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UJA-Federation of Westchester

Common Questions About The Bar/Bat Mitzvah Service

Michael Marcus is a prominent Hebrew tutor and Bar/Bat Mitzvah officiator with over 25 years of experience working with all types of children. He has had amazing success because of his intense devotion to the needs of the Bar/Bat Mitzvah family.

He tells Mitzvah Market that there are two frequently asked questions which we thought would be important to share with our readers:

1. How long will it take to prepare my child for this most important day?
I assure all of my clients that their goals and mine are exactly the same; and that is, I want their child prepared and “ready to go” with complete confidence, knowledge and understanding of their Torah, Haftarah, blessings and with their speech as well. If parents want my instruction to include some history, customs and traditions, that can be provided as well. Most children are tutored for one hour each week; however, some with less Hebrew background prefer more frequent instruction. I am available 7 days a week and even tutor by video chat when face-to-face lessons are not plausible. My goal is to accommodate the needs and aspirations of the parents and the Bar/Bat Mitzvah. I pride myself on my flexibility to meet the needs of the students and parents, and bring everything together in a beautiful, personalized, caring service.

2. Should we invite our children’s friends to the Bar and Bat Mitzvah service?
There is a trend not to invite friends because the equation “kids equal noise” at services is essentially true and as we all know, we adults want a quiet dignified service that is filled with reverence and meaning. I am of the opinion that we can have a multitude of kids at the service with a minimum of disruption and have a reverent and meaningful service as well. The responsibility for this falls upon the leader of the service and how the service is conducted. If the service is meaningful and the congregation is involved then kids will participate.

During the service the Bar/Bat Mitzvah is up at the podium leading the service about 75% of the time. They actually “conduct” the service, with me always standing alongside them, helping when needed and supportive all of the time. When kids in the congregation see their friend lead the service, it seems more meaningful to them. The kids actually participate and soak up the “hamishness” and warmth and beauty of Judaism and hopefully come to the conclusion that Judaism is a wonderfully meaningful, inclusive and a vibrant religion. Does the fact that their friend is up on the Bima leading the service quiet all of them all of the time? The short answer is, “no,” but the longer answer is that the vast majority of kids participate and are impressed that their friend is the leader and they’re much more respectful. Despite any downside, I opt for having as many kids at the service as possible. They’re needed at the service because they are the future of Judaism.

For more information about Michael Marcus Tutoring visit his extended profile page in our Vendor Directory. 

Mitzvah Inspire: All About Sports and Orange

If you were concerned that a sports theme might be too simple for your child’s Bar or Bat Mitzvah, allow Chris Macksey and Barbara Roos of Bold American Events to change your mind. The duo designed this “Sport-astic” party for David of Atlanta, and they really pulled out all the creativity stops.

Inspired by the Bar Mitzvah boy’s love for all sports, the Bold American Events team (designers Chris and Barbara along with event coordinator Inda Royall) transformed Atlanta’s Grand Hyatt into a sports fanatic’s dream.

Simple white sofas got a burst of personality thanks to color coordinated sporty pillows

Different sports jerseys hung from makeshift “closets” to add some layers to the decor

Large portraits of David in different sports uniforms adorned the walls

The orange theme was coherent through the whole party, from the votive holders to small details like the ribbon on the vase

Along with color continuity, the designers made sure every aspect of athleticism was showcased, down to orange lockers

Sports meet elegance with this charming “bouquet” of bats, adorned with orange carnations

Talk about a “fresh” idea: the baseball in this centerpiece is made of white carnations

Please don’t eat this football, even though it’s made of mushroom slices and white button mums (yes, really!)

If you guessed this basketball is made of lentil beans, you’d be right! You totally didn’t guess that though, did you?

For more information visit Bold American Events. To see their regular bursts of inspiration, visit their blog.

The Feldman Bat Mitzvah Family Spotlight

Rebecca Feldman celebrated her Bat Mitzvah on May 12, 2012 with a service at Temple Israel of New Rochelle and a reception at The Surf Club, New Rochelle.

The Feldmans love the Caribbean and Rebecca’s theme reflected that. Luckily it was a beautiful May day, and her venue overlooked the ocean, reflecting the family’s love of the sun and the beach perfectly.

Steve Chesler Photography provided the photographs and the rest of the vendor information is listed at the bottom of this spotlight.

Pictured above L-R: Brother Dylan, Dad Darin, Mom Beth, Bat Mitzvah girl Rebecca

Small Fry Press created Rebecca’s invitations.

Simple and elegant with Rebecca’s name in cut-out letters along the top

Rebecca’s pretty short blue dress is from All Dressed Up.

She wore a bolero jacket and strappy sandals with her dress

Florist Rose Elefante took care of these original place cards.

Tiny shells held ocean-print paper place cards

The venue had a view of the ocean, but inside resembled a beach too…a very sophisticated beach, that is!

Multiple chandeliers hung over the tables and dance floor

Silk flowers in tall vases

Florist Rose Elefante tinted the water for the flowers blue

DJ Serj provided the entertainment with Anthony as the MC.

In addition to the DJ, there was a steel drummer to go along with the Caribbean theme

MC Anthony got the guests dancing

All the guests got in the groove, both young and old

Rebecca made her grand entrance in her beautiful dress and colorful socks.

The socks, from Kohls, were a giveaway for all the kids

MC Anthony met Rebecca on the dance floor

Rebecca’s cake came from The Surf Club.

Their cake had simple icing with multi-colored blue and white candles to invoke the ocean theme

The Feldman Family

 Marjy at Surfboard Beach Art created the sign-in board to match her theme.

Giving a new literal meaning to sign-in “board”

Jems Creative Promotions designed the party favors.

A towel is the perfect favor for a night at the beach

VIP Photo Favors provided endless photographic keepsakes for party goers.

Instant beach vacation pictures!

 With beautiful weather and a birthday as well as a Bat Mitzvah, there were plenty of special moments at Rebecca’s celebration.

Rebecca’s brother, Dylan, celebrated his birthday the same weekend as the Bat Mitzvah, so he got a cake of his own

Beth and Rebecca pose by the ocean–the inspiration behind the party decor

 Candy Warehouse supplied delicious candy in bulk and Oriental Trading Company supplied the blue pails.

Guests received a pail of candy along with their towels on the way out

Mom Beth, founder of RoleMommy.com, has some advice about staying organized and capturing all the important moments:

“My biggest piece of advice is to keep a Google spreadsheet so that you can enter in all the important contact information and payments to your vendors. That way, as you get closer to the event, you can track down everyone and re-confirm with ease. One thing I wish I did have was someone to help guide our photographer and videographer on the day of the party. I was so busy greeting guests that I didn’t get a chance to tell them who to shoot or where. They still did a beautiful job but it helps to have another set of hands supervising while you’re greeting all your guests.”

Rebecca, an avid reader, wanted to share her love of books with children who are less fortunate than herself. She participated in the African Library Project.

She secured 1,000 books to donate to children residing in Africa and raised $500 to cover the shipping costs. Before she left for sleepaway camp, she shipped the books to Africa with her mom.

The following vendors made Rebecca’s party special. If you give any of them a call, please let them know you read about their services on MitzvahMarket.com.

Venue: The Surf Club, 914-633-8221
Party Planner: Mom Beth Feldman, founder of RoleMommy.com
DJ/MC: Anthony, DJ Serj, 914-686-SERG (7374)
Favor person: Elaine Bennett, Jems Creative Promotions, 914-481-4311
Party entertainment: VIP Photo Favors, 877-847-7421
Invitation: Andrea Kronethal, Smallfrypress, 914-747-6668
Cake: The Surf Club, 914-633-8221
Décor/florist: Rose Elefante, 914-715-7247
Sign-In board: Marjy, Surfboard Beach Art
Dresses for family members: Elephants Trunk & All Dressed Up
Suits for family members: Brooks Brothers
Hair: Michelle, Leah’s in Scarsdale, 914-723-1012
Make-up: Diane Pottinger, mardpots@optonline.net
Transportation: First Student, 855-272-3222
Photographer: Steve Chesler Photography, 585-393-9242
Videographer: Greg Appison, Center Stage Productions, 516-567-9255
Yarmulkas: www.kippah.com
Candy for favors: www.candywarehouse.com
Pails for favors: Oriental Trading Company
Candles for Cake: Inspiration Gallery, 914-633-8508
Socks for giveaway: Kohls

Mitzvah Inspire: Apps!

Thank you to Party Perfect Orlando who sent us this fabulous celebration with this email message, “Our client, Heidi Goldstein, is a HUGE fan of your site, and I think one of her goals during Mitzvah planning was to have her son’s celebration featured on Mitzvah Market!

We are happy to fulfill Heidi’s goal and share her son Parker’s celebration with our readers.

Parker wanted to focus on different “Apps,” some real Apps that he loved to play as well as Apps that represented different things he liked to do. His celebration was a unique twist on a technology/iphone theme with a modern, cool, clean look that brought the different elements together.

The Goldstein family in front of special signage on the marquis that was lit up as guests left their event 

Parker and his sister Aniston are holding 2-sided custom pillows. One side had Parker’s logo, the other had various Apps from the night

There was a beautiful blue hue when guests entered the room, and centerpieces with different Apps were lit from the inside as well as uplit from below

The black linens were highlighted with beautiful silver chargers, blue napkins, custom menus and personalized iPhone cookies

A close-up of the menu and iPhone cookie at each place setting

They had smaller lit centerpieces on the kids high-top tables

When guests arrived, they signed Parker’s Mitzvah Mobile

Gifts were placed in Parker’s hand-made gift box

 Adult escort cards were made to look like mini iphones and were placed in front of a sign with Parker’s logo and all the various “Apps”

A close up of the unbelievable, back-lit, custom-made escort cards

Parker wanted a BIG candy bar, so Party Perfect Orlando created Parker’s Sweet Tweets, a play on the Angry Bird game

Custom labels were put on the bags the guests filled with candy to take home

Each of the candies were labeled with Parker’s Sweet Tweets, and the Angry Birds candies were used as an accent on the table

Young guests loved helping themselves to the candy bar

As guests left, they were asked to take a cookie as their take-home treat

We want to thank both Party Perfect Orlando and the Goldstein family for sharing their very creative Bar Mitzvah celebration with Mitzvah Market. Mazel Tov to Parker!

Mitzvah Trend: Napkin Please?

Napkins are great for serving appetizers, beverages and with the cake. Mitzvah Market also knows that it is a great way to brand your child’s logo, name and interests in a fun and inexpensive way.

TIP: When you order remember to choose ink colors that will contrast well with the color of your custom napkins. Dark ink colors show well on light colored custom napkins while lighter ink colors go better with darker colored napkins.

The napkin above is from Invitations4Less.com.

Here are some of our favorites:

From Hopple Popple Events incorporating a purple color theme

The Stationary Studio created this napkin for a Bar Mitzvah boy who loves computers

Lepenn Designs coordinated the napkins with place cards for this baseball themed Bar Mitzvah

Some of the great words of wisdom used throughout the reception from Evantine Design

Show how proud you are from Jill Kargman Etceteras on Etsy

From event planner Cait & Jules this fun Science themed napkin

From Evoke Events great logo, great colors

 
In the Brenner spotlight, the logo and favorite color of the Bat Mitzvah girl was incorporated into the napkin from The Stationary Studio

This logo started with the Bar Mitzvah boy’s stamp on his invitation and continued onto the cocktail napkins, click here for the rest of the Shapot Family Spotlight

Swank Productions created napkins with this quote from Alice in Wonderland

Event planner Michelle Farber used her son Adam’s logo “Adamcrombie” for his colorful napkins

 
From Bluming Creativity a jungle jamin’ napkin

From Favorite Things this napkin has a great logo and art work

This logo really pops on the purple and gold napkin from Wendy Robinson Photography

 Did you use fun napkins? Let us know at info@mitzvamarket.com.

Emily’s Eatery Bat Mitzvah Family Spotlight

Emily Eagleton celebrated her Bat Mitzvah on June 16, 2012 with services at Congregation Beth Emeth in Albany, New York followed by an evening celebration at Saratoga City Center in Saratoga Springs, New York.

Emily is passionate about food, she loves to cook, eat and try out new restaurants. She also loves all television shows about food! This family knew right away that they wanted to incorporate food into their celebration.

After much brainstorming and creative collaboration, Emily’s Eatery was born! They wanted a fun, funky, somewhat casual vibe so “Saratoga Summer Style” was the attire. As you will see below, Emily’s bright colors and creative logo were used everywhere throughout the celebration!

Joe Elario Photography provided the pictures and the rest of the vendors are listed at the bottom of this spotlight.

Pictured above: Bat Mitzvah girl Emily!

Emily’s logo, colors, save the date and invitations were created by graphic designer Amy Wohl of Fabu Designs. This set the stage for the entire theme of her celebration.

Pantone style Save the Date with bright orange open-ended envelope and custom address label

The boxed invitation, with a purple gatefold, had a personalized tag of the recipients name. On the inside, the name “emily faith” was embellished with ultra fine glitter. The RSVP card was fashioned after a traditional guest check from a restaurant

Emily’s celebration took place at the Saratoga City Center.

Amy Wohl created these unique place cards.

Display of colorful place cards

The placecards were fashioned after a folded menu. Each one had the person’s name on the back of the guest check

On the inside of the menu, there was a pocket on the left with the front of the guest check and table number. Each table was numbered with a name of a main course that were favorites of Emily. For example, pictured above, BBQ Brisket Platter. Others were: Angus Burger, Eggplant Parmesan, Chicken Marsala, Grilled Salmon

Fine Affairs transformed the Saratoga City Center into Emily’s Eatery!

Colorful lounge areas were set-up for their cocktail hour

 A brick wall is the perfect spot for the Emily’s Eatery gobo

Colorful spandex chair and table covers create eye popping room decor

The lamp shades on each table had Emily’s logo

Emily’s young guests sat at the Chef’s Table

The room with lighting

Emily’s logo was used everywhere!

On the pillows

An ice sculpture

Large posters listing Emily’s friends names

 A wall of tv screens displaying a variety of “food” shows added to the decor of Emily’s Eatery!

Dance Time Entertainment provided the music entertainment with Sandi as the MC.

Emily “makes her entrance”

Notice her logo on the dance floor

Everyone enjoying!

Emily shares a special moment during speeches by her parents.

L-R: Parents, Mike & Julie Koenig and Matthew Eagleton & Sunita Srivastava

Mom Julie tells us she found this idea on our Pinterest.com boards and recreated the look for Emily’s candle lighting display.

Emily’s sign-in door was an idea they saw on other family spotlights on MitzvahMarket.com.

Guests are writing special messages to Emily on her bedroom door!

A Bettie’s Cupcake truck provided delicious “Mitzvah Exit” treats for their guests.

Guests could board Bettie’s truck to pick out their cupcakes to go

Boxes with Emily’s logo were provided to guests

T-shirt and shorts, created by A Promos USA/Imagemaker were displayed in cubbies inside take-out food containers.

 
Fine Affairs provided the cubbies

 Favors for the young guests included t-shirts for the girls and shorts for the boys. The orange squares were giveaway back packs that were folded in four and placed behind the “take out” goodies

 A Promos USA/Imagemaker also created the pillows with Emily’s logo

A close-up of the two logos used on the girl’s white T-shirt and the boy’s black athletic shorts

In keeping with her love of baking, for Emily’s Mitzvah Project, she baked for the local Ronald McDonald House as a way to provide comfort for those families residing at the house.

Some advice from Mitzvah Mom Julie: “Do your research, hire a great team and then TRUST them to do their thing! The DJ, caterer, decorator, invitation designer, etc. have, literally, seen it all. I gave them an overview of my vision, but allowed them to be creative in suggesting execution ideas. I had an amazing team…”

“Also, I found ideas on Mitzvah Market and Pinterest and applied them….for example the sign in door was something I had seen in another Family Spotlight and the cupcake candle lighting was similar to something I had seen from Mitzvah Market’s Pinterest boards.”

The following vendors helped to make Emily’s celebration special. If you give any of them a call, please let them know you found their services on MitzvahMarket.com.

Venue: Saratoga City Center, 518-584-0027
Music Entertainment: MC, Sandi, Dance Time Entertainment, 914-591-2100
Invitation/Logo/Place cards/All graphics: Amy Wohl, Fabu Designs, 312-513-1698
Favors/Pillow: Mindy, A Promos USA/The ImageMaker, 516-377-0186
Décor/florist: Fine Affairs, 518-587-4648
Photographer: Joe Elario Photography, 518-438-0989
Videographer: Lance Wheeler, 518-851-7398
Caterer: Kevin Sykes, Mazzone Hospitality, 518-583-3003
Emily’s Dresses: Pink Domino in Boston, 617-964-7465
Callie’s Dresses: Nordstrom
Mom Julie: Morning suit, Neiman Marcus, Evening dress: Elephant’s Trunk, 914-666-7666
Suits for family members: Brooks Brothers
Hair: Ania Salon, 518-456-8822
Makeup: Alayne Curtiss, Make Me Fabulous, 518-885-2929
Transportation: Bus for Teens, Upstate Transit of Saratoga, 518-584-5252
Food Truck: Bettie’s Cupcake Truck

Creative “Make An Entrance” Ideas

Many families often wonder what to do for their “grand entrance” into their celebration room for their Bar/Bat Mitzvah.

While some might prefer a simple entrance and others extravagant, most want it memorable.

Here are some fun ways to have your child “make an entrance” into their reception.

Pictured above: From Jennifer Werneth Photography, this Bat Mitzvah girl is greeted by her guests waving ribbon wands.

Check out all our ideas below:

 Natalie Kravitz from Maryland entered on a sail boat for her sailing themed Bat Mitzvah. Jordan from Chrysis Entertainment created the fog on the dance floor which created the mood for her grand entrance

This Bat Mitzvah girl made her grand entrance by jumping out of a Tiffany & Co. box and singing “Diamonds Are A Girl’s Best Friend” – Photo compliments of Allegro Photography

From the Brenner Mitzvah Family spotlight, Rachel enters on a golf cart with the Party Harty dance

Coming in on the Miami Heat’s Mascot, his favorite team, was pretty cool for this Bar Mitzvah boy – Photo compliments of Ricardo Serpa Photography

For a very dramatic entrance, this Bat Mitzvah girl was hidden inside the concentric rings of crystals and lighting from Eventions Productions

During the Weinberg Bar Mitzvah the guest of honor was escorted in by the real NY Islander dancers

This Bar Mitzvah boy rolled in style for his grand entrance – Photo compliments of Abby Rose Photography

This nautical themed Bat Mitzvah set sail on the Hudson River from EBE Events and Entertainment 

From photographer Peter Oberc and Melisa Imberman of The Event of a Lifetime this guest of honor enters on a cozy couch

Bat Mitzvah girl Sami came up with her entrance which was executed by The Entertainment Company

Using silks, the “drop” into her party is in progress…

Sami’s arrival at her party at Vibe is complete!
Photos by Milk Photography

Did your child make an creative Mitzvah entrance? Email us as info@mitzvahmarket.com and let us know!

Mitzvah Find: Ticings Edible Icing for Cupcakes

We love things that make our lives easier and if you are looking to dress up cupcakes for your child’s Bar/Bat Mitzvah celebration then you will love this!

Ticings make cupcake decorating really simple. We are talking about edible frosting stickers and cake tattoos which are pre-printed with a custom design of your choice or choose from any of their own creative contemporary images, as well as custom artwork, logos, monograms and more.

They send you your choice of design on non-stick paper and you just peel off and attach to your cupcake!

Completely edible, tasteless, kosher, gluten-free and FDA certified, the kits sell online for $15-$60, depending on the size of the set. 

Check out some of their designs below:

Pick one of their designs or create your own

Applying the icing is easy

The custom 2 initial monogram

 Have we enTiced you yet? For more information, visit their Website.