A “SYDsational” Bat Mitzvah Family Spotlight

The Dictrow family from Marlboro, New Jersey, celebrated their daughter Sydney’s Bat Mitzvah with a Havdalah service at Congregation Ohev Shalom in Marlboro, New Jersey.

Not even a snow storm could prevent this family from having a sophisticated and “Sydsational” reception at Temple B’nai Tikvah in North Brunswick, New Jersey.

We featured sister Jordan’s “An ExJORDANary Evening” and we couldn’t believe it was already sister Sydney’s turn!

Pictured L-R: Dad Adam, Mom Debbie, younger sister Ryan, Bat Mitzvah girl Sydney and older sister Jordan.

Joe Siracusa of JS Photography, Inc. was the photographer and the rest of the vendors are listed at the end of the spotlight.

Mitzvah Invitation, Service & Style

When it came time to choose the invitation, the family returned to Cindi of Simply Invitations and Party Planning. They chose a custom white card with a turquoise border on the front. The back featured words describing Sydney. Sydney’s special night started with a beautiful Havdalah service at Congregation Ohev Shalom. 

Guests were asked to dress "Formal & Fabulous"

The RSVP stamp

Reading from the prayer book

Sydney with her mom and dad holding the Torah

Handmade yarmulkes and head coverings made with love by her Bubby and Grammy

Even with a snow storm outside, this family knows how to be stylish! Mom Debbie, Bat Mitzvah girl Sydney and older sister Jordan were beautifully dressed in gowns from Diane & Co. Little sister Ryan looked amazing in her gown from Macis Designs. Dad Adam wore his own tuxedo

In her gown, Sydney wrote her name in the snow...we love that!

Mitzvah Details

There was no set theme for this celebration, but they did incorporate three words which are important to Sydney: “Smile, Hope and Dream,” which also happen to be her initials. The family wanted a continuation from sister Jordan’s “An ExJORDANary Evening” and came up with “SYDsational.” For their decor, Mom Debbie once again called in Phyllis Skolnick of Extraordinary Productions who worked on sister Jordan’s Bat Mitzvah.

The gobo projected on the Temple wall and was seen by guests as they entered

This clear plexi-glass structure served as the escort table which included custom decals and colorful votive candles

Continuing with the circle theme, each place card was in a circle of blue water

Sydney posed in her lounge area

Votive candles and tall clear vases added a warm glow to the room

The room was filled with love and warmth despite the snow outside

Cocktail napkins with written text: "Sydney," "Smile, Hope, Dream," and "Sydsational"

Finishing touches included custom chargers at each adult place setting

Guests enjoyed the heartfelt "Thank You" note at their place setting

Dad Adam works for PR Newswire, an industry leader in communication services. "Congratulations on becoming a Bat Mitzvah. You are Sydsational!" lit up the corner on Times Square a few weeks prior to her special day

Her sign-in board featured the photo that was used in Times Square

Music & Entertainment

MC Brian and his team from Pure Energy Entertainment kept guests dancing all night.

Dad Adam entertained the crowd on the dance floor

Sydney and her friends posed on the risers

Sydney was the center of attention surrounded by her friends

Sydney, her sisters and guests all enjoyed some hair bling!

Here a young guest gets her hair braided. The glass tables used in this area featured color collages of Sydney throughout her 13 years, created by Mom Debbie. She got this idea from the Weilheimer Family Spotlight featured on MitzvahMarket.com

Mitzvah Exit Treat & Favor

Top Elements created Sydney’s favors for her friends.

A tote bag given to each of Sydney's guests

This beautiful logo was used on back of the zippered sweatshirt favor for the girls. The inside of the hoodie was also imprinted with "Smile, Hope, Dream." The boys received pullover hoodies with a vintage logo

Everyone got to enjoy some goodies for the car ride home from Godfather Catering Party Truck

The last of the Dictrow girls, Ryan's Bat Mitzvah in 2017

Mitzvah Project

For her Mitzvah Project, Syd chose Cleats 4 Kids due to her passion for soccer and Kicking 4 Celiac Foundation because her grandfather has Celiac Disease. With the help of her friends, through texts, emails and Facebook, Syd collected over 118 pair of cleats. She was so excited to help get more kids on the soccer field!

 
Syd with cleats she collected 

Mom to Mom

 Some Mom to Mom advice from Deb:
“Planning another Bat Mitzvah the second time around was definitely easier! It’s important to feel confident with the vendors you choose and rely on them to make it all work. Be detail-oriented, every little detail counts. Enjoy the moment, appreciate friends and family that all came to celebrate this important milestone. The night goes so fast but the memory is forever! Sydney wanted snow and she got it! It not only snowed for pictures the week before, but it snowed again for her party… that was stressful. Ice scrapers were a last minute idea and Thank God everyone made it safely to her celebration and back home! It was formal, fabulous and Sydsational, just the way we hoped!”

 Vendor Directory

 The following vendors helped to make Sydney’s celebration special. If you give any a call, please make sure they know you read about their services on MitzvahMarket.com.

Venue: Congregation B’nai Tikvah, 732-297-0696
Catering: Classical Caterers, 732-297-6444
Party Planner: Phyliss Skolnick, Extraordinary Productions, 732-308-3080
Photographer: Joe Siracusa, JS Photography  Inc, 718-967-6912
Videographer: Michael Scoblete, 347-539-9568
Music Entertainment: MC Brian, Pure Energy Entertainment, 732-536-8991
Cocktail Hour Music: Pure Energy Entertainment
Favors: Top Elements, 732-972-8290
Décor/florist/lounge furniture: Extraordinary Productions, 732-308-3080
Invitation/menu/thank you notes: Cindi, Simply Invitations & Party Planning, 732-617-7211
Party entertainment: Photo favors, Pure Energy Entertainment, 732-536-8991
Tattoos: Tattoos by Bernadine Ferrari, 973-299-9146
Custom Cake: Classical Caterers
Times Square Signage: PR Newswire, 800-776-8090
Candy truck: Dennis, Godfather Catering, 516-790-5288
Dresses for Mom, Sydney and sister Jordan: Diane and Company, 732-635-8001
Ryan’s dress: Macis Designs, 732-246-2988
Hair/Hair bling and crystals for party: Studio 455 Salon, 732-972-9890
Makeup: Melanie Kotes, 732-456-1897
Transportation: First Class Limousine, 732-972-3200
Party Bus: V.E.I Limousine, 732-441-9400
Kids Transportation: Shamrock Bus Company, 732-787-1113