Hannah Greenberg celebrated her Bat Mitzvah service on December 15, 2011 at Temple Beth Sholom in Roslyn Heights, New York followed by a celebration on December 18, at The Carltun at Eisenhower Park in Westbury, New York.
Having a child with Autism or any special needs is a challenge for any family. In preparation for Hannah’s Bat Mitzvah everything had to be broken down step by step for her to alleviate any type of anxiety or unexpected occurrences. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house as Hannah recited her prayers at Temple Beth Sholom. As the Rabbi said, “Hannah, like the upcoming holiday of Chanukah, was truly a miracle.”
We thank the Greenbergs for sharing Hannah’s accomplishment and celebration with our readers.
All photography was provided by Richard Black Studio and the rest of the vendor information is listed at the bottom of this spotlight.
Pictured above: (L-R) Dad Evan, Brother Drew, Bat Mitzvah girl Hannah and Mom Amy
Mom Amy, now a Bar/Bat Mitzvah consultant for Bon Chic Events told us she had three requirements for Hannah’s Bat Mitzvah. She said, “I would only work with reputable people that have given back to the autism community, I wanted to work with vendors I found through Mitzvah Market that were sensitive to my daughter with special needs and lastly, the most important thing was making sure that Hannah was happy.”
Overall, Amy was very pleased with all of her vendors and the advice she received. “My daughter was beaming,” she tells Mitzvah Market, “she looked like any other typical Bat Mitzvah girl having the time of her life.”
Autumn Maglia at Minuteman Press designed Hannah’s fun carnival themed invitation.
Their Sunday night festivities included a carnival like celebration at The Carltun at Eisenhower Park. Hannah was the last 8th grader from Roslyn Middle School to celebrate her Bat Mitzvah and this family wanted to have a fun, casual, low key party for Hannah and her typical and special needs friends.
Both Dave’s Cast Of Characters and Great Neck Games provided the carnival fun!
The lounge furniture was from Great Neck Games
Angie’s Party Designs created terrific custom carnival designs!
A ferris wheel was next to Hannah’s sign in board
A big “H” for Hannah
A happy clown!
Dave’s Cast Of Characters provided the musical entertainment with Dave as the DJ.
Guests enjoying the music
Guests of all ages enjoyed the variety of carnival games available during the Greenberg’s celebration.
For Hannah’s entrance video, the Greenberg’s found Giftrapped.com after reading about them on MitzvahMarket.com. Mom Amy said, “Working with Jay from Giftrapped was truly amazing. He customized a beautiful entrance video that truly depicted Hannah’s personality. He even went so far as to edit the words due to the sensitivity of Hannah’s condition.
Watch Hannah’s Giftrapped entrance video here
Hannah and her friends with her colorful cake!
Hannah’s friends received a lacrosse pinnie with carnival lettering produced by Arena Sports.
Pinnie with lacrosse lettering
The favors were cleverly distributed in these boxes!
Mom Amy has some advice about planning a Mitzvah:
“Involve your child in the final stages of the planning process. From choosing the music to writing the candle lighting poems, by involving your child they have a vested interest in the whole event. For a child with special needs or just an anxious child in general having a visual schedule and a timeline of the party’s activities eased much of the anxiety.”
Hannah’s Mitzvah Project has been going on for ten years. Every year Team Hannah walks on behalf of Autism Speaks to raise much needed funds for Autism Research and to help find a cure.
Team Hannah in conjunction with North Shore Autism Circle (the charity Mom Amy has founded in 2005) have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars and is one of the top fundraising teams on Long Island for Autism Speaks.
The following vendors helped to make Hannah’s celebration special. If you give any of them a call, please let them know you read about their services on MitzvahMarket.com.
Venue: The Carltun at Eisenhower Park, 516- 542-0700
Party Planner: Bon Chic Events, 516-499-3320
Music Entertainment: DJ Dave, Dave’s Cast of Characters, 914-235-7100
Photographer/Videographer: Richard Black Studio, 516-621-7995
Favors: Arena Sportswear, 516-767-5108
Party entertainment: Dave’s Cast of Characters
Invitation Design: Autumn Maglia, Minuteman Press, Williston Park, 516-746-4280
Invitation envelopes/printing: Inklinations, 516-365-4940
Cake: The Carltun
Montage: Giftrapped.com
Décor/Lounge Furniture: Great Neck Games, 516-747-9191
Balloons: Angie’s Party Design, 631-623-6496
Linens: Table Wraps, 516-334-8833
Dresses for Hannah and Mom: Lord & Taylor, Manhasset
Suits for Brother and Dad: Burberry
Hair/makeup: Nubest Salon
