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How to Celebrate a B Mitzvah in Israel
March 31st, 2023

How to Celebrate a B Mitzvah in Israel

No matter how you celebrate your child’s B Mitzvah, it will be filled with an incredible array of memories. Whether you’re hosting a luncheon or a big rager, the day will be filled with pride, love, and joy as you watch your child be called to the Torah. If you are looking for a unique way to celebrate this occasion, a trip to Israel will make the whole experience even more memorable.

Deciding to Have a Bat Mitzvah in Israel

When my daughter got her Bat Mitzvah date four years ago she immediately declared she wanted a trip to Israel instead of a party. She felt a connection to the land and thought visiting it was a superb way to celebrate this momentous occasion. Cut to a year before her date and guess what – she now wanted a party too, but that’s another story.

Visiting Israel is life changing at any age, but to go on the precipice of becoming a Jewish adult is very powerful. It is a tangible way to see what one is learning in Hebrew school and (quite possibly) what one is talking about in their Torah or Haftorah portions.

Planning A Bat Mitzvah in Israel

A typical Israel trip is filled with archeological digs, hikes in biblical parks, and food grown from the land. Whether you’re planning a first-time trip on a big bus tour or setting out with just the family, there’s no shortage of incredible sites to visit or things to do. Especially if you’ve already had a B Mitzvah celebration back home in the States, the Israel ceremony is one of many formative experiences you’ll have during your trip.

Many who travel to Israel for a B Mitzvah have their ceremony on the top of Masada, a historic mountaintop village where ancient Jewish rebels resisted against the Roman Empire. The other most popular B Mitzvah spot is at the Kotel, the Western Wall. We had our most meaningful experience of our trip working with  The Western Wall Heritage Foundation to arrange a ceremony in a special tunnel that runs under the Kotel. The Foundation was fantastic to work with and offered us exactly this. They had many Bat Mitzvahs and Bar Mitzvah options for parties of any size including a 30-minute ceremony at the Wall for no cost!

Day Of the Bat Mitzvah in Israel

We arrived at the Kotel on our first full day in Israel. It was a great introduction to the country, our history, and a fantastic launch point for the trip. After researching the different service options, we decided to do the Light In The Heart program in one of their private rooms. We also chose to couple the ceremony with a tunnel tour.

Kotel Tunnel Tours

We began our day with the Foundation’s incredible tunnel tour. Open within the last few decades (so chances are if you visited the Kotel as a teenager, they weren’t open yet), they tell the history of the Wall from underground. As we descended, we saw an entire infrastructure that existed thousands of years ago. Even cooler – our guide showed us the hole in the ceiling where the excavators initially came in to find everything below them. This was by far one of the highlights of our trip and a remarkable way to connect us not only to Israel but to the ancient Israel of the Second Temple Period.

Connecting History to The Bat Mitzvah Ceremony

We worked with a private Bat Mitzvah guide who broke down the connection between the ancient Kotel structure and our living history today. She explained that similarly to many places in Israel, they are finding new – old – stuff every day. Having just seen the incredible tunnels below the Kotel, she took us to another place not yet open to the public- an active excavation site where they found the ancient market for which they have been searching for years!

The history all intertwined as we took in how our daughter would not only celebrate her Bat Mitzvah under the Wall – surrounded by thousands of years of history – but she would be doing a mitzvah project as well. She would be decorating a pair of glass candles with one going home with us, and the other going to a Holocaust survivor who was not able to celebrate her Bat Mitzvah because of the war. This tangible souvenir would forever remind her that she is not only blessed to be here today but blessed to be here today.

Next, we watched a video of first-person accounts of soldiers entering the city and reclaiming Jerusalem during the Six-Day War in 1967. Upon the video’s conclusion we marveled at the enormity of sitting where we were at that moment before returning to the table – filled with emotions – to continue the program. Since becoming a Bat Mitzvah is about becoming a Jewish adult, we wrote notes to our daughter to read in the future – as an adult – on the Kotel’s special postcards. Finally, we blessed her and sang some happy songs. We concluded with my son’s favorite part – throwing soft candy at her.

In addition to the candle we brought home, our guide presented her with a beautiful sterling silver Kotel necklace as well as a Bat Mitzvah certificate.

This ceremony was such a unique way to start our trip and such a meaningful way to couple historic Israel with the future of the Jewish people – our children. When we ascended back to the Western Wall Plaza, looking at the Kotel had a more profound meaning to us, and it was such a powerful moment. 

With so many different ways to celebrate becoming a Bar or Bat Mitzvah, a trip to Israel is the perfect option for those who are adventurous, curious, and looking to connect more deeply to the history of the Jewish people. While you can have a dance party any day of the year, a trip like this is truly once in a lifetime.

Stacey Wallenstein is the founder of the parenting, lifestyle, and travel blog The Mint Chip Mama. Visit her website at themintchipmama.com and find her across all socials at @themintchipmama.
Bar Mitzvah Entryway Inspiration
March 21st, 2023

Bar Mitzvah Entryway Inspiration

Bar Mitzvah Entryway Inspiration

What’s more fitting than a grand entrance on the biggest day of your teen’s life? The entryway to your B Mitzvah party or venue sets the tone for the whole party, incorporating your theme and giving guests a taste of what’s to come inside. Moreover, if your family wants to do choreographed entrances into the party, a well decorated entryway will bring everything up a notch. 

Let’s check out some unique and creative ways to decorate your Bar Mitzvah entryway.

Balloons

An ever-popular way to spruce up your space, balloon arches are a classic option for an entryway design. This one for a basketball theme plays with shapes and color to make a dynamic finished product:

This rainbow arch is an example of a simple yet effective use of balloons:

But to take the simple rainbow arch above and bring it into a more modern and extravagant place, Melisa Imberman of The Event of a Lifetime suggests using different sizes and shades of balloons to make your entryway more dynamic. A perfect example is this backyard balloon tunnel her team constructed that has each color of the rainbow as its own standalone arch:

Lighting

The way you light a room can completely change its vibe, and that’s no different when thinking about entryways! Just look at this walkway, which was effortlessly elevated into elegance with the use of candles:

Twinkling lights illuminated the night theme of this party, looking like stars shining in the night sky:

Draping lights adds drama and intrigue, bringing you and your guests into another world for your party:

Draping

Canopies and draping are another option for showstopping entrances, whether done simply…

…in a big, grand way…

…or by playing with color and lights.

Shape

Finally, don’t be afraid to play with shape and color in your entryway designs to make them really standout!

Happy planning!

 

 

 

B Mitzvah Burning Questions
March 14th, 2023

B Mitzvah Burning Questions

When Mitzvah planning, we try to tick off all the boxes, answer all the big questions, and provide the best resources for the planning parent. But you may have a question specific to you and your unique planning needs- that’s where our Burning B Mitzvah Questions Box comes into play. Use the box below to ask your most pressing Mitzvah questions, completely anonymously, and we’ll have our expert vendors give their thoughts.

Happy Mitzvah planning!

 

Burning B Mitzvah Questions

How much should I expect to spend on catering? What's the best way to word my invitation? Who should I invite to the party? Whatever B Mitzvah planning question you have, we've got answers.
Ask your burning question, completely anonymously, and we'll have our expert vendors weigh in.

B Mitzvah TikTok Roundup
March 8th, 2023

B Mitzvah TikTok Roundup

We’ve already shared our favorite TikTok accounts and creators for party planning, but sometimes, especially amidst the stress of B Mitzvah planning you just need a good laugh or a hit of that warm and fuzzy nostalgia feeling. Here’s a roundup on the funniest, most interesting, and most heartwarming B Mitzvah TikToks on the app. Happy scrolling!

What’s crazier than an over the top B Mitzvah party? One packed full of A-list celebrities! This clip taken at Adam Sandler’s daughter’s Bat Mitzvah shows Jennifer Aniston, Charlie Puth, and of course, the Sandman himself living it up at the enormous party.

@lilah.newkirk

bat mitzvahs >>

♬ Day n Nite Crookers Remix – 777

This creator got a kick out of introducing her non-Jewish boyfriend to the fun and craziness of a B Mitzvah celebration, showing him learning his way around the dancefloor while doing his best to act natural.

@repswithrache

my unorthodox life

♬ Hava Nagila – The Jewish Starlight Orchestra

One of the many bright sides of a B Mitzvah is that is has the power to bring people together, even if just for one weekend. This creator proved this when she showed her divorced parents putting on a united front for her brother’s Bar Mitzvah, joking that they’re just “one big happy family”.

@haleyeah19

One big happy family!? #fyp #family #love

♬ Fabulous – Molls

B Mitzvahs aren’t just fun for the kids, but for the vendors too! A Mitzvah dancer showed just how much fun her job is, bringing energy and excitement to teens on their big days.

@officialbesean

Best job ever (: #barmitzvah #batmitzvah #mitzvah #jewish #jewishtiktok #jewishcheck #fyp #viral

♬ original sound – ✨BE SEAN✨

For some, a big celebration and party during the awkward teen years doesn’t always pan out to be the best night of their lives. The creator below gave herself a redo 20 years after her Bat Mitzvah by throwing herself a birthday party with the theme “2003 Bat Mitzvah”, showing that it’s never too late to make your mark as a B Mitzvah.

https://www.tiktok.com/@jennyjaffe/video/7204532458769878315

Another birthday themed as an early aughts Bat Mitzvah party. Because fun is one thing that never goes out of style.

@daniaudas

#batmitzvah #2006 #middleschooldance

♬ One, Two Step (feat. Missy Elliott) – Ciara

 

The Best Jewish Holidays to Throw a B Mitzvah
March 8th, 2023

The Best Jewish Holidays to Throw a B Mitzvah

A B Mitzvah is already the greatest celebration in a young Jew’s life, filled with fun, challenge, celebration, and Jewish values. Though every B Mitzvah is special in its own rite, when your big day lines up with a Jewish holiday, it can lead to even more sentiment and fun! If you’re trying to pick the perfect date for an upcoming Mitzvah, take a look at the calendar and see if any of these holidays fall around your date for an extra special day.

Purim

Purim is one of the most fun holidays on the Jewish calendar. Partying, eating, and dressing up in costumes are all popular traditions for the holiday that usually occurs sometime in March or April. A Purim B Mitzvah is the perfect excuse to go all out with a crazy theme or have an epic costume party that will really stand out.

 

Simchat Torah

The most important part of a B Mitzvah is taking an aliyah and reading from the Torah, so what better time is there to have one than on the holiday celebrating the Torah itself? Simchat Torah is a huge celebration that encourages partying and dancing and comes at the end of the cluster of big Jewish holidays in the fall. Since you start the Torah over from the beginning on this day, if your B Mitzvah comes right after Simchat Torah, your Torah reading could be one of the exciting and iconic stories of Creation: Adam and Eve, Noah’s Ark, etc. 

Chanukah

Chanukah is so many people’s favorite holiday for a good reason. A full 8 days to bask in beautiful lights, give gifts, and celebrate Jewish resilience. A Chanukah Mitzvah has built-in branding and can open the door for all sorts of unique B Mitzvah elements, like lighting a Menorah instead of a candle ceremony. Bonus points if Chanukah falls around Thanksgiving and you can host a ThanksMitzvaKah!

 

Shavuot 

Shavuot is a lesser known holiday that is also known as the Feast of Weeks, and it is both a harvest festival and a day to celebrate the ancient Israelites receiving the Torah at Mount Sinai. Since it’s a spring holiday, customary Shavuot decor is big on florals and greenery which lends itself to so many decorating possibilities. If you’re a dairy lover, this is the day for you, since dairy foods are the staple of Shavuot- and who doesn’t love cheesecake?!

Sukkot

A Sukkot Mitzvah can be super out-of-the-box, literally. On Sukkot, all meals are eaten in an outdoor structure called a Sukkah decorated with greenery, florals, fruits, and artwork. This holiday feels very connected to nature and the outdoors and lends itself to a really unique B Mitzvah experience. You could throw your party in a massive Sukkah, complete with a dancefloor and all the other party essentials. You could even throw a slumber party for the B Mitzvah teen’s friends, since it’s a popular tradition to sleep in the Sukkah!

Cute Dancefloor Design Ideas
February 24th, 2023

Cute Dancefloor Design Ideas

The dancefloor of your B Mitzvah party is like the center of the party’s universe. It’s the visual and literal focal point of your space, and it’s the place everyone wants to be! So how do you make your dancefloor exciting and enticing? Here are some unique and fun ways to do up the dancefloor and make it the life of the party.

Getting a custom floor or vinyl wrapping is the easiest way to give your dancefloor some personality. Try an intriguing pattern in your theme colors, or brand it with your party logo!

Check out these logo designers who can capture your party’s personality.

This contains an image of: Fatma + Khalid - Park Hyatt

This contains an image of: Miami Custom Floor Wrap Graphic Design For Weddings And ...

Use lighting for an easy and cost-effective way to totally transform the vibe of any party space. 

Now that’s what we call a fabulous Dancefloor!

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Neon and LED floors bring a cool nightclub aesthetic to the space, getting people in the mood to move.

Festa de 15 Anos / Festa de Debutante / I want this Dance Floor

This contains an image of: The Digital Dance Floor

Based in Los Angeles for over 20 years, we have been providing tv/movie studios/concerts with high quality products. On Etsy, we can now make some of them available to you here. Our holographic floor vinyl is a colorful, full spectrum, 3D type roll of vinyl with REMOVABLE ADHESIVE for all types of applications including floors, walls and displays. GREAT for dance floors on any smooth floor surface! They light up with any room lighting. - Rolls are 38 inches wide X 25 feet (75 square feet) or 50

Minimalist designs tie the space together in a more subtle, lowkey way.

Let's make your event uniQ :) Our dance floor coverings will add flair and beauty to your Wedding, Corporate event, Bar & Bat Mitzvah, Quinceranera, etc. The product is composed of a high gloss vinyl resistant to scuffs and tears. Easy to apply on all standard smooth dance floor surfaces. The adhesive used is a pressure sensitive low tack adhesive designed not to damage banquet hall surfaces. We are able to accommodate any design; customizations are available. If you have a design, we are able t

This contains an image of:

"This is a black dance floor wrap (luster finish) with an optional cad cut decal. The material is a low-tac vinyl which is temporary and easy to remove. Our standard sizes are listed below but we can provide material for any size. The width of the vinyl is 54\". We will cut the length (in panels) based on the size your dance floor. Extra material will be given. IMPORTANT: -This can only be used on a smooth surface like hardwood flooring or polished concrete. It CANNOT be used on carpet. -We reco

A luxurious trend in dancefloor design is transparent, floral-filled floors that are absolutely showstopping.

This contains an image of: Couple Who Met on Southwest Flight Get Married in Austin, TX

Finally, don’t be afraid to get creative with different shapes of dancefloors that will transform your space into something totally unique.

This contains an image of:

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To make party planning as stress-free as possible, consider one of these incredible event planners who will take care of it all so you can enjoy yourself on the big day. Happy planning!

 

Being a Jewish Adult in Post Biblical Times
February 21st, 2023

Being a Jewish Adult in Post Biblical Times

When my daughter turned 1, I had a friend who – instead of wishing her a happy birthday – congratulated me for “making it”. This concept kind of stopped me in my tracks and made me raise an eyebrow. But it was true, yes I did make it. Because as a new mom, you kind of forget that you exist.

This memory randomly came back to me this week as I was packing favor bags and checking things off my to-do list for my daughter’s upcoming bat mitzvah.

I was thinking how at the age of 1, I thought I made it. I got my child to day 365. I safely delivered her to one full rotation around the sun. In those days, everything was a fog and I don’t know if I even realized how big of a deal that was. In those days, I barely had time to brush my teeth, so the concept of achieving anything wasn’t even on my radar screen.

However, I’m starting to think we deserve that compliment again, as our children are becoming Bar and Bat Mitzvahs. I have once again delivered her to a momentous occasion. She is becoming an adult in the eyes of the Jewish people. Interestingly enough, her Bat Mitzvah falls one day after her thirteenth birthday. So, she in fact has now rotated around the sun 13 times or 4,746 days.

In my temple’s Bat Mitzvah manual,  it talks about what it meant to become an adult in the eyes of the Jewish people during biblical times. It talks about how at this point, a child’s parents absolve themselves from the fault of their actions. They are now an adult and they need to take responsibility for themselves. It equally states that upon this occasion, children – now adults – were ready to marry, and become parents themselves, procuring the next generation of Jewish people.

For many reasons I’m very happy I do not live in biblical times – no offense to biblical times. But that one sentence really struck me. My baby, whom it feels like just turned one year old, was ready to be an adult and become a mother.

What a crazy concept when you start to actually think about that. But also, I understand in biblical times life expectancy was not what it is today so people had to hop to it. Plus, they did not have Netflix, so what else was there to do?

But as all of us are going through this right now and dealing with all the emotions involved in becoming the parent of a B Mitzvah, imagine also if when you got home from your party, you packed up your child’s swag and sweatshirts, and shipped them off to their new spouse’s house! Are any of us ready to be grandparents at this stage? NO!

So what does it mean for a child to become an adult in this day and age? Well for one, Google sent me an email saying my daughter’s email account terms would change. I don’t know why, but that struck me hard.

Equally, she can now get her own credit card and decide on her own if the overpriced athletic shorts she wants are worth the price.

More than that, I am unsure. Can she no longer order off the kid’s menu, or did that stop when she was ten? We haven’t been to a restaurant in a while…

Last weekend we attended a friend’s son’s service. In his adorable medium-pitched voice, he finished his speech with “Now I’m a man, I can do manly things… like shave my non-existent mustache” and then he cracked up. It was absolutely adorable and one of the funniest Bar Mitzvah speeches I have ever heard. But it made me think: if this was biblical times, would this child-man be told to take a wife and set up his own home? That is just crazy!

In addition, if my daughter went off to be someone’s wife, who would tell her to clean her room, shut off lights, put away her “self-care journey” items, and close her drawers?

But all joking aside, no matter what “becoming an adult in the eyes of the Jewish people” means to your child – and I believe it means something different to each one- it is a huge milestone and something so important.

Whether it be thinking about where Judaism fits into your life now that you are a Hebrew school “graduate”, the desire to go to Israel, or just incorporating tikkun olam into your life without your mom telling you to do it, our babies are now adults. 

As I mentioned in my speech, when a person becomes a parent, they invest so much into this new little being trying to prepare them for life, adulthood, etc. But much like we don’t get a manual when this child is born, we don’t get an alert telling us that it worked. Or maybe we do, and this day is our green light.

With that said, find me a parent who is sitting in their synagogue on the day of their child’s mitzvah gazing up at them chanting Torah – like our forefathers – and I guarantee you’ll find a parent who sees their child as so much more than a child in that moment.

At that point, I hope they stop, look around, and realize that they made it too. Mazl Tov — to you both. 

Stacey Wallenstein is the founder of the parenting & lifestyle blog The Mint Chip Mama. Visit her website at themintchipmama.com and find her across all socials at @themintchipmama.

Spotlight: Pretty in Pink Mitzvah
February 21st, 2023

Spotlight: Pretty in Pink Mitzvah

Let’s think pink…with a chic twist. Bat Mitzvah girls Lucy and Serena recently celebrated their Pretty in Pink inspired party with an elevated, sophisticated theme that set it apart from typical pink parties. With the help of Melisa Imberman and her team at The Event of a Lifetime, the party was branded as “LetS…”, incorporating the girls’ first initials into a neat and versatile package.

Instead of relying on classic pink motifs to carry themselves, the color scheme highlighted the girls’ individuality, with purple and blue standing out on their own, and also coming together to make a pretty pink hue. To add a little edginess, black anchoring on the letters made everything really pop.

Mitzvah mom and the girls of honor alike were major fans of florals, so flowers were prominently featured throughout the party. Lush floral centerpieces anchored with stunning candelabras sat tall on the round tables, and the long tables were lined with robust bouquets.

Both types of tables boasted a black lacquer finish, adding to the cool contrast between frilly and formal. This unique, modern motif could be seen everywhere throughout the party, from the table settings, to the showstopping dance floor, and more. For even more character, black fringe and lights were strung high above the dance floor.

The LetS theme came in handy when designing different elements of the party, like cocktail napkins and menus.

Adults and kids had their own bars, the former matching the dance floor, and the latter reading LetS Party!

There was no lack of entertainment, from shooting hoops, relaxing on gorgeous black suede couches in the color blocked lounge, taking photos against the ornate paper flower wall, and getting custom nail printings.

   

The DJ was accompanied by a violinist, saxophonist, and percussionist, and guests could join in on the live music fun by dancing and taking turns on the bongos.

Bat Mitzvah girls Lucy and Serena were the queens of the night- their thrones were personalized ghost chairs that guests used to sign in.

To top off the night, the beautifully branded cake incorporated all of the black and floral elements of the party.

Guests took home memories and swag from the unforgettable night, leaving with everything from T shirts, to tote bags, sweatpants, and even adorable stuffed animals.

As the night wound down, guests were treated to a sundae bar of edible cookie dough, choosing their favorite flavors and toppings! Some enjoyed the snack there, and others took theirs to go in specially branded takeout cups.

Many teens dream of a pretty, pink Mitzvah party, and The Event of a Lifetime’s take on it took the classic theme to a whole new modern level. So, if you’re asking if you should mix edgy and elegant for your B Mitzvah party, the answer is: LetS!

 

Photos by Sarah Merians Photography

                

Month Before the Mitzvah To-Do
February 16th, 2023

Month Before the Mitzvah To-Do

 

Your invitations are out. Your RSVPs are in. It is go time! It is time to finalize everything for your mitzvah. So what needs to get done?

The answer is – SO MUCH!

I have been searching for a comprehensive relatable “to do list” for a type-A New Yorker and haven’t found one to the detail I desired… So, I decided to write my own. I thought you may also find it helpful. With that said, the first step is accepting we are all a little nuts. But then again, so are our parties.

Presenting the Neurotic Jewish Mom’s Pre-Mitzvah To-Do List:

Pre-Mitzvah Preparation

1. Self-Care Journey

  • Coordinate hair and makeup trials for pre or temple photo shoots
  • Make haircut appointments for the males in your family
  • Confirm hair and makeup appointments for day of party
  • Make nail appointments
  • Do your eyebrows
  • Pluck out the weird hair in your arm that you always forget about
  • Shave your armpits and legs
  • Pull out gray hairs
  • Realize sit-ups would have been a good idea a month ago

 

2. Photographer

  • Set up your temple photoshoot and pre-shoot
  • Coordinate the timing of formal pictures (day of) and give the extended family a timeline
  • Discuss photo album options

 

3. Attire

  • Confirm service attire for all family members
  • Confirm party attire for all family members
  • Order Spanx, try them on with your dress
  • Bring all clothing to tailor
  • Confirm your shoes fit
  • Confirm your children’s shoes fit
  • Tell your husband to order new shoes, knowing he will want them last minute
  • Pick socks, try them on with event shoes, and set them aside so they are clean
  • Make sure any boys/men have white undershirts to wear under their dress shirts
  • Buy belts if boys are wearing suits
  • Have a family dress rehearsal to make sure everything matches and fits
  • Decide on jewelry, try it on to make sure it matches, and the length works

 

4. Favors

  • Order favors – decide if you’re getting all one size, if not request sizes from guests
  • Decide on favor bags
  • Decide on a name label for bags
  • Match up favor and size with name label
  • Label and stuff bags
  • Confirm swag for adults like flip-flops or slippers
  • Order earplugs for adults

 

5. Housekeeping

  • 1-2 weeks prior, send out electronic reminders confirming RSVP
  • Send an email about the mitzvah project
  • Invite your family to the Friday night service, and confirm honors
  • Figure out all gratuities and get cash
  • Decide where the mitzvah gift money will live – five-year CD? Bank account?
  • Make sure thank you notes are ready
  • Buy stamps
  • Start saving “good boxes” to bring stuff to your venue
  • Return everything to Amazon so it’s out of your house

 

For The Service

1. Religious Items

  • Order yarmulkes
  • Get a basket for yarmulkes
  • Order Tallis 

 

2. Honors

  • Finalize your aliyah list and ask for Hebrew names if needed
  • If you are doing a Torah portion at the service, practice it out loud and without vowels
  • Send all Hebrew reading parts to honorees so they can practice
  • Send all English reading parts to honorees so they can practice
  • Confirm the people whom you want to honor with lifting/carrying the Torah can lift/carry it

 

3. Food & Water

  • Finalize details for kiddush or oneg if having one
  • Confirm candy to throw with the temple and put in a basket
  • Bring a cup with a straw for the mitzvah child to keep on the bema

 

4. Speech

  • Write and edit your speech
  • Practice it out loud
  • Go slower

 

5. Housekeeping

  • Submit picture and mitzvah project for temple newsletter
  • Include the child’s name in the book of honor

 

For The Party

1. Venue

  • Finalize menu
  • Confirm special dietary restricts for guests
  • Finalize attendee count
  • Finalize adult drinks and mocktails
  • Finalize placement of your vendors
  • Confirm how and when to pay and get a certified check if needed
  • Confirm table sizes for adults
  • Confirm the date to drop everything off before the party: favor bags, baskets, etc.

 

2. Seating

  • Create a seating table chart
  • Order seating chart poster or place cards
  • If doing seating poster, confirm venue has an easel
  • Confirm the venue has table number cards they can use or order special ones if not

 

3. Party Décor

  • If you’re bringing stuff the maître will set up, confirm your vision with him/her
  • Charge anything that lights up
  • Put together the box for envelopes/gifts
  • Complete bathroom basket

 

4. Candle lighting

  • If you are doing DIY candle lighting décor, do a mockup
  • Decide on the number of candles and honored guests
  • Write rhyming poems for each candle

 

5. Speech

  • Write and edit your speech
  • Practice it out loud
  • Go slower
  • If siblings are making speeches have them practice out loud

 

6. DJ

  • Confirm party dancers, add more if needed
  • Set up a call with MC to go over your vision
  • Make a list of “must play” and “do not play” songs
  • Decide on an entry song for each member of your family
  • Make a separate bag for giveaways and prizes
  • Decide who is doing the blessings
  • Confirm songs for your candle lighting
  • Pick who goes up in chairs, and make sure DJ knows the ceiling height
  • Decide on the type of hora you would like
  • Decide if you want games like Coke and Pepsi 

 

7. Cake

  • Order cake if your venue does not provide one
  • Confirm cake pick up or delivery and when the venue will accept it
  • If picking up, confirm store hours and payment options

 

8. Photo Booth

  • Confirm backdrop
  • Make special prop requests

 

In Conclusion

With all the above said, if you have vendors who take care of these things, good for you! If not, you got this. It will all get done. The most important part is that you are now ready to watch your beautiful baby read from the Torah and become a Bar or Bat Mitzvah.

Remember, that is what this day is all about.

Other than that, get ready to party. You did it! Pat yourself on the back because no matter what, you are about to have the most spectacular event ever!

Also, it’s ok if the UPS store lady is not only invited to your party but gets a candle… Thanks for scanning my QR codes so I can run out the door, UPS lady please come up and light candle number four. We all know she’s played a big role in this day too.

Stacey Wallenstein is the founder of the parenting & lifestyle blog The Mint Chip Mama. Visit her website at themintchipmama.com and find her across all socials at @themintchipmama.

Spotlight: NASA B Mitzvah Party
February 14th, 2023

Spotlight: NASA B Mitzvah Party

Everyone hopes their B Mitzvah party will be out of this world exciting… and for Bar Mitzvah boy David, his dream came true! Along with Stephanie Feldman from Cutie Patootie Creations, David decided to go galactic with a NASA and Space themed party at the Farmer’s Table Boca Raton.

       

Before the big day, Stephanie and her team designed formal invitations that kept the space theme in suspense. 

Once guests arrived, they were blasted off into the party’s orbit and set out to find which planet themed table they’d be sitting at, each with its own planetary personality.

For a true exploratory experience, the centerpieces featured mini planets suspended in water, giving the illusion of floating through space.

As the luncheon kicked off (with delicious food that would make astronauts jealous!), David and his family were all smiles. They lit candles that were decorated reminiscent of space rocks, danced the Hora, and celebrated the huge accomplishment of becoming a Bar Mitzvah.

As the party wrapped up and the spaceship came back down to Earth, guests picked up their swag- sweaters and chocolate bars branded with the iconic NASA logo featuring David’s name.

 

For one incredible afternoon, David’s guests were welcomed into his own universe, celebrating his first year around the sun as a Jewish adult. Though they never actually left the ground, this party certainly took off to spectacular new heights.

 

Photography by Wendy J Studios

 

Invitations, Centerpieces, Table Seating Chart, Table Numbers, Chocolate Bars and Candle lighting – Cutie Patootie Creations:
Venue – Farmers Table Boca Raton – Nicole Yellin – Banquet Mgr.
Rabbi/Cantor Risa – Service was before the party at the venue 
Chocolate Bars – Cutie Patootie Creations 
Chocolate Covered Oreos – Favor It Things by Danielle 
DJ – MBC Entertainment Michael Collins
Logo- Finer Grafx Michael Feinberg
Sweatshirts – Stitching Gone Wild