A Game Show Themed Bar Mitzvah Celebration

The Simmons-Cohen family of Merrick, New York, celebrated their son Sean’s Bar Mitzvah on July 4, 2015. The service was held at Congregation B’nai Israel of Freeport, New York and the party was held at Oceanside Jewish Center in Oceanside, New York.

Both Sean’s dads are party decorators and wanted his Bar Mitzvah to be very interactive. They created “Seananigan’s” as their theme, a remake of the old TV game show from the 60’s called, “Shenanigan’s.” They used a carnival setting and took advantage of their July 4th date. 

Pictured left: Dad Ron Cohen, Bar Mitzvah boy Sean and Dad Allen Simmons.

The photographer was Fytography: Photo & Video Production and the rest of the vendor information is listed at the end of the spotlight.

Bar Mitzvah Service & Invitations

Sean’s Bar Mitzvah service was held at Congregation B’nai Israel in Freeport, New York. The family sent a “Save The Date,” created by Dad Allen of Themes & Dreams and formal invite created by Invitations by Antionette Pandalfo.

Sean and his proud Dads

For their Kiddush, the room was decorated in the July 4th motif

For their "Save The Date," every guest received a press kit announcing the “remake” of Shenanigan’s, now re-titled, Seananigan’s and starring Sean Simmons-Cohen as host and MC

Each press kit had a Save the Date card along with a little synopsis of the history of "Shenanigan’s" and its metamorphosis into Seananigan’s

They chose a more traditional invitation due to the whimsical press kit. To reflect the spirit of the July 4th date, they used a patriotic color scheme

Mitzvah Details

For their celebration, the ballroom at Oceanside Jewish Center was transformed into “Seananigans!”. Both of Sean’s dads own Themes & Dreams, a full service party decorating and design service.

Huge light up letters with the Seananigan’s logo

As guests entered the lobby of Oceanside Jewish Center, they saw various posters of TV programs starring...Sean

As guests entered the reception, they took a short tour of the SSC Studio Store, created to look like the NBC Studio Store

In the hallway, there was a walkway of colored squares adorned with life size dice, cards, board pieces, and instructions ushered guests to the “studio” itself. Signage, like “On Air,” “Applause” and “Laugh,” were added to play up the transition

The place cards indicated which game board table guests were seated at

VIP passes to the premiere of "Seananigan's" served as place cards for each guest

Sean with one of his life size cut-outs depicting the carnival theme

Patriotic décor for the adults as well

Table names, like "Touch and Go, "Thin Ice," and "Operation" were based on different games of skill that had to be played to advance through the Seananigan’s board. The centerpieces were detailed with every aspect of Sean’s hobbies and interests

At each place setting was a red clown nose for guests to wear to emulate Red Nose Day, (Red Nose Day is a fundraiser for Comic Relief)

Centerpieces were elevated on light-up pedestals and flashing light cylinders

The kids' lounge area was the stage for Seananigan’s. Oversized light-up letters with the Seananigan’s logo spanned 16 feet of the ballroom along with life size stand-ups of Sean in carnival attire. Arches of balloons were added to create a carnival ambiance

Prior to entering the cocktail party, guests saw the current issue of TV Guide which featured Seananigan’s on the cover. Guests left special messages for Sean in his custom sign-in book

Mitzvah Video

The video from Rappitt.com was part of the place card area with words to the rap written by Dad Allen. There was a TV screen in the Guest Relations Booth which played the revamped theme song of Seananigan’s.

Rappitt.com took the original “Shenanigan’s” song and created a rap version
Watch it here

Before Sean entered his Bar Mitzvah celebration, this intro video played for guests

Watch a re-cap of Sean’s celebration produced by Fytography here

Music & Entertainment

Maximum Entertainment provided the music for this celebration.

As Sean Simmons-Cohen made his entrance, confetti cannons went off, and guests were given long balloons with colored ribbon to wave

It's Horah time!

Sean with his dads trying out the bongos from Maximum Entertainment DJs

Guests enjoyed casino tables and other activities, such as a blackjack table

Even the wait staff donned the carnival vests for the duration of the party

Guests were able to deposit 'fan mail' in this gift container

VIP passes to the premiere of "Seananigan's" served as place cards for each guest

Candle Lighting

The game continued with the candle lighting ceremony where honored family and friends moved through the spaces on the game board and lit candles on television screens which spelled out SEANANIGAN’S.

Sean with his Dads

Each guest who participated in their candle lighting ceremony received a plaque as shown above

The plaques had a personalized message for the honoree

Exit Treats & Favors

Guests were treated to a creative candy bar at the end of the party

Baseball caps with the logo

Tank tops with the logo

Mitzvah Project

Sean’s Mitzvah Project was to benefit Sunrise Day Camp. As a JCC camper, Sean felt the need to spread some smiles to these children. He asked people to donate a joke and some cash. The jokes were compiled into a book given to the campers and the cash helped send a child to camp. The joke books were also distributed to senior citizen centers.

Dad to Dad

Dad Advice from Allen and Ron: “Selecting vendors that you can count on to deliver what you want is most important. Being a party decorator and a control freak, there were aspects of this party that had to be left in the hands of other professionals. These people had to understand our vision. However, you must allow them the freedom and flexibility to delve into their area of expertise and use that expertise to enhance and build upon your vision. It is so important to find vendors that listen and hear what YOU want and not TELL you what you want. The latter gives you a “cookie cutter” party because it is easier. Be different, be imaginative and get your vendors excited about your event. If you do, your party will have a very special and unique feeling. Your guests will feel it. You will feel it. Your child will feel it. Also use MitzvahMarket.com, it helped us find some of the added special touches.

Vendor Directory

The following vendors helped to make Sean’s Bar Mitzvah special. If you give any of them a call, let them know you read about their services on MitzvahMarket.com.

Temple Service: Congregation B’nai Israel of Freeport
Party Decorators/Save The Date: Allen Simmons and Ron Cohen, Themes and Dreams, 516-221-9092
Venue: Oceanside Jewish Center, Robert Ian Caterers
Music Entertainment: Joey, Maximum Entertainment
Photographer: Fytography: Photography & Video Production
Rap Video: Rappitt.com
Invitations: Invitations by Antionette Pandalfo
Impersonator: Joni Lambert as Barbra
Casino Games: New England Casino Games
Kids Activities: Wacky Wax, MakeItSnappy.com