Guitar Hero and Rock Band have nothing on Rockmitzvah. Why stand in front of your television set when you can rock out for real – at your own Bar/Bat Mitzvah!
We first learned about this real-life group of musicians who let you your child be the star at their celebration when we launched Mitzvah Market.
We caught up with one of the Rockmitzvah founders, Marc Jacoby, to bring you more information.
MM: What is Rockmitzvah?
MJ: Rockmitzvah, a live band, is a ‘school of rock’ which allows your child to be a ‘star’ for a day. The Bar/Bat Mitzvah celebrant, and musical friends and family members have the opportunity to perform on stage with a band of seasoned rock and roll industry veterans, in front of a captured crowd of adoring fans! Rockmitzvah also provides full musical and entertainment services seen at most celebrations, from MC’ing, to DJ’ing, the hora, dancers and motivators and customized give-aways.
MM: Who is the perfect family for this type of entertainment?
MJ: The ideal family for Rockmitzvah has a son or daughter who is passionate about music, preferably a student of an instrument or a vocalist, though this is not required. The celebrant ideally has other musical friends and family members who will be gently guided into participating on stage during the celebration, individually or in small groups. The perfect Rockmitzvah family is looking for a unique event which is both refreshing and engaging relative to the DJ driven events that dominate the landscape of the Bar and Bat Mitzvah ‘scene.’
MM: What locations do you service?
MJ: Rockmitzvah will travel anywhere, and maintains a roster of professional touring and recording musicians.
MM: How does it work (rehearsals etc.)?
MJ: Rockmitzvah assigns a ‘point person’ to the family, essentially a personal party planner/music director. The point person works closely with the celebrant to zoom in on songs which will be performed with the band. The family and point person also create a list of potential participants at the event in addition to the celebrant. A week or two before the party, the family and the band gather to rehearse, and discuss the finer points of the customized evening.
MM: What can families expect from Rockmitzvah at their child’s celebration?
MJ: First and foremost, families can expect that a Rockmitzvah celebration will compliment the ‘right of passage’ that characterizes this momentous occasion in the life of the Jewish family. Performing in front of loving family and friends, and your spiritual community, is essentially a leap of faith, and a sharing of one’s passionate self with those who mean the most to you. It is in many ways similar to reading the torah…it just rocks a little more!
MM: Do you still need to hire a DJ/MC?
MJ: Rockmitzvah feels that it is not necessary to hire a DJ or MC. We can provide full MC services, and a more ‘light’ DJ service if needed. It is our feeling that people don’t need to be overwhelmed with directives and volume in order to celebrate together. However, many families still feel a need to have a DJ, particularly in situations where there are more than 60 children invited. In those circumstances, we work closely with a number of DJ’s who understand our concept.
For more information on Rockmitzvah, please visit their extended profile page in our Vendor Directory.
Check out their promotion video here and our Mitzvah Minute video too!
