Something Meaningful For Your Bat Mitzvah!

 *A message from our partner*

You can make a difference and change lives with your Mitzvah Project!

A Bat Mitzvah is an extraordinary milestone. Unfortunately, (thanks Covid!) the party you dreamed of until now isn’t happening, but you can still accomplish the “mitzvah” part of Bat Mitzvah – and turn it into something unique by helping orphaned girls in Israel.

If the word “orphanage” conjures up images of Orphan Annie scrubbing grimy, wooden floors while singing “It’s a Hard-Knock Life,” you need to visit Lev LaLev. Hopefully soon!

LevLaLev (Heart-to-Heart) is located in Netanya, Israel and since 1962, provides a warm and loving home to the 120 girls who reside here between the ages 8-24. Many girls are orphans, and were left without adequate food, clothing, and shelter. Most girls were suffering from neglect, abuse or worse.

Our girls are just like you. They love life. They love friendship and value friends like you who understand them and go beyond the call of duty to provide them with all the things they love and need.

Your Mitzvah Project ensures all their basic needs are met and they receive the gift of field trips, extra-curricular activities, gifts and so much more.

Inspired! Let’s get started! Call us today to start your mitzvah project. Our experienced Mitzvah Project Coordinator will provide ideas and tips to ensure your Mitzvah project is meaningful, memorable and everlasting.

Have an idea? We are excited to set up your unique fundraiser and have it include your hobbies and interests. Get in touch with us for more detail.

Call: 845-367-7130 ext. 102
Visit: www.levlalev.com/batmitzvah
Email: info@levlalev.com
You can make an orphan girl smile again – and make Bat Mitzvah even more meaningful.

Looking forward to celebrating together!

Chavi Weiss
Director of Development
Lev LaLev Girls Orphanage
chavi@levlalev.com

Girls Like You Who Have Made a Difference:
o    Bella Silberstein, CA
“I never in my life thought that having my bat mitzvah would bring out this much joy because I got to make these special girls in Israel smile. “
o    Margo Weinberger, NY
“Whatever I did for these girls makes me so happy.  But I feel as though they did way more for me. We may be six thousand miles away but we really all are family.”

Get Started On Your Mitzvah Project Now!

The Joshua Cohen Bar Mitzvah Family Spotlight

The Cohen family from Ardsley, New York, celebrated son Joshua’s Bar Mitzvah on October 19, 2013, with a Havdalah service at Shaarei Tikvah in Scarsdale, New York, and a reception following.

Family and friends got to share in a creative themed “Throw Back Sports Players” party.

Pictured L-R: Dad Jonathan, Bar Mitzvah boy Joshua, Sister Samantha and Mom Eileen.

The photographer was Fantasy Flash Photography and the rest of the of the vendor information is listed at the end of the spotlight.

There was a beautiful Havdalah service at Shaarei Tikvah.

Josh proudly held the torah

The yarmulke basket was accented with New York Giants logo’d ribbon

 
The color palette for the party was All-American red, white and navy and started with the invitation by Marcie Nobel.

This family looked great. Sister Samantha sparkled in her gown from All Dressed Up. Mom Eileen’s glamorous look was from Neiman Marcus. Bar Mitzvah boy Josh and Dad Jonathan looked great in their navy suits from Lubin’s Boys Clothing, and Rothmans, located within the same store.

Brian Williams Events created the decor using the All-American red, white and blue color palette. Josh’s friends had a great time in the kids lounge and the adults enjoyed a sit-down dinner.

The place cards were ticket stubs featuring famous New York athletes

 
The kids lounge area was decorated with LED coffee tables and high tops

Player cut-outs attached to balloons were used as centerpieces. Table linens were alternating red, white and navy with coordinating napkins

A Yankee logo on “turf” added a fun touch to the buffet

This was a very special gift for Josh. His “Nana” made the sign-in book for him.

The sign-in book cover

 
Inside Josh’s guests left him funny and heartfelt messages 

MC Alex Lampert and the team from Jimmy Dee had the guests on the dance floor all night long.

Josh was all smiles in the chair for the Horah

Everyone danced with MC Alex

The Cohen family took the stage

Jimmy Dee Entertainment also provided games during the cocktail hour and reception.

 The kids enjoyed Foosball

  Josh on stage with MC Alex trying to stump the guests

 Custom napkins and dancing socks were some of the details that were part of this celebration.

Red, white and navy cocktail napkins

Colorful socks were provided for the girls

 The cake put everyone in a “New York State of Mind.”

Josh’s candle lighting was a family affair.

 
The Cohen family

It was also filled with lots of good friends

The whole gang posed for a picture

 
The sweatshirt for Josh’s friends was created by DeeJDesign.

Favor bags were packed and labeled for Josh’s friends

The front of the sweatshirt

 The back with all the sports Josh plays

 The candy buffet was a yummy selection of candy and treats.

Josh worked through the temple and once-a-month helped with elderly people, special needs kids and he made sandwiches for the homeless.

Some advice from Mom Eileen:
“If you did your research and hired all the right vendors you finally need to let go the day/night of your party and put your trust in them.”

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

Venue: Shaarei Tikvah, 914-472-2013
Party Planner: Mom Eileen Cohen
Music Entertainment: Jimmy Dee Entertainment, MC Alex Lampert, 914-428-9231
Photographer/Videographer:  Fantasy Flash Photography & Video,  914-428-9231
Décor/florist: Billy, Brian William Event Decorators, 845-628-0614
Favor: Deborah J. Wiskind, DeeJDesign, 914-330-5765
Party Entertainment games and photo booth: Jimmy Dee Entertainment
Invitation: Marcie Nobel, allthewayhome@msn.com, 917-601-3949
Sign-In book: Created by Josh’s Nana
Napkins: Memorable Moments, 954-973-1144
Socks: Modell’s
Sister Samantha’s dress: All Dressed Up, 914-690-1593
Mom Eileen’s dress: Neiman Marcus
Suit for Dad Jonathan: Rothmans, 914-713-0300
Suit for Bar Mitzvah boy Josh: Lubin’s Boys Clothing, 914-713-0300
Hair/makeup: Jessica Perez, 914-539-1542

Tips For Your Family Casual Photo Shoot From Impressions Photo & Video

Impressions Photo & Video offers a seamless blend of traditional, casual and contemporary photography. They have been photographing Weddings, Bar and Bat Mitzvahs and special occasions for over twenty years.

Although they have covered almost two thousand events, they still know that every event is unique and approach each assignment with freshness, drive and passion.

At Impressions, it’s not just the camera, it’s the personality behind the camera. It’s about making a connection with their clients and creating images that are as unique as they are.

We spoke with Jeff from Impressions to learn more about their casual photo shoots with Bar Bat Mitzvah families and to share some helpful tips. See below:

MM: What questions do you ask the family before the shoot?
Jeff: It’s important to know more about the Bar Bat Mitzvah child so the session can be tailored to fit their personality. What sport do they play, are they into art, music, video games? What type of vibe are they looking for? This way we can suggest an appropriate location for the shoot. If the family is at a loss, we can suggest a comfortable setting where we can capture relaxed images of them.

You feel this Goalie’s intensity

Keansburg Amusement Park was the perfect backdrop to go with this arcade themed party

Body language and expression say it all here

Clients have strong emotional ties to images created at their home

Die hard “Gamer”

A NY Yankee fan…

MM: What clothing do you recommend for the families to wear?
Jeff: We suggest that everyone is coordinated with both their style of clothing and color selection. Dressy khakis are popular as are denim with white or black shirts. If it’s a beach session, obviously they can be more casual with bare feet. The most important thing is for everyone to feel comfortable wearing something that makes them feel great.

Pets are family too!

Same family above and below

We went to the beach for the oldest son’s session, then 2 years later, we worked at Deep Cut Gardens for his younger sister! They grow up so fast!

MM: Is there a certain time of day that works best?
Jeff: Yes, the best time for “sweet light” is 90 minutes before sunset for an outside shoot.

Asbury Park is a great place to capture more of an “Urban” feel

 Showing love in Asbury Park

MM: We understand you are able to create sign-in books/posters from these shoots creating a special keepsake for the families.
Jeff: We get such a terrific selection of photos as a result of these casual shoots that not only can the family use these shots for their party decor, but also for their sign-in boards and posters.

 This 30 x 40 Signature Board was hand designed from some favorite images captured at her Casual Session

We traveled to Yankee Stadium for this one!
 

As an option, your display board doesn’t have to be signed

 To learn more about Impressions Photo & Video, please visit their extended profile page in our Vendor Directory.

EK Productions and The New York Giants Rock A Bar Mitzvah

EK Productions is a professional group of entertainers founded in 1986. Their company has grown from a successful DJ operation to a full scale event planning unit, specializing in videos, dancers, automated lighting and special effects, games, percussionists, MCs and other exciting entertainment for Bar Bat Mitzvah celebrations. 

Recently Evan from EK Productions was the MC for the Rovner family at their sons AJ’s Bar Mitzvah at Oceanside Jewish Center in Oceanside, New York.

 
 
AJ received a HUGE surprise from his Dad! With the help of Thuzio.com, eight New York Giants football players arrived at this already-in-progress rockin’ celebration!

Pictures above are AJ, his Dad, the EK dancers and New York Giants Ottis Anderson, Michael Cox, Stephen Baker,
Henry Hynoski, Prince Amukamara, Jaquain Williams, Ahmad Bradshaw, and Walter Thurmond III

As you can imagine, the guests at this celebration went wild. The players did the “Wobble” and “Apache” with MC Evan and AJ. Additionally, they danced with everyone and took pictures with guests. A night everyone will not soon forget!

The excitement continued as many press outlets picked up on this story:

Watch Prince Amukamara on TMZ here.

Read about it in the Washington Post here.

The Bleacher Report calls this a “wild” Bar Mitzvah party! Read it here.

We thank the Rovner family and EK Productions for sharing this special celebration with our readers.

To learn more about EK Productions, visit their extended profile page in our Vendor Directory.

A Great Year For Gotham T-Shirts

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. They proudly offer personalized custom screen printing, embroidery, art and theme designs for your Bar Bat Mitzvah. Their fashion designs look best on hooded and zipper sweatshirts, T-shirts, flannel PJ sweatpants and nylon draw string back packs. 

They moved to a new location in 2013 and are now located at 211 Glen Cove Avenue in Sea Cliff.

They recently expanded to a new location with a larger showroom featuring new state-of-the-art screen printing/embroidery equipment bringing their customers even better quality

They print over 130,000 hooded sweatshirts and t-shirts a year!
During the month of March, they are printing 35 Bar Bat Mitzvah jobs!

With their newly designed website, you can read up-to-the-minute news on their Facebook with their new scrolling feed. They post how-to videos and photos of all of their cool stuff! 

Check out their Bar Bat Mitzvah samples here

For more information and to see many samples of their work, visit their extended profile page in our Vendor Directory. 

Sports Fantasy Bar Mitzvah Theme

Matthew Menis celebrated his Bar Mitzvah at B’nai Israel in Oakdale, New York. The reception was held at Giorgio’s at Fox Hill in Baiting Hollow, New York. Matthew’s “Big Apple” Sports Fantasy theme featured the 8 major New York sports teams and the beautiful New York City skyline. This theme was also incorporated into the decor, cake and favors.

Pictured L-R: Dad Stuart, Mom Beth and Bar Mitzvah boy Matthew.

Photography by Neal Bloom was the photographer and the rest of the vendor information is at the end of the spotlight.

 Bar Mitzvah boy Matthew at the Bimah with his parents

Vendor Directory

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

B’mitzvah Therapy From Dr. and Mrs. Mitzvah

FINDING OUT WHAT TYPE OF B’MITZVAH PLANNER YOU ARE

By Dr. and Mrs. Mitzvah (aka David and Danielle Ockman “Favor It Things“)

Our first B’mitzvah blog entry was well received and we appreciate all of the continued support we have received from Mitzvah Market and our FB group!

Did you all start identifying your B’mitzvah support network and your OWN personal BMBFF’s?

This week we surpassed 1600 members in our “South Florida Bar Mitzvah and Bat Mitzvah Planning Group” and we are planning and de-stressing all the way to the bima!

However, this psychologist and social worker couple, could not help but notice that B’mitzvah parents, our “BMBFF’s” (B’mitzvah Best Friends Forever-lol) and group members fell into two distinct categories.
1) Type A- “We are good, we planned the whole thing last week!”
and
2) Type B- “We will try to plan something but just not now…We have too much on our plate.”

We are Type A B’mitzvah planning parents but have empathy for our Type B counterparts who seem to become immobilized and overwhelmed. We have been motivating them to embrace the B’mitzvah experience fully. When it comes to planning the B’mitzvah reception, becoming overwhelmed is common. We used “radical acceptance” to overcome the irrational belief that we have to “have it all” for our reception to be just right.

Fully accepting that we can “have some things and not others” is part of “staying happy” in life and in B’mitzvah planning for sure!

In the midst of these therapeutic self interventions, a break to watch “Keeping Up With The Stein’s” really drove home the reason that parents become so anxious and want to avoid planning. Procrastination is a maladaptive pattern of behavior that takes away our power of choice. Remember, “if you fail to plan, you plan to fail.”

Watching this classic B’mitzvah movie moved us back in time, where we thought of our own B’mitzvahs—Not just because the movie was about B’mitzvah planning, but because one of the families has a “Titanic” themed showboat reception, and despite having limited funds, this Dr. Mitzvah had his own on the MISS FLORIDA Yacht in 1984. My B’mitzvah was complete with T-shirts that read, “We Rocked the Boat at David’s Bar Mitzvah.” Now, the Mrs., on the other hand had a Bat Mitzvah in the 80’s as well, complete with a handmade rainbow posterboard sign-in and lucite candy boxes.

As parents, we find ourselves often deciding whether our kids deserve more than what we got as kids or less. In the end, we decided a “happy medium” between the MISS FLORIDA and the handmade poster boards was where we were headed. But we digress, the point of “radical acceptance” and the “Keeping Up With The Stein’s” movie was that we are not in competition with anyone and that we cannot allow ourselves to lose focus of the meaning behind the beautiful B’mitzvah experience and the celebration of choice!

Anyway, just like that B’mitzvah boat…we are “full steam ahead” in our planning.

With our hotel venue booked, we set out to draft the next set of B’mitzvah dream team professionals who soon joined the list of our “BMBFFs.”

Finding the right people is another way that we make sure stress is kept at bey.

We chose a decor company, “Dalsimer-Atlas Floral and Event Decorators.” They have been doing this for almost 100 years (for our Northerners Dalsimer, Spitz and Peck)! David Dalsimer was awesome and showed us how B’mitzvah decor can be a back drop for magical memories that last a lifetime—and with a name like David, we liked him already! Theme is in the works and all is on schedule making sure to “roll out the red carpet” for our guests.

Danielle with David Dalsimer

And one last recommendation for a sure fire way to delete stress from the equation…hire a “day of coordinator.”
All loose ends and coordination on our big day would distract from the pure joy. If your “day of coordinator” doesn’t become your BMBFF nobody will.

We found a true friend in transplanted New York dynamo, Bianca Cirillo of “Tied With a Bow” who does it all and knows the importance of details.

It looks like it is still smooth “sailing” in our quest for the least stressfull B’mitzvah planning ever.

Next time, a look at Blake’s B’Mitzvah project benefitting the Jewish Adoption and Foster Care Options, booking our entertainment and unexpected inspiration found in a BMBFF.

ABOUT DAVID AND DANIELLE OCKMAN
David and Danielle Ockman love South Florida and reside in Deerfield Beach with their 12 year old son Blake, and 7 year old daughter, Skylar. Blake’s B’mitzvah is scheduled for October, 2014.

David is a licensed clinical psychologist practicing in the field of addictions for over 20 years and Danielle is a Social Worker and the Dean of Students at a private Jewish Day School. Danielle’s passion for making people treats lead her to preparing “specialty and custom” chocolate and edible B’mitzvah favors for “Favor It Things.” David and Danielle have become known in the B’mitzvah community of South Florida, as they host the Facebook group, “South Florida Bar Mitzvah and Bat Mitzvah Planning Group.” Some consider this group to be the B’mitzvah hub, bringing parents and vendors together for a “virtual B’mitzvah showcase” everyday. Since starting the FB page, David has been called “Dr. Mitzvah” and the couple continue to talk many B’mitzah parents down off the ledge!

The Gravitch Bar Mitzvah Family Spotlight

The Gravitch family from Staten Island, New York, celebrated son Kyle’s Bar Mitzvah on November 9, 2013, with a Havdalah service at Arden Heights Boulevard Jewish Center and a reception immediately following at Old Bermuda Inn, both in Staten Island, New York.

It was an “iMitzvah” theme which was incorporated into everything from the kippot and invitation to the party decor and favors!

Pictured L-R: Dad Dan, Bar Mitzvah boy Kyle, Sister Alexa and Mom Elisa.

The photographer was Pro Lux Studios and the rest of the vendor information is listed at the bottom of this spotlight.

There was a beautiful Havdalah service at Arden Heights Boulevard Jewish Center

For a nice personal touch, frames displaying photographs titled “Kyle’s Smiles” were on the kippot table

The inside of the kippot had the inscription “Appy imitzvah” a great play on words given his theme

 One proud Bar Mitzvah boy, we mean man, holding his certificate!

Nonni’s Inspirations by Rose created Kyle’s iPhone invitation which gave his guests a glimpse of the party theme

Everyone looked great in shades of blue. Mom Elisa and sister Alexa got their dresses at Ultimate Fashions and Bar Mitzvah boy Kyle and Dad Dan at The Clothing Center

The decor and centerpieces incorporated each of Kyle’s interests and were created by Nonni’s Inspiration by Rose. Here’s the place card table…

One of the centerpieces represented the Facebook table

The Netflix table

The sign-in photo scrapbook was created at the party from The Voto Booth and was a big hit!  The booth produces both photos and videos that are put on a USB flash drive and given to the family after the party. Two sets of pictures printed out and the attendant put one set in the book and then the guests wrote a message to Kyle next to their pictures 

Magic Touch Productions was a big hit and kept everyone on the dance floor and Al Rock and his partner John were the MC and DJ

Everyone had a great time on the dance floor

There were many fun give-aways  

Kyle had some great dancing shoes

Nonni’s Inspirations by Rose made the display

The Old Bermuda Inn baked delicious cupcakes and desserts for guests to enjoy

Delicious chocolate iPhone favors from Doreen’s Creations were a big hit!

Mom Elisa made the out-of-town baskets and delivered them to the hotel the day before the guests checked in. A welcome note from Kyle was included along with: water bottles, toothpaste, mouthwash, floss, candy, pretzels and gum

Through the organization Remember Us, Kyle did remember a child from the Holocaust who did not get to have a Bar Mitzvah. The child’s name was Jacob Aiken. The Project provides the student and the Bar/Bat Mitzvah teacher with the name of a lost child, information about him/her, and suggestions for simple acts of remembrance.

Advice from Mom Elisa:
“Do not listen to other people when they tell you not to worry and that you have plenty of time to plan the event. Time goes very fast and you should pace yourself and get whatever you can done early so you are less stressed later on. And remember to enjoy the day!”

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

Venue: The Old Bermuda Inn, 718-948-7600
Music Entertainment/MC: Magic Touch Productions, 347-210-2347
Photographer/Videographer: Pro Lux Studios, 718-946-4399
Décor/florist: Nonni’s Inspirations by Rose, 718-351-6676
Party entertainment: The Voto Booth, 718-967-2554
Invitation: Nonni’s Inspirations by Rose
Favors: Doreen’s Creations, 718-605-6797
Cupcakes: The Old Bermuda Inn
Sign-In book: The Voto Booth
Candle lighting display: Nonni’s Inspirations by Rose
Kyle’s Kippot: Best Kippah, 800-435-1621
Dresses for family members: Ultimate Fashions, 718-605-3274
Suits for family members: The Clothing Center, 732-254-0870
Hair/makeup: Makeovers Beauty Beat, 718-966-7677
Women’s Head Coverings: Alibaba.com

Fashion & Decor Shoots By Leonardo Vatkin Photography

Leonardo Vatkin Photography is a full service photography, video & event Website company that services the NY Tri-State area and Hudson Valley.

Leonardo Vatkin will follow you anywhere for your special pre-Bar Bat Mitzvah shoots!

Owner Leo likes to get out of the studio to photograph his subjects where they feel most comfortable and in the midst of what they are passionate about. Often, he is asked to shoot his young subjects several months before their Bar or Bat Mitzvah for “decor shoots” — to create images that will be used on invitations, Websites, posters, pillows, sign-in books and other items that will set the tone for their events. He feels it is most visually engaging to shoot on location.

“A lot of people think you need a white background for posters or sign-in books, but that is so not the case. I make these shoots fun. What kid does not want to feel like a model for a day?” says Leo Vatkin, owner. “Especially when we shoot in the city, the kids enjoy feeling like a celebrity with people looking on wondering who this is with their own paparazzi in tow. It really builds confidence and excitement which comes across in the images.”

While Leo enjoys shooting in urban locations around boroughs, he knows of several hidden gems in the ‘burbs, as well — and is happy to shoot at the beach or in a park or wherever his subjects feel most alive and happy.

View more images from recent shoots below and see how they were used here.

It’s also fun to watch a video from these shoots here.

Long Island City graffiti art is an engaging backdrop for urban-themed décor

Head to the Meatpacking District for that quintessential neighborhood vibe

Our subject surrounded by his passion. Music was at the forefront of this Bar Mitzvah event

Cover girl poses midtown for her fashion-themed shoot. Taxi!

Urban architecture creates drama for this décor shoot

It appears the whole world is in her hands at Rockefeller Center in NYC

Fun in the waves at this décor shoot for a beach-inspired Bat Mitzvah event

To learn more about Leonardo Vatkin Photography, visit their profile page in our Vendor Directory.

A Hot New Bar Bat Mitzvah Favor From Custom Discount Apparel

Custom Discount Apparel (CDA) is a family-run business dedicated to the creation of unique Bar and Bat Mitzvah Favors. They have the knowledge to turn your party favors into instant hits! Design your own logo using their website or have one of their artists create a custom logo specifically for you! 

CDA  has served over 2,000 Bar and Bat Mitzvah families both locally and nationwide. CDA will help you create the perfect logo, select favors that will be seasonally appropriate and fashionably unique, assist you with accurate garment sizing for your guests, and finish it off with organized packaging to make distribution easy. 

Lightweight Hooded Long Sleeve T-Shirts Are The Hot Item For Mitzvah Favors!

Perfect for every season and great for girls or boys, their comfortable lightweight hooded t-shirts come in every color. Great for Fall Bar or Bat Mitzvahs!

And, don’t forget that CDA can package and label all of your favors.  They can put them in customized water bottles, sling bags, or simply roll and label them. CDA will be happy to provide you with a label file at no extra charge if you decide you would like to package the Bar Bat Mitzvah favors yourself.

Comfortable and lightweight

For boys and girls, they come in a variety of colors

To learn more about Custom Discount Apparel, visit their extended profile page in our Vendor Directory.