January 9th, 2011
It seems to be all the rage!
Gourmet Food trucks are popping up all over the country and many Mitzvah families have been incorporating this concept into their child’s Bar/Bat Mitzvah celebration and even as part of the kiddush after the service.
We can all relate to this scenario: The fun-festive “plenty of food” celebration ends and you can’t imagine you will ever eat again. After you say your good byes, you notice a crowd in the lobby or just outside. Oh, there’s a parting food item that we all grab and eat on the way home although we just stated we would never eat again!
Here are some food trucks offering delicious treats for your guests as they leave your child’s Bar/Bat Mitzvah celebration:
Eddie’s Pizza
Eddie’s restaurant started over 75 years ago and is well known in New Hyde Park, New York. After the owner got numerous requests to open a New York City location, he decided the best way to reach as many people as possible was thru a mobile food truck. Eddie’s Truck started in June of 2010.
This truck is available for private events and offer their delicious signature bar pie pizza (which boasts to be only 270 calories!). You can have the truck play music and feature your logo or photo on their TV screen or logo on their GoBO (for an extra cost). You can have this truck parked at your event or they can have staff bring pizzas inside your party.
For more information on how this concept can be customized to match your needs, contact Debbie Jones at 917-710-4757.
Sweetery NYC
Another food truck option is from SweeteryNYC.com. They offer European-inspired create-your-own croissants—filled with a choice of luscious pastry creams such as mocha, praline, vanilla and chocolate, all natural preserves, honey, and nut butters. Other delectables include muffins, scones, quiches, savory croissants, cookies, brownies and more baked before your eyes.
Bar Mitzvah boy Jason was part of a previous Mitzvah Inspire story and had a Sweetery NYC truck in the parking lot following his Bar Mitzvah service offering guests a quick lunch to go!
For more information about booking SweeteryNYC at your Mitzvah, visit their Website.
Wafels and Dinges
How about giving your guests a Belgian treat! Tell your guests to l’eggo that Eggo and sample the #1 Zagat Rated Food Truck in NYC. Wafels & Dinges catering is an All-You-Can-Eat feast of unlimited Belgian wafels and toppings!
The Wafel & Dinges truck featured in the Margolis Mitzvah Family Spotlight
For more information about booking a Wafel & dinges truck, visit their Website.
Tobo Foods Inc.
Another option is the shiny, stainless steel vehicle from Tobo Foods. They provide a wide variety of “goodies” for your guests to either take home or eat on the spot. Their menu includes Krispy Kremes, a huge selection of bakery items and or a “Deluxe Candy Store” presentation, plus hot and cold beverages of all kinds. Hot salted pretzels are always a popular item, as are candy apples.
Their graphics department provides custom signs and custom printed “take home” bags
For more information about Tobo Foods, visit their extended profile page on MitzvahMarket.com.
January 6th, 2011
This family felt very strongly about having a Bat Mitzvah theme with some significance and meaning. When they learned that their daughter Carly’s Torah portion involved clouds, it gave them the idea for “Carly’s Cloud 9.”
They used the elements of The Cloud and The Fire from her Torah portion in their invitations, decor, logo and cake.
Looking back on the party, the family says, “The theme was unique and did capture the spirit of the Torah portion while still being fun.”
Pictures are courtesy of their photographer Mitzvah Gallery By Peanut Portraits.
Check out all their party elements below:
Invitation’s By Bonnie created this flexible frosted acrylic invite. A light blue stone completed the look at the end of Carly’s name!
Dogs Tag favors for young guests
Carly’s cloud theme began with the service programs that her Dad created…
And a beautiful outdoor service conducted by Cantor Shira Adler
With the help of a neighbor, Carly’s Mom made the cloud table numbers that were hanging from branches in a beautiful floral arrangement
Florist Monica Chimes did all the decor/lounge furniture and created fantastic centerpieces incorporating white hydrangeas to appear as clouds. Here guests could grab their seating card/cloud!
The beautiful room at The Coveleigh Club is ready for guests with white japanese lanterns hanging above the dance floor
Kids lounge area before the guests arrive
Kids lounge area in action!
You can see the “cloud” table numbers above to match the theme!
White floating candles in blue water (created by Monica Chimes) were placed at each table for guests to light during the candle lighting ceremony as Carly lit hers. This represented the fire element of Carly’s torah portion
Rock candy in blue and white created these centerpieces!
Guests love the music provided by Hal Prince with MC Dave!
As the sun sets, you can really see the blue lighting designed by Carly’s Dad
Young guests also enjoyed ping pong
A cupcake tree using blue cupcakes topped by white frosting “clouds” made by Sweet Lisa’s
Mitzvah Mom Sharon designed Carly’s Cloud logo and Nancy Low from Par-T-Gear created the American Apparel shirts for Carly’s young guests
The following vendors helped make Carly’s party terrific. If you call any of them, please tell them you read about their services on MitzvahMarket.com. Thanks!
Venue: The Coveleigh Club
Invitation: Invitationsbybonnie.com
Cantor: Cantor Shira Adler 914-486-1379
Cake: Sweet Lisa’s Exquiste Cakes
Flowers/Decor/Lounge Furniture: Monica Chimes
Photographer: Phil Callaci Mitzvah Gallery
Music: Hal Prince MC David Rice
Dog Tags: Nick Norris The Awristocrat.com
Shirt Favors: Nancy Low Par-T-Gear 914-690-0852
Cloud Table Numbers: Bugs-n-Blooms
December 19th, 2010
The ladies from It Could Be Verse (Warm, Witty, Wonderful Poems) are sharing a clever candle lighting idea!
It’s a picture puzzle of your Bar/Bat Mitzvah child that is used during your candle lighting ceremony.
The first step is to take a unique picture of your child doing something they love or in their sports gear. Then It Could Be Verse blows up the photo, mounts it and cuts it into 13 pieces (or as many as you need for your candles).
As the honorees are called up, each one uses a puzzle piece to make the child “whole”
As the child reads his or her poems for each honoree, the person (people) come up and place the piece on the puzzle instead of lighting a candle. It works exactly the same way.
Many families opt to do both – light a candle and place a puzzle piece.
Here is an example of what the child might say:
“I’m doing something different and in a while you will see,
How all the people I’m honoring today, complete and make me… me!”
The final piece (which is usually part of the face) is placed by the parents.
For more information, visit It Could Be Verse.
December 16th, 2010
Security at a Bar/Bat Mitzvah is a must!
Bar Mitzvah Bouncer Inc. work as chaperones for the young guests at Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, Sweet 16s, Birthday and Graduation Parties. They have seen and heard it all while overseeing these events.
Our past post, Bar Mitzvah Bouncers Have Heard It All was such a hit, we asked them to give us an update.
Below are some of their recent memorable moments.
Funny Things that Bar Mitzvah Bouncers Do:
1. Our Bar Mitzvah Bouncers get the kids in a circle around the bouncer and ask them to show them their dance moves. It’s always an interesting performance!
2. Our Bar Mitzvah Bouncers find the loudest kid and tell him he is the “Governor” now so please quiet your people. They usually get a big kick out of that and then the rest of the night that kid is on crowd control.
3. Our Bar Mitzvah Bouncer Carl teaches the kids his dance moves like the “Sprinkler” and the “Shopping Cart.” The kids laugh and then end up dancing that way all night long!
Funny things the Bar Mitzvah Bouncer hear the kids say:
1. “Hey Steve, what’s that say on you shirt Bagel Bouncer?”
2. Our Bar Mitzvah Bouncer Damien will ask a kid about his upcoming vacation and the kid will say, “Nothing great…just going to France for 4 days.”
3. The Bar Mitzvah boy screams at his mom, “1980 music, come on mom your prom ended awhile ago, this is my party.”
Things the Bar Mitzvah Bouncers do to keep the kids quiet:
1. The Bar Mitzvah Bouncers learn the names of the loudest group of kids and then ask them for help. This usually helps keep everybody else quiet all night.
2. Our Bar Mitzvah Bouncers like to ask the kids their favorite sports team, subject in school or how friendly they are with the child who is hosting the party.
To learn more about Bar Mitzvah Bouncer Inc., visit their extended profile page in our Vendor Directory.
December 15th, 2010
Dress up your child’s Bar/Bat Mitzvah invitation envelope!
Your invitation is the first step for your child’s celebration. It sets the tone for you event. After spending money on invitations, don’t forget about the outside of the envelope.
Why not dress it up with coordinating ink color and a font to match or compliment your invitation. Nothing looks more beautiful than an envelope done in hand-written calligraphy.
Check out these samples by Calligrapher Cindy Boxer:
Hand calligraphy on a decorative envelope
Cindy can dress up your seating cards too!
Inks and fonts that compliment your invitation design
Coordinating inner and outer envelopes
For pricing information call Cindy at 631-421-2465 or to learn more, visit our Vendor Directory.
December 15th, 2010
Bullying is all over the news these days and each story is more disturbing than the next.
We love how Hannah Rose Moss from North Miami Beach, Florida has created a Mitzvah Project to help! She celebrated her Bat Mitzvah in October 2010 and we spoke with her to get all the details of her Mitzvah Project:
MM: What are you calling your Mitzvah Project?
HM: “Don’t Be Indifferent, Make A Difference STOP BULLYING.”
MM: Please tell us why you decided to take on this Mitzvah Project.
HM: I have always feared being bullied. I have also feared trying to help someone being bullied. When I received my torah portion from my Rabbi, it just clicked. My parshat had three different themes, one of them was about “not being indifferent.” That week, at our school, a speaker came to speak to us about Rachel Scott, one of the Columbine victims. The subject of bullying is on everyone’s mind lately. I came home that day and asked my parents “what should I do if I see someone being bullied?” Not sure what to do, we searched out advice from different Websites and came across Kidpower.org.
MM: What is Kidpower.org?
HM: This organization has a goal to provide information to teens and their parents to help reduce worry for kids by promoting self confidence and personal power. It also provides information to parents on what they need to know to help keep their kids safe.
MM: Please tell us what it means to you to do a Mitzvah Project for your Bat Mitzvah?
HM: It means a lot. I am a pretty quiet person, some people would call me shy. After studying really hard for my Bat Mitzvah, I guess I gained some confidence and working on this Mitzvah Project gave me even more confidence. I also learned that I’m old enough now to take on more responsibility. If this project in particular helps even one person, I will know that I have made a difference. And that would be awesome!
MM: Please give us details of exactly what you did?
HM: My torah portion was called Vayera, from the book of Genesis. There were three important themes, but the subject of indifference struck a cord with me because in my generation, we are dealing with teens being victimized by bullying. We see it on the news, hear speakers at our school and some of us have witnessed or experienced it first hand.
Start the bump: Stop Bullying magnet
I spoke about this at my Bat Mitzvah service and asked everyone to join me in spreading the word about anti-bullying. My Aunt Sherry sells “Stop Bullying” magnets and I asked her to donate some as part of my Mitzvah Project in hopes of spreading the stop bullying message. I gave one to each guest and asked them to place it on their car. Additionally, I donated a portion of my Bat Mitzvah gifts to an organization that represents anti-bullying.
We would like to thank Hannah for sharing her Mitzvah Project with our Mitzvah Market readers.
If your child is interested in doing a similar project and would like to purchase magnets or bracelets (see below), please contact Sherry Bortnick at 516-852-8668.
Start the bump, stop bullying silicone bracelets from Off The Cuff
December 12th, 2010
Usually our Mom-to-Mom recommendations are from Moms, but in this case, Mitzvah Dad Glenn wanted us to know about his recent experience with Evan Karfinkel from EK Productions Inc.
They found EK Productions on MitzvahMarket.com and hired them to provide the musical entertainment, photo booth and montage for their son’s recent Bar Mitzvah.
Here’s what he sent to Evan just days after his son’s Bar Mitzvah celebration.
You my friend, have done something that very few people do. Not only did you have my expectations set very high (which made me quite nervous) – But, you FAR EXCEEDED anything that Robin or I could imagine!
Evan, from the moment everyone walked into the room and saw your UN-BELIEVABLE set up, with the projection screens and room lighting, you had them.
The sound system you had was UN-MATCHED even by high-end clubs.
The dancers, oh my G-d!!! Benny & Michael – the female guests have been raving about them… But, nothing (sorry Benny/Michael) compares to Jacki, Cydney, Rachel and of course, JoJo… Those ladies shook up every 13 year old boy and Dad in the room — But, I have to add, not only were all of your dancers very attractive and AWESOME dancers, but they were polite, professional, engaging, friendly and had EVERYONE on the dance floor — I even noticed that they stopped to even pose with the kids for photos at the photo booth.
Your DJ for the night was fantastic and 100% in step with you, the whole night. Your music selection was spot-on and enjoyed by everyone young/old/older.
The photo booth girls were great – no long lines, no waiting – great stuff!!
The montage — BLEW-ME-AWAY!!!
Evan – Although your fabulous dancers, DJ and road crew made you look good — YOU were fantastic the entire night and even the days, weeks and months leading up to the party!! An absolute pleasure to deal with.
YOU sir, have my sincere thanks, appreciation and respect – what an AWESOME AWESOME job EK Productions did
To learn more about EK Productions, Inc., please visit their extended profile page in our Vendor Directory.
December 4th, 2010
Sometimes it’s hard to know which Mitzvah vendors to use for your child’s Bar or Bat Mitzvah celebration. We usually ask our friends and that’s why a Mom-to-Mom recommendation is so important.
Thank you to Gayle from Jericho for writing in about her recent experience with Howard from Gotham T-shirts.
She tells us, “Howard is the consummate professional. He is a detail oriented perfectionist. His creative team is very talented and because he does his own in-house printing, the middle man is eliminated which results in significant savings. In addition, he arranged to have the sweatshirts folded, bagged, labeled and dropped off at the Bat Mitzvah venue. Most importantly, the entire job was done with a 10 day lead time!”
We love that another bag wasn’t needed!
To learn more about Gotham T-Shirts, visit his extended profile page in our Vendor Directory.
December 4th, 2010
We recently met Kenny, the man behind the delicious (we tasted them!) Kenny’s Krumbs cookie.
MM: How did you come up with this idea…afterall the top of the crumb cake is the best part!
Kenny: “I stumbled across this delicious cookie in a local New York bakery. My family and I loved the cookies and I bought dozens to give to friends, family and clients as a novel treat. Everyone kept asking me where they could get those cookies and when I told them they weren’t in local stores everyone kept asking me to bring them more. I was so convinced there was a little bit of magic to the cookies I bought the recipe and we’re working at top speed to bring Kenny’s Krumbs to everyone.”
Jordyn Katcher recently celebrated her Bat Mitzvah party at Temple Or Elohim and gave Kenny’s Krumbs to her guests. They were a big hit! Here she is with Kenny and Stacey from Kenny’s Krumbs
MM: How can people order your Kenny’s Krumbs?
Kenny: Just give me a call at 1-800-466-6010.
Photo Courtesy of Classy Candids
December 1st, 2010
We love to know how other families celebrate their children’s Bar and Bat Mitzvahs, and we especially love to see the celebrations of those in the “biz!”
Paula Rosenthal from Just A Bite Desserts recently celebrated her son Jason’s Bar Mitzvah. She had such amazing ideas and we are thankful that she’s sharing them with our Mitzvah Market readers. Enjoy!
The Rosenthal family lives in the tri-state area, so NYC was an easy theme for them to choose. Check out how they incorporated this theme throughout all their party elements!
With the help of Eventful Productions, a party planning/design firm, they used New York City decor all around their party room including this backdrop (Photos above and below courtesy of Eventful Productions)
Check out the cool lamp shade centerpieces!
We love the touch of the “apple” and graffiti “Jason” on the wall as people entered
Paula worked with Kori from Paper and Pigtails to incoporate Jason’s logo into other party elements. The cocktail napkins and the guest hand towels had simple black and white logos. The brown box and the Lunch-To-Go tickets in the lower left corner were part of their unusual Kiddush.
This gourmet food truck from Streetery NYC was in the Temple parking lot following their Bar Mitzvah service. Guests used their tickets to grab some lunch!
Instead of traditional seating cards, they gave each of their guests a calendar with brightly colored graffiti art. Guests’ names and tables were printed on a vellum cover sheet
A newsstand kiosk was set up in the lobby. The back wall shows the graffiti style “JR” logo that was used throughout the event and on the sweatshirt favors created by And That in Syosset, NY.
Of course there was a delicious dessert bar created by Paula herself!
To see more of Paula’s work including the behind-the-scenes on how she created the Dessert Bar, click here.
