MitzvahMarket | Archive | February
Bar Mitzvah & Bat Mitzvah Centerpiece Ideas
February 27th, 2020

Bar Mitzvah & Bat Mitzvah Centerpiece Ideas

Your first big decision’s about your child’s Bar or Bat Mitzvah celebration, will involve the venue, DJ and photographer. As you get closer to your date, you will start thinking about the Bar or Bat Mitzvah decorations.

The options are endless and we are providing inspiration with a look at some of our readers most creative centerpieces! These cool Bar and Bat Mitzvah decorations were inspired by diverse themes and they create a visual atmosphere that sets the mood for the Bar or Bat Mitzvah party.

Animal Theme Centerpieces

Art Theme Centerpieces

Baking/Candy/Food Theme Centerpieces

Camp Theme Centerpieces

 Fashion/Sneaker Theme Centerpieces

 Flower/Garden Theme Centerpieces

 Hollywood/TV Shows/Book Centerpieces

Sports Theme Centerpieces

You can also ask questions and get advice about centerpieces and more in our regional Facebook groups. Join here.

February 26th, 2020

Chicago Chesed Fund

CCF is committed to helping Jewish Chicago families in crisis by providing immediate assistance. Our 40+ programs provide assistance to over 4,000 individuals yearly.

How to Take Your Bar & Bat Mitzvah Selfies to the Next Level
February 23rd, 2020

How to Take Your Bar & Bat Mitzvah Selfies to the Next Level

In today’s social media crazy world, photos from your child’s Bar or Bat Mitzvah are bound to show up on Instagram, Snapchat and more. Companies like White Light Photography and Video are elevating the photo experience by creating fully customized, branded photo booths that are sure to drive your guests Insta-crazy!

“We do a completely customized concept and design for each event,” says White Light, which has created dozens of OMG! quality photo booths using oversized swings, a vintage bathtub, a sneaker store, NHL locker room, and even a mountain bike! “If you can dream it, we can build it.” If you can’t decide between two set-ups… they’ll build both! 

White Light is based on Long Island, NY, but they work with customers nationwide. You can hire them to handle all of your photographic needs… or bring them in to produce the photo booth alone. No matter what, you’re sure to capture tons of Insta-worthy Mitzvah moments.

Check out their work below:

White Light Photography and Video is a full service, premier photo/video/photo booth company. For more information visit their extended profile page on MitzvahMarket.com.

Planning a Bar or Bat Mitzvah in your area and want local advice from parents and vendors? Check out Mitzvah Market’s 17 regional Facebook Groups here.

 

Bar Mitzvah Venue Transformed Into Spectacular Ski Lodge
February 23rd, 2020

Bar Mitzvah Venue Transformed Into Spectacular Ski Lodge

Jersey Street Productions, a full-service event production and decor company, recently produced an magnificent ski themed Bar Mitzvah at the Renaissance Westchester Hotel.

Caden’s Bar Mitzvah was modeled after the luxurious ski town of Vail, Colorado. The ballroom at the Renaissance was transformed into an epic ski lodge, complete with ice, snowflakes, a stunning log cabin bar and antler candelabras! Working with event planner Michael Marielli Events, the bar, tables, lounge furniture, chairs, wall decorations and centerpieces were all custom made by Jersey Street. The dance floor and other vinyls were created by Bombshell Graphics via Jersey Street and entertainment was provided by Pure Event Group. Invitations, featuring skis and a map of Vail, were produced by Out of the Box NY

The photographer for this event was Andy Foster. 3 Axis Studios provided video services.

We thank Jersey Street for sharing this awesome Bar Mitzvah with our readers. To learn more about Jersey Street Productions, including their creation of custom bars, centerpieces, draping, lounges, custom tables and chairs, visit their Mitzvah Market extended profile page.

Planning your own Bar or Bat Mitzvah and need help or advice? Join one of Mitzvah Market’s 17 regional Facebook groups here.

Our Top 10 ‘Pins’ For Bar Bat Mitzvah Planning
February 16th, 2020

Our Top 10 ‘Pins’ For Bar Bat Mitzvah Planning

Thank you to all our readers who are on Pinterest and follow Mitzvah Market’s boards. Pinterest.com is another great resource to find all type of ideas for your event for your child’s Bar Bat Mitzvah. 

We have over 58 boards where we regularly “pin” great Bar Bat Mitzvah ideas to share with our readers. If you aren’t on Pinterest.com, you can still see some of our favorite pins!

See below for our  Top Pins:

OUR TOP 10 PINS

Follow our Pinterest boards, we will follow you back!

Mitzvah Market Magazine: Fashion Fun
February 16th, 2020

Mitzvah Market Magazine: Fashion Fun

By Amy Fish

A Different Look For Every Party Without Breaking The Bank

When Jen Forman’s daughter Charlotte was nearing Bat Mitzvah age, she wanted a new dress for every party. “Sometimes there would be two, three Bar/Bat Mitzvahs the same weekend!” says the founder and CEO of Charlotte’s Closet, an online store that rents designer dresses to teens and tweens.

Pictured above are a few looks from Charlotte’s Closet (L-R): Un Deux Trois, worn by Zelda in a black A-line dress, Ella is wearing an ombre bandage dress by Jolene and Goldie has on a Jolene deep blue dress with strappy detail.

Like many parents of young girls, Forman had to find a way to combine her daughter’s love of fashion and her budding independence, with Forman’s own needs for a manageable price and reduced shopping time. And so, five years ago, she launched the Charlotte’s Closet website. Last year, she opened a corresponding store in Port Washington. With Charlotte’s Closet, girls have access to a communal clothing rack with hundreds of designer dresses that they can borrow. They can pick several dream outfits online and get them delivered right to their door, all for one flat fee. When the parties are over, they simply pack them up and send them back.

Their slogan: Rent It! Rock It! Return It! There are several different options to choose from, ranging from a one time rental for the girl who needs a special gown, to the “Endless Closet,” where those with a packed social calendar can borrow several designer dresses for a month.

It’s a lot greener than having an overstuffed closet and there’s no need to wear the same dress twice, says Forman.

Alas, that’s the dilemma many girls face today: what to wear when you’re invited to dozens of parties with the same people during one Bar/Bat Mitzvah season. You want different looks, but you don’t have a bottomless budget. Hence the popularity of Charlotte’s Closet.

There are other ways to have a runway of styles, colors, and trends without repeating a look or breaking the bank. Here are some ideas:

• Have a dress and accessories swap with friends who don’t share all the same social circles. Trade what no longer fits or isn’t your fav, for something someone else wants to give up. It won’t cost you a dime to get many new outfits.
• Upcycle. Repurpose what you have: shorten a long dress, take the sleeves off a top, or add a lace trim to a mini, and voilà, you have a whole new look. If you’re crafty you can do this yourself; if not, a tailor can help for a fraction of the price of buying something new.
• Check out resale, consignment, and thrift shops for a cache of dresses, accessories, scarves, belts, and other items to change up your look at bargain prices. Some stores like Buffalo Exchange even sell new, current-trend, tags-on garments.

Want a different look for every party? Switch things up. The little black dress (LBD), for example is a blank slate. Add a sparkly belt and some fun costume jewelry one night, and then a sequined or furry bolero jacket over it to another party. No one will be wiser that the LBD is the same. Or step out in animal print ballet flats and matching shawl and then trade them out for trendy boots and a coordinated clutch with a pop of color.

Animal prints, metallics, and navy are all the rage in girl’s attire, says Andrea Forbes, area manager for Lester’s stores. Plus, hair accessories are hot. “Headbands, scrunchies, and clips can help you. change your look. Wear your hair up or down with a headband that coordinates or contrasts with your outfit. Add color or texture with one in velvet or plaid, rhinestones, or grommets.”

Make sure your wardrobe has a few great pieces that can be rotated, advises Forbes. Have separates — a skirt and two tops – a dressy jumpsuit, and a couple of dresses in different shapes including straight, fit and flare, and bandage.

Be creative with accessories, suggests Esther Fortunoff, president of Fortunoff Fine Jewelery. “Girls change their look these days by adding big gold hoops in an ‘80s revival, or they add lots of stacking bracelets. You can do them in silver, gold, or mix with blackened metals. Wear a big blingy pendant of cubic zirconium. There’s a whole rainbow of costume jewelry,” she says.

“Girls are also layering lots of fine gold necklaces of different lengths, some with tiny diamonds, little bars, or gemstones. You can even raid your mom’s jewelry box.”

Mitzvah Market Magazine 2019-2020

Get FREE copy here.

Bar Mitzvah Bouncer: How to Get Kids Home Safely
February 9th, 2020

Bar Mitzvah Bouncer: How to Get Kids Home Safely

Saying “goodbye” to guests at the end of your Bar or Bat Mitzvah celebration is never fun, but getting your young guests home safely is the perhaps the most important part of the party. Bar Mitzvah Bouncer, Inc., the premiere security company for Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, offers some insight into how they work with families to make sure their teenage guests get home safely in the city and suburbs.

“Dismissal can be a hectic time if you are not prepared or don’t have enough staff working the event,” says Evan Wofsy. “This is another area of your celebration where Bar Mitzvah Bouncers are so valuable. Whether a teenage guest is meeting their parent outside, or going home in an Uber or taxi, our bouncers walk them directly to whomever is picking them up. We speak directly with the adult taking the child home.” Wofsy explains their staff of certified teachers is even trained to check the name and plate information before the child gets in the car. If a young guest is taking the subway home, Bar Mitzvah Bouncers will walk the child to the appropriate station.

When the Mitzvah family provides transportation home from the venue, Wofsy recommends having all guests “checked in” when they board the bus. “We make sure the bus is parked in front of the venue and we call the driver ahead of time to warm up the bus and have it ready when the party ends. We will not leave a venue until all guests are accounted for!”

For more information about Bar Mitzvah Bouncer, Inc. check out their extended profile page in our Vendor Directory.

 

Winter Wonderland Theme Bat Mitzvah in Sunny California
February 9th, 2020

Winter Wonderland Theme Bat Mitzvah in Sunny California

Southern California girl Madi Pelc had visions of snowflakes for her January Bat Mitzvah celebration in Calabasas, CA. “Madi was set on Winter Wonderland from day one,” explains her mom, Claudine. “She loves the Disneyland Castle during the holidays, and we used that as our inspiration for her Bat Mitzvah. We wanted our guests to feel like they had walked into the courtyard of a castle in the wintertime, and Madi was the Snow Princess.”

Madi’s morning service at Valley Outreach Synagogue was followed by a kiddush luncheon. The evening celebration, also held at the synagogue, was “a true labor of love,” says Claudine, who planned the event and made a lot of the decor. With a background in interior and graphic design, and her current position as the event sales coordinator for the synagogue, this was familiar territory for Claudine, who brought in a team of local professionals to bring Madi’s vision to life. “Madi is very creative and had a lot of input on the decor. She loves pastel colors and wanted a cool vibe in the room, so that’s what we created!”

Read on to see more from this Whimsical Winter Wonderland theme. Photo above (L-R): brother Zach, dad Abe, mom Claudine, Bat Mitzvah girl Madi. The photographer for this event was Maria McCarthy. A complete list of Vendors follows at the end of this Spotlight.

Service

Party For A Snow Princess

Mitzvah Advice

“Pick what is important to you and let go of the small items,” says mom Claudine. “Put your money into lighting up the room.  Up lighting can take a blank space and make it shine!  Do not be afraid to order items online and plan early to get the best buys. Research on Facebook for ideas and talk with other parents to get feedback on vendors.” She also believes that hiring a day-of team is beneficial and adds: “Remember, no one will know what went wrong except you!”

Mitzvah Project

Over the course of two years, Madi volunteered more than 75 hours at her synagogue. (She followed in her brother Zachary’s footsteps, who completed the same Mitzvah Project several years earlier.) Madi worked alongside her mother helping the caterers and other vendors during events. She also volunteered during school breaks stuffing envelopes. The Pelc family volunteered so much of their time to the synagogue that they were named Family of the Year in 2019!

Vendor Directory

The following vendors helped to make Madi’s Bat Mitzvah a night to remember. If you contact them, please tell them you read about their services on MitzvahMarket.com.

Venue: Valley Outreach Synagogue, 818-882-4867
Event Planner/Logos/Place Cards/Sign-In Board/Personalized Clutch: mom Claudine Pelc
Catering: BSC Events, Scott Floman, 818-652-9531  
Decor: Shindigs by Stacy, Stacy Fisher, 818-599-9473
Invitations: Cutie Patootie Creations, Stephanie Feldman, 704-776-0738
Kippahs: That One Special Touch, Inc., Randi Lehman, 516-567-8893
Music/DJ/MC & Lighting: Real Genius DJs, MC Quinton and DJ Coby, 818-346-3482
Photographer: Maria McCarthy Photography, 818-597-1792
Videographer: Video Services Unlimited, 818-727-7746
Airbrush Artist: Mr. Hoodbrush, 818-625-6457
Photo Booth/Step & Repeat: 4EvrFoto, 805-384-5347
Candle Lighting Name/Snowflakes in Chandelier: My Case Builder, Steven Holand, 973-925-7215
Florist: Florals of Oak Florist, Doris, 818-991-5444
Dresses: Downtown LA Fashion District (Madi, party), Ted Baker (Madi, service); Neiman Marcus, Teri Jon (mom, party); Bloomingdales, Tadashi (mom, service)
Suits: Saks Fifth Avenue, John Varvatos
Hair/Makeup: Monique Salon, Marla Dietch, 818-881-1775 (hair); The Brow Bar, Blue Water Salon, Ronnie Retin, 818-970-4139 (makeup)
Security: Sunset Protective, John Perry, 805-403-3628

Planning your own Bar or Bat Mitzvah and need help or advice? Join one of Mitzvah Market’s 17 regional Facebook groups here.

 

The Ultimate Football Bar Mitzvah at MetLife Stadium
February 2nd, 2020

The Ultimate Football Bar Mitzvah at MetLife Stadium

MetLife Stadium is home to two of the most storied football franchises in NFL history, but for Jackson Weinstein, who has attended NY Jets games for as long as he can remember, it’s also a special place to spend family time. Mom Dani tells Mitzvah Market that the stadium is Jax’s “happy place, where we love spending time together.” When it came time to plan Jax’s Bar Mitzvah, everyone agreed that MetLife was also the perfect place to share their joy with friends and family.

After a service at Temple Sholom in Greenwich, Connecticut, the Weinsteins gathered Jax’s friends for a pre-game tailgate, complete with a slider truck, before boarding buses to the stadium in New Jersey. Upon arrival at MetLife, the kids and adults played activities on the field, while there was also an abundant cocktail hour in the Met 50 Lounge. From the astro turf and leather invitations and tailgate party, to the reception in the EY Coaches Club and Bar Mitzvah montage on the jumbotron, this celebration was all about family… and football!

(Above L-R: dad Dan, sister Reese, Bar Mitzvah boy Jackson and mom Dani)

The photographer for this event was Tripp Street Studios. A complete vendor list follows at the end of this story.

Are You Ready for Some Football?

All Access Pass to MetLife

Non-Stop Fun

Special Touches

Mitzvah Project

Jackson is very passionate about dogs. His Mitzvah Project was donating his time to various rescue shelters. He will be donating more time and funds to Big Dog Rescue Project – where the Weinstein family adopted their dog Otis.

Mitzvah Advice

“Try and be as organized as possible going into the last few weeks before the event,” says mom Dani. “It helps to have a party planner that gives you a timeline down to the minute! And start organizing those baby photos NOW – the montage is overwhelming – you want so many pictures but also don’t want a 20 minute video!”

Vendor Directory

The following vendors helped to make Jackson’s Bar Mitzvah a night to remember.  If you contact any of them about their services, please let them know you read about their company on MitzvahMarket.com.

Venue: MetLife Stadium, 201-559-1710
Pre-Game Tailgate
: Seaside Sliders, 203-857-9918
Event Planner: Jackie Bressler Events, 561-922-5776
Music & Entertainment: ESP Productions, David Milowitz, 631-777-4377
Special Performance: DJ Kool, Walt Reeder Jr, 215-517-7881
Photographer: Tripp Street Studio, Steve Krongard, 914-242-9801  
Videographer: Prime Focus Media, Ben Schwartz, 973-452-5647
Favors/Invitations/Logos/Giveaways: Pretty in Paper, LLC, Stephanie Engler, 561-998-3777
Event Decor/Flowers: Dalsimer Spitz and Peck,  516-569-2100
Dresses: Monique Lhuillier (mom), Jovani (sister), purchased at All Dressed Up, 914-690-1593
Suits: Rothman’s in Scarsdale (dad) and Lubin’s (Jackson), 914-713-0300
Hair & Makeup: Laura Melissa Makeup/Hair By Val

Invitation Guru Reveals Her Favorite Bar Mitzvah & Bat Mitzvah Invites
February 2nd, 2020

Invitation Guru Reveals Her Favorite Bar Mitzvah & Bat Mitzvah Invites

A Bar Mitzvah or Bat Mitzvah invitation that is sophisticated, elegant… sleek, modern… hip, cool… sporty, playful…? What feeling are you hoping to convey for your Bar or Bat Mitzvah celebration?

“The invitation can set the tone for your event,” says Leslie Goldberg of Out of the Box NY. With more than 17 years of experience in the stationery and gift business, Goldberg prides herself on working with her Bar and Bat Mitzvah families to select an invitation that will clearly set the mood for their celebration. “We aren’t your typical invitation company. When you meet with Out of the Box NY, we see what you are looking for and then we choose the company that can create your invite with the papers that you love at the best price.” After all, says Goldberg, “You never get a second chance to make a first impression.”

Read on to see some of Goldberg’s favorite invitations:

In addition to invitations, Out of the Box NY also works with clients to find or create the perfect kippot, programs, menus, place cards, party favor bags, napkins, cups and more.

To learn more about Out of the Box NY visit their extended profile page in our Vendor Directory.