By Robin Levinsohn
For three years my daughter Alexandra (pictured above) was looking forward to a big, catered Bat Mitzvah celebration in January 2021. Seven months into Covid-19 craziness we realized that dream would never happen so we cancelled our catering hall, DJ, and photographer. After months of uncertainty, we decided to figure out a way to make the day as special as we could rather than postponing. The first thing we did was reserve a yard sign that read, “Mazel Tov Alexandra” and a Doughology Donut/Hot Chocolate truck for a car parade.
The service at Temple B’nai Torah in Wantagh, NY was so meaningful and intimate with only 10 of us in the room. After not being allowed in the sanctuary for 10 months, we appreciated every minute of it. Alexandra had done all of her Bat Mitzvah tutoring on zoom with the Rabbi, Cantor, and her tutor. We were beyond happy that they could share this day in person with us.
After the service, Alexandra’s friends stopped by our house in small groups for scheduled 25 minute time slots so we could keep it small, safe and socially distanced. The kids arrived, enjoyed a donut and hot chocolate, signed the board, took some pictures together, hung out, took a favor, and then left. We hired someone to help keep the flow and to make sure that the kids did not linger. Kids were required to wear masks and we gave out stretchy winter gloves for warmth and to keep the kids from touching the sign in board markers. For favors we gave out hot chocolate bombs with her logo.
As time grew closer, I quickly realized that I needed help with outside decor so I contacted Jenn at Redbird. She and her crew came up with some pretty fantastic ideas including a red carpet flanked by funky light up stanchions leading up to our garage photo set up. We had huge greenery boxwood with our logo and lightning bolt designs with a black and white vinyl floor which was the perfect spot for pictures with family and friends. On the garage wall we hung blown up pictures of Alexandra from her pre-bat mitzvah photo shoot (Photo by Kimberly) and a sign that read, “Right Up My Ali.” We had a huge “Alexandra” sign hung above our garage. They took our driveway/car parade concept and turned it into an event.
The next day we celebrated with our immediate family. We had 3 small groups come for 90-minute time slots. I ordered individually packaged brunch meals from Bagel Boss. Each family ate at a different table or couch area on the driveway. We were able to take pictures and just be together, which during these crazy times we are living in is not something we take for granted.
Our Bat Mitzvah weekend was not as we originally planned, but it was more than we ever could have hoped for. My daughter said it was an amazing weekend! My heart is filled with pride and happiness. I don’t feel like we missed out on anything.
Bat Mitzvah Vendors
Venue: Family Driveway & Garage
Photographer: Photography by Kimberly, 516-510-6921
Favors: Hot Chocolate Bombs by Rockstar Chocolates and Confections
Invitations: Greenvelope
Cake: Dot Cake by Okay, But First Cake, 516-414-1512
Decor/Sign In Board: Jenn, Redbird, 917-539-8013
Truck: Doughology Donut and Hot Chocolate Truck
Sweatshirts: Dawn, Stitching Gone Wild, 305-302-0938
Tallit: Yussel’s Place, 516-223-7050
Kippot: Randi, That One Special Touch
Lawn Sign: Sign Gypsies Long Island
Alexandra’s dress: Bergdorf Goodman
Mom’s dress: White House Black Market
Dad and Brother: Bloomingdales
Hair/Makeup: Alexandra – Jenn, Redbird
Hair/Makeup: Mom – Lana, DeMaine Hair Salon, 516-280-5444
