Safe Backyard B’nai Mitzvah In New Jersey

As the B’nai Mitzvah date for their youngest two children approached, the Lantzman family knew they had to rescheduled due to COVID. Later in the summer, they celebrated Hunter and Kai’s (featured above L-R) with a Zoom service on a Friday night in their living room. After the service they invited all local guests to a “Greet & Treat.” Cars arrived in their driveway and the kids got out to enjoy a Kona Ice treat and to write messages on their sign-in letters that were set up on the driveway.

The next evening, they celebrated their B’nai Mitzvah and were able to read their torah and haftorah portions from their original June date. Immediately following the service they had a small backyard gathering with immediate family and very limited friends. A SPACE Kitchen food truck provided dinner in individual portions and Kona Ice and Lexylicious food trucks provided individual desserts. There were tents, tables and chairs set up in the backyard, along with socially distanced lawn games to keep the kids busy. They also set up an inflatable movie theater to show the montage and then a movie so everyone could stay and hang out longer. In advance of the backyard celebration, they asked everyone sign an electronic card to the kids through Kudoboard and had all the great pictures and messages on display for all to see.  

Friday and Saturday Festivities

The original invitation was created by EventPrints and the new date and info was sent to guest via evite

The Lantzman's: (Top Row L-R) Sister Macen, Dad Scott, Mom Zanna, Sister Zara. (Bottom Row L-R) Kai, Oakley and Hunter

Hunter and Kai during their B'nai Mitzvah service

Sign-in boards on display in the driveway

A step and repeat with the kids logos served as the backdrop for photos

The colorful kippot for the B’nai Mitzvah was from Mayan Hands

This fair trade hand-knit product is made by Guatemalan women to help support their families in Guatemala

SPACE Kitchen truck provided the food on Saturday and desserts were by Kona Ice and Lexylicious (ice cream sandwiches)

Tents, chairs and tables were set up in the backyard following socially distant guidelines

Mom Zanna created these soccer centerpieces

Guest under the backyard tent

Guests watching the montage on the inflatable screen

SPACE Kitchen mobile food truck provided the delicious main meal

Many giveaways were available for guests including cooling towels, fans, lip balm and mini hand sanitizers

Their custom logos were created by friend Alyssa Rosania

Custom sanitizer

Kia Racing cars was changed to Kai Racing since Kai runs track!

Hunger Games cleverly became "Hunter Games"

Everyone signed an electronic card through Kudoboard so the family put the great messages on display for all to see

Mitzvah Advice

Mom Zanna says, “Given the COVID situation and the uncertainty of the times we find ourselves in, you should definitely be flexible while also finding unique ways to make your children feel special after all the hard work they put in to study for their special day.”

Mitzvah Project

Kai and Hunter collected monetary donations over $700 and also collected used soccer equipment for Beyond the Walls that operates soccer camps in Guatemala City, Guatemala for children that live on the garbage dump. Kai was adopted from Guatemala and Hunter plays competitive soccer and this charity was the perfect fit for them.

Hunter and Kai used all the equipment they collected creating a "Thank You" sign for family and friends!

B’nai Mitzvah Vendors

Venue: Family backyard
Food: SPACE Kitchen, 201-567-3810
Invitations: EventPrints, 404-745-9590
Photographer: Lou, JanPress Photo Media, 973-992-8812
Music Entertainment: Hunter’s spotify playlist
Montage/Logos: Alyssa Rosania, Thousand Word Montages
Kippot: MayanHands.org
Dessert food trucks: Kona Ice Truck, 908-425-0320, Lexylicous, 732-505-5400
Dresses: Hunter’s party dress, Envie Our Style, 973-671-8883, Zanna’s dress, Bernsteins, 732-516-1112
Make-up: Danielle Recchoa
Hair: Stephanie Thomas
Electronic messageboard: Kudoboard.com