September 26th, 2015
EK Productions is a professional group of Bar Mitzvah & Bat Mitzvah entertainers founded in 1986. Their company has grown from a successful DJ operation to a full scale event planning unit, specializing in videos, dancers, automated lighting and special effects, games, percussionists, MCs and other exciting entertainment for Bar Bat Mitzvah celebrations.
They are a boutique entertainment company only engaging in three to four events a weekend. They pride themselves on having the most unique and elaborate entertainment set-ups in the industry. They only use the best sound and lighting and they also event plan for their clients at no extra charge.
NEW! Flavored Lip Balm Creation Station!
EK Productions knows their clients want the latest in Bar Bat Mitzvah entertainment. They have just introduced their new ‘Create Your Lip Balm” station that we’re certain kids will love! Each Lip Balm Creation Station comes with six different flavors including, “Wicked Watermelon” and “Wacky Banana.” There are custom labels on each tube and customization with your child’s Bar Bat Mitzvah logo is available.
It all happens in 20 seconds at this colorful kiosk! Dimensions: 39″ W x 14″ D
The latest in Bar Bat Mitzvah entertainment!
To learn more about EK Productions, visit their extended profile page in our Vendor Directory.
September 20th, 2015
Simply Sophie: A Bat Mitzvah In Baltimore
By Teen Blogger, Charlotte
I recently attended the Bat Mitzvah of my close family friend Sophie Jacobson in Baltimore and let’s just say that it was a night to remember!
Her theme was ‘Simply Sophie’ although her party was anything but!
Pictured left: Charlotte
Here are my favorite party highlights from the night.
Sophie is a talented singer and actress and loves theatre so of course she had to make a dramatic entrance onto the dance floor!
Sophie “enters” her celebration with two of the DJ dancers
Sophie chose to borrow two dresses for her big day from Charlotte’s Closet (my Mom’s company named after me!) and looked stunning in both. Here she is looking so beautiful in the dress by BLUSH! Say cheese!
I also fell in love with her blinged-out converse high-tops, LOVE LOVE!
Note to self: Wear similar shoes to my party!
I loved the way the adult place cards were displayed. How cool is this tree?
Sophie’s DJ was Limelight out of Baltimore (CJ was the MC) and they kept the crowd rocking all night!
Sophie also looked flawless while pumping up the party with her friends in another dress she borrowed from Charlotte’s Closet by Stella M’Lia
Here’s Sophie with her brother Jack and sister Claire. Even baby Claire enjoyed the party!
VENDORS
Music: Entertainment by Limelight, MC CJ; Decor & Centerpieces: R&R Events
Contact for both: Laurie Schimmel, 410-960-7255
About Charlotte
I’m a 8th grader from Port Washington, New York. I love tennis, dancing, skiing, hanging with my friends, my family and of course FASHION!
My Mom even named her company after me! Charlotte’s Closet is a new online spot where tweens and teens can borrow designer dresses for every party for up to 75% off the retail price! Never wear the same dress twice…Think of us as your celebrity BFF whose closet you can raid…whenever you want.
Read another story by Charlotte here.
September 20th, 2015
The Fox Hollow is Long Island’s premier event destination nestled upon eight private acres of Long Island’s Gold Coast featuring a state-of-the-art catering venue, luxury boutique hotel and fine dining restaurant all in one convenient location!
Catering to events of all sizes, the Fox Hollow is an ideal location for your child’s Bar Bat Mitzvah celebration where friends and family can celebrate in style. Expect to receive the very best when you celebrate your special event at this location. With everything from personalized service and award winning cuisine; the Fox Hollow can accommodate all of your event needs.
New! Fox Hollow Catering introduces The Somerley, a pristine Long Island Banquet hall. Catering to one event at a time, it boasts three private levels dedicated to you and your guests with a private entrance, state of the art ballroom and beautiful gardens.
The Somerley features a breathtaking ballroom
A spacious cocktail area
Hi-tech dining options
Chic lounge set-ups
Modern lounge vignettes
Upscale lounge with beautiful lighting
Exquisite decor combined with the finest amenities
To learn more about The Fox Hollow Catering, Restaurant and Hotel, visit their extended profile page in our Vendor Directory.
September 16th, 2015
Deciding your child’s Bar Bat Mitzvah theme can be a challenge. Sometimes themes cleverly revolve around a Bar Bat Mitzvah child’s name or initials. Families can be very creative!
We found some samples that you will love…
You might want to re-name your child after viewing the samples below!
Saturday Night Live was the inspiration for Natalie’s Saturday Nat Live celebration from Abby Rose Photo
O.M.G. are the initials for Olivia Morgan Goldstein! Check out her spotlight story here
Phoebe’s celebration was “Phoebelicious” with a logo created by Amy Wohl from Fabu Designs
Check out her spotlight story here
“AmERICA Runs On Candy” was the theme for Erica Levy from New Jersey
Olivia used the phrase “Liv It Up” for her party from Abby Rose Photo
The familiar Jelly Bean became Jilly Bean for this Bat Mitzvah girl
For another Erica Levy it was “Smiles Across AmERICA”
The Verizon Center became the Zach Center for this basketball themed party
Check out this spotlight story here
From “Rachel” Brenner’s spotlight story, Amy Wohl created “The Art of Being OutRACHous!”
Very clever from Jersey Street Furniture…”Got The Moves Like Miller”
From Dancejock Productions, Madison’s Square Garden
Ermaopoly for a game lovin’ Bar Mitzvah girl from East 7th Street Promotions
Did you use your child’s name in their logo? Let us know at info@MitzvahMarket.com.
September 14th, 2015
Who better to find the latest and greatest for all-things Bar Bat Mitzvahs than our own Mitzvah Moms?
When Traci Friedman was trying to find a tallit for her daughter Emma’s Bat Mitzvah, she had a great idea! She thought it would be special to create a tallit out of her great grandmother’s Wedding gown which Emma’s grandmother also wore.
Since Emma is named after her great grandmother, the Friedman family thought that this was a special way to include her memory in their service and something tangible that she will have have as a reminder of her ancestors. She can always feel wrapped in something that her great grandmother wore on such a special occasion!
Emma’s great grandmother in her Wedding gown
The Friedmans worked with Tallit by Ina Helfand. There was even enough fabric so Ina could create a second tallit for Emma’s younger sister who will celebrate her Bat Mitzvah in 2017.
Emma and her twin brother Jacob celebrated their B’nai Mitzvah at their sleepaway camp Baco and Che-Na-Wah and then a party at the Connecticut Science Center. Mom Traci went to Camp Che-Na-Wah, so that is keeping with tradition in their family too!
Jacob and Emma at their service
Photo credit: Iris photography, Mike Shauk
A close-up of the final tallit
Photo credit: Iris photography, Mike Shauk
Jacob and Emma all smiles!
Photo credit: Iris photography, Mike Shauk
If you have a great idea to share with our Mitzvah Market readers, please let us know at info@mitzvahmarket.com.
To see other Mom Finds, click here.
September 9th, 2015
We’re happy to share this important cause with you as an option for your child’s Bar Bat Mitzvah Project:
For Joyce Davis, President of Keeping Babies Safe, inspiration was born of tragedy. Joyce lost her four month-old son, Garret, through the simple act of adding a supplemental mattress to her boy’s portable crib—a mattress advertised as suitable and safe.
Determined to spare other families this heartbreak, she founded Keeping Babies Safe to educate parents about crib and sleep safety, and to advocate for more stringent consumer product safety regulation laws.
Pictured above: The Davis family
“These dangers are completely preventable,” Joyce says. “Cribs are the most important product in your home for your baby, the only place where your child is left unattended. We supply reliable information to parents so they can be better informed to protect their babies.”
Joyce’s three daughter’s, Eliza, now 20 years old, Lauren, now 19 years old and Jamie, now 13 years old, have all done different Mitzvah Projects benefitting their family’s organization Keeping Babies Safe.
Each of Joyce’s daughters raised money for Keeping Babies Safe to help ensure that all babies had a safe sleep environment. They donated all the money raised from each of their events to purchase cribs and sheets and safe sleep educational materials for families in New Jersey and worked with the New Jersey Department of Child & Family Services to identify and distribute the cribs.
Here’s more details of each Mitzvah Project:
Eliza held a 5K Run/Walk at Harry Dunham Park in Basking Ridge, New Jersey, and raised over $50,000!
A banner sign for the 5K Run/Walk
A big crowd came out for this event
For Lauren’s Mitzvah Project, she decide to hold a Spin A Thon and raised over $3,500.
Jamie held a group workout with Guerrilla Fitness Crossfit and raised over $4,000.
Students can incorporate Keeping Babies Safe into any aspect of their Bar Bat Mitzvah celebration. For a donation, they offer centerpieces, party favors and displays that show your commitment to the cause.
Keeping Babies Safe bima basket that was recently used for a Mitzvah Project
LOOKING FOR A MITZVAH PROJECT NOW?
Get involved in the upcoming 5K Walk/Run taking place on Sunday, October 11, 2015
If you would like your Mitzvah Project to benefit Keeping Babies Safe or more information, please contact Joyce Davis at jdavis@keepingbabiessafe.org.
September 7th, 2015
By Carrie Berk
I’m an 8th grader and live on the Upper East Side in NY. I love fashion, soul cycle, theater, hanging out with friends, and cupcakes (I have a blog on them). My home over the summer is Camp Hillard where I serve as a CIT with my best friends. My Bat Mitzvah project is for my old dance teacher and friend, Elizabeth Maria Walsh, who died of a rare form of cancer at just 26 years old. Direct message me on Instagram (@carrieberkk) for information on how to donate, and follow me for sick Bat Mitzvah photos!
When I recently got the evite to Jessi Finkelstein’s Bat Mitzvah, I knew I was in for a “wild” time!
Jessi and Carrie at her celebration
The venue was the Brooklyn Zoo NY, so a lot of guests (including me!) expected we would be surrounded by animals. Instead, it was a cool graffittied parkour gym with breathtaking views of New York City.
The service was held upstairs in a space surrounded by floor to ceiling windows.
There were Havdalah spices that were given out to guests as we listened to Jessi chant her Torah portion
Guests sat at long tables with white benches
Once the service was over, the kids went downstairs and on to a bouncy floored lounge with blowup couches.
It was uber modern, and was even more fun when the disco lights turned on and lit the space in a swirl of colored dots. We got black sunglasses to wear as we walked around.
There was also a photo booth in front of the graffiti wall–the photos were printed out with Jessi’s logo on them
There was a pizza truck outside the space where you could customize your own slice, as well as dig into penne alla vodka and caesar salad, all of Jessi’s favorite foods. Once the dinner was over, we arrived downstairs to many surprises.
We were told to get in a circle while a special break dance squad burst into the room. The dancers spun on their heads, right in front of our eyes! There was even a guy who bounced off of the bouncy floor back to a platform that was fifty feet off the ground! Jessi got a chance to jump off of the platform, and so did we!
This party truly represented Jessi’s personality: laid-back, city-cool and infused with the best Big Apple fun!
Vendors
Photographer: Kelvin Almonte, Venue: Brooklyn Zoo NY, DJ: X-Ray; Dress: Guess; Pizza Truck: Jiannetto’s
Read more of Carrie’s blog posts:
Blog #1 here
Blog #2 here
September 7th, 2015
During the summer of 2014, Andrew Khafif and his family were all set to travel to Israel to celebrate his Bar Mitzvah when their plans suddenly changed. Two weeks before their scheduled trip, they made the difficult decision to cancel due to unrest in the area.
Mom Leslie quickly shifted gears and within days had a 3 week trip planned to Italy instead. As an added bonus, they were able to see family they had never met who helped Andrew celebrate a Kosher style Bar Mitzvah Italian style!
Although Andrew called their Italy trip, “an event of a lifetime,” he mentioned to his Mom that he missed their special Mother/Son dance and hearing his Dad’s speech. This stuck with Leslie, who is part of a big family. When she realized that Passover is the one time during the year this large extended family gets together, the wheels were set in motion.
With family members calling her crazy, she set out to surprise Andrew with a Bar Mitzvah in the backyard during Passover. No one could believe what she pulled off.
We are excited to share this surprise Bar Mitzvah celebration with our readers!
Pictured above L-R: Brother Theo, brother Sammy, Dad Albert, Mom Leslie, Sister Emma, Bar Mitzvah boy Andrew.
During their trip to Italy, the family all wore matching t-shirts in honor of Andrew’s Bar Mitzvah. With family enjoying an annual traditional seder inside, a tent was waiting in the backyard for the fun to begin.
Three variations of an invitation were sent to family and friends. Those invited to Leslie’s usual Seder were asked to wear jeans and a white long sleeve shirt. Andrew was told that his Uncle and cousin, who led the service, thought it would be fun to have everyone wearing the same thing.
Andrew’s Uncle and cousin lead the service
Notice everyone in their white shirts!
As the Seder was ending (and guests were arriving outside), the young cousins took Andrew to the basement to look for the afikomen.
Guests were waiting for Andrew’s arrival dressed in their #andrewfest t-shirts
Blindfolded, Andrew enters the tent for his big surprise!
It worked and he was shocked!!!
Once Andrew arrived, the fun began with MC Deano.
All guests got into the action!
Deano performs!
There were blackjack tables
Andrew with his MC and dancers all in #andrewfest shirts
Up in the chair for the Horah
Guests looked on as Andrew got his two special moments.
His Mother/Son dance with Mom Leslie
His Dad’s speech
Everyone loved the food from Miraj Healthy Grill.
Mom Leslie also created a candy bar
Andrew got another surprise when his cake was cut. It was a Mazipan cake which is his favorite! The cake was from Spiga Bakery
Mom Leslie got creative since this celebration was during Passover.
One of the owners of Streits Matzo provided matzo & matzo boxes
A duffle bag, with the logo “Always Killin It” was inside the Matzo boxes
The following vendors helped to make Andrew’s surprise Bar Mitzvah a huge success. If you give any a call, please let them know you read about their services on MitzvahMarket.com.
Music Entertainment/Photography/Tent: PartyGroove NYC, Deano Tracey, 516-782-2549
Food: Miraj Healthy Grill, 516-747-3181
Favors: Susan Gordon, And That, 516-567-7645
Cake: Spiga Bakery, 516-218-3242
August 26th, 2015
Every Bar and Bat Mitzvah celebration is full of special moments.
Here are some party details that are fast becoming new traditions at many Bar and Bat Mitzvah events.
Incorporate some, or all of them, and add your own creativity to make your child’s celebration something your family and friends will remember for years to come.
GRAND ENTRANCES
Why not have the guest of honor enter the party in style, depending on your theme or budget? You can create a memorable entrance with a real red carpet, an arch of balloons or flowers or even a doorway decorated to look like a larger than life book so everyone steps into a fairy tale. Kids have entered their party on Segways, skateboards or held aloft on a surfboard. You can involve your child’s friends and other guests to form a welcoming crowd that showers them with confetti sticks or greets them with a colorful array of ribbon wands. Just make sure your child wants to be introduced with such fanfare or if they’d rather have something a little lower key.
See grand entrances here
UNIQUE ENTRANCE VIDEOS
These are all the rage as families create a video to start the party off. Some are stories of how the child got to this day or adventures in the big city ending with the Bar/Bat Mitzvah child entering the room as if they just stepped out of the screen or storyline. Some videos even place the child into his or her favorite movie or TV show or show celebrities sending congratulatory shout-outs.
See creative entrance videos here
CANDLE LIGHTING
The formal candle lighting ceremony has become a tradition at many parties as a way to honor all the relatives and friends who came to celebrate with you or have particular meaning to your child. But these days many people are going way beyond the standard 13 candles in a cake and finding alternative and creative ways to honor those most dear to them, giving a new spin on a traditional idea. So why not try something that fits with your theme, your child’s passions or just to be different from everyone else? Try floating candles, a “cooking” candle lighting where everyone comes up to add ingredients into a bowl to create the cake, or even 13 cupcakes. Or forgo the whole “candles” idea and do a video that honors each person or group with a tribute.
See creative candle lighting displays here
MONTAGE
For many families this is the highlight of the party and there’s often not a dry eye in the place as 13 years of memories are compressed into 10 minutes of screen time. You can make the montage funny or sentimental, or a little bit of both, complete with scanned photos, video clips, music and more. Add interviews with elderly grandparents and you have an instant family heirloom that will long be cherished! If you are hiring an expert to create a tribute for you, they’ll tell you how many photos you need and help you choose the music to tell your child’s story. If you are doing it yourself, the standard length is from 10 to 15 minutes; longer and you’ll lose people’s interest. Figure you’ll need about 100 to 150 photos. And be sure to start working on it at least six months in advance even if you are hiring an expert and your only job is to choose the photos; even that takes longer than you think.
ROCK THE RECEPTION
The Learning Channel’s “Rock the Reception” show has inspired many a family to add this as an extra treat at the party. This can involve anything from getting all your child’s friends to practice beforehand to learn a dance routine to be performed as a surprise for your guests. Or even a special father/daughter dance choreographed for the occasion. Or how about the Bar/Bat Mitzvah family doing a Gangnam Style routine! The sky’s the limit here. Ask your entertainment company if they can help or hire a local dance student to put the polish on your steps.
Watch this Rock The Reception surprise dance here
Did you have a special Mitzvah Moment at your child’s celebration? Let us know at info@MitzvahMarket.com.
August 26th, 2015
Who better to send us the best Bar Bat Mitzvah tips than our own Mitzvah Moms! We communicate with Mitzvah Moms daily and when we hear of a great idea, we want to share.
For some families, it’s 3-4 years before their child’s Bar Bat Mitzvah year when they are given “the date” from their Temple.
It’s hard to know what to do first and how to stay organized.
One very organized Mitzvah Mom created a special email address to keep track of all Mitzvah related correspondence:
Why not use the email provider of your choice to create a designated email address for vendors to contact you? This way, you can keep track of all of your Bar Bat Mitzvah communication with one email address.
When you start meeting with potential Bar Bat Mitzvah vendors, they will all ask for your contact information. By creating Syd2016@gmail.com, or JasonBM@yahoo.com, you can keep all emails related to your child’s celebration in one place!
If you have a Mom-to-Mom tip, please let us know at info@mitzvahmarket.com.
