February 26th, 2022
Melisa Imberman from The Event Of A Lifetime recently planned Emily’s Bat Mitzvah celebration after multiple iterations due to Covid. Melisa tells us, “They say the 3rd time is a charm! We originally planned a big Bat Mitzvah celebration at the Loading Dock. When Covid became an issue, we changed to a smaller celebration at the Temple because Emily’s family did not feel comfortable having a large, indoor party. When the temple told us that they were canceling social events, we once again found ourselves pivoting as we moved the party to the family’s house.” To make sure guests were healthy, Emily’s family provided Covid tests before the event.
On the day of the Bat Mitzvah party, Emily’s friends played ping pong and Foosball in the basement of their home (which was repainted light green to match the colors of the party after an untimely flood!) while adults gathered upstairs. Adults and kids alike were wow’d by a magician and food was plentiful. Adults snacked on an amazing Charcuterie board that covered nearly their entire kitchen counter and all guests enjoyed lunch from a food truck that served loaded burgers, hot dogs & tots. Of course they served Emily’s favorite drink, Bubble Tea and a beautiful dessert table featured bite size treats in the colors of the party, including chocolate covered Oreos with Emily’s logo.
Photos were done by Patken Photographers.
Bat Mitzvah Details
Full length mirror used as a sign-in board
At home decor included lilac flowers and logo'd pillows
Welcome signage
Beautiful flowers
Pillow with Bat Mitzvah girl Emily's logo
Emily's favorite drink, Bubble Tea
A beautiful array of charcuterie
Food truck that served loaded burgers, hot dogs and tots
A gorgeous dessert display feautured cake pops, chocolate covered Oreos and S'mores
Chocolate covered Oreos with Emily's logo
Canvas bag party favor
Bluetooth speaker
Emily's friends loved their swag!
Mazel Tov to Emily and her family! We thank Melisa Imberman for sharing this celebration. To learn more about The Event Of A Lifetime, visit their profile page. See another celebration by The Event Of A Lifetime here.
February 11th, 2022
Omicron and a snow storm did not deter one hardy Massachusetts family who celebrated Bernie’s Bar Mitzvah with sustainable décor and escape room fun! Warmth and love exuded through the screen as guests tuned-in for Bernie’s “love stream” service. Bernie and his dad Max strummed their guitars, leading congregants and guests in tunes from Bernie’s beloved summer home, Eisner Camp. It was important for the family to make the simcha as “green” as possible so they served Kiddush lunch on compostable paper products and decorated tables with edible centerpieces, including cookies, seasonally colorful clementine oranges and Rolo Candies (Bernie’s favorite). Grab-and-go lunches were available for guests who did not feel comfortable removing their masks to eat at the Temple.
Mom Bev is the founder and CEO of an App called Verbina, which the family used to gather video messages from friends and family around the world. Bernie received heartfelt messages from friends and family near home and as far away as Israel and India.
In the evening, guests arrived in sneakers and athleisure at Level99 in Natick, Massachusetts, where they enjoyed 2 hours of escape-the-room physical and mental challenges and snacked on treats in a private room.
Pictured (L-R): Sister Sadie, dad Max, Bar Mitzvah Boy Bernie and mom. Photography by Alex Wilson and the rest of the vendors are listed at the bottom.
Digital invitation created on Greenvelope
Green conscious kiddush lunch using compostable paper products
Cookies, oranges and candy make a delicious and sustainable centerpiece
Bernie received messages through the App Verbina, created by mom Bev
Verbina Website
Entrance to Level99
Private celebration room at Level99
Physical challenge at Level99
Mental Challenge at Level99
Mitzvah Project
For his Mitzvah Project, Bernie honored his first cousin, who died of a drug overdose, by raising money for SOAR Natick, a support group for parents with children suffering from opioid addiction. Bernie and his family shopped for SOAR’s annual holiday gift bags for 10 men living in a group home on their recovery; packed and delivered holiday gift bags; and donated their leftover food from the Kiddush luncheon.
Mom To Mom Advice From Bev
“Be flexible, especially with the uncertainty of Covid and in our case weather. I shifted my focus to making sure our immediate family was healthy on the bima and came to a point that every one else present in the sanctuary was really a bonus.”
Bar Mitzvah Vendors
Venue: Level99
Tutor: Rhonda Magier-Cohen, Major Tutoring
Photography: Alex Wilson, 978-578-0976
Invitations: Greenvelope
Caterer: Franklin Caterers, 800-649-6826
Bar Mitzvah Boy’s Attire: Simon and Sons, 781-559-3212
