October 25th, 2012
Caitlin McGettigan & Julianne Austin are the event professionals who make up the team at Cait & Jules, a full service event design and planning company in New York City.
Recently they produced a science themed Bat Mitzvah for a very cool seventh grader named Abby who suggested they draw inspiration from the pages of her favorite science books!
This Bat Mitzvah took place at the W New York – Union Square. All photography from Ellen Dubin Photography.
When guests arrived they were greeted by escort cards from the cartoon science series by Dan Green & Simon Basher
Glowing static electricity balls that kids could interact with became centerpieces in the kids cocktail area
The static electricity balls added a cool ambient light to the space
An interactive “mocktail bar” featured beakers of colorful juices and steaming dry ice
We love Abby’s logo! Playing on the elements of the periodic table, it spelled out her name. This was used on gift bag stickers and cocktail napkins
The long tables were accented with wheat grass and tulips
Adult tables featured lamps under cylinders of water and floating candles with glittered blue lampshades. They were surrounded with beakers of peonies iris, and tulips
Vibrant green plates with blue napkins held the menu card
A beautiful blue and green cake matched the decor!
Thanks to Cait & Jules for sharing this creative Bar Mitzvah celebration with Mitzvah Market!
October 24th, 2012
Gotham T-Shirts is a full service screen printer who uses award winning artists to create logos and designs for all Bar/Bat Mitzvah needs.
When you design and print for over 200 Bar and Bat Mitzvahs a year you are the screen printer everyone uses. Gotham T Shirt offers personalized custom screen printing, embroidery, art and theme designs for your Bar and Bat Mitzvah. Our fashion designs look best on hooded and zipper sweatshirts, T-shirts, flannel PJ sweatpants & nylon draw string back packs.
Take advantage of their special referral plan and make some money!
EARN $50.00 when you refer a friend (even if you didn’t use Gotham yourself!). Recommend them to a friend and if they use Gotham T-Shirts, you get $50.00. It’s that easy!
Limited time only. Call Howard at 516-676-0900 and tell him Mitzvah Market sent you!
Visit their extended profile page to learn more.
October 23rd, 2012
Our Mitzvah Family Spotlight stories are very popular with our readers. We find that everyone loves to see pictures and read about how other families celebrated.
For today’s spotlight story, we are trying something new: A video spotlight and first-hand account from Mitzvah Mom Sandra:
First here’s a description of her daughter’s celebration:
“We had an over the top Candy extravaganza Bat Mitzvah on September 8, 2012. My daughter Vivian Ruth was the Bat Mitzvah girl, and because her name so closely resembled “Baby Ruth,” it became the inspiration for our theme.
I am the Art teacher at Golda Och Academy in West Orange, New Jersey, and have been working as an artist for about 25 years. When we locked in on this theme I became excited and filled with all sorts of ideas for how I wanted the venue to look, the centerpieces, sign-in boards, t-shirts, candy bar, you name it, we did it!
Photo above is a centerpiece made entirely from candy by Mom Sandra!
It all started with their invitation – Keep Calm and Candy On from Paper + Love on Etsy
Check out the mad lib style RSVP
We thought it would make a great dramatic impact to have the centerpieces very large so that when you came into the room you would really get the WOW factor. It certainly did, everyone was very excited about them, and I was thrilled with the feedback.
Watch this video and you will see Sandra’s AMAZING creations here
We worked with Michael Sage from Lightning Shakes New York Entertainment. He is amazing! I had first seen him and his team in action at a students Bnai’ Mitzvah last year and was very impressed with his control over the crowd, the fun everyone was having and the great energy in the room.
So, even though I had hired a party planner for my other daughter’s Bat Mitzvah, I felt confident that working with Michael and using his vendors and Photo Booth along with handling all the decorations on my own that we would be in great hands to have a fabulous event. The Lightning Photo Booth was a huge hit with the young and old and being able to continue the theme with the candy backgrounds was amazing.
Candy themed photos from Lightning Photo Booth
To be honest, the Bat Mitzvah celebration so exceeded our expectations that it’s hard to even describe. We had 132 kids and 80 adults, and there was not a moment that there wasn’t a crowd on that dance floor. Everything was planned and executed so well. Even Cedar Hill Country Club’s manager Bob Mueller shared that in all his years of Bar/Bat Mitzvahs at their club there had never been such a well- behaved group of kids. They were doing what they came to do, dance, play games, hang with their friends and eat the delicious food.
One of my students, 15 year old Jordan Bialik did the exceptional montage and it just blew the crowd away with its originality and professional look. We loved the photographer and videographer from LSNY Events as well. They were unobtrusive but made sure to really capture our event so we could relive it again and again.
Because we had so many kids, we used 5 motivational dancers from Michael’s company, and each one was truly better than the next, both kids and adults had fun with them, and they kept the party flowing and fun at all times.
I know I’m over the top kvelling, but it really was that awesome! My daughter was very concerned about the music and dancing, but I tell you, that D.J. was so fantastic! He kept the music and dance floor thumping all night long. We practically had to extract everyone off the dance floor at midnight when our party ended!
A friend created trays of candy sushi to match the theme!
OO-tshirts.com did our shirts and they came out amazing. We used 6 colors and the quality and price of the shirt was very reasonable and very well made. BestKippah.com did our Kippot for the service, and going along with the theme, they were brown suede with silver Hershey kisses.
I had some amazing friends as helpers and builders and they did an excellent job too. All the work and energy that went into the party truly showed in every detail. The great Caricature artist Michael Arnold came for the cocktail hour and made excellent pictures. The food was off the hook, and even the cake that the club provided was outstanding.
I could go on and on, because honestly…it was THAT GOOD!!!!
Watch this video to get an idea of the fun at this celebration!
Watch here
To see photos of all the centerpieces from this candy extravaganza, click here.
There were many more “candy” touches at this celebration.
A Vivi Ruth step n repeat for photo ops
Custom wrapper on candy
A candy dots cake!
Chocolate moustache place cards
Sign-in board
The following vendors helped to make Vivian’s celebration special. If you give any of them a call, please let them know you read about their services on MitzvahMarket.com.
Venue: Cedar Hill Country Club, 973-992-4700
Party Planner: Mom Sandra
Music Entertainment/Photographer/Videographer: MC Michael, LSNY
Favors: OOtshirts.com
Photobooth: Michael Schindler, The Lighting Photo Booth
Caricature Artist: Michael Arnold, Speedy Doodle Studios
Montage: Jordan Bialik
Invitation: Rachel Westerman, Paper + Love Etsy
Décor/florist: Peggy Stone, Lotus Petals
Sign-In board: Joanie Schwarz photography
Balloons: My Deco Balloon
Candy Sushi: Dana Feinberg
Hair: Sue, The La Salon
Makeup: Linda
Special Thanks: Sofia Petros, Julian Petros, The brothers Brodsky, Tom Pinzino, Archie Henderson as well as Amadeo Gallart and Alison Bekendahl
October 21st, 2012
On October 20, 2012, Justin M. Smith embarked on a very special sail. Though the 12 year old from Muttontown, NY has been sailing for three years, he had never done something quite like this before: Justin sailed his 8-foot Optimist across the Long Island Sound entirely by himself, as a way to raise money to help fund a project run by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation that will restore the Sound’s ecosystem. Justin plans to accept donations for the project up until his Bar Mitzvah in January 2013.
When Justin’s synagogue, Woodbury Jewish Center, asked that he choose a Mitzvah Project, this cause seemed like the obvious choice. When asked to explain in his own words why he decided to do this project, Justin said he had a lot of different reasons. “I sail and swim in the Long Island Sound and I want to continue to keep it clean so others can continue to use it,” he told Mitzvah Market. “It is also very important for the plants and fish.”
Justin chose the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation because of their mission to preserve and restore the nation’s native wildlife species and habitats. Their plan to help the Long Island Sound involves nutrient bioextraction, also known as bioharvesting, and is thought to be a promising solution.
In order to spread the word about his project and increase the likelihood of getting donations, Justin created a Facebook page and handed out flyers everywhere. He also partnered with both non-profit and for-profit organizations that were able to get the word out through their websites, press releases, and general presence, and his project sparked so much interest he was even featured on TV in The Long Island News’ “Heroes on Our Island” segment!
Justin M. Smith from Muttontown will be celebrating his Bar Mitzvah in January of 2013
So was Justin’s project a success? Yes! He traveled from Stamford, Connecticut to Oyster Bay, NY via the Long Island Sound in his boat all by himself, and upon completion of his journey, there was a celebration at Jack Halyards American Bar & Grill.
Congratulations, Justin! Thank you for sharing your incredible journey with us, and good luck raising more money through donations leading up to your Bar Mitzvah. Read an article and watch a video about Justin in Newsday here.
October 19th, 2012
We know our readers love unique candle lighting ideas, so we rounded up a new bunch to share with all of you!
Families are getting very creative and it’s no longer unusual to see a display that ties into the Bar/Bat Mitzvah theme.
Take a look at all we have found below:
From Creative Events Charlotte, this display is set right into a log!
Sammy Lustberg used an ice sculpture of her name for the candle lighting ceremony
Fishing theme candle lighting with real fish from East 7th Street Promotions
For Carly’s Bat Mitzvah Candle Lighting her Mom Sharon did the display herself! Those are paper flowers with rhinestones. They are actually hair clips from the baby section of a Joanne’s Fabric store. She clipped the flowers onto the tulle ribbon that was wrapped around each candle. In between the candles are tea light holders that are filled with gems from the wedding section of Party City
For Emily’s Eatery celebration, this family used cupcakes – an idea they found on MitzvahMarket.com
This “Really Rebecca” themed Bat Mitzvah used mini donuts as their candle holders from Peter Oberc Photography
For a camp theme, this Mitzvah boy had acrylic sneakers for his candle lighting from Heather Chick Photography
For a different feel, this camp themed Mitzvah, from East 7th Street Promotions created a unique display with candles floating in the the lake!
Did you have a unique candle lighting display? Let us know at info@MitzvahMarket.com and share it with our readers.
October 19th, 2012
This colorful evening celebration was held at the Norris Pavillion, where this Bat Mitzvah girl studies theater. Her Mitzvah project raised $10,000 for Hadassah, a women’s organization. Megan wanted her project to reflect her commitment and passion to the power of women.
Karen Ard is the photographer.
Nina Bracker Events was the party planner!
Color, color everywhere! Nina Bracker Events transformed a large, plain room into a 13 year old’s fantasy party using color.
The place cards were homemade
This was an empty room completely transformed with linens, chiavari chairs, color and lighting
The view from above
The Bat Mitzvah girl loves M&M’s
Here’s the real thing custom made
The teal table linens were accented with red napkins featuring yellow fuzzy napkin rings
Beautiful buffet arrangements also added lots of color
Each table also included pictures of the Bat Mitzvah girl growing up
Simple Gerber daisies look so elegant in this arrangement
The sweet dessert included a custom label with a note of thanks from the Bat Mitzvah girl
The following vendors were used to create this celebration.
Caterer: Someone’s In The Kitchen
Photographer: Karen Ard Photography
Floral/Decor/Rentals all arranged through Event Planner: Nina Bracker
DJ: Seth Breton, You Should Be Dancing
Favors: Krispy Kreme Donuts
October 17th, 2012
By Tara Silberg
It’s Tara, telling YOU what’s happening on the Bar/Bat Mitzvah circuit today.
I’m now in 8th grade and my time “on the circuit” is winding down, but I’m still seeing lots of new ideas at the Bar/Bat Mitzvahs I’m attending.
I would like to tell you about a new giveaway that I received at a party last weekend. My close friend Jason did a great job at his service and then it was off to his celebration. Us kids received a great giveaway in addition to the sweatshirt favor. Yes, that’s two giveaways!
Simon Elliot Events created a “beatz” station in the kids lounge area. Think that’s it? That was only the beginning. When you approached the station, you were given lots of choices so you could customize your beatz headphones. Both sides had a sticker with whatever picture you wanted. There were lots to choose from, including Justin Bieber, “YOLO,” Taylor Swift, and many others! Next, you were asked to choose a top. Just like the sides, the amount of tops to choose from were never ending. After you told them all your choices, you were done. As easy as that!
At the end of Jason’s party, it was time to collect our favors. I was expecting my headphones to be in a bag, but I was taken by surprise when I saw what they were in. A box that read, “beats by jason,” and a great picture of him wearing them.
The sides of the box (shown below) had “jason’s bar mitzvah” and the date displayed. Inside were my beatz, that came out just perfect! I couldn’t have had a better night.
Mazel Tov to Jason and his family. Till next time…On The Circuit With Tara!
About Tara Silberg
I’m in 8th grade at Jericho Middle School and I love art. When I say art, I’m talking about photography, painting, and drawing. I also love music. When I feel stressed, I listen to my iPod to calm down. I will most likely attend between 60-70 Bar/Bat Mitzvahs before I finish 8th grade. I’m excited to be reporting from “The Bar/Bat Mitzvah Circuit” for Mitzvah Market.com.
October 17th, 2012
The Brenner family from Randolph, New Jersey celebrated their daughter Phoebe’s Bat Mitzvah on Saturday May 19, 2012 at Adath Shalom Synagogue in Morris Plains, New Jersey with a Kiddush luncheon following the service.
Later in the evening a “Phoebelicious” themed celebration full of non-stop fun and dancing took place at Cedar Hill Country Club in Livingston, New Jersey.
Pictured above L-R: Sister Lexi, Brother Ross, Bat Mitzvah girl Phoebe, Mom Anne and Dad Marc.
All photography was done by Simon Elliot Events and the rest of the vendor information is listed at the bottom of this spotlight.
Bat Mitzvah girl Phoebe posing at the Bimah. Her Sherri Hill dress was from Ask Alice Boutique.
Their chic hot pink invitation with a brown cheetah print border set the tone for the party and was from Donna Semel of The Write Way.
The Brenner family looked very stylish with Bat Mitzvah girl Phoebe wearing two dresses during her reception. The first gorgeous pink long Mori Lee gown was from It’s Simply For You. Later in the evening, she changed into a short Jovani cheetah print dress from Neiman Marcus on sale!
Sister Lexi sparkled in her blue Sherri Hill dress from Ask Alice Boutique and Mom Anne wore a grey strapless La Femme sequin gown from Nordstrom. Brother Ross and Dad Marc’s suits were also from Nordstrom
Later in the evening Phoebe surprised her guests by changing into her cheetah print dress
The pink “Phoebelicious” theme was custom designed and created by graphic designer Amy Wohl. Mom Anne says, “Working with graphic designer like Amy made the process easy and the collaboration produced a theme and logo we used throughout the party that Phoebe loved.”
Custom place cards featuring their “Phoebelicious” logo
To enhance Cedar Hill Country Club, Jersey Street Furniture transformed the ballroom with elegant but fun accents.
Guests found their place cards on a hot pink sequined table cloth with beautiful floral arrangements in shades of pink by Jersey Street Furniture’s in-house florist
The chocolate brown table linens really made the hot pink napkins pop
This floral centerpiece was a tall fluted vase with florals and crystals
Photos of Phoebe, from a photo session with Simon Elliot Events, hung against the pink and chocolate brown drapery
A menu card, with the custom logo was at each adult place setting
Graphic designer Amy Wohl designed the cheetah lip pillow and sent the art work to A Promos USA/Imagemaker for the final product. Jersey Street Furniture had some cheetah pillows in-house and added to the fun!
The hot pink bar, from Jersey Street Furniture was accented with cheetah fabric
The kids lounge featured white high top tables with Phoebe’s initials and logo
Jersey Street Furniture wowed everyone with the dance floor wrapped in cheetah and the Phoebelicious logo
Mom Anne hired Austin Guerra, a graffiti artist to paint a bench that was used as their sign-in.
This bench is now a piece of furniture in Phoebe’s room
Gotham Events with Andrew Merlino as the MC entertained the Brenner’s guests all night.
The Gotham Events team pose with the guest of honor
The dance floor was packed all night
There were quite a few entertainment choices if you were not dancing.
Simon Elliot Events provided the newest photo favors: Stick-a-Pic
Phoebe and her friends having their “15 Seconds of Fame” in this fun interactive booth from Coco Event Design that plays music and then prints out your poses
Her beautiful brown and pink cake is from Rudy’s Bakery. Phoebe is a shoe fanatic and the cake was surrounded by 13 couture shoe cupcakes to hold the candles for the candle lighting ceremony.
Mom Anne saw the shoe cupcakes on Mitzvah Market and Jersey Street provided a baker to re-create!
A closer look at these couture shoe cupcakes
A Promos USA/Imagemaker created the many favors that were given out to the Brenner’s guests.
White “Phoebelicious” T-shirts were worn by the dancers and given out to guests on the dance floor
Phoebe’s young guests were given blue sweatshirts with a cheetah “P” for the girls
The sweatshirt featured a nice surprise on the back
The boys received this black hooded sweatshirt
Guests found this flashlight key ring in their car as they left Phoebe’s celebration
Phoebe is a cupcake lover, so each guest received their own delicious cupcake from Rudy’s Pastry Shop in a great custom box. What a sweet send-off!
Even the box featured her “Phoebelious” logo!
Some advice from Mitzvah Mom Anne:
“It was great having a sister-in-law who worked at MitzvahMarket.com! I found many of the vendors I used and ideas on the Website. Also, all my vendors went above and beyond, working together to execute Phoebe’s vision and make this a truly “Phoebelicious” night.”
The following vendors made Phoebe’s party special. If you give any of them a call, please let them know you read about their services on MitzvahMarket.com.
Venue/Caterer: Bob Mueller; Cedar Hill Country Club, 973- 992-4700
Invitation: Donna Semel, The Write Way, thewritewaynj@aol.com
Decor/Florist/Custom Floor decal: Steve Novich, Jersey Street Furniture, 973-779-7444
Graphic Artist (Menu cards, favor tags, logo, signage): Amy Wohl, FabuDesigns.com, 312-513-1698
Photographer/Videography: Michelle Collins, Simon Elliot Events 516-586-6822
Stick-a-Pic Photo Favors: Simon Elliot Events
Music Entertainment/Lighting: Andrew Merlino/MC, Gotham Events, 212-643-8718
Additional Entertainment: Dennis, Coco Event Design 212-937-6954
Favors: Sweatshirts, T-shirts, dancer T-shirts and key rings, Mindy, A Promos USA/ImageMaker, 516-377 0186
Candle lighting Cupcakes: Jen Hines, Jersey Street Furniture
Cake and Cupcake Favors: Rudy’s Pastry Shop
Artist for Sign-In Bench: Austin Guerra, guerranyc@yahoo.com
Bat Mitzvah Girl Party Dresses: ballgown – Rachel, It’s Simply For You 516-921–2863, short dress – Neiman Marcus
Bat Mitzvah Girl Service Dress: Ask Alice Boutique, 516-921-2464
Dress for Mom: Le Femme, Nordstrom
Dress for Sister: Ask Alice Boutique
Suits: Nordstrom
Hair: Hair Loft 973- 927-8083
Makeup: Kate, A Beautiful Face Make-Up, 973-476-5881
October 12th, 2012
Photographer Sterling Tyler captured this sweet treat B’not Mitzvah!
The sisters shined during their service at Temple Beth El in Aliso Viejo and the festivities were double delicious at a candy-themed reception held at Celebrations by Turnip Rose in Costa Mesa, CA.
Gail Peter of Formal Impressions created the turquoise and pink decor overflowing with candy everywhere.
Each sister picked their favorite color for the kippot
Place cards had a different candy attached to each one
The sisters adorned the walls on large movie posters that were custom-made from a special pre-party décor photo shoot
The cocktail centerpieces had a touch of sweetness in them
The napkins and signage also reflected each girl’s favorite colors
The large dance floor had both girls names with gobo flowers
The adult tables with the candy theme
The kids lounge area
The girls strike a pose next to their favorite candy
We thank Sterling Tyler Photography for sharing these great pictures with our readers.
October 12th, 2012
By Jeffrey Lowell, Long Island
I love birthday parties. I have had twelve in my life and I will soon celebrate my 13th. I can’t imagine being unable to celebrate the day I was born, but many homeless kids aren’t so lucky to have the opportunity to celebrate something as simple as their birthdays each year.
That’s why, for my mitzvah project I chose to participate in the Birthday Wishes organization.
Birthday Wishes is a non-profit that helps underprivileged, homeless children have the birthday party of a lifetime by bringing the excitement of a party to them in the shelters where they are living.
Birthday Wishes was founded in 2002 by three friends who wanted to help homeless children build self-esteem. While volunteering in several homeless shelters, they noticed that children’s birthdays would often be overlooked. Parents there were embarrassed that they didn’t have enough money to buy a cake or presents so they didn’t even tell their children that they had a birthday. The three women thought this was unacceptable and started throwing birthday parties at the shelters for all the children. The first parties were held at the Second Step shelter in Newton, MA. Today, the volunteer organization serves more than 165 homeless shelters and thousands of homeless children in Massachusetts, Rhode Island and on Long Island.
Through this group I will be able to make several kids’ dreams come true and help them feel special on their special day by bringing party favors and gifts (all donated) for them. I have been collecting gifts, games and party favors from my friends and family. I’ve already collected some board games, super hero action figures, stuffed animals, and my favorite – Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots! I will be getting many more the weekend of my Bar Mitzvah and I will be buying more. I am truly excited to present the children with these gifts they would never have had the chance to receive otherwise.
I like that I will be able to be involved firsthand and I can’t wait to see the smiles on their faces when they see what we have planned for them. I may even bake them a cake!
Choosing this mitzvah project makes me think how fortunate I am to not only have a home and everyday luxuries, but to be able to celebrate my birthday each year and to also have a Bar Mitzvah. I never even thought about not having a party or even a cake and it makes me sad to realize not everyone is as lucky as I am.
Next month, I become a Bar Mitzvah. It is very important for me to make smart decisions and feel good about myself. My feelings of pride and accomplishment in learning to think about others and their life challenges have made me a more compassionate person. This mitzvah project has really changed my outlook on the world. I will no longer take things for granted. These kids have a tough life that hopefully I will never have to experience personally. I am glad I’m able to help make them feel special for at least one day. And I hope it will be a day they will remember forever. I can’t wait to spread the birthday cheer! I know it will be a humbling and rewarding experience.
Jeffrey Lowell is an 8th grader at Merrick Avenue Middle School on Long Island. Mazel Tov on your upcoming Bar Mitzvah!
