Casual, Sports Tailgating Themed Backyard Bar Mitzvah

The Enda family from Voorhees, New Jersey celebrated their son Sebastian’s (who goes by Sebbie) Bar Mitzvah in December a few days after a snow storm.

Pictured above (L-R): Dad Jeff, Bar Mitzvah boy Sebbie, brother Caleb and mom Lisa

Mom Lisa tells Mitzvah Market, “Like so many other families, it was not what we had originally planned, but in many ways, it was so much more, and so unique, memorable, and special. We hope to inspire other families with what we were able to accomplish, even in these very uncertain and crazy times.”

The entire event, including the service was held in their backyard. They draped the garage space and used it as a walk-through tunnel from the driveway to the tent.

Hy Paul Studio provided the photography and the rest of the vendors are listed at the bottom.

Bar Mitzvah Service

Adding to an already stressful situation, there was a snow storm days before their event, but it did help create beautiful photos!

The afternoon service was held in their backyard in an open tent with heaters

They were lent a beautiful handcrafted wooden Ark and lectern and the Torah was from the Enda's synagogue

In-person guests received a large logo'd blanket to use during the service

All Around Entertainment took care of all the on-site tech and production for the Zoom and live stream, and also draped the garage with red curtains and uplighting

The welcome table even had hand and foot warmers for guests to grab on their way to the tent!

Next to the welcome table was Sebbie's sign-in board, a framed personalized #13 Jersey behind plexiglass

For the service, a bimah was constructed and there was wintery greens with white branches on each side of the Ark

Guests were invited to dress warmly and comfortably!

The family during the Havdalah service, with the custom color Havdalah candle in Sebbie’s Mitzvah colors red, black, and white

Mitzvah boxes were sent to guests who would join the service virtually. Each box contained the program, kippah, Havdalah candle and spice set, mini wine bottle and wine glass, logo’d matches and sanitizer, and delicious treats

Copies of the service program

As guests from the service were leaving, they were able to order and grab food to-go from the Shake Shack food truck parked in the driveway

After the service ended, the crew from All Around Entertainment turned over the tented area into a fun party space for a small group of Sebbie’s friends.

Small Bar Mitzvah Party With Friends

Sebbie's logo was a take-off of the Sportscenter logo with his initials

Each family member had a cool pair of kicks!

The neon color wash lighting gave the tent a club-like vibe

Friends enjoyed a Street Hoops pop-a-shot, LED cornhole, and listened to Sebbie's Spotify playlist

There was even time for a traditional Horah!

The kids all dressed casually and warmly, and were having so much fun that they didn’t even seem to notice the cold

There were two separate lounge areas with ottomans and LED cubes

Custom cornhole

Kids enjoyed a variety of desserts, all individually wrapped, and at the end of the night left with a logo’d blanket and beanie hat

Mitzvah Project

Sebbie worked with an organization called Leveling the Playing Field. In addition to raising over $1200 in monetary donations, he also ran a sports equipment drive in which he collected new and gently used sports equipment to be donated to LPF to be distributed to kids across the country who want to play sports but can’t afford the equipment. Sebbie was particularly excited about this project because he loves to watch and play sports and it made him feel great to be able to help other kids do something he loves.

Sebbie collected so much equipment that they were able to fill up an entire van of items

Sebbie with Max Levitt, Executive Director of Leveling the Playing Field

Bar Mitzvah Vendors

Music Entertainment: Jared Tangir, All Around Entertainment, 215-354-0124
Photographer (Formals/Bimah, Havdalah Service/Celebration): Hy Paul Studio, 215-364-4144
Photographer (Pre-shoot & Sports Photos): Deziree Rose Photography, 856-904-9021
Invitations: Erin Levine, Luv Notes, 856-616-1108
Invitation Reminder & Hype Video: Elissa Owen Montages, 617-480-4935
Video Montage: Ethan Kornfeld, 516-678-7180
Favors: Howard Simon, HALO Branded Solutions, 631-232-0590 x224
Decor: Designs by M.C. James, 856-906-7080
Kippahs: Randi Lehman, That One Special Touch, 516–567-8893
Sign-In Board: Jersey by customizationdepot.com, Custom framing by MFC Authentics & Framing, 856-535-3500
Lawn Sign: Elisa Simkovitz, Sign-A-Riffic, 856-426-1552
Tent Rental: TNT Rental, 856-727-9248
Food Truck: Shake Shack, Joshua Enriquez, 347-514-3887
Chocolate Chunk Cookies: Insomnia Cookies Philadelphia
Rice Krispie Treats: Trendy Treathouse, 856-870-5519
Logo Stickers & Packing Tape: Sticker Mule
Custom Cornhole: Carl Gamache, Etsy ThinLineCornhole
Chocolate Dipped Oreos: Williams & Bennett, 561-276-9007
Treats: Red licorice bites, nuts.com
Custom Havdalah Candle: Stargaze Candles, Etsy
Spices: Havdalah Besamim Spices, Jaz’s Herb Garden & More, Etsy
Fashion/Attire: Nordstrom’s, Eliza J. Faux Fur Wrap, Men’s Peter Millar Suit
Boys’ Suits & Accessories: 580 South, 973-758-0580
Hair: John Joyner, Thriv. Salon & Spa, 856-751-0014
Makeup: Lisa Severino, 609-685-1648
Mitzvah Project: Max Levitt, Leveling the Playing Field, 301-844-5620