April 24th, 2021
One of the many things to cross off your to-do Bar Mitzvah and Bat Mitzvah list will be the ordering of yarmulkes. You will find these head coverings in a variety of colors, textures and styles. Most families add a custom name and date to the inside and some are now adding a hashtag or saying to match their theme.
Here’s a list of companies that can provide your Bar Mitzvah or Bat Mitzvah service with kippot.
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 yarmulkes in our regional Bar Bat Mitzvah planning groups on Facebook. Join here.
April 15th, 2021
Similar to many other families across the country, the Kushlefsky’s from New York City could not have the Bar Mitzvah celebration they had planned for their youngest son Nate. Their original plan included a fun party at Citi Field with the kids cocktail hour in the visitor’s locker room and included batting practice. The montage (created by sister Zoe) was going to be shown on the giant scoreboard screen and the main event in one of their clubs overlooking the field.
Although that couldn’t happen, they still made use of the baseball “save the dates” and stuck with their original sports theme. After Nate’s Bar Mitzvah service, the family walked to a nearby restaurant for an outdoor dinner wearing their branded sweatshirts. Mom Stacey tells Mitzvah Market, “It wasn’t what we planned, but in the end it was even better and more special!”
Pictured above (L-R): Sister Samantha, brother Jaden, sister Eliza, mom Stacey, Bar Mitzvah boy Nate, dad Noah, sister Zoe and her fiancée Sarah
Nate outside Park Avenue Synagogue
Proud parents
The whole immediate family got involved with the service. Nate’s brother Jaden, who is disabled, played a bongo drum while the cantor chanted Hallelujah
Nate and his dad sang a duet of l'dor vador
Friends cheering from their homes were "spotlighted" at various points during the service
After posing for a few fun family photos, everyone headed over to a nearby restaurant for dinner
A family friend created 4 logos to personalize things as much as possible. NSK Sports was used as the main logo and the other 3 were for each of Nate’s favorite teams – the Mets, Rangers and Minnesota Vikings
Large foam core centerpieces with Nate's logos were placed along a shelf around the perimeter of the outdoor dinner structure
They had a very small crowd which meant everyone got to light a candle during the candle lighting ceremony
Check out the unbelievable cake!
Cake maker Shari Rosenblatt also created these adorable cupcakes
At one point, Nate's sisters took him outside onto the sidewalk, played Hava Negila on the portable speaker and lifted him up for the Horah!
As a surpise to Nate, school, camp and family friends who lived nearby stopped by for a quick socially distant Mazel Tov at the restaurant!
Everyone who stopped by got a t-shirt with the NSK sports logo. There were also logo'd sweatshirts and face masks
Party planner Carrie Herman came up with a way to use their "Save The Date" baseballs (which were supposed to be sent March 2020 to invited guests) - see next photo!
White cooler bags with Nate's logo were mailed or delivered with items you would snack on at a sporting event!
Also included were yarmulkes with hockey sticks and snack bags each personalized with logos
The popcorn was wrapped with info about the remote service
Mitzvah Mom To Mom Advice
“Focus on the true meaning of what a Bar Mitzvah is about and the importance of carrying on traditions from generation to generation. Don’t get caught up in the details – it’s about the big picture. A party is always fun but the real focus should always be on the child and this transition in their life.”
Mitzvah Project
For Nate’s Mitzvah Project, he read books over Zoom each week to his brother Jaden and other kids at Jaden’s school, The Center for Discovery, a residential program in upstate New York for children and adults with disabilities.
Bar Mitzvah Vendors
Bar Mitzvah Service: Park Avenue Synagogue
Dinner: Farbrizio, Paola’s Osteria, 212-923-5820
Party Planner/Favors: Carrie Herman, Styled Concepts by Carrie Herman, 917-817-7506
Photographer: Frank Padrone, Full Circle Photography, 631-965-7741
Invitations: Greenvelope, 888-505-2588
Cake: Shari Rosenblatt, 516-996-4377
Decor: Richie and Artie, Lighter Than Air, 516-933-3210
Dresses: Nordstroms
Nate’s Suit: Barry, Lubin’s at Rothmans, 914-713-0300
Make-up: Taymour, 917-627-0081
Hair: Ryan Looney, 917-272-3818
Yarmulkes: Randi Lehman, That One Special Touch, 516-496-1025
Montage: Created by sister Zoe
Logos: Jim Wordes, family friend
April 14th, 2021
Once the big decisions like a venue, DJ, theme, photographer are out of the way, you will start working on the smaller details like the candle lighting ceremony and/or Bar Mitzvah and Bat Mitzvah speech or toast.
Let these experts use your thoughts, stories and ideas to take away the stress when it comes to your child’s candle lighting poems and Bar Bat Mitzvah speeches.
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 candle lighting poems and speeches in our regional Bar Bat Mitzvah planning groups on Facebook. Join here.
April 10th, 2021
Once you receive your child’s Bar Mitzvah or Bat Mitzvah date, one of the first things you will need to think about is a Bar or Bat Mitzvah venue for your celebration.
There is a wide range of Bar and Bat Mitzvah venue options to choose from these days. Everything from traditional Bar Mitzvah and Bat Mitzvah venues such as hotels and country clubs to alternative Bar Mitzvah and Bat Mitzvah venues such as raceways, bowling alleys, clubs and more!
Here are some options if you live in Northern, Central New Jersey:
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 in our New Jersey Bar Bat Mitzvah planning group on Facebook. Join here.
Bar & Bat Mitzvah venue options near Westchester/Rockland/Fairfield, Connecticut.
Bar & Bat Mitzvah venue options near New York City/Brooklyn/Queens.
Bar & Bat Mitzvah venue options near Long Island.
April 10th, 2021
If you live in the Westchester/Rockland County and/or Fairfield, Connecticut area, there are a wide range of Bar Mitzvah and Bat Mitzvah venue options to choose from. Everything from traditional Bar Mitzvah and Bat Mitzvah venues such as hotels and country clubs to alternative Bar Mitzvah and Bat Mitzvah venues such as raceways, bowling alleys, clubs and more!
Here are some options if you live in Westchester/Rockland County/Fairfield, Connecticut:
Check all the boxes for the vendors you are interested in learning more about. Fill in form on bottom.
Bar & Bat Mitzvah venue options near Long Island.
Bar & Bat Mitzvah venue options near New York City/Brooklyn/Queens.
Bar & Bat Mitzvah venue options near Northern, Central New Jersey.
April 8th, 2021
Photo Credit: Hebrew Helpers
Many children need a Bar or Bat Mitzvah tutor and/or online service prep giving them additional help when preparing for their Bar Mitzvah or Bat Mitzvah service. Tutors and online courses have experience in helping all types of Bar and Bat Mitzvah students and at different stages of preparation. They can also offer many ideas to make your Bar or Bat Mitzvah service feel more personalized whether in a congregational setting or outside of a synagogue environment. Many can also perform the Bar or Bat Mitzvah service too.
When deciding on a Bar or Bat Mitzvah tutor and service prep, ask if they are provide in person or skype tutoring, how long they plan to be with your child for each session and how many months in advance you should begin.
Your family will have its own unique ceremony that will be different from everyone else’s. Mazel Tov!
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 Bar/Bat Mitzvah prep in our regional Bar Bat Mitzvah planning groups on Facebook. Join here.
April 8th, 2021
It’s hard to attend a Bar Mitzvah or Bat Mitzvah celebration that doesn’t have some type of digital photo booth. There are many types such as an open air photo booth, old-school photo booth, green screen photo booth, graffiti wall, selfie mirror, GIF booth and slow-motion video booth. These booths can provide unlimited photos, custom backdrops, social media integration and animated GIFs.
Guests of all ages, have fun using props at these photo booth, making silly faces and in some cases instantly uploading these photos to their social media platforms.
Here’s a list of companies that can provide your Bar Mitzvah or Bat Mitzvah party with photo booth fun.
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 photo booths in our regional Bar Bat Mitzvah planning groups on Facebook. Join here.
April 8th, 2021
Pictured Above: David Schwartz Magic
Guests of all ages love to be amazed at a Bar or Bat Mitzvah by a magician and other entertainers. These performers can engage with your guests during the cocktail hour, actual party or both. Using cards, props, volunteers and more, adults and kids love these performances.
Here’s a list of magicians and other performers you can hire for your child’s Bar or Bat Mitzvah celebration.
Amazing Bottle Dancers
800-716-0556
UNIQUE, MEANINGFUL & FUN for LIVE parties or ZOOM Mitzvahs! Watch us at a Hi-Energy DJ Party (www.vimeo.com/410243060) or bringing a ZOOM MITZVAH SERVICE to a close with a surprise appearance from The WESTERN WALL (www.vimeo.com/511429385). Great LIVE party options: Spectacular Bar/Bat honoree Grand Entrances. Unique Candle Lightings. "Interactive" Bottle Dance Contests starring the kids! OR, imagine a Dance-Off Battle with your DJ's hip-hop crew! Unbelievable! And we fit ANY theme. Say "sports". For your hora you'll be dancing to Jewish music not “Take Me Out To The Ball Game". We're the Jewish part kicking off your unforgettable hora! There's a reason our YouTube video now has over 5 MILLION views!
You can also ask questions and get advice about magicians and performers in our regional Bar Bat Mitzvah planning groups on Facebook. Join here.
April 6th, 2021
There are many decisions when planning your child’s Bar Mitzvah and Bat Mitzvah service and celebration.
Once you receive your child’s Bar or Bat Mitzvah date, one of the first things you will need to think about is where to have your celebration.
There is a wide range of options to choose from these days. Everything from traditional Bar Mitzvah and Bat Mitzvah venues such as hotels and country clubs to alternative Bar Mitzvah and Bat Mitzvah venues such as raceways, bowling alleys, clubs and more!
Here are some options if you live on Long Island:
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 in our Long Island Bar Bat Mitzvah planning group on Facebook. Join here.
Bar & Bat Mitzvah venue options near Westchester/Rockland/Fairfield, Connecticut.
Bar & Bat Mitzvah venue options near New York City/Brooklyn/Queens.
Bar & Bat Mitzvah venue options near Northern, Central New Jersey.
April 4th, 2021
When the Wilmot family of San Jose, California realized they could not have the big party for their daughter Aviva’s Bat Mitzvah in March 2021, mom Diana enlisted the help of friends and Event Planner Lynn Osband to create three events to celebrate Aviva.
Pictured above (L-R): Big brother Harrison, mom Diana, Bat Mitzvah girl Aviva and dad Dewey
The first event was a Zoom service at the synagogue with immediate family and both sets of fully vaccinated grandparents in attendance. That afternoon, they celebrated with an in-person “Drop-in, Doughnut, Dance and Dash Party” outside in front of their home. The next day the celebration continued with an “After-Glow Doughnuts-at-a-Distance” zoom party for out-of-towners and close friends.
Scott Lasky Photography took the pictures and the rest of the vendors are listed at the bottom.
The Various Bat Mitzvah Invites!
Part of the "Drop-In" party invitation
Invites were mailed to guests in an envelope with doughnuts on the outside and included her custom kippah and candy for "throwing" during the zoom service
Part of the "After Glow" zoom party invitation
Info on Aviva's Mitzvah Project was sent to all her guests. She raised over $3,000!
Card inside the mailed invitation gave instructions on the surprise VidHug
“Drop-In” Party Details
At the “Drop-In” party in front of their home, Johnny’s Donuts was on hand serving gourmet donuts and lattes, while guests listened to music from a DJ on the porch and took turns writing a message to Aviva in a “sign-in” book.
In addition to the lawn sign, inflatable donuts were hanging on trees as decor
Aviva loves doughnuts and was thrilled and surprised when Johnny’s Doughnuts truck showed up at her house!
Aviva didn’t miss out on being lifted in a chair for the hora outside her house
Guests had a chance to wish Aviva a hearty Mazel Tov and pose for a picture with her in front of a huge "Happy 13th Birthday" lawn sign with social distancing and safety in mind
During the “After-Glow” Zoom party, out-of-town guests had a chance to celebrate Aviva and her love of baking, dancing, music, adventure, and friends! Grandparents toasted Aviva like they would at a real party, and the event was filled with fun trivia polls, hilarious videos of Aviva from her childhood, glowing tributes of Aviva from family and friends, a photo montage, as well as surprise Cameos from Duff Goldman (from the Kids Baking Championship) and a Taylor Swift impersonator. At the end of this party, everyone was able to view the collection of “Tik-tok style” videos, uploaded by all guests through VidHug. Aviva enjoyed the surprises and hanging out with friends both virtually and in-person.
Bat Mitzvah Vendors
Event Planner: Lynn Osband, Lynn Osband Events, 408-981-8422
Photography: Scott Lasky Photography, 408-807-4770
Kippot: Klippedkippahs.com
Video tributes: Vidhug
Celebrity video messages: Cameo
Food truck: Johnny’s Doughnuts, 415-450-1866
Music Entertainment: Aaron David Productions, 650-691-3100
Lawn sign: Signs by Rebecca, 408-375-6600
