January 18th, 2016
When your child’s Bar Bat Mitzvah celebration is over, all that’s left are memories, pictures and “the wearable favor!” Gotham T-Shirts makes sure that your favors are as memorable as the event.
Gotham T-Shirts specializes in the most creative designs and apparel that will wow your guests, and be cherished well after the event has ended.
Today’s kids are fashion forward and want cool stuff to wear. Gotham is the recognized leader and gold-standard for the hottest party items. They offer top brands such as American Apparel, J. America, MV Sport, Alternative Apparel.
Whatever your budget is; Gotham will give you most for your money. All their work and services are completed in-house so they have total control of your job and your price. Whether this is your first party and you need total guidance and your hand held, or your last party and know exactly what you want, they will guide you through the process from beginning to end.
Gotham T-Shirts, is a full service facility whose award winning artists create unique logos and designs for all Bar Bat Mitzvah and Sweet 16 needs.
It’s busy at their Sea Cliff store everyday!
All work done on premises
Below are some of their designs for Bar Mitzvahs, Bat Mitzvahs and Sweet 16s:
It’s always fun to include the child’s name in the logo!
Initials in the logo are popular too
Another example of a clever “name in logo”
“Justin Do It” with the date down the arm
A Sweet 16 design
Just BECCAuse!
To learn more about Gotham T-shirts, visit their extended profile page in our Vendor Directory.
January 10th, 2016
WANT TO WOW YOUR BAR BAT MITZVAH GUESTS WITH SOMETHING BRAND NEW?
Enter End Point’s Liquid Galaxy!
This is a popular interactive panoramic system using wrap-around high definition screens to create a fully visual immersive experience.
Watch guests interact with Liquid Galaxy by End Point at a Bar Mitzvah here
Through the interfacing of a 3D geographic experience, guests can fly around the world, see any location from the Grand Canyon to their favorite European city, rove under the oceans, and even fly to the Moon and to Mars and explore their terrains.
So cool!
For the Bar Bat Mitzvah child, you can create a personalized life-story by putting images, videos, pinpoint locations and much more right onto the map prior to your celebration. Want to show friends where your child plays sports or takes music lessons? It’s easy to build that story while adding videos or pictures of them playing, of their coaches or teammates, statistics, award ceremonies, and so much more.
Want to get the entire family and guest list involved as well? With End Point’s Liquid Galaxy a presentation can be created specifically for the event either beforehand, or even at the time of the event, and enjoyed by everyone. Show a history of where your relatives traveled from to get here, where they grew up, where they live now.
The Liquid Galaxy will engage your guests giving them the experience of a lifetime as they enjoy the immersive journey right at the Bar or Bat Mitzvah event. A copy of the story can also be created as a give-away for guests to take home as well.
And of course, everyone can enjoy free-flight, anytime they want. The Liquid Galaxy allows your guests to take in the entire world by the touch of their fingers. See Paris, your school, favorite vacation spots, instantly through this fully visual immersive experience.
Bring the world to your party or event! To learn more, visit End Point by Liquid Galaxy in our Vendor Directory.
Get a demonstration of End Point by Liquid Galaxy in person at the Celebrate! Party Showcase and Mitzvah Project Fair on Sunday, January 24, 2016 from 12-4pm. Pre-register for this FREE event at www.celebrateshowcase.com.
January 6th, 2016
Who better to find the latest and greatest for all-things Bar Bat Mitzvahs than our own Mitzvah Moms?
When the Malamud family from Plainview, New York, planned their son Zach’s Bar Mitzvah celebration, they wanted to include their two older children.
Hi Tech Photography and Events had a creative idea. Dressing his siblings to match the basketball themed Bar Mitzvah, a clever poster was created.
Great poster and creative idea to include pictures of Zach’s older brother Brett and sister Jenna into the party
To see the rest of this celebration, click here.
Please share your Bar or Bat Mitzvah “Mom Find” with us at info@mitzvahmarket.com.
See more Mom finds here.
January 6th, 2016
NY Party Works is a full-service Bar Bat Mitzvah Event Planning company. They have coordinated thousands of events in the Metro area and beyond. High-end photo favors, photo booths, arcade games, virtual reality and interactive games are some of their specialties.
Whether you are looking for complete event planning or just looking to add some exciting entertainment to your Bar Bat Mitzvah celebration, NY Party Works can provide it all.
NY PARTY WORKS GLOW PARTIES
We’ve heard “Glowing” reviews about NY Party Works’ Glow Parties. Imagine your child’s Bar Bat Mitzvah celebration all aglow with fun games that guests of all ages can enjoy. NY Party Works offers classic LED table games, with changing colors, that will brighten up your room decor such as foosball, air hockey, ping pong, shuffleboard and mini golf.
Here are some of those items in action:
Glow-in-the-dark version of classic Foosball changes colors
Two-player Air Hockey table with changing colors
Shuffleboard fun
Quad Air Hockey table – the next generation of fun with four players and pucks!
Picture your room decor with colorful ping pong
To learn more about NY Party Works, visit their extended profile page in our Vendor Directory.
December 23rd, 2015
BuzzFeed is a social news and entertainment company with an audience of millions. We decided to join the fun – Mitzvah Market now has a BuzzFeed account!
As we create our posts, we will list them here. Our hope is that you read them, enjoy them and share them with your friends via Facebook.
Just copy the link and be the first to show your friends. Enjoy…..
Take our quiz: WHAT COLOR PALETTE SHOULD YOU HAVE AT YOUR BAR BAT MITZVAH?
We all know that picking your color palette can be extremely difficult, especially when Mom’s idea of a “cool color palette” is not by any means “cool.” Take this quiz to find out what colors you should actually go with for your big day! Click here
Take our quiz: WHAT IS YOUR BAR BAT MITZVAH THEME?
We all know ours was the best, by far. I mean, who could have pulled off “Rachel’s Candy Bar” better than you? Unless someone else’s name was Dylan, of course. Take this quiz to see which Bar/Bat Mitzvah theme suits you best! Click here
13 TYPES OF PEOPLE YOU MEET AT EVERY BAR BAT MITZVAH CELEBRATION
We all know who they are. See if you can spot them at the next one you attend. The list is here
7 BAR BAT MITZVAH VIDEOS YOU NEED TO WATCH
These montages, entrance videos, and performances are definitely ones to watch. Click here
10 THINGS THAT CAN GO WRONG AT ANY BAR BAT MITZVAH CELEBRATION
For the worried Jewish moms, here are the things to be careful of when it comes to all things Bar/Bar Mitzvah. Click here
Thanks for reading, clicking and sharing!
December 23rd, 2015
By Lori S. Robinson
Twins and multiples live with their own special connection at all times, so why should their Bar or Bat Mitzvahs be any different? If you have multiples or even close-in-age siblings, having them join together to do a B’nai Mitzvah instead of two separate services and affairs can be a great idea. Not only will it save you money by having a single event, but it certainly cuts down on the time and effort involved in the planning. Perhaps it will also encourage far away friends and relatives who may not have been able to make two big trips to come join in on this one special celebration. Having a party for more than one can also work well when two best friends can coordinate their Bar/Bat Mitzvah dates.
But doing it this way does take some special considerations. How, for example, do parents celebrate each child, allowing them to shine individually, showcasing each ones’ talents and passions so they feel honored for their own accomplishments, and also avoid any one child from overshadowing the other(s)? In some cases, multiples see themselves as a terrific partnership; while others put extra effort into establishing their own identities. Parents need to take all this into account when planning such a B’nai Mitzvah.
Ask the kids themselves how they envision their party. Their feedback and ideas are key to making everyone happy. Do they want to be announced separately when they enter the party? Do they want two themes; two cakes? Or would they rather share the event in every way (keeping in mind that not every adolescent wants to steal the limelight).
There are many reasons close-in-age siblings might share a party too, i.e., as a courtesy to far-away relatives; to accommodate a shy child, or one who came to Judaic studies late in the game. Some kids may have had their Bar/Bat Mitzvah ceremonies during a trip to Israel or at a Jewish sleep-away but have not had a party attended by extended family and friends from home. Like multiples, these siblings need to work together to balance their expectations.
Best friends may be the most excited teens to share a party. Again, they’d have to share ideas and be extra cooperative (as will their party-planning parents). But most important of all is for their families to clearly agree on how they will handle all the details—money, guest lists, organizational tasks, etc. — ahead of time.
So, how do you make a Bar/Bat Mitzvah party special when you are celebrating more than one child? We asked some real B’nai Mitzvah families to share their experiences:
Twins and Multiples
Emma and Jakey Mohamed, Edgemont, NY, March 2013
Photo credit: Todd Shapera
Emma and Jakey Mohamed, of Edgemont, NY, were never known as “the twins.” As early as preschool, their mom, Suzanne Lovett, took great pains to make sure that they were always recognized as separate individuals and that philosophy carried over when planning their B’nai Mitzvah.
“We didn’t want their ‘twinship’ to define the B’nai Mitzvah,” says Lovett, who grappled with how the family might celebrate the kids’ individuality, while honoring the special bond between them. Yet, she said, “ we wanted a cohesive party.”
Where to begin? Emma loved horseback riding and Jakey was into baseball, so they asked photographer Todd Shapera to join them at a horse farm to take photos of the teens doing their favorite activities, separately.
“When I first met the kids, they didn’t think they wanted photos together, but at the farm and their home, they loved being close,” says Shapera. The single and double portraits were blown up into posters and banners to decorate the B’nai Mitzvah venue.
Working with Shoreline Embroidery in Mamaroneck, the Mohameds created a customized logo for their party — a coat of arms with their initials in separate colors, green for Jakey and purple for Emma, to represent the two of them together. The logo included crossed swords, an inside nod to sibling squabbling, explains Lovett. They used the logo throughout the party space to create a unified theme, on napkins, napkin rings, pillows in the lounge area, t-shirts worn by the DJ, as a gobo and printed on the party favor sweatshirts.
To emphasize the teens’ “separate but equal-ness,” there was an Emma’s candy buffet table with purple candies and a Jakey’s buffet with green. But when it came to cake, there was only one. Sweets by Alissa in Scarsdale created a cake decorated with a jumble of words that had special meaning to both kids, including nicknames, camps, movies, Dr. Who quotes, vacations, etc. It was a sweet day indeed for these twins.
“As much as my kids bicker and argue at home, it was amazing to see how united and considerate they were of each other at the B’nai mitzvah,” says Lovett. “When my husband and I gave them the joint blessing, we noticed that they were firmly holding each other’s hand in excitement. That just may have been the first and last time that ever happens!”
Jen and Will Borowka, Chappaqua, NY, October 2010
Twins Jen and Will Borowka worked together as a team planning their B’nai Mitzvah. “The fact that they had to share it, kept them from being egocentric,” says Mary Borowka of her twins’ B’nai Mitzvah party. “Their ‘keeping balance, showing respect, and willingness to compromise’ muscles got a good work-out.” Her top tip: Hire a party planner willing to mediate any disputes so mom and dad don’t always have to get in the middle.
That’s not to say that Jen and Will weren’t already a successful, working partnership (they’d been doing it for 13 years!). For instance, Jen invited all the girls and Will supplied all the boys for the party. Together, they planned out the perfect co-ed tables.
The only hiccup for Jen, was when her brother stole the spotlight with a lip-synch. Boys!
Explains Borowka: “As I said to my children on the bima about planning their B’nai Mitzvah together, Each of you is very important and your needs and hopes do matter and must be pursued; however neither of you matter at the expense of another. You are a part of a process but not the entire process. This lesson is essential in life. It speaks to the ability to balance drive with empathy, ambition with humility, pursuit of self with concern of others. A life weighted too much on either side of the continuum is a life that is off balance. But a life that takes both sides of the equation into account is the personal journey of someone who will experience satisfaction, pride and happiness. You both have shown yourselves through this process to possess this balance.”
Abby and Samantha Zuckerman, Edgemont, NY, April 2013
Photo credit: Tiffany @ Luciebelle
Identical twins Abby and Sam Zuckerman didn’t want to dress the same or wear their hair the same for their party at Infinity in Pleasantville, NY. After all, they had their own identities.
Still, they were both in dance companies and chose “dance” as their party theme. They had separate sign-ins, each was a dress form wearing a different color tutu (something they’d seen on Mitzvahmarket.com). They both chose long dresses but one twin’s dress bottom was bright blue tulle, and the other’s was white tulle.
They were both beautiful that day. Separately.
Chloe and Spencer Rehfield, NYC, June 2008
The best advice to planning a party for more than one – consider the nature of your kids individually, says Kori Rehfield, mom of twins. “It is too easy to get carried away with Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, especially with twins, where you always have to prove you are not just lumping them together,” she says.
“Since my kids are shy, they did not want a huge traditional party, and neither did we. We had a kids-only event at a comedy club. We had no candle lighting, centerpieces, separate entrances; just a grown-up party where the kids got dressed up and felt the momentum of the occasion. It was a lovely celebration acknowledging coming of age. It was THEIR dream party. We never looked back or wished we had done it any other way.”
The invitations were one area where both kids contributed, says Rehfield. Since there was just one, “they both had to agree. We wanted to incorporate something traditional and reflective of (both) boy/girl, so we picked a brown-backed card with lilac writing, something masculine but feminine at the same time, and both kids approved. Then we stayed with the brown color for tablecloths and had pink flowers and yarmulkes (yes, Spence loved the pink), so again we were setting the feel of masculine and feminine.
Emma, Rachel and Mikey Glozman, Manhattan Beach, CA, January 2012
Photo credit: Karen Ard
The Glozman triplets have always understood that good things come in threes, so they chose to “go with it.” They picked three colors for their color scheme. Dangling above every guest table were photos of the triplets along with a clever table name that played on the theme of three: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly; 3 Point Shot; Triple Play; The Three Musketeers, etc.
Mom Liz Glozman says that her children didn’t ask for anything that would draw attention to them individually. The only thing they asked was that their table be horseshoe-shaped—so that they could all see each other. That table was called G3.
Close-in-Age Siblings
Paulina and Daniel Kreymer, Woodmere, NY, August 2012
Paulina Kreymer, of Woodmere, NY, came into the world just a year and a few weeks after her big brother Daniel was born.
“What a mitzvah!” said the Kreymer’s rabbi, “In twelve years you’ll have one big simcha to celebrate.”
And they did. In 2012, when Daniel was 13 and Paulina was 12 (Bat Mitzvah age in orthodoxy and in the Kreymer’s Russian Jewish tradition), the siblings shared one, great, B’nai Mitzvah party.
“Paulina picked out a cotton candy pink dress,” says their mom Rita, “ so I instantly thought cotton candy could be their theme.” Somehow, they got an indulgent Daniel to wear a tux with a matching cotton candy-colored vest and tie.
The two kids, however, did insist on separate cakes. Daniel’s was a NY Giants football cake and Paulina’s was all about makeup.
Mom’s top tip: “Include everyone from your family in the planning,” and that doesn’t just mean multiple children. “I was pleasantly surprised how useful a word or a silly comment can be from your husband who you think never listens to a word you say!”
Best Friends
Cole Strawn, West Hills, CA, and Alek Solter, Canoga Park, CA, July 2013
Photo credit: Karen Ard
Cole Strawn and Alek Solter have been best friends since the age of three. Their moms, Marnie Strawn and Jennifer Solter, are also best friends. As both boys studied for their Bar Mitzvahs privately with Cantor Judy Fox, someone (no one remembers who) brought up the idea of co-hosting the boys’ parties together.
Marnie and Jennifer thought it was a great idea, especially since the boys had lots of friends in common, so they agreed to send out one joint invitation from both families.
The Strawns and Solters had a combined family service and luncheon with football-themed centerpieces. “Their party was at an indoor trampoline facility that we rented out. We also included Terror Trucks (a haunted mobile attraction) and food and dessert trucks,” says Jennifer.
Was there anything they didn’t agree on? “Not really,” says Jennifer. They split costs down the middle and they’re all still friends.
Hot Trends for B’nai Mitzvah Parties
• Two Sweatshirts In One: Reversible Clothing
Instead of doing two favors when you have twins, why not let each design their own side of a tee or sweatshirt? This way no feelings are hurt. For more info contact: Steffsstuff2@aol.com
• Twins Squared and Triplets Cubed
Consider creating a logo using the kids’ initials, or the first letter of their last name followed by a numerical superscript (like the Glozmans’ G3). Each child picks a favorite color to include, or in the case of mixed gender multiples, a gender-neutral color is chosen.
• Photo Posters as Décor
Let each child shine by covering the room with over-sized photos showing off their individual passions. This is where we learn that Julie likes to ice skate, David is into football and Alan is a magician.
This story is from the 2013 Mitzvah Market Magazine. If you would like to request a free copy of our current magazine, click here.
December 23rd, 2015
Jaylor Party Favors has 20 years of experience as a screen printer and embroidery company that specializes in designing wearable favors for your child’s Bar or Bat Mitzvah.
Their specialty items include hooded sweatshirts, zip-up sweatshirts, sweatpants, T-shirts, blankets, mesh jerseys, tank tops, shorts, flannel PJs, sport bags and more.
They specialize in silk screening and embroidery on brand names such as American Apparel, Gildan, Jersees, Sofees, Bella, Boxercraft, Champion or any other style you select. They can also add bling to your order.
Often times, Bar and Bat Mitzvah boys and girls and their families will say, “I don’t have a theme for my celebration.” This is when the designers at Jaylor Party Favors brainstorm and get to work! No theme, no fear, they can still come up with an original design for your child’s wearable favor for their friends.
Here are some examples of designs that were created when the party didn’t have a specific theme:
Hot Pink and Zebra Stripes
Game Stop “Gamer” Artwork
Sports Graffiti T-shirt
iPod/iPhone zip-up sweatshirt with phone icons representing what the Bar or Bat Mitzvah child loves
Hot Pink Grafitti T-shirt
Circular design filled with all the Bat Mitzvah girl’s “Favorite Things”
To satisfy two siblings for one celebration, use their initials!
A variety of designs for girls
A variety of designs for boys
The staff at Jaylor Party Favors would be happy to meet with you and your child to discuss design ideas for your Bar Bat Mitzvah favors.
To learn more about Jaylor Party Favors, visit their extended profile page in our Vendor Directory.
December 21st, 2015
Natalie celebrated her Bat Mitzvah at Shelter Rock Caterers in Rosyln, New York with an “Under The Sea” Eilat, Israel theme filled with state-of-the-art decor and production. Her dad Gil is a 20 year event producer so the bar was set high to come up with very creative decor and a unique event for his daughter, the third of his five children.
Her dad tells Mitzvah Market, “It was important for us to come together with our family and good friends to celebrate Natalie. We worked tirelessly creating a breathtaking under the sea theme with an immersive environment from floor to ceiling and a dramatic grand entrance, something to rival what we did for her older brothers’!”
The caterer served up savory authentic cuisine and the wait staff wore thematic attire to complete the motif.
Pictured above (L-R): Brothers David and Jacob, Bat Mitzvah girl Natalie, Dad Gil, sister Ella, Mom Karen and brother Isaac.
The photographer was LMS Entertainment and the rest of the vendors are listed at the bottom.
Bat Mitzvah Details
Underwater inspired coral centerpieces
Blue water beads shadowbox teens table
Under the Sea immersive environment created with 3D video mapping
Water bubble high-boy table with ghost stools
Dolphin ice luge
Live performance by Avi Peretz
Celebrity Electric Violinist
Natalie's Jet Ski entrance with CO2 blasts
Kicking off the celebration with Lights, Camera and Action!
Jet Ski photo opp - "The boys are back in town!"
Natalie celebrating with her friend’s candle
Under the Sea inspired candle-lighting cake
Natalie in front of her logo
Celebrating with Dino the MC
Swag sweatshirts in labeled cubbies
Natalie’s Brothers’ Bar Mitzvah Entrances
Brother David's Bar Mitzvah entrance
Brother Jacob's Bar Mitzvah entrance
Advice from Dad Gil
Captivate your guests by carrying out a theme or motif starting with the decor, production, catering and entertainment, to create a memorable affair that engages all guests throughout the party. Start early! Keep all vendors in the loop.
Bat Mitzvah Vendors:
Venue/Cake: Shelter Rock Caterers, 516-358-0800
Party Planner: PBG Event Productions, 516-358-0800
Music Entertainment: Jewish DJ, 516-358-0800
Additional Music Entertainment: Avi Perets & Ouri Bitan, 917-734-2722
Photographer: LMS Entertainment, 718-229-2700
Videographer: Digital Arts, 718-465-8476
Favors/Sign-In Board: Print Station NY, 646-464-2037
Decor: CERF (Creative Event Rentals & Furnishings), 212-677-0800
Florist: Jerry Sibal, 212-679-3229
Dress: Designing Dreams, 516-248-1988
Makeup: Katrina, 917-285-0648
Hair: Great Hands, 516-931-0445
December 20th, 2015
thecoolestgiveaways.com has worked with over a thousand families to create the most unique ideas for Bar Bat Mitzvah giveaways. They are a one-stop-shop for all elements of your child’s Bar Bat Mitzvah. They have an in-house design team who can create original logos for any theme.
In addition to customized giveaways such as sweatshirts, t-shirts, sweatpants, or shorts, they can add special touches to your party with decor items that match your theme. Customized decorative lamps and pillows, cardboard cut-outs, vinyl clings, sign-in boards and place cards are just some of the items they can do.
thecoolestgiveaways.com prides themselves on their personalized and prompt customer service. They inspect and count each order to make sure that it is perfect.
You can maximize your logo throughout your event with the COOLEST event decor:
Battery-powered lamps work great in a lounge setting or as centerpieces on table tops. See more samples here
Customized Vinyl Clings are a colorful way to enhance your party decor. See more samples here
For a fun accent to your lounge decor, add colorful, customized pillows. See more samples here
Cardboard Cut-outs add to the fun! See more examples here
“Brand” your party with a customized Step & Repeat. See more samples here
“Coolest” Sign-In Boards and Books. See more samples here
Additionally, they are offering the COOLEST new headphones and speakers:
Customized headphones and speakers are all the rage.
They come in the coolest customized boxes your guests will love! See more samples here
December 13th, 2015
Jimmy Dee Entertainment guarantees to take your child’s Bar Bat Mitzvah party to a whole new level.
They offer a plethora of services which can be mixed, matched and packaged together to offer clients full-on customization. You’ll work with a team of event coordinators who are available around the clock to help you create, customize and, most importantly, enjoy your event.
They offer everything from the area’s most dynamic talent, to cutting edge games and favors and much more. Visit Jimmy Dee Entertainment’s beautiful new office and see why they have been awarded the exclusive “Best of Westchester” award, four years in a row!
One of the many special moments during your child’s Bar or Bat Mitzvah celebration will be the Mother-Son and/or Father- Daughter dance.
To help you cross this off your to-do list, we asked the experts at Jimmy Dee Entertainment for the top Mother-Son and Father-Daughter dance songs and here’s the list!
TOP MOTHER-SON DANCE SONGS:
Because You Loved Me by Celine Dion
I Hope You Dance by Lee Ann Womack
Count On Me by Bruno Mars
How Sweet It Is (to Be Loved by You) by James Taylor
Sweet Child O’ Mine by Guns N’ Roses
93 Million Miles by Jason Mraz
You Raise Me Up by Josh Groban
TOP FATHER-DAUGHTER DANCE SONGS:
One Call Away by Charlie Puth
Never Grow Up byTaylor Swift
I Learned From You by Hannah Montana
Daughters by John Mayer
Butterfly Kisses by Bob Carlisle
Isn’t She Lovely by Stevie Wonder
My Wish by Rascal Flatts
What a Wonderful World – Louis Armstrong
To learn more about Jimmy Dee Entertainment, visit their extended profile page in our Vendor Directory.
