November 11th, 2009
Michael Spelfogel from Rockville Centre, NY selected a Mitzvah Project to support a cause that hits close to home. Mitzvah Market caught up with him to hear about his project first-hand.
MM: Why did you select this particular Mitzvah Project?
MS: One of my friends was diagnosed with a life-threatening illness when he was 7 years old. He and his family heroically battled this illness for several years. After receiving and recovering from treatments, my friend is finally able to enjoy a normal life.
MM: Tell us the details of your project?
MS: I’ve seen how hard it is for families to go through a trauma like this. That’s why I’ve chosen to collect donations for Sunrise Day Camp, run by the Friedberg JCC. Sunrise is a camp for children with cancer and their siblings – they know that along with a cancer patient comes a family. Sunrise makes it possible for these children to enjoy a summer filled with fun and friendships. And it’s offered at no cost to the families.
MM: Tell us more about Sunrise Day Camp.
MS: Some of the activities the kids enjoy at Sunrise include: board games, hand held games, model magic clay, teen books, card games, puppets, word search games, Magic Pen books, coloring books, crayons and markers. I asked friends and family to help put a smile on the faces of the Sunrise campers by donating an item from this list. They dropped items off at my house or brought them along the day of my Bar Mitzvah.
Thanks Michael for sharing your thoughtful project with our readers. In the past, we profiled another Mitzvah child who had a project that also benefitted Sunrise Day Camp. Read about her Mitzvah Project here.
November 7th, 2009
By Robyn Spizman, www.TheGiftionary.com
It’s Robyn to your rescue and TheGiftionary.com is ready to help you, so check us out. Here are a few tips when purchasing a gift for someone to take to heart. Begin by considering not just what you like to give – think about what a Bar or Bat Mitzvah recipient values including their likes and dislikes. Sports? Music? A particular hobby or interest? Remember, gift giving lives in the details.
Do ask what they really want – don’t assume anything! Clueless? Listen out for hints, and don’t believe them if she says she doesn’t want a thing. There’s a great gift for even the hard to please, and you’ll discover it if you consider the “benefit.” Gifts that make them smarter, gifts that contribute to a special collection or cash. My favorite Bar Mitzvah cash gift were these: A grandfather included a letter of wisdom for each of 13 years he had written in preparation for the child’s Bar Mitzvah. He included it along with the check but the letters became the most meaningful gift of all! Another gift for a Bar or Bat Mitzvah child was a check that had an additional $18.00 added to the amount…it said..you keep this amount, but please donate the $18.00 to a cause of your choice. That gift kept on giving and was definitely a mitzvah maker!
Ask and you shall receive! In other words, ask their sibling, parent, family member, friend for clues about what someone would want and become Sherlock Holmes. Observe the brands she loves and then check out your options. Can’t afford the pricey designer handbag? Check out the key ring and include one of your timeless keys to success!
Do keep in mind that a gift should be something that makes someone feel adored, treasured, and cared for. It’s not the amount you spend but the time you spend searching for the gift, but is a piece of you showing thought included!
Don’t ever forget that your presence is the best gift of all. Transform your gift into a treasured memory by adding your feelings and thoughts to tell someone how much they mean to you.
Lastly, to make sure your present is a good match, gifted givers include gift receipts in a sealed envelope. Write ‘Just In Case’ on the envelope, and tell them to use it in case it’s the wrong color or size. They’ll think you thought of everything!
Check out TheGiftionary.com for a galaxy of gifts from A to Z and follow Robyn Spizman, the country’s leading gift expert at www.twitter.com/TheGiftionary
November 6th, 2009
Donate Leftover Food!
We thought this Mitzvah Find was worth a mention. AmpleHarvest.org will help you find a neighborhood food pantry in your area.
Simply type in your zip code and discover places just around the corner that could use your help. Might make for a nice Mitzvah Project idea too!
November 3rd, 2009
Recently a Mitzvah Mom wrote in to ask about appropriate gift ideas to give “kid to kid.” We thought that was a great question, and recently came across another idea that might be useful! Check out this clever Website, SimchaBucks.
SimchaBucks was created to help guests figure out how much money they should spend on a present for a special occasion, such as weddings, Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, baby showers and graduations. Additionally, the site can help event organizers manage the thank-you note process by recording the names of the gift givers and the gifts given.
In order to figure out how much money you should spend, you simply use a calculator on the site and supply information specific to your situation. This is taken into account along with other variables such as the month of the year and the state you live in.
Check out the Website and let us know if it is useful!
October 31st, 2009
NY Party Works is one of the premier New York entertainment companies, covering the entire Northeast and Mid-Atlantic areas. Whether you’re looking for event planning and/or party rentals in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania or any other state in the area, NY Party Works has it all.
The full-time staff of event coordinators and event crews at NY Party Works care as much about your party as you do and will do everything in their power to make your event a success. Margaret Fescina of NY Party Works answers some basic questions about being entertainment specialists.
One of the many rentals: an inflatable mechanical bull
MM: Tell us about your business.
MF: NY Party Works is a service-oriented, family-owned company that has been in the business of entertaining people for more than 30 years.
A Photo Booth
MM: How is your business unique?
MF: We have a very wide range of entertainment, from photo systems to inflatables and arcade games. Our staff of event coordinators work closely with our clients on each event. We care about their events like they were our own. We ask lots of questions to be sure that we really understand their needs and the specifics of each party and venue.
A Candy Wall
MM: What can people expect when they hire you?
MF: They can expect us to be on time, professional and completely involved in their event from start to finish. We will try to live up to all of the clients’ expectations and more.
Great Advice!
NY Party Works recommends that you always provide some form of entertainment for the “non-dancers” who attend your Bar/Bat Mitzvah. It is also nice to give each guest something to take home as a reminder of the event, such as a photo favor, or even a DVD of a music video or Pop Noggins performance.
What A Deal!
NY Party Works is offering $150 off any order of $1,000 (not including tax and delivery). Tell them Mitzvah Market sent you!
October 28th, 2009
by Stacy Lawrence of Make An Impression
When you visit an invitation retailer, you realize how many choices you have when selecting a design: color combinations, fonts, invitation sizes and styles, enhancements like appliques, layers and pocket folders, and so much more. Not to mention, everything can be customized. This is the “traditional” approach to ordering invitations, and the reputation is that going this route can cost a fortune. And it can!
As an alternative, families often consider making their own invitations. Going the “DIY route” allows you to add a personal touch to your invitations and it can be a serious cost-saving measure. However, more often than not, when you create your own invitation (unless you are a designer by trade), the finished product lacks the finishing touches a professionally designed and produced invitation would have.
The good news is, DIY invitations are not the only way to save money. Here are some ideas on how you can cut costs when ordering professionally designed and produced invitations:
* Order a fold-over invitation so there is more room to house all the details of the event on the same card.
* If you order a vertical invitation, address the envelopes horizontally to save on additional postage.
* Instead of sending direction cards, include the venue’s Website, which usually has directions posted.
* Skip the RSVP card; ask for a call or an e-mail.
While the DIY option feels like a real money saver, there are hidden “costs” – both monetary and time costs. Realistically, when you consider how much time it takes to conceptualize, research, print and assemble a DIY invitation, it can end up being more costly than some of the affordable professionally designed invitations on the market. A good invitation retailer will work with any client’s budget to come up with a beautiful and unique invitation that will look as elegant as the rest of your event.
Stacy Lawrence owns Make An Impression a five-star Yahoo rated invitation and party planning store in River Edge, NY. Check out her Website. And thanks for the advice, Stacy!
October 28th, 2009
We wanted to throw out this idea. Instead of a wearable favor, why not try something a little different as your Mitzvah favor?
We know kids love gum and this customized gumball machine can serve as a practical, yet colorful favor. And our research tells us, it can cost you about half the price of a wearable. Again, this idea is not for everyone, but most Moms tell us their kids have too many sweatshirts to wear as it is! We want to thank Lisa Chalker of Family Affair Distributing Inc. for this fun favor find! Please contact Lisa at 516-797-8770 or at contactus@familyaffairdist.com for more creative favor ideas.
October 24th, 2009
From the cocktail hour to the dance floor, the music at your event will come to life using the outstanding, professional entertainers, bands, disc jockeys, and specialty acts that EJ The DJ has to offer.
EJ The DJ Inc. utilizes its worldwide resources to customize entertainment for your affair. They continuously explore and expand what is upcoming and available in the industry to provide you with the cutting edge innovations in entertainment services. The result is a unique event to remember, which could not be made possible by any other company.
TIP: Ed Jacobs, the Owner/CEO since the company was founded in 1985, suggests that your DJ/entertainers should arrive at least 1 hour prior to your cocktail hour. Additionally, your DJ/MC should do a final meeting (in person or over the phone) to get to know the family and assure you that every detail will be carried out to perfection.
EJ The DJ can be reached at 1-800-ejthedj.
To learn more visit their extended Vendor Directory profile page and watch this Vendor Video Series.
October 24th, 2009
Areyvut enables Jewish youth to infuse their lives with core Jewish values of kindness, charity and social action. It’s time for their Annual Bnai Mitzvah Video Essay Contest!
Create a video that captures why and how you incorporated (or will incorporate) the values of chesed (kindness), tzedakah (charity) and tikkun olam (social justice) into your Bnai Mitzvah celebration. Grades 5 through 10 can participate and all the details can be found on the Areyvut Website. Mark you calendars! The deadline is Friday, December 25, 2009.
October 23rd, 2009
Sarah Tract of Brookville, NY, will become a Bat Mitzvah in November and wanted to come up with a Project that helped others and used her skills and abilities. She is very creative and came up with a clever plan. Mitzvah Market Mail caught up with Sarah and this is what she told us in her own words:
“Recently my hebrew school, Temple Beth Sholom, had my class visit Winthrop Hospital Outpatient Facility for Children with Cancer. When I saw these children who were getting chemotheraphy I felt so bad for them and I really wanted to do something to help. Also, due to all the problems in Israel lately, I also feel bad for the Israeli soldiers and would like to help them as well. Friends of the Israel Defense Force is a great place to donate money I can raise.”
“In the past few months,” Sarah continues, “I have created packages of greeting cards. These cards will help me raise money to support both of these two organizations I know can use our help.”
Sarah created two types of cards, one is a general greeting card and the other is a Judaica card
In exchange for her hand designed cards, Sarah is suggesting a donation of $18 to benefit either Winthrop Hospital Pediatric Oncology or Friends of the Israel Defense Force. To date, Sarah’s Mitzvah Project has raised $1,000 for the hospital and $500 for the Friends of the Israel Defense Force. If you are interested in learning more about Sarah’s cards and/or making a donation, please email Sarah at smtract@optonline.net.
Great job, Sarah!
