July 10th, 2021
Melisa Imberman from The Event Of A Lifetime has been planning Bar and Bat Mitzvahs on a very short time span lately. She tells Mitzvah Market, “I recently planned a Bat Mitzvah for a NYC family that called with only 2 months to go and COVID restrictions changing almost daily!” She continues, “Each time COVID restrictions changed we changed what we were doing – more guests, less guests, COVID testing etc.” As you will see below, the celebration was a huge success and took place outside at the Bat Mitzvah girl’s Uncle’s house in Westchester.
This Bat Mitzvah girl is a talented artist and loves to garden so Melisa created a garden party vibe and incorporated her artwork. The photographer was Jonas Gustavsson & Party Logo Design designed the logo.
Bat Mitzvah Details
Party Tent
The tent was set up like a garden party
In addition to masks, sanitizers & the gift box, the welcome table displayed several of the Bat Mitzvah girl’s works of art
For her escort cards, Imogen painted her favorite flower which was reproduced on canvas. Each table (seated by family due to COVID) got to take her painting home
The centerpieces featured the Bat Mitzvah girl’s logo on a picket fence filled with flowers
Beautiful floral centerpieces
Another fun activity was a combination Spin Art & Spin Cycle! Guests hopped on a stationary bike & created their own work of art
One the Bat Mitzvah girl’s paintings was blown up & used as the backdrop for the photo booth
There were signs directing guests to the luxury restroom trailer & delicious food truck
In addition to a catered luncheon there was a Mediterranean Food Truck
We thank Melisa and The Event Of A Lifetime for sharing this Bat Mitzvah with our readers. To learn more about The Event Of A Lifetime, visit their profile page.
June 26th, 2021
The pandemic certainly changed all of our lives. If you were a family who had a Bar or Bat Mitzvah planned, you had to re-imagine what your service and party would look like in the new world we were living in.
Some silver linings did occur, however, and one of those is the “Mitzvah Box.” This craze for virtual Bar and Bat Mitzvahs could be here to stay!
According to Stephanie Feldman, owner of Cutie Patootie Creations, “Families were trying to figure out ways for all of their guests to be involved in the special day. Mitzvah Boxes were a way to include everyone in the celebration.”
What is a Mitzvah Box? Any shape or sized box, sent to your guests, filled with everything as small as yarmulkes and your Bar/Bat Mitzvah program all the way to personalized sweatshirts and fleece blankets. Cookies created with a logo? Water bottles? Yes, it all can be put into your Mitzvah Box!
Example of Mitzvah Boxes from Cutie Patootie Creations
Who would you send a Mitzvah Box to? That is one of the many advantages of the new trend. Anyone you want. You can include all of your guests or only those who RSVP’d yes. You could make an all adult box, just for kids, or entire families.
“I’ve been working this past year with all types of budgets, small and large, to make up Mitzvah Boxes.” Stephanie tells Mitzvah Market. “It is such a nice way to keep people together and feel involved in your event. I’ve even sent boxes as far as Israel!” Popular items she has sent have included squeeze stress balls, personalized welcome cards, customized chocolate bars and sweet and salty snacks.
Examples of Boxes From Other Families
Jake's box included a program, note to guests, kippah, sweatshirt for kids/blanket for adults (created by Fannie Gilarde), and a delicious challah
Stickers for Jake's boxes were done with Sticker Mule and the logo was created by Woods and Company
Alexa's box included a program, challah (by Great Harvest Bread of Alexandria), hamantaschen, a candle and much more! Photos of Alexa's box by Cyndi Lee Photography
A personal note
Everyone loved the paper streamers that were included making it more fun and festive!
And let’s not forget those who can actually attend in person. You can deliver them locally or hand them out to your in-person guests at your Bar or Bat Mitzvah.
Are Mitzvah Boxes here to stay? It is certainly a great way to keep people that cannot travel (or who are not yet ready to travel) included in such a momentous occasion.
Did you create a Mitzvah Box? Send us a photo at [email protected]!
June 11th, 2021
Adar Gurvitch tells Mitzvah Market, “My son Dylan learned how to go with the flow when it came to his Bar Mitzvah. Snowstorm, hospitalizations, Rabbi out with Covid…you name it, it happened!” They finally were able to celebrate his Bar Mitzvah with a service at Temple Israel Center White Plains. They had 40 guests followed by a family zoom where they screened his montage for the first time. Included was a “cameo” by a Harry Potter actor which Dylan loved since this was the themed of his Bar Mitzvah.
Pictured above (L-R) Mom Adar, sister Kyla, brother Aidan, Bar Mitzvah boy Dylan, and dad Sam
The day of their scheduled “drive by” celebration there was a snow storm and it was postponed for 2 weeks but when it finally took place, they had a doughnut truck, fire pits and balloon decor!
Rebecca Weiss Photography took the photos and the rest of the vendors are listed at the bottom.
Bar Mitzvah Details
Proud parents with Dylan on the bimah
Many family members couldn't be "live" with them at the Temple, so they ordered fan cutouts of them! They made everyone laugh and definitely brought some levity to the Covid situation
Harry Potter themed Mitzvah Boxes were sent to guests and included Kippot, masks, sanitizers and Harry Potter themed candy
Themed Kippot
Signage at their house for the "drive by"
As his sign-in, Dylan used Favor & Flair's Flatter Box. Guests visited a unique webpage, where they could write messages and upload photos. After the Bar Mitzvah, the greetings were printed and assembled into a keepsake box
Themed cake by the Sugared Baker
Guests enjoyed smore's kits for the fire pit
Young guests received comfy PJs
Logo'd Oreos from Favor & Flair
Balloon columns by Westchester Pop Stars were personalized with his logo and sat next to a table with items like masks, sanitizers and cute signage
Guests love the doughnut truck
Mom to Mom Advice
“Realize that even though it may not be the celebration you envisioned, it is still a special and huge milestone. Celebrate it in safe ways. Find ways to add personal special touches. And everyone has been impacted by Covid- imagine the stories these kids will be telling their children about their pandemic Mitzvahs!”
Bar Mitzvah Vendors
Venue: Temple Israel Center White Plains and driveway
Party Planner/Favors/Kippot: Favor & Flair, 914-949-0133 or 203-817-0300
Photographer: Rebecca Weiss Photography, 347-245-0824
Invitations: Paperless Post
Cake: Leslie Schwartz, The Sugared Baker, 914-325-2266
Decor: Balloon Column by Westchester Pop Stars, 914-374-6034
Sign-in Flatter Box: Favor & Flair
Montage: Montages & Flair
Dresses: All About the Dress for Kyla, 914-219-5300, Nordstrom for Mom
Suits: Rothmans/Lubins in Scarsdale, 914-713-0300
Make-up: Allyson Wisel, 917-414-4995
Food Truck: Glazed and Confused, 201-951-3864
June 9th, 2021
Skyler Wenger from Wayne, New Jersey will be celebrating his Bar Mitzvah in Sept, 2021 but has already begun raising money for a worthy cause for his Mitzvah Project. We asked Skyler to tell us more:
MM: Can you give us details of your Mitzvah Project?
SW: For my Mitzvah Project I would like to raise enough money to sponsor a child with cancer to go to Camp Simcha for the summer.
MM: Why Camp Simcha?
SW: I decided to choose this project because my cousin Kayla Wenger went to this camp when she was sick. She had a rare form of brain cancer called ependymoma, which she fought for more than 5 years, but sadly passed away in 2012 when she was only 12 years old. Kayla really enjoyed going to this camp for 3 summers, from ages 9-11, and I would like to give another child the same opportunity to enjoy it too.
Young Skyler with his cousin Kayla
Kayla and a counselor at Camp Simcha
MM: In your own words, what does it mean to you to do a Mitzvah Project for your Bar Mitzvah?
SW: When Jewish people celebrate a special occasion it is customary to give Tzedakah. When I got my first paid acting job, I discussed with my parents that I should give some of my money to charity, and I chose Chai Lifeline since I did an online commercial for them and they sent my cousin to camp. It is important to give back to a
charity that helps people in such a nice way.
MM: What are you doing to spreading the word?
SW: I have a donation page here. I also want to set up a lemonade stand over the summer to collect donations. On Instagram, you will find a video I made to help spread the word. My mom posts on Facebook and asked all my friends and family to donate.
MM: For how long can people donate to this charity?
SW: Camp Simcha takes donations any time you would like to donate.
We thank Skyler for sharing this special Mitzvah Project with our readers. Learn more about Camp Simcha here.
May 31st, 2021
Melisa Imberman from The Event Of A Lifetime tells Mitzvah Market that this family was originally going to celebrate with a large party at a venue, but due to COVID the location was changed to their house so it could be outdoors and they could have more guests. They were excited to be able to carry out their original theme of “Allie In Wonderland.”
At the time of this Bat Mitzvah celebration, you were only permitted to have 25 people at a social gathering at a private residence in New York so the decision was made to have a party for 25 during the day and then 25 in the evening.
The day started with Allie’s service at Temple Beth El of Northern Westchester and was attended by immediate family and close friends with many others on Zoom. As the family made their way back to the house for a daytime Tea Party, waiting guests watched Allie’s montage and took pictures with a virtual photo booth. Later that night there was a nighttime dance party for Allie’s friends.
All photos were shot by Chad David Kraus Photography and all logos were designed by Party Logo Design.
Bat Mitzvah Details
Guests who couldn't attend in person received Mitzvah Boxes with a custom printed logo, plus a hat (which many of the Zoom guests wore when they watched from home) and other items
Also in the Mitzvah Box was a yarmulke, a challah with a tag that read, “Eat me,” and a Bubble Tea kit with a tag that read, “Drink me”
Additional items guests also received
Allie wanted her friends to have throw blankets embroidered with the date in Roman numerals
Friends also received fuzzy PJ shorts with a saying from Alice in Wonderland on the folded down band
As guests approached the tent, there were fun signs directing them
The Cake was topsy turvy with a tilted tea pot on top spilling flowers onto the cake. The cake also included her logo & several other elements like a clock & key
Menu card and pretty table setting
Daytime Tea Party
Upon arrival at this enchanted wonderland, guests received their escort cards (which were vintage tea cups) & logo masks
Logo'd masks
Guests sat a one large table with plenty of room for social distancing
The plates and cups were mismatched vintage china
The photo swing/photo op was a double swing. Behind the swing was a boxwood wall adorned with Allie’s logo, frames, and clocks
Nighttime Dance Party
Fun dance party!
They had a cotton candy artist
The creations looked almost too good to eat!
Allie's friends played Family Feud during the nighttime cocktail hour
Sign-in mirror
The dance floor was wrapped in a black & white check pattern with one of Allie’s logos in the center
The food stations were all in theme “Eat Me,” “Taste Me,” “and "Try Me”
We thank Melisa Imberman from The Event Of A Lifetime for sharing all the details from this Alice In Wonderland themed celebration. To learn more about The Event Of A Lifetime, visit their extended profile page.
May 15th, 2021
The Bar or Bat Mitzvah “favor” is a big category when it comes to planning your child’s Bar or Bat Mitzvah celebration. Everything from sweatshirts, t-shirts, PJs, shorts, blankets and beach towels to hats, water bottles, jewelry and mints can be personalized with a logo.
You can also incorporate your Bar or Bat Mitzvah favor into an activity at the celebration. Many bring in airbrush artists, photo booths and tattoo artists.
Whatever you decide to give out, it’s a good idea to involve your child in the selection of their Bar or Bat Mitzvah favor since they know what their friends like and have probably gone to a few more of these celebrations than you!
Check all the boxes for the vendors you are interested in learning more about. Fill in form on bottom.
You can also ask questions and get advice about favors and giveaways in our regional Bar Bat Mitzvah planning groups on Facebook. Join here.
May 15th, 2021
Most entertainment companies are more than just Bar Mitzvah & Bat Mitzvah DJs — many offer full-service. Along with staging, lighting and state-of-the-art technology, some companies offer lounge furniture and room decor, photography and videography, photo booths, novelty games and more! One-stop-shop is something to consider because it means less vendors for you to manage through the Bar Bat Mitzvah planning process.
The vendor you choose should be experienced in Bar Mitzvah & Bat Mitzvah entertainment and be familiar with the rituals and kid-friendly fun.
Here are some experts to consider:
Check all the boxes for the vendors you are interested in learning more about. Fill in form on bottom.
You can also ask questions and get advice about DJs in our regional Bar Bat Mitzvah planning groups on Facebook. Join here.
May 14th, 2021
Montages, with photos, videos and other creative special effects are used at a Bar Mitzvah and Bat Mitzvah celebration. These montages have become mini documentaries of the guest of honor’s life. Although only 13 years have passed, it’s fun to see all the old photos of family and friends.
Check all the boxes for the vendors you are interested in learning more about. Fill in form on bottom.
You can also ask questions and get advice about montages in our regional Bar Bat Mitzvah planning groups on Facebook. Join here.
May 14th, 2021
One of the most important details when planning a Bar Mitzvah or Bat Mitzvah is to hire a photographer and videographer to capture it all!
Consider choosing a professional photographer and videographer who has experience with Bar and Bat Mitzvah clients and know how to capture all the special moments. They will know how to be unobtrusive while still capturing family and friends in pictures and video.
These videos and photos from your child’s Bar and Bat Mitzvah celebration will make wonderful keepsakes for years to come.
Here are some experts to consider for your photography and videography Bar Bat Mitzvah needs:
Check all the boxes for the vendors you are interested in learning more about. Fill in form on bottom.
May 13th, 2021
Bar Mitzvah & Bat Mitzvah logos are the “it” element of a Bar or Bat Mitzvah celebration. Whether you are trying to use your child’s first name, last name, a phrase or initials, it’s not easy to come up something unique.
Experts who specialize in Bar Bat Mitzvah logos are great at taking your child’s information and coming up with something clever. It’s never too early to start the logo planning!
Check all the boxes for the vendors you are interested in learning more about. Fill in form on bottom.
You can also ask questions and get advice about logos in our regional Bar Bat Mitzvah planning groups on Facebook. Join here.
