New York City.
Their party was filled with creative ideas! Mitzvah Mom Laurie has a party favor business, coolmitzvahfavors.com, and we love that they decided to be trendsetters with their fantastic invitation idea. Wait till you see!
Pictured above: Dad Jesse, Mitzvah Girl Amanda, Mom Laurie, Sisters Rebecca and Rachel.
Reminder: All vendor information will be listed at the end of this spotlight.
The Tieman Family looked great. Mitzvah Mom wore Nicole Miller. Bat Mitzvah girl Amanda’s beautiful dress is by Jessica McClintock from Lord and Taylor (Mitzvah Mom tip: shop prom dresses!). Her adorable sisters Rebecca and Rachel were wearing Un Deux Trois. Dad Jesse looked pretty handsome too!
Amanda ready to celebrate!
While e-vites have been around a while, few are as pretty, well-organized and environmentally friendly as the custom stationery from Paperless Post. You can design elegant invitations and matching envelopes all delivered to your guest list at the touch of a button. Not to mention a fraction of the cost of what regular paper invitations would cost!
Mitzvah Mom Laurie tells Mitzvah Market: “I was already leaning toward having an email response for our Bat Mitzvah so this was really just going the next step. Paperless Post was an obvious choice economically and environmentally. The easy process of Paperless Post was also very appealing. They created a Bat Mitzvah template and all I had to do was input email addresses, which were easily accessible (I used the parent’s emails, not the kids.) For the very few people not on email, I sent to their closest family members. Once the email was sent, there was an automatic tracking of delivery and responses. We had very few glitches, and I could see if a recipient didn’t receive or open the invitation, unlike the mail where I would be just waiting to hear from someone wondering if the envelope got lost.”
To see their clever Paperless Post invitation, click here.
Amanda’s theme for her Bat Mitzvah was New York City. There were “Streets of New York” themed stations throughout the party representing different areas of New York, such as Chinatown, Lower East Side, Fulton Fish Market.
Street signs and decor enhanced the New York City theme
Another clever touch: Metro Card place cards for each guest tied into the New York City theme
We always say that balloons go a long way. These pink, purple and white balloons added to the festivity and decor of the room
Mom Laurie made the sign-in book online
Total Entertainment, with MC Michael provided the non-stop music which was enjoyed by everyone. As and added touch, they had custom printed t-shirts in kids and adult sizes that were used as prizes and created excitement during the party.
Amanda making her entrance
Since Mitzvah Mom Laurie has a party favor business, www.coolmitzvahfavors.com, and a promotions business, www.arrtpromotions.com, she designed all of the favors including custom hoodies, custom engraved chocolate bars and custom mint containers which were all in the guest bags for the kids.
The front…
The back
Custom wrappers on chocolate bars were created for the guests incorporating her New York City theme
Guests also received a jar of mints with Amanda’s logo
Another unique idea happened during the candle lighting service. Instead of asking guests to all hold candles, they used custom flashlights to represent the lighting of the candles.
Flashlight glow sticks for the candlelighting
Everyone knew where Amanda’s seat was!
It’s time for the cake and the candle lighting ceremony! The Tieman girls blow out the candles together.
Amanda’s cousin has Juvenile diabetes, so Amanda held bake sales to raise money for the cause. She also volunteered at the local soup kitchen. She walked in the soup kitchen’s walk-a-thon to raise money.
Here are a list of the Vendors the Tieman Family used to make Amanda’s Bat Mitzvah a great success. If you call them please let them know you read about them on MitzvahMarket.com. Thanks!
Venue: Adath Shalom 973-539 5440
Catering and Cake: Signature Caterers 908-486-7889
Invitations: PaperlessPost.com
Entertainment DJ/MC: Total Entertainment 201-894-0055
Favors and Placecards: Coolmitzvahfavors.com 973-989-6291 and Arrtpromotions.com
Decor: Balloon Promotions 973-882-1500
Sign In Board: Kodak Online photo album
Dresses: Lord & Taylor, Kids at Heart
Makeup Blue Mercury, Denville, NJ
Photographer: Jim Kapinos 973-794-5298
March 17th, 2010
The National Wildlife Federation, America’s largest conservation organization has added a great new section to its Website called Green Mitzvah.
It includes sections devoted to environmentally friendly ideas for kids to do at school and home.
But we are also excited by the sections offering creative ideas and considerations needed for planning a Green Mitzvah with unique invitation, centerpiece and clothing ideas as well as Mitzvah project suggestions.
There is also a section of the site where you can give a portion of your gifts to the National Wildlife Federation making a difference for the environment, for wildlife and for the world. Some of their donation opportunities include:
Backyard Builder
Support efforts to restore wildlife friendly backyard habitats – $36
Wildlife Fan
Supports efforts to protect threatened and endangered species – $180
Arctic Advocate
Supports efforts to protect polar bears and the arctic habitat upon which they depend to survive – $360
Eco Warrior
Supports high school and college campus programs that protect our environment and empower youth leaders – $500
For more information on donating, click here.
March 17th, 2010
We believe that a fun, creative logo can inspire your event design and tie all of your elements together.
We found a great Website based in the DC area called, PARTY FAVORites. Their team produces a daily blog which showcases what they feel is the “best of the best” in the special events industry.
Their inspiration gallery features a variety of one-of-a-kind logos that just might inspire you and your child! They work with clients all over the country and can help design your Mitzvah logo. We have shown some of their work below with their suggestions on how to incorporate your child’s logo into your party elements:
1. Imprint your logo on your party favors.
2. Use your logo on your invitations and placecards.
3. Incorporate your logo on your table numbers.
4. Have your lighting designer create a custom GOBO with your logo and project it on the dance floor or above the band or DJ.
5. Put your logo on custom cookies (Party Favorites carries a fabulous custom cookie line) and serve them with dessert.
6. Create M&Ms with your logo in your event colors.
7. Customize your cocktail napkins with your logo.
8. Use your logo on your Sign-In Board.
9. Print your logo on shirts for your catering staff to wear at your event.
10. Print your logo on your menus.
Thanks to Lisa from PARTY FAVORites for sharing these ideas with Mitzvah Market!
March 15th, 2010
Thanks to a Mitzvah Mom with this suggestion! Please keep the ideas coming…
Need a great way to get your guests involved and participating at your child’s Bar or Bat Mitzvah?
How about a S’mores Station. This is a great way to get them out of their seats and part of the action. Whether you are having a camp theme or just want to have lots of fun, consider offering them S’mores.
This S’more kit is from Cosi
How about having a S’mores DIY Kit in the center of the adult tables to enjoy after dinner has been served. Cosi offers a great kit (pictured above) containing a hibachi, wooden platter, bamboo marshmallow skewers, matches, and, of course, marshmallows, chocolate, and graham crackers for $40.
Another option is to send your guests home with a pre-packaged S’mores kit from Recchiuti so they can relive that delicious moment of your party.
It’s very easy to create these S’mores kits yourself!
If you have a Mom-to-Mom idea, please write to us at info@MitzvahMarket.com.
