Event Planner’s Own Socially-Distant Bat Mitzvah Celebration

Since the start of the Pandemic, Lynn Osband from Lynn Osband Events has been planning virtual and socially distant events around the country. She put her new skills to work for her own daughter Sarah’s Bat Mitzvah over Thanksgiving weekend. 

Lynn tells Mitzvah Market, “As an Event Planner, I love helping families come up with unique and meaningful ways to celebrate their Bar/Bat Mitzvahs. When the pandemic hit, we had to use some creative thinking to turn a huge bash into a COVID-safe celebration. Throughout the weekend, we were able to include our family and friends in a Zoom service and a series of mini celebrations. The “Car”-ebration was the best! My daughter’s Broadway theme inspired a Broadway backdrop, red carpet, and Broadway BINGO for all to enjoy from the safety of their cars. Everyone was able to celebrate with us 6 feet away and Sarah had a great time!”

Pictured above (L-R) Sister Rachel, dad Steve, mom Lynn, Bat Mitzvah girl Sarah and brother Jonathan 

This Bat Mitzvah was a labor of love for Lynn and she planned 3 individual events during the weekend to celebrate Sarah.
1. Zoom service from Congregation Sinai in San Jose, CA on Saturday morning.
2. A fun Saturday evening family-only Zoom party.
3. A “Car”-ebration in the parking lot of the synagogue on Sunday with their original theme of Broadway!

Scott Lasky was the photographer and the rest of the vendors are listed at the bottom of the story.

Details Below

Sarah during her Zoom service at Congregation Sinai

Many friends and family were able to virtually watch

Since they weren't allowed guests in the sanctuary, these cut-out heads made them feel like everyone was there, including a few Broadway stars!

For the Zoom family-only party, guests played a trivia game about Sarah with Kahoot.it, and watched the photo montage and Cameo messages from Broadway stars! The "Sand Ceremony" honored special guests

Guests arrive on Sunday at the "Car" - ebration

As guests pulled up, they were given a favor bag. Inside the bags were a personalized water bottle, matching masks and kippot, hand sanitizer, a Bingo game board and pen, candy and a personalized Word Search game with words related to Sarah

Favor bag contents

The family wore Broadway show T-shirts

Guests could get out of their cars and take a photo in front of the Broadway backdrop

Guests played BINGO from their cars. Sarah called out a square and held up a picture of the logo in the square so people in cars could see and hear

Adorable custom BINGO card

The immediate family participated in the Horah in the parking lot

Sarah mans her sign-in board station

Guests could get out of their cars and enjoy Kona Ice

Bat Mitzvah Vendors

Event Planner/Photo Montage: Lynn Osband Events, 408-981-8422
Photographer: Scott Lasky, 408-807-4770
Video message from Broadway stars: Cameo.com
Personalized Masks: ElectricStyles.com
Personalized Kippot: Klipped Kippahs, 954-228-3518
Sand Ceremony engraved box and colored sand: orientaltradingcompany.com
Broadway backdrop: Etsy.com
Balloon Sculpture of Sarah: Balloonatics, 408-205-4559
Cardboard head cut-outs: Build a Head, buildahead.com/basketball
Bingo game: bonus.com/bingo/
Trivia Game about Sarah: www.kahoot.it
Shave Ice Truck: Kona Ice West San Jose, 408-621-4373
Videographer: Bob Farnsworth of VideoMadness, 408-441-1619