Mitzvah Inspire: Science, Magic and Harry Potter too!

Joie Elie Photography recently photographed a creative twist on a Harry Potter themed Bat Mitzvah. The Stephens’ family celebrated daughter Josie’s Bat Mitzvah at Har Sinai Temple in Pennington, New Jersey, and the reception at The Event Center by Cornerstone in New Hope, Pennsylvania.

Josie is passionate about Harry Potter and her service and reception had many creative elements incorporating the theme.

The candle lighting ceremony was a science experiment and as Josie waved her wand fire came up and excited all the guests!

At the conclusion of the service, guests threw marshmallows wrapped in gold foil and feather wings at Josie. The Rabbi doesn’t usually let guests throw things, but agreed as long as it was something soft. This was a special memory from Mom Merri’s own Bat Mitzvah

Marshmallows wrapped in gold foil to be snitches, a Harry Potter reference!

The family made the wand place cards using plastic chop sticks, hot glue, paint pens, beads and glitter. Every month, friends and family came over to help and this became known as Josie’s Decorating Committee

The Stephens family looked very stylish for the celebration and we love Josie’s sunny yellow cocktail dress

A little photo magic or is Josie just casting a spell over big brother Isaac?

The Marauder’s Map sign-in board was Mom Merri’s idea. In the Harry Potter series, a secret map exists that has secret tunnels and passageways and shows moving footprints. The top of the map reads, “I solemnly swear I am up to no good”

Josie’s friends sat at the four long tables just like the ones that the Hogwarts students sit at in the Great Hall. Josie had a seat reserved for her at all four so she could spend some time with all of her friends

The adults all sat at round tables, each one named for a Hogwarts professor. The different decorations represented that particular professor and had lanterns and/or candelabras

Custom pencils with a quote from the movie, “I must not tell lies” with Josie’s Bat Mitzvah date

The men’s bathroom was set up with signs, “This Way to the Ministry of Magic.” Guests loved the signs inside on how to use the toilet to transport yourself to the Ministry

When the family was announced and walked in the DJ asked all of the guests to come to the dance floor with their magic wands and to make an arch for them to walk through. Mom and Dad dressed up as Professor Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall

Josie didn’t know Mom had asked the DJ to do this so she was so surprised!

A birdcage served as the gift drop

For the candle lighting each family member that Josie called up added an ingredient to create a special potion. Josie added the last one and then asked everyone to help her say the magic word “Incendio” which is the fire-making spell from Harry Potter, to get the potion to work. This was led by family friend Matt Davis, who is a chemistry teacher who practiced with Josie a few times in advance

After Josie had her guests say the magic words, she lit a candle and held it up at the end of her “magic wand” and to her guests’ surprise, flames shot out of the container and a loud noise too!

Josie up for the Horah with a selfie stick

Beanie hats with Josie’s custom logo

Some more magic from Joie Elie Photography

We thank the Stephen’s family and Joie Elie Photography for sharing this magical Bat Mitzvah.

Photography: Joie Elie Photography; Venue: The Event Center by Cornerstone;  Sign-In Map: Nancy Levitt, Sweet Pea Studios; Caterer: Jamie Hollander, J Hollander Gourmet; Decorator, Danielle Gleason; DJ Entertainment:
Ian, Pulse Entertainment; Custom Beanie Hats; JM3 Screenprinting; Custom sunglasses: TOC Promotions; Custom pencils: Oriental Trading; Photo Booth: Anne Bradley, Tapsnap.net; Talit: Sharon Gellerman, Color Vibe Designs