The Museum of the Moving Image in New York City was the spectacular venue for the B’nai Mitzvah of twins Rachel and Avery Friedman on April 13, 2013.
The family wanted a service and celebration that was all-in-one and this special venue, a unique and modern museum in New York City, fit the bill perfectly.
Pictured L-R: Bar Mitzvah boy Avery, Mom Nancy, Dad Alan and Bat Mitzvah girl Rachel.
Josh Strauss Studios was the photographer. Additional vendor information is listed below.
The service started within the Museum of the Moving Image’s theater with a personalized service including homemade siddurs. The twins’ paternal grandfather was too ill to attend but he appeared, larger than life, to give his blessing on the movie screen in a pre-taped blessing. Immediately following the service, guests moved into the museum’s café and galleries for their celebration.
An amazing stage and built-in backdrop for their service
The family chose the readings for their prayer book which was designed and put together by Ana Dolan Couture Invitations
These totally original, customized view-master invitations were created by Image 3D. Mom Nancy got the idea from her party planner, Amy Jacobs of Chandelier Events, and found the DIY view-master company online.
The disk came packaged in a view-master, so guests could click through the images. The text, with all important details about the B’nai Mitzvah, “floated” on top of each picture. Driving instructions and R.S.V.P. cards were slipped into each box.
Rachel and Avery looked great. Rachel’s cocktail dress was from All Dressed Up and Avery’s suit was from Lubins.
Posing together in the museum’s sleek lobby before their guests arrive
The Museum of the Moving Image is located in Astoria, Queens, a borough of NYC. One of the reasons the family selected this venue is that part of the party fee goes to helping the museum maintain its collections and community programs.
One of New York City’s cool and hip cultural venues
The venue dictated the theme of television and movies and that was subtly conveyed in the dinner menus and other party elements.
The printed menus were designed to look like TV dinners
Event Planner Amy Jacobs of Chandelier Events NY helped the Friedmans bring color into the sleek white interior of the museum by using décor and flowers in the colors of a TV test pattern.
Eclectic flower arrangements in white modern vases added pops of color
The table numbers were television screens with color bars on the bottom
Simple signage stood out on the white walls
When you have an event at the Museum of the Moving Image, you get the entire venue which includes all of the exhibits. Guests were able to experience all of the cool interactive exhibits the museum has to offer.
Learning the art of animation
Dubbing your own voice into a famous movie
Making a flip book…starring you!
EJ The DJ and MC James C provided non-stop music and entertainment for Rachel and Avery’s celebration.
Avery and Rachel make their way into the reception as friends and family cheered them on
Rachel and Avery up in the chair together
Avery and Rachel’s friends gathering around the dance floor
The Friedmans gave their guests favors of modern popcorn poppers filled with gourmet popping corn with Avery and Rachel’s logo on them.
The favors looked great all lined up
Microwave popcorn poppers double as a serving dish
Mitzvah Mom Nancy wrote a beautiful and funny speech for her children. She is a popular blogger who pens From Hip to Housewife. Here is a link to the speech: Rhumba Through Life: To My Kids on Their B’nai
Rachel worked with the local JCC in their Gift of Literacy Program; she tutored a second grader in reading once a week throughout the school year. Avery made numerous visits – both through Dorot and on his own – to elderly people looking for company. Additionally, the building where they live has an aging population and both kids have regularly visited their most elderly residents, most of whom are now gone.
Some advice from Mom Nancy:
“We were very nervous about our party being “over the top.” I didn’t want to send the message that the party was more important than the process, or the ceremony. But in the end, our venue, The Museum of the Moving Image was all the “over the top” we needed. Don’t plan too far ahead – it just means more time to worry. And don’t lose sight of the fact that the party is about your child (or in my case children) and not about you.”
The following vendors helped to make Rachel and Avery’s B’nai Mitzvah special. If you give any of them a call, let them know you read about their services on MitzvahMarket.com.
Venue: Museum of the Moving Image, 718-784 0077
Party Planner: Amy Jacbos, Chandelier Events, 646-415-8675
Music Entertainment: MC James C, EJ the DJ, 800-358-4335
Photographer/Videographer: Josh Strauss, Josh Strauss Studios, 347-228-1064
Caterer: Thomas Preti Caterers, 212-764-3188
Invitation: Image 3D, 503-632-2470
Siddur Cover Design: Ana Dolan Couture Invitations, 203-722-5231
Florist: Rebecca Shepherd Floral Design, reb.shepherd@gmail.com
Favors: Kathy Ellman, Bayard Designs, 212-228-9400
Party entertainment: Balloon Artist, Party Magic Entertainment, 800-539-8743
Bat Mitzvah girl Rachel’s Dress: All Dressed Up, 914-690-1593
Bar Mitzvah boy Avery’s suit: Lubins, 914-713-0300
Mom Nancy’s dress: Bergdorf Goodman
Dad Alan’s suit: Martin Greenfield Clothier, 718-497-5480
Makeup: Lisa Rinaldi, lisamarierinaldi@gmail.com
