January 16th, 2010
By Leslie Adler – www.thevuvclub.com
When the letter came from our Temple, sometime in 2006, advising us of our daughter Sydney’s Bat Mitzvah date of May 29, 2010, I had two initial reactions: fear and laughter.
Fear, because my life experience has been that dates that seem an eternity away tend to come sooner than you think. I recall looking at my daughter who was 9 years old at the time and thinking about how I didn’t want her to grow up too fast or to, heaven forbid, grow away from me. “Getting a date” seemed to accelerate life in my mind.
And more fear….because I have to admit, I like putting money into the bank more than I enjoy taking it out, and a Bat Mitzvah date, though three years out, and all that the date means put me in a slight tizzy. A “tizzy” exacerbated by the fact that my son Max would be a Bar Mitzvah in 2007 and I wasn’t done planning or paying for that one!!
Leslie with her daughter Sydney
That’s when the laughter started…. because laugh is what I do to fight off fear and feelings of being overwhelmed. So, I called my Mommy.
“Are you doing anything on May 29, 2010?” I asked her. When I explained why she replied with an appropriate Jewish twang, “Oy, how exciting…we should all live and be well.”
Yes, I thought, that is what is important. A venue, a deejay, a photographer….these I will find. There is no reason to panic. The whole ritual, the event, should be about JOY…as long as everyone we love is alive and well to share our joy….
Keep your perspective and be on the lookout for my next diary entry on “How I Selected A Venue.”
About Leslie Adler
Leslie Adler is a mother, lawyer and creator of www.thevuvclub.com and shares her witty thoughts on the many roles women play in their everyday lives. Leslie also combines her legal skills and friendship experience as presiding judge of Momlogic’s “The Friendship Court.”
We hope you will follow along as this Mitzvah Mom updates us on all the highs and lows leading up to her daughter’s May 2010 Bat Mitzvah. Everything from conflicts with other children’s dates to the dress, catering and other Vendor drama. Leslie will bring humor to this exciting yet stressful time for many families.
January 16th, 2010
We just learned about a great product that we had to share with all of you. The Daily Portrait from Milson Road is a great commemorative Mitzvah gift.
Set up like a newspaper, the lead headline is the news of the Bar/Bat Mitzvah child being called to the Torah and becoming a Bar or Bat Mitzvah. The lead story reports the details of the momentous occasion – recipient’s name, ceremony, Rabbi and where the party or reception was held, what the Mitzvah Project was and other details that make the story complete.
Sample of The Daily Portrait, they also have portraits available for other special occasions too
The Daily Portrait also captures the news of the day from national and international sources. Information such as the current “hot” TV shows, movies and songs will be included. This time capsule of memories is produced as an elegant, 18×20 inch print with a custom wood frame.
January 13th, 2010
Photofetti, as the name suggests are confetti with your favorite photos on them.
They are one inch rounds and double sided. You can choose different colored accent pieces to add in. Simply upload your photos and order all online.
If you are really ambitious, you can order Photofetti of your child through the years, pictured with your guests. Wouldn’t your Aunt love to see her photo with the Bar or Bat Mitzvah child sprinkled on her table!
Place your Photofetti on all your guests tables, dessert tables, your guest book table, or anywhere else around your party. You can even carry the theme through by including some Photofetti in your invitations and thank you cards.
We think this is a unique, affordable special touch for a Mitzvah celebration!
January 13th, 2010
Sam Newman from Jericho, New York will become a Bar Mitzvah on January 16, 2010, but has already completed his Mitzvah Project. The MS (Multiple Sclerosis Society) NYC bike tour is the #1 fundraiser for MS in the world and took place on October 4, 2009.
We caught up with Sam to learn more about his project in his own words:
MM: Why did you decide to take on this particular Mitzvah Project?
SN: My Mom has friends who have MS and I had participated in it last year. This year I decided to form a team.
MM: Can you give us details of your Mitzvah Project?
SN: I formed an 11 person team called, “The Mitzvah Riders.” The team consisted of friends and family in our community. I wrote a letter and emailed it to family and friends asking for donations.
We rode 30 miles around Manhattan with a few hundred thousand people. We woke up at 5:00am and drove into the city. When we got near the Pier, it was an awesome sight seeing so many riders out. We had an amazing day and our team raised more than $4,000.00!
Sam and “The Mitzvah Riders” the day of the MS Bike Tour
MM: In your own words, what does it mean to you to do a Mitzvah Project for your Bar Mitzvah?
SN: It is an important time in my life and many things are focused on me, such as my party. It was a great feeling doing something challenging for myself and raising money for such an important cause.
If you would like to donate to MS or learn more about this wonderful organization, please visit their Website.
We would like to thank Sam for sharing his Mitzvah Project with Mitzvah Market.
January 7th, 2010
On Monday, January 11, Sheri will hold her second free Mitzvah-Nomics Seminar at the North Shore Synagogue located at 83 Muttontown Road in Syosset, NY
We have heard great advice from Moms who have already been through the planning and can’t wait to share these tips and cost-saving ideas with other Mitzvah-planning Moms.
The evening starts at 7:30pm. North Shore has arranged to have a small showcase of Mitzvah Vendors for a one-on-one opportunity. Sheri’s presentation begins at 8:00pm and it’s open to all, and free, but you must RSVP by sending an email to ranroo@aol.com. We hope you can join us!
January 6th, 2010
A Bar/Bat Mitzvah is a reason to celebrate. It is also a time when our children express an act of human kindness via their Mitzvah Project. We recently met with the Maurer Foundation and wanted to share this special organization with our readers.
The numbers are scary. Did you know that 1 out of 8 women will develop breast cancer at some point in her life? Their educational programs give individuals the information they need to stay healthy and shows them ways they can lower their risk.
The Maurer Foundation is ready to help your child create a meaningful Mitzvah Project. One option is to work with them to give back to your community by helping them deliver their life saving message by selling their delicious cookies!
The Maurer Foundation can send you the delicious cookie above for a fundraiser!
Or you can host one of their educational programs for your community or volunteer for the foundation. For more information visit their Website or email Safiya Campbell at scampbell@maurerfoundation.org.
December 31st, 2009
It Could Be Verse turns your thoughts and feelings into warm, witty and wonderful poems and fabulous one-of-a-kind gifts. Whether it’s a Bar/Bat Mitzvah Candlelighting, Birthday, Anniversary, Sweet Sixteen or reunion, they can say it for you with humor, taste and a little sentimentality thrown in.
They also have great gift ideas! Their candlelighting poems can be graphically enhanced, framed (5” x 7”) and wrapped for presentation for each candlelighter as a remembrance of the occasion. Using the theme of your party and your child’s favorite things, they create a border around the poem with appropriate graphics.
Candlelighting poems digitally enhanced and framed for your guests
They can also graphically enhance (3-D) any invitation to give as a special gift or keepsake of a very special event.
A 3-D framed invitation
To get started, give them a call and they will send you a detailed questionnaire.
If you are interested in learning more, contact them at info@itcouldbeverse.com or 732-679-8093 and tell them you found them on Mitzvah Market!
December 31st, 2009
Looking for an exciting way to highlight your child’s Bar or Bat Mitzvah? How about having a professional fireworks display that lights up the sky? Fireworks are becoming more and more popular at private events throughout the country, but there are quite a few things you should consider. We caught up the folks from Bay Fireworks to learn all the facts.
MM: What do we need to think about before considering a fireworks display for our Mitzvahs?
BF: The first consideration is having the proper venue for fireworks. For safety reasons, professional fireworks need a significant amount of open space. Country clubs are ideal as well as catering halls that have significant property.
Secondly, you must have written permission from the landlord or property owner that fireworks would be permitted at all. A letter on their stationery, or an email, will suffice.
Reputable fireworks companies provide fireworks, licensed technicians, pre-site visit with fire officials, all equipment and trucking, permit filing assistance, insurance and coordination with your event planner, DJ and/or caterer. This ensures that the fireworks are timely and synchronized to that evening’s schedule.
After the initial steps are taken, your chosen fireworks vendor can contact the local government or fire officials, and other appropriate agencies to secure permits necessary for the event. This should all be done several months in advance.
MM: What types of Fireworks exist?
BF: Please note that there are two types of fireworks generally available. Primarily, the shells that you see on the 4th of July are the most common. The second option is close proximity pyrotechnics that you may have seen on a concert stage or professional sporting event. These require much less space, burn quicker and do not go nearly as high in the sky. They do present many color and effect variations, and are a great choice when space is limited.
Typical fireworks displays start at approximately $5,000.00 plus permitting fees (if any), on land. If a marine display is required, or if you desire options such as a computer fired choreographed display to a specific musical score, the cost is naturally higher.
MM: How long should the fireworks presentation be?
BF: It is not recommended that the program exceed 10 minutes in length. Usually 6-7 minutes of vibrant and intense effects is best received by the audience at an event like this.
Understand that the fireworks vendor can not control the weather. Rain, unless very heavy and constant, does not stop the firing of the devices. Heavy wind, usually exceeding 25mph, would be more likely to prevent the performance, but that is usually a decision made close to the scheduled time and depends on the venue.
If you would like to learn more about having a fireworks presentation at your Mitzvah, contact Bay Fireworks at 631-390-8620 and be sure to tell them Mitzvah Market sent you!
December 24th, 2009
With all the details that go into planning your child’s Bar/Bat Mitzvah, there’s bound to be something overlooked!
Baskets for out-of-town guests add a nice personalized touch and are sometimes remembered at the last minute. Lisa Chalker from Family Affair Distributing Inc. can create a great basket based on your budget and the amount of time you give her to create!
In the example left and below, the Bar Mitzvah boy’s colors were black, silver and lime green. They brought in the silver box which was filled with delicious munchies the guests could snack on in the hotel room. The lime green popcorn made a big hit and so did the custom Hershey Bar with a laminated label, both of which added to the personalization of the basket.
The Hershey Bar had the Bar Mitzvah boy’s picture on it with lots of fun facts about him and about the Bar Mitzvah, all with full color graphics. The guests could then enjoy the Hershey Bar and save the wrapper as a momento, since it’s laminated.
The cost of the baskets begin at $30 (not including tax and deliver/shipping charges) and they try to customize it as much as possible depending on the amount of time given before the actual Bar/Bat Mitzvah date.
Lisa likes to talk with the family to find out what their budget is and what they might like in the baskets.
After they load the basket with munchies, they seal the baskets with printed cello and a custom-handmade bow.
Contact: Lisa Chalker, President and Owner of Family Affair, for a free consultation. She can be reached at lisa@familyaffairdist.com or 516-797-8770.
December 20th, 2009
Saturday December 19, 2009 was the date for Bari’s Bat Mitzvah – the forecast wasn’t good. “Record breaking blizzard with whiteout conditions,” that’s what the weatherman said. The Havdalah service was at Temple Or Elohim on Long Island followed by a party 1/2 hour away in Island Park, NY.
Jodie and Rich Yorke had to make a tough decision, and at 3:00pm they decided to postpone their daughter’s party but go ahead with the service which was now going to begin 4:30pm. They hoped Bari’s friends and family would still make it to the service despite the weather.
Bari did a great job and the sanctuary was filled with her friends and family who drove in the snow to be there with the Yorke family as Bari became a Bat Mitzvah.
Then something wonderful happened…
No caterer, no staff, no centerpieces, no photobooth or games for the kids, no placecards, no DJ, MC or dancers, no bartender, no cocktail hour, but one terrific impromptu party began!
The Yorke’s have great friends and they arranged to have tables with paper cloths set up while the service was going on and also arranged for beverages and a local Italian restaurant to deliver some pizza and hot food.
Hot food on a snowy night for the guests to eat
Bari’s friends present her with special home-made gifts!
Thankfully, Temple Or Elohim recently renovated and has a spacious room with a built-in dance floor, lighting and sound system. Random CD’s were found in the DJ booth and guests took turns playing music so everyone could dance, even the horah with the family up in chairs! Somehow a cake was there for a mini candlelighting as friends took digital pictures and even the montage was played.
Bari’s friends smile for a candlelighting photo
The Yorke’s are so grateful to all their friends, especially Andrea and Marc Wiener for helping to make this party happen!
All the adults looked around the room and realized the kids and everyone in attendance were having a great time in spite of the lack of usual entertainment provided at Mitzvahs. It was a great lesson to all of those in attendance that you just need to celebrate what’s truly important – being together.
Guest Steve Garten plays DJ!
Congratulations Bari and the Yorke family on your daughter’s Bat Mitzvah. A celebration all of us will be talking about for years to come!
See more Mitzvah Family Spotlight stories here.
