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Popular Bar/Bat Mitzvah Venue Will Travel to Your Location
December 9th, 2018

Popular Bar/Bat Mitzvah Venue Will Travel to Your Location

SPACE Events, in Englewood, New Jersey is a favorite of Bar and Bat Mitzvah families in the NYC/NJ area looking for an all inclusive celebration. With a 26,000 square foot entertainment “SPACE,” they offer a unique one stop shopping approach to Bar and Bat Mitzvah planning with everything from catering, logo design and decor to a video arcade and glow in the dark mini bowling on site.

Founder and Creative Director Elvira Grau tells Mitzvah Market that after hosting 3-4 events a weekend for years in Englewood, she realized there was an opportunity to bring the SPACE experience to more families. “SPACE Events Off Premise allows us to bring everything SPACE is known for — our decor, branding, event planning, DJ, furniture, LED lights, video games, even the dance floor! — to you. At your location.” Since launching Off Premise, the team has produced events at various locations in NYC including Marquee NY, The St. Regis, and the NBPA (National Basketball Players Association). “We can turn any venue into the Bar/Bat Mitzvah location of your dreams.”

See below for photos, by Lucie Belle Photography, of the recent Greenberg Bar Mitzvah, held at the NBPA and produced by SPACE Events Off Premise.

For more information about SPACE and SPACE Events Off Premise, visit their extended profile page.

 

 
A Bar/Bat Mitzvah Theme When Your Child Has So Many “Favorite Things”
November 25th, 2018

A Bar/Bat Mitzvah Theme When Your Child Has So Many “Favorite Things”

Asking a thirteen-year-old to pick one defining theme to represent their life at their Bar or Bat Mitzvah can be a challenge. For Lily of Orlando, Florida, she had her heart set on celebrating her love of family, friends, dance, the beach and (BIG!) hair bows. Thanks to the creative vision of Debbie Mintzer of Party Perfect Orlando, each of “Lily’s Favorite Things” played a role in her big day, tied together by an incredible logo and the Mitzvah girl’s favorite colors: pink and teal.

Throughout the Bat Mitzvah, held at the Orlando Museum of Art, special effects and entertainment brought to life each of “Lily’s Favorite Things.” From giant, 6-foot bows and a beach shack candy table, to strolling tables (yes, you read that right!) with a dance and beach theme and Lily’s own dance performance, this Bat Mitzvah was truly a showstopper. Read on for some unexpected ways to bring your child’s favorite things to life.

We thank Party Perfect Orlando for sharing this story with us. Additional vendors who made this event special include:

Venue: Orlando Museum of Art, 407-896-4231, Photography: Kathy Thomas Photography, 407-301-4384, Event Planner/Custom Decor/Signage/Candy Bar: Party Perfect Orlando, Debbie Mintzer, 407-797-0550, Florals: Lee James Floral, 407-897-5300, Catering: Arthur’s Catering, 407-331-1993, Furniture Rentals: AFR Furnishings, 888-AFR-RENT and Orlando Wedding and Party Rentals 407-739-5740, Linens: BBJ Linens, 407-857-6566, Draping: Swag Decor Orlando, 407-857-6566, DJ/Emcee/Dancers: Two Left Feet Events, 407-905-6266, Custom Dance Floor: Letz Dance On It, 407-730-9989 
How to Create a “Winning” Bar Mitzvah Design with Color & Logos
November 18th, 2018

How to Create a “Winning” Bar Mitzvah Design with Color & Logos

Melisa Imberman owner of the NY-based event planning firm, The Event of a Lifetime, Inc., always focuses on how she can customize and personalize each Bar and Bat Mitzvah she produces. For David’s celebration  her inspiration came from the invitation, the Bar Mitzvah boy’s favorite colors (orange and grey) and a catch phrase that resonated with him — Win the Day. From there, she created several complimentary logos and taglines and utilized them throughout the venue, Slate NY in New York City. Plasma screens, an Acrylic sign-in board, party favors and dance floor giveaways all featured David’s winning logo. 

Photo credit: Rebecca Weiss Photography

Read on to see how Imberman’s vision was brought to life on everything from reversible sweatshirts to phone/computer stickers and more.

We thank Melisa Imberman for sharing these great ideas with us. To learn more about The Event Of A Lifetime, visit their extended profile page in our Vendor Directory.

The Entrance Video Your Guests Will Be Talking About
October 28th, 2018

The Entrance Video Your Guests Will Be Talking About

The video montage is one of the most exciting – and stressful! – parts of the Bar and Bat Mitzvah planning process. The Montage Maven aims to reduce that stress. Specializing in fun, creative video keepsakes, owner Jackie Marek tells Mitzvah Market, “We put love and personality into your video so that your guests will see your child’s unique style reflected on screen.” Based in NY, Marek doesn’t let distance get in the way of producing the highest quality videos for Bar and Bat Mitzvahs. “We work nationally,” she explains. “Wherever you are located, we will work with you to produce a montage that reflects your child’s interests, hobbies, friendships and family.”  

When it comes to the latest trends in Mitzvah videos, The Montage Maven also knows how to create maximum impact. “The green screen entrance video is the hottest addition to Mitzvah celebrations right now,” says Marek. “An entrance video kicks off the party with a blast and creates the vibe for the whole event!” 

The Montage Maven prides itself on staying up-to-date with the most advanced technology. In addition to helping clients obtain and organize photographic material, their digital platform utilizes cloud sharing software so clients don’t have to part with their precious photo memories. Collaborating with the family on the Mitzvah montage editing process is also paramount to The Montage Maven; their online editing platform makes it very easy and efficient for clients to provide feedback and make changes. 

Thousands of happy clients have entrusted The Montage Maven with their video needs.  See a few examples below.

Innovative Montages

Trend Alert: The Entrance Videos

To learn more about The Montage Maven, visit their profile page in our Vendor Directory.

Bar Mitzvah In the Trees
October 28th, 2018

Bar Mitzvah In the Trees

If your child is looking for an out of the box Bar Mitzvah or Bat Mitzvah experience, look no further than the trees. Boundless Adventures in Purchase, New York was the setting for Colin Funtleyder’s Bar Mitzvah celebration. Following a Saturday morning service at Congregation Kneses Tifereth Israel and a luncheon for adult family and friends, Colin was joined by 70 boys for a Sunday night zip and climb through the trees. Unexpected? Yes, but not surprising, because adventure parks are a family affair for the Funtleyders.

Mom Lorrie, who owns Boundless Adventures with her husband, Brian, explains that their first experience at an adventure park was back in 2012 during a family vacation to West Virginia. “It was the best family bonding experience we ever had, and it instilled such confidence in my children, that we wanted to bring this experience closer to home. Despite working on Wall Street for 15+ years, my husband and I left that world to start this business.” Six years later, Boundless Adventures is a growing business with locations in New York and Massachusetts.

The photographer was Mark Leslie. A complete list of vendors for this celebration follows at the end of the story.

Saturday Service & Luncheon

Sunday Night Climb

Mitzvah Advice

“Try to make the Bar or Bat Mitzvah about what it is, your child’s Jewish transition into adulthood,” says mom Lorrie. “Let your child be involved in the decision making process since becoming an adult means making decisions.”

Mitzvah Project

Colin’s Mitzvah project involved giving learning impaired children opportunities that they otherwise wouldn’t have. Colin climbed at Boundless Adventures with a non-verbal child with severe autism. He plans on bringing more children to the park in the future.

Vendor Directory

The following vendors helped to make Colin’s Bar Mitzvah a night to remember.  If you contact any of them about their services, please let them know you read about their company on MitzvahMarket.com.

VenueBoundless Adventures, 914-893-4550
Invitations: Out of the Box NY, Leslie Goldberg, 914-934-2323
Food: Trattoria 632, 914-481-5811
Photographer: Mark Leslie Photography, 973-305-1088
Custom T-Shirt Favors: Custom Ink, 800-293-4232
Hair/Makeup: Vashni Michos

 

Creative Backdrops In DC Metro Area, Maryland & Virginia for Bar & Bat Mitzvah Pre-Shoots
October 17th, 2018

Creative Backdrops In DC Metro Area, Maryland & Virginia for Bar & Bat Mitzvah Pre-Shoots

Bar Mitzvah and Bat Mitzvah parents and local vendors are asking great questions and sharing party planning ideas in Mitzvah Market’s 17 regional Bar Bat Mitzvah Planning Facebook groups. 

Recently we asked members of the DC-Maryland-Virgina group for their favorite locations for Bar Bat Mitzvah pre-shoots. Grafitti Alley, with its brightly colored street art was one of the top picks in Baltimore, along with the American Visionary Art Museum and the famous Inner Harbor. 

(Photo above of Baltimore’s Graffiti Alley by Christopher Crews, Flickr)

Great Backdrops in Baltimore

Beautiful Locations in The District

Stunning Views from Virginia

Looking for other areas with creative backdrops for pre-shoots?
Long Island/Brooklyn/Queens
Westchester
Philadelphia

Would you like to share your favorite pre-shoot locations? Send suggestions to info@mitzvahmarket.com or post in your regional Mitzvah Market Facebook group.

Bar Mitzvah King of the Court
October 14th, 2018

Bar Mitzvah King of the Court

Jadon Barnett has been playing basketball for as long as he can remember, and when he attended his first NY Knicks game a few years ago, he was hooked! His love of the game was visible throughout his Bar Mitzvah celebration on Long Island. The ceremony took place at Temple Isaiah in Stony Brook, and the reception was at the Three Village Inn in scenic Stony Brook Harbor. Mom Deb tells Mitzvah Market they chose the Three Village Inn, part of Lessings Hospitality Group, because of its proximity to their temple and for its intimate and inviting setting. “The staff and the food were amazing and made the planning process easy and stress free,” she says.

Leo Vatkin Photography was the photographer for this event. A complete list of vendors follows at the end of this spotlight:

Memories for a Lifetime

Basketballs Galore

Non Stop Fun

Mitzvah Mom Advice

“Enjoy the day! Do not stress about the small things,” says mom Deb. “If something is not perfect, no one will notice.  Remember the day is about celebrating your child with friends and family that love and support them.”

Vendor Directory

The following vendors helped to make Jadon’s Bar Mitzvah special. If you call them, please let them know you read about their services on MitzvahMarket.com.

Venue/Cake: Three Village Inn, part of Lessings Hospitality Group, 631-751-0555
Music/Entertainment: L.I. Nights Entertainment, 631-791-9696
Photographer/Videographer: Leo Vatkin Photography, 516-640-5688
Photobooth: All Island Photobooth, 631-620-8696
Invitations: Prints Charming, 631-835-2933
Decor: Simple Party Designs, 631-609-0839
Yarmulkes: That One Special Touch, 516-596-1025
Dresses: Dress Gala, 631-486-7737
Suits: Karakos, 631-451-7272

Creative Westchester Backdrops for Bar Bat Mitzvah Pre-Shoots
October 11th, 2018

Creative Westchester Backdrops for Bar Bat Mitzvah Pre-Shoots

Bar Mitzvah and Bat Mitzvah parents and local vendors are asking great questions and sharing party planning ideas in Mitzvah Market’s 17 regional Bar Bat Mitzvah Planning Facebook groups. 

Recently a member in the Westchester Area Bar/Bat Mitzvah Planning group asked for suggestions on an outdoor location with a simple brick wall for her daughter’s pre-shoot. Event planner Susie Mordoh of Greater than We recommended heading to the city of Irvington, down by the water, where there are many historic brick buildings. Laura Miller of Leo Vatkin Photography offered Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture as a beautiful setting, and local moms and dads suggested the Dobbs Ferry Riverfront and Kensico Reservoir among other locations. 

(Above: The NYC skyline and Hudson River create a stunning backdrop for photos in Irvington, NY; photo credit: Tony Cenicola/The New York Times)

See below for images from these top Westchester backdrops for Bar Bat Mitzvah photo shoots:

Looking for other areas with creative backdrops for pre-shoots?
Long Island/Brooklyn/Queens
DC Metro Area/Maryland/Virginia
Philadelphia

Would you like to share your favorite pre-shoot locations? Send suggestions to info@mitzvahmarket.com or post in your regional Mitzvah Market Facebook group.

You can also ask questions and get advice in our Westchester/Rockland/Fairfield Bar Bat Mitzvah planning group on Facebook. Join here.

Creative Philadelphia Backdrops for Bar & Bat Mitzvah Pre-Shoots
October 10th, 2018

Creative Philadelphia Backdrops for Bar & Bat Mitzvah Pre-Shoots

Bar Mitzvah and Bat Mitzvah parents and local vendors are asking great questions and sharing party planning ideas in Mitzvah Market’s 17 regional Bar Bat Mitzvah Planning Facebook groups. 

When a member in the Philadelphia Area Bar/Bat Mitzvah Planning group asked for advice about good outdoor locations for a Bar Bat Mitzvah pre-shoot, mom Leslie Bari made some great suggestions like the Philadelphia Art Museum, as well as sharing pictures from her own daughter’s pre-Mitzvah photo shoot. Lexi’s Bat Mitzvah was previously featured in a Mitzvah Family Spotlight story.

Photo above: Lexi with the Philadelphia skyline in the background; shot on site at Penn Park at the University of Pennsylvania.

See below for some beautiful images, by Phil Kramer, in and around Philadelphia:

Looking for other areas with creative backdrops for pre-shoots?
Westchester
DC Metro Area/Maryland/Virginia
Long Island/Brooklyn/Queens

Would you like to share your favorite pre-shoot locations? Send suggestions to info@mitzvahmarket.com or post in your regional Mitzvah Market Facebook group.

You can also ask questions and get advice in our Philadelphia Bar Bat Mitzvah planning group on Facebook. Join here.

We thank Leslie Bari for sharing these helpful and beautiful ideas with our readers.

Bat Mitzvah at Camp Towanda
September 30th, 2018

Bat Mitzvah at Camp Towanda

What could be better than celebrating your Bat Mitzvah at your “favorite place on earth?” Nothing! Just ask Morgan Korn, of New Jersey who celebrated her Bat Mitzvah at Camp Towanda. Morgan’s service took place at Temple Beth Shalom in Livingston, New Jersey on a Saturday in May. The next morning, she and her family were joined by two hundred of their closest family and friends on an overnight “Camp Mitzvah” in Honesdale, Pennsylvania. Guests played traditional camp games, hung out in the canteen and their bunks, and had lunch by the lake. At night, Towanda’s dining hall was transformed into a fantastic, fun party space. Before heading to their bunks for the night, guests enjoyed a beautiful campfire! 

Pictured above (L-R): Dad Spencer, Brother Ryan, Mitzvah girl Morgan, Mom Helene.

David Todd was the photographer for this event. A complete list of vendors can be found at the end of this spotlight.

Venue & Decor

Special Touches

Music & Entertainment

Only at Camp Moments

Morgan’s Mitzvah Project

Morgan raised money for the Teams For Kids Foundation which helps underprivileged New Jersey children participate in recreational sports programs. Morgan is a competitive swimmer, so she chose to raise money to help the Newark YMCA provide swim lessons to those who could not otherwise afford them.

Vendor Directory

The following vendors helped to make Morgan’s Bat Mitzvah special. If you call them, please let them know you read about their services on MitzvahMarket.com.

Venue: Matt Miller, Camp Towanda, 570-253-3266
Event Planner: Amy Hochberg, AH Solutions, LLC, 917-680-4895
Music Entertainment: Evan Karfinkel, EK Productions, 718-982-6000
Photographer: David Todd, 908-770-0554
Videographer: Erica Gulliver, 845-671-1770
Favors: Vicki Buckstein, 954-494-1579
Invitations: Etsy, TheCraftySmiths; Hallie Dennis of Event Couture, 917-692-8643, helped to find the invitations and boxes they were delivered in
Decor: Mom Helene did it herself, with help from event planner Amy Hochberg
Sign-In board: Jared Reiter, Camp Towanda
Logos & Design: Kim Green Designs, 973-220-1739
Dresses: Lolas, 732-972-5222
Suits: SAMS, 973-422-1000
Hair/Makeup: (Make-up) Sarah Soucek, 860-478-5613; (Hair) Ashley Evert, 570-926-4477
Transportation: Avery Transportation, 570-729-7153
Security: Camp Towanda
Custom Water bottles: Mike Petrosino, Mountain Spring Waters, 877-690-7070