December 20th, 2009
The year of your child’s Bar/Bat Mitzvah, there is a good chance you and your family will attend many a Mitzvah. Between the classmates, camp friends and Hebrew school buddies, your child (and you!) will most likely be invited to your fair share of events. Is your wardrobe ready? Here are some ways to maximize your wardrobe (and your daughter’s wardrobe!) without breaking the bank, when you are a guest at an upcoming affair:
1. Rent a dress. Websites like WearTodayGoneTomorrow.com and RentTheRunway.com offer amazing designer dresses for you to rent. Brand new styles by designers like Vera Wang, Michael Kors and Tuleh are available for the borrowing for as little as $50 to $200. The same dress would retail for $400 to $3,000! You can’t beat it! But plan ahead; there could be a waiting list for the style or size you have in mind. And as a member of RentThe Runway.com, you have online access to a fashion stylist who can help with just about anything from advice on fit to finding the perfect accessory.
WearTodayGoneTomorrow.com offers this Teri John fitted one shoulder silk taffeta gown to rent
2. Swap. Call your sister, your neighbor or your friend and see what she’s got stashed away in her closet. When you find an item to borrow, decide on a policy for giving it back; pinky swear that you will return the dress by a certain date, completely dry cleaned and ready for the next big event. For the cost of dry cleaning, you’ve got yourself a frock that is new to you!
3. Recycle. There is nothing better than getting more mileage out of something you already own. Do you have a little black dress in your closet from days gone by? Give that dress a facelift. Doll your favorite LBD with a few bright and shiny accessories. Have fun with baubles or brightly colored or metallic shoes. Either dig through your jewelry box or indulge in a new trinket. You can go with as low-end as Target or as high-end as Tiffany & Co. and have a ball choosing jewelry. The idea is to pick something that sparkles.
The little black Donna Rico dress from Nordstrom’s get’s a whole new look with the sparkly brooch in the center
4. Shop consignment. Don’t dismiss it if you’ve never tried it! You can shop high-end consignment and find yourself with an amazing deal on a designer frock that costs a fraction of what the dress cost originally. You might even find a dress on consignment that still has the original tags on it! Looking for an appropriate consignment shop near you? Go to our Website’s search bar and type in “consignment.” In the past we have reported on Jade Formals, MINT and Best Dressed Secret.
5. Go with pants. Black pants are really a girl’s best friend. And for a Mitzvah, black pants paired with a bright, fun top might be the way to go. When you go with black pants, let your top be the star. Choose something fun or sophisticated. You can always rent a top from
WearTodayGoneTomorrow.com or RentTheRunway.com, swap with a friend or recycle one you already own. If you choose to wear a sweater, make sure you layer. A crowded event can mean for a warm room, and you may wish to take your sweater off.
This Rebecca Taylor top, also from WearTodayGoneTomorrow.com would work great with black pants and it’s under $35 to rent!
December 16th, 2009
Samuel M. Attias of Shaker Heights, Ohio, had his Bar Mitzvah back in April. He knew he wanted to do a Mitzvah Project that incorporated three things that are important to him: kids, Israel and sports.
The Attias’ contacted Schneider Children’s Medical Center, and together as a team, they brainstormed to create a personalized project.
Here’s the scoop on Sam’s Mitzvah Project in his own words:
MM: Tell us about your Mitzvah Project.
SA: I asked my guests to consider making a donation to the hospital instead of giving me a gift. I was able to give the hospital over $5,500. With that money the hospital purchased exercise equipment. After my Bar Mitzvah, Dr. Stein, a doctor from Schneider’s was visiting his in-laws in Cleveland and I got to meet him. He explained to me that kids who get exercise are given less morphine during their chemo treatment. Also, the kids who get exercise while in the hospital are more able to quickly return to a normal life after they are released from the hospital. I also learned that the bicycles that were purchased with my donation were customized to fit a child’s bed! I thought that was very cool.
MM: Tell us about the hospital that benefited from your Project.
SA: Schneider Children’s Medical Center of Israel is the only comprehensive, highly specialized care hospital of its kind in Israel and treats kids from all over the Middle East. The hospital dedicates itself exclusively to the well-being of all children from newborns to 18 years olds. There are 250 beds at the hospital and 107 of them are used in the Intensive Care, Neonatology and Burn units. Their Website is www.mdinyc.org.
MM: Why did you decide to take on this particular project/charity?
SA: I was looking for a project that combined three of the things that are important to me and my family: kids, Israel and sports. At first I wanted to collect soccer uniforms and send them to Israel but it turned out that the kids in Israel did not need them so badly. My mom found the hospital for me.
MM: In your own words, what does it mean to you to do a Mitzvah Project for your Bar Mitzvah?
SA: For my Bar Mitzvah I only wanted a couple of gifts, like an iPod and new hockey pads. That is how I came up with the “suggested gift” idea to Schneider Children’s Medical Center in Israel. I have been raised in a family and community where it is normal to have a tzedakkah project. The question was not whether to have a project; it was more like finding the right one.
Sam doing what he loves…hockey!
MM: How did you let people know about your Project?
SA: To spread the word, I talked about it with everybody and the local newspaper eventually wrote an article about it. I also included an additional card with my invitation. Here’s what I wrote:
As a suggested gift, please consider helping me raise money for the Schneider Children’s Medical Center of Israel in Petach Tikvah. The money we raise will go toward soft sporting equipment, such as door hoops for basketballs and a customized exercise bicycle that will be used to help children during physical therapy.
Schneider Children’s Medical Center of Israel is the only comprehensive, highly specialized care hospital of its kind in Israel and treats kids from all over the Middle East. The hospital dedicates itself exclusively to the well-being of all children from newborns to 18 year olds. There are 250 beds at the hospital and 107 of them are used in the Intensive Care, Neonatology and Burn units.
Please make a donation by visiting the Medical Development for Israel website at: www.mdinyc.org or, you could send a donation to: Medical Development for Israel, 295 Madison Ave #1705, NY, NY 10017 212-759-3370
With your help, kids can heal and have some fun too. Thanks in advance, Samuel
MM: How long can people donate to this charity?
SA: People can always donate to Schneider’s as a charity because the kids could always use their help. Donations to Schneider’s also go toward extra stuff like tutors, hospitality for families and special therapists
MM: Anything else we need to know about your Mitzvah Project?
SA: A friend of mine from Cleveland wanted to visit the hospital for me when she was vacationing in Israel. While at the hospital her father videotaped their tour given by the head Oncology Dr. Stein. The video highlighted the wonderful care the kids get when they are at the hospital. Sometimes the kids are at the hospital for 3 months or longer. Dr. Stein also told us about the advanced technology like the ventilation system that that keeps the air clean for the kids. The video was very cool because even though I did not get to see the hospital in person I still got to see what the hospital looked like. This spring my 8th grade Schechter class gets to go to Israel and I am excited to visit with Dr. Stein and the kids at the hospital.
We want to thank Sam for sharing his gift of giving with Mitzvah Market. If you are interested in having your Mitzvah Project benefit this great cause, check out all their ideas here.
December 13th, 2009
A Mitzvah Makeover by Debra Schonfeld
Let’s be honest, most women are unhappy about something relative to their body and wish they had the guidance to help them make a change. This particularly comes to light when faced with a big event, like their child’s Bar or Bat Mitzvah. They know that they will be in the spotlight as well as their child and want to look their best. It’s all about being your best YOU, not looking like someone else.
We got the chance to speak with Debra Schonfeld, a Board Certified Nurse Practitioner who is giving us the lowdown on injectables and great information if you are considering a little makeover for yourself.
MM: Please explain your credentials.
DS: I am a Board Certified Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner. We are registered nurses who obtain a Master’s Degree in Nursing and get board certification in a particular specialty. My academic training encompasses all areas of women’s health. My initial training in aesthetics is from the Aesthetic Enhancement Institute, which is a nationally recognized training institute that has certified thousands of Physicians, Dentists, Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants in anti-aging treatments for 20 years. I also regularly attend medical conferences to remain current on trends in the industry.
As an NP, I have a collaborative practice with an MD. This means that he is available to me 24/7 for consultation. I have been a nurse for 30 years, an NP for 16 years and Oh So Vain, my aesthetics company, just celebrated 5 years. I am currently on staff at Lutheran Medical Center in Brooklyn since 1994, where I am a hospital administrator and have a large women’s healthcare practice.
MM: What types of treatments do you specialize in?
DS: I am very familiar with Botox® and fillers such as Restylane® and Juve’derm® to diminish fine lines and enhance lips. I also have a lot of experience with mild to moderate medical grade peels that do a tremendous job brightening and freshening up skin tone. I also work on spider veins with a treatment known as sclerotherapy. It is quite amazing what results you can see with just one session with any of these treatments.
MM: Who should consider minor cosmetic enhancements?
DS: Anyone and everyone. Considering aesthetic procedures are not covered by insurance, this is a reasonable and cost effective way to reverse aging. There are safe, effective and affordable treatments available that can provide the change you’re after.
MM: What should we be asking about before getting an injectable?
DS: Any competent practitioner will entertain a discussion about risks and side effects prior to any procedure. What is the down time? How long is the procedure? What safety measures are in place incase of an adverse reaction? What measures have been taken to provide pain relief?
MM: How can Mitzvah Mom’s take advantage of your services?
DS: Plan ahead. As a 4-time Mitzvah Mom myself, the momentum of the event has a life of its own. As the date gets closer, there are more and more demands for your time and never enough money to take care of them all. If this is something that you have dreamed of for yourself, but there was never the right time, consider a free consultation. Call me 2-3 months before the event to discuss it. Maybe you would just like your skin to have that healthy glow. Consider a chemical peel. Your skin will feel better and your make up will look better. Get the facts from someone who does the same thing over and over. I am not a jack-of-all-trades, just an expert in a few. This is also a nice thing to gift to a sister or mother, who might not be inclined to indulge themselves in this way.
MM: Can you give us some timelines for injectables?
DS: Injectables: Botox and fillers- 3-4 weeks ahead because we always worry about small bruises and touch-ups.
Veins- 8 weeks or more ahead because there is always bruising and they get darker before they go away. We also never know how many treatments you need.
Skin care- 2 weeks before. There can be slight peeling after 3 days that you want completely resolved before your big event.
MM: Any new industry trends?
DS: There’s a new competitor to Botox called Dysport. Same price, but works a few days faster. There are all types of fillers on the market. The leaders are still Restylane® and Juve’derm®, both because they have an extremely low profile for side effects. Juve’derm® lasts a few months longer and is a little more expensive, but I think it’s worth it.
Chemical peels and good skin pharmaceuticals (pharmaceutical grade skin cleansers and creams that are only dispensed from a licensed professional and can’t be obtained over the counter) are the way to go particularly in the 30 and over crowd. At the same cost as those fancy packaged brands from Nordstroms (and we all know who they are), you are getting more bang for your buck. Over the counter brands can only effect dead tissue, need to be applied often to see their effects, and will ultimately not make a lasting change in skin quality. At the very least, get the Clarisonic facial brush (like the toothbrush only for your skin) and a good moisturizer with sunscreen. Sclerotherapy still beats laser therapy for surface spider veins in my opinion. It hurts less, the treatment area is often bigger and it less expensive.
Thanks Debra for all this great advice. If you would like a free consultation, you can reach Debra at 516-315-5882 or email her at oohsovain@aol.com. Be sure to tell her Mitzvah Market sent you!
December 2nd, 2009
If you are thinking about airbrushing, Can Art, photo favors or bottle cap jewelry for your Mitzvah, reach out to Make It Snappy!.
They set themselves apart from the competition by hiring the best airbrush artists in the area and having very unique favors.
To learn more visit their extended Vendor Directory profile page and watch our Vendor Video Series video here.
Contact: Sol Pearlman
Phone: 888-7-SNAPPY or 718-876-9305
Email: mispartycentral@aol.com
December 2nd, 2009
We love to pass along great ideas and information, especially when the organization has a special and meaningful Mitzvah Project idea for our kids!
We caught up with Silvana Gullo, the Director of Development for the Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center of Nassau County to learn more about this great organization and a special upcoming event.
MM: Please tell us about the Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center and your mission.
SG: The Center’s mission is to teach the lessons of the Holocaust to fight intolerance in our schools, in workplaces and throughout the community. By examining the roles of individuals in the Holocaust – the victims, the perpetrators, the bystanders, and the up standers – we inspire students and adults to examine the roles they play when witnessing intolerance.
The Holocaust as a lesson is powerful enough to give you a window of opportunity to reach into a person’s soul. Haven’t we all fallen victim to intolerance at some point in our lives? What would you want someone to do if you were the victim? Our programs inspire people to recognize their responsibility to choose the role they play when faced with intolerance and encourage them to be an up stander.
MM: Please explain what your upcoming event, A Walk To Remember, is all about.
SG: A Walk To Remember is an annual event to honor the memory of the children killed during the Holocaust and raise funds for the Children’s Memorial Garden at the Center. This year the event will be held on April 25, 2010, and ties in to JServe’s National Community Service day.
Welwyn Preserve in Glen Cove, NY provided the perfect setting for last year’s A Walk To Remember
The event includes an educational experience while the participants enjoy a leisurely walk on the beautiful grounds of the Welwyn Preserve, a 247-acre preserve in Glen Cove, NY. Walkers will learn specifically about children’s personal experiences during the Holocaust at five checkpoints along the walk.
Each participant and their sponsors will receive the name and bio of a Holocaust child they will be walking in memory of. Paper butterflies in the participants’ and sponsors’ names will be posted on a butterfly wall commemorating the event.
Each butterfly represents a Holocaust child
Participants can benefit by:
– Earning community service credits for participating in a hands-on planting project the morning of the Walk in the Garden, and by helping to raise funds for and build awareness of the Center by engaging sponsors.
– Earning permanent recognition in the Garden by generating contributions for the Walk of $1,000 and above for an engraved plaque in the garden.
– Having the opportunity to meet a Holocaust survivor who will describe their own experience
MM: Can you please explain what the Children’s Memorial Garden is all about.
SG: The Children’s Memorial Garden is the only living memorial to Holocaust children in New York State. Approximately $250,000 was invested to reestablish the existing Garden planted by the original owners of the 100-year-old estate. Monies raised by the Walk help cover the cost of maintaining the garden annually.
The Children’s Choir remembers those lost in the Holocaust with song at last year’s event, A Walk To Remember
MM: What are the various ways people can get involved?
SG: The Center provides many community service opportunities for youth groups and adults to become involved in its work. Volunteers make up 85% of the Center’s staff.
Youth opportunities include acting as the Center’s Ambassador by hosting a tolerance workshop for their Hebrew class, Temple or school or doing some hands-on work in the Center’s garden.
Adult opportunities include acting as Docents for the exhibit or working directly with the Center staff in our Education, Development, Public Relations and Administration Departments.
MM: How can participating in A Walk To Remember become a child’s Mitzvah Project?
SG: The Walk provides the perfect opportunity for children to complete their Mitzvah projects. Some ideas include:
* Hands-on participation in Garden project
* They can choose to adopt a section as their own personal Mitzvah project and engage others to help or join other youth groups the morning of the Walk.
* Introduce the Center’s unique education programs to others by asking them to support their efforts to raise funds for the Garden and to earn a permanent recognition plaque through sponsorships.
* They can include the Holocaust child they are honoring through the walk at their Bat/Bar Mitzvah (the Center’s partnership with Remember-us.org can provide the child an opportunity to include the Holocaust child in their Bat/Bar Mitzvah ceremony). Read more about Rememberus.org here.
MM: Anything else we should know about the Center?
SG: The Center’s new multi-media Holocaust exhibit opening this January will include testimony and artifacts from local survivors. Guided tours and compelling programs will be offered daily.
To sign up for the April 25, 2010, A Walk To Remember, contact Silvana Gullo at silvanagullo@holocaust-nassau.org.
December 2nd, 2009
Is your child looking for a meaningful Mitzvah Project? We were very touched to learn about Remember Us: The Holocaust Bnai Mitzvah Project. The idea is simple. The Remember Us Project invites every child who is preparing for a Bar/Bat Mitzvah to remember a child who was lost in the Holocaust. Thru this Website, your child is provided with the name of a lost child, info about him/her and suggestions for simple acts of remembrance.
Some suggestions include:
* Doing a Mitzvot b’shem (in the name of the child)
* Mentioning the child in a speech from the bimah
* Taking on the Mitzvah of saying Kaddish
* Lighting a yahrzeit candle yearly
The Website makes it easy to request a name. There is no charge to participate, but voluntary donations do sustain them so they can bring this opportunity to another child.
The Website also features touching stories from parents and children on how this program changed their lives and how it moved their guests when they learned about what their child had done. Read what they had to say here.
November 22nd, 2009
If you are like us, you sometimes forget to pick up a card for the Bar/Bat Mitzvah child. We thought this Mitzvah Find could not only solve that problem, but was a cost effective solution as well.
Customized gift cards from The Personalized Party are designed with a warm greeting on the front and a pre-printed personal message on the inside with your family name, child’s name or however you would like to sign. Sold in quanities of 25 and perfectly sized to insert a check. There are 12 designs to choose from all on their Website.
November 22nd, 2009
If you have a child with food allergies, then you know what a big deal it is. Even if you don’t have a child who suffers, you most likely know a friend of your child’s who needs to be careful about what he/she eats. Sometimes, even being near foods with peanuts, for example, can be a lethal risk for some children.
So how do you plan a Mitzvah to keep your child and/or your guests safe? To find out, we recently caught up with Einat Mazor, a certified chef from the Natural Gourmet Institute in New York City and the owner of Bliss Fine Foods, a catering company which specializes in alternative desserts and appetizers such as gluten, dairy, nut and eggs free. Here’s the scoop:
MM: Food allergies are a big concern for parents for obvious reasons. How can parents plan a Mitzvah that is allergy-aware?
EM: Meet ahead of time with your event planner and the chef and talk about menu options. Make sure that the cooks don’t use peanut oil for frying. (They like to use it because this oil does not burn so easily.) Instead, ask them to use vegetable oil like canola oil.
MM: What should parents consider when selecting a menu?
EM: Usually the main course is okay but if you choose an Asian-inspired menu (Chinese or Japanese) you need to make sure that no sesame seeds and oil are going to be used.
When it comes to desserts, you need to ask if they are making all their desserts from scratch. If not, the chef needs to make sure that the mixes do not contain and were not processed with nuts. Usually brownies can be a problem, but again if you go through the menu ahead of time and even put it in your contract you can feel safer. You can always ask for a Parve cheesecake or plain ice creams for desserts.
MM: How can parents let their guests know that the affair will be allergy-aware? Is it appropriate, for example, to put verbiage on the invitation?
EM: One way of letting concerned parents know that you are offering allergy-aware options is to add a simple request on the invitation. Ask parents to indicate that if their child has any food allergies, to please contact you by a certain date.
You can also try to accommodate these individuals by changing/adding items in the menu and informing them via phone.
Overall, going the extra mile will give your guests the feeling that they are welcome at your party and you will be the perfect host for all of your guests.
November 18th, 2009
Transform Your Room!
One of our Mitzvah Moms found this find on the internet and wanted to share. Thanks so much! Bar Mitzvah Backdrops can transform your room by creating awe-inspiring photographic backdrops and coordinating decor elements custom tailored from the group up to fit your theme. They have backdrops that make a room look like a sports stadium, a ski lodge, an amusement park and many, many more!
They can also produce cutouts, side panels, floor graphics, table numbers and place cards to complete the look of your party. Check them out here.
November 11th, 2009
Hello All!
Please enjoy our latest Mitzvah Family Spotlight. We hope it will inspire you to take some of their ideas and make them your own.
When the Schwartz Family started planning for their third and final Bat Mitzvah, they decided to do things a bit differently. They learned a lot along the way and were able to throw a beautiful and memorable affair in honor of their daughter Lauren’s Bat Mitzvah, but with cost-savings in mind.
We want to thank the Schwartz Family for sharing their creative party with our Mitzvah Market Mail readers. We think their ideas will inspire you for your own child’s Mitzvah! A reminder that all Vendor info is listed at the bottom.
The entire Schwartz Family looked great at Lauren’s Bat Mitzvah celebration at Temple Chaverim in Plainview, NY. (Pictured left to right: Samantha, Ilana, Bat Mitzvah girl Lauren, Carolyn and Paul).
Mitzvah Mom Carolyn tells us about her 3 daughter’s dress experience. “The first time I had a dress designed specially for my daughter and it cost A LOT, the second time I bought a dress and had it partially designed and changed to her liking so it was partially customized,” she explains. But for Lauren, I was thrilled when she fell in love with a beautiful blue gown with roses on it that matched her theme. It was from 2 Be Seen and was so reasonably priced.”
United Floral helped the Schwartz family be creative with their table decorations. In creating their beautiful centerpieces, they combined authentic fresh pink roses with a variety of decorative silk flowers for an overall exquisite look that smelled like a rose garden.
The Schwartz Family was very happy with the entertainment that was provided by Double G with Ricky G. as their MC. He adds a very warm and personal touch to parties, somehow memorizing all the kids names during the cocktail hour while interacting with them. Then he shows off his talent when the children are called up for the “friends” candle by reciting each ones name.
Lauren is all smiles during the Horah!
Brian Jackson Photo took all event photography
Since Bat Mitzvah girl Lauren’s middle name is Rose, the invitation below worked perfectly for her theme. and set the tone for the entire celebration. They found these at Proper Papers which unfortunately is no longer in business.
As a favor for her friends, Lauren designed these sweatpants with the help of Barbara Edelsen from Fine Designs. She had her initials and date of the party on the front and a rose on the back.
Clever candle lighting!
Lauren’s Mom has a business called Poetry Creations, so of course she had very clever rhymes which invited guests up for the lighting of a candle. Working with her daughter they discussed what each person meant to them and reminisced about special moments. Carolyn is able to express the sentiments in an interesting and concise way with humor to make it entertaining. Her specialty is working with each child so they can deliver their poems in a clear and confident way.
Poems By Carolyn suggest laminating copies of the poem for each guest as a special momento
Lauren is lucky enough to have a very creative sister. Using a photoshop program and then with the help of Hi-Tech, Ilana made this sign above which was part of the decor and a special sign-in board below
This was Mitzvah Mom Carolyn’s third Bat Mitzvah. She’s one of our experts and has this advice!
Relax and enjoy the whole Mitzvah celebration and try not to lose sight of what is important. Have faith that the experts you have hired will do a great job for you. Your celebration HAS TO BE wonderful because the people in the room are those closest to you; your family and friends that wish you well. Enjoy the process of watching your child reach a milestone. And celebrate by having fun and cherishing the moment….Like everything else, It goes by in the blink of an eye.
Here is a list of the Mitzvah Vendors who helped make Lauren’s Bat Mitzvah special. If you call any of them, please let them know you read about their services on MitzvahMarket.com. Thanks!
Venue: Temple Chaverim
Caterers: Hasson Caterers 516-367-1200
Florist: United Floral 516-829-8890
Entertainment: Double G 516-932-8342
Candle lighting Poems: PoemsbyCarolyn.com 516-312-0727
Favors: Barbara Edelstein Fine Designs 516-364-7644
Dress: 2 B Seen in Syosset 516-921-5777
Photography: Brian Jackson Photo 516-558-7013
Video: Li-Da Video Production 718-948-7319
Picture Booth: Parties by Gail 516-569-3962
Picture Blow-ups: Hi-Tech 516-681-0262
