The Tashlik family of Port Washington, New York, celebrated daughter Zoe’s Bat Mitzvah at Temple Beth Israel in Port Washington, New York. The ZO awesome celebration took place the next day at Temple Or Elohim in Jericho, New York.
It was a stylish celebration with close family, friends and without question ZO much more awesome than the family could have imagined!
Pictured L-R: Sister Mollie, Mom Mindy, Bat Mitzvah girl Zoe, Dad Scott holding sister Ella and Sister Maddie.
The party photographer was Photography by Felicia. The dress photo shoot was by Julie Shapiro Photography and the rest of the vendor information is listed at the end of the spotlight.
The family worked with Suzi of Wow Creations on the invitation which had a purple mirror layer and lavender shimmer back layer with a separate party card.
Guests replied back to an email set up for the responses
Bat Mitzvah girl Zoe between her parents on the Bimah
Zoe began her Bat Mitzvah weekend with a Friday Night Live! Shabbat service at Temple Beth Israel in Port Washington. This popular service featured renowned Jewish rock musician and song leader, Naomi Less. Zoe then led the Shabbat morning services followed by a beautiful luncheon.
This family knows how to be stylish! Bat Mitzvah girl Zoe wore a pale purple cocktail dress, from Designing Dreams, with crystal stones and sequins spilling onto the tulle skirt.
Mom Mindy wore a beautiful gown from My Daughter’s Wedding. Sisters Maddie and Mollie’s dresses were from Outrageous Boutique and youngest sister Ella’s dress was from Lester’s
The tiara Zoe wore belongs to Mom Mindy’s best friend “Aunt” Marnie. The tiara was designed by renown bridal designer Nelson DeLeon. “Aunt” Marnie is a cancer survivor and to honor her, Zoe and Mindy walked together in the NYC Race for the Cure. Both Zoe, and her older sister Maddie, have worn this tiara, as a tribute to their beloved Marnie
Lighter Than Air created the decor using Zoe’s favorite color purple along with modern elements such as chevron designs and lots of bling. The room at Temple Or Elohim was transformed into a ZO fabulous party room.
Three different centerpieces were alternated on the adult tables, tying together her purple color scheme
Above is the centerpiece with over-sized purple and grey feathers. The draping separated the adult area from the kids’ lounge
This centerpiece had lots of bling, the one behind it was the letter “Z” in a chevron design
The table numbers were created by Mom Mindy and Zoe as homage to Zoe’s longstanding love for all-things-Disney
She looks every bit a Disney princess!
Giant photo renderings of Zoe in her sunglasses hung on either side of the dance floor stage and are now hanging in their home
The Wow Factor created post cards for guests to “send” to Zoe in Z-mail box.
This was a completely allergy-sensitive occasion as Zoe’s sister has many serious allergies. Hasson Caterers went above and beyond to make sure she was safe with delicious options to choose from. This held true for their gluten-free and other allergic guests. There was something for everyone!
In true Zoe style, she gave guests high fives as she entered her party to the song, “Everything is Awesome”
MC Jared Levine from More than Music and the dancers keep guests on the dance floor all night.
Mom Mindy’s blinged out sneakers from Designing Dreams (featured left) and Zoe changed from sparkle heels into her preferred lavender Superga sneakers that she enhanced with lilac satin ribbon shoe laces
MC Jared with Zoe and her friends up on the risers
There was a red carpet photo booth that greeted guests as they entered so everyone could take an arrival photo. It then moved inside where guests could pose with friends, family, the guest of honor, or her life size cutout!
Zoe and her over-sized self!
Mom and Dad surrounded by their friends having ZO much fun
Mom Mindy’s best friends enjoying their ZO awesome give-aways
Zoe chose an abbreviated candle lighting ceremony, simplified to “Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow” with one candle representing each generation past, present and future with a poem for each group. The fourth candle was hers surrounded by friends.
Zoe is the second of four sisters. There is a family tradition of the “Little Sister speech.” Mollie’s tribute was wonderful and very funny!
The morning after her Bat Mitzvah Zoe wore her sweatpants, t-shirt and hat give-ways from Act 2 Promo. In her hand is a souvenir centerpiece topper.
Zoe was involved with many Mitzvah Projects. She donated handmade preemie caps to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at North Shore University Hospital at Manhasset, New York as Zoe was a preemie too! She also honored the memory of a child who perished in the Holocaust prior to becoming a Bat Mitzvah through Remember-US. In addition Zoe was involved in supporting mental health awareness raising funds for NAMI Walk 2015 which took place on the day of Zoe’s Bat Mitzvah. Though she could not participate along with her teacher and class, she raised money for this cause and supported the team.
This is the flyer Zoe sent to friends and family
Some advice from Mom Mindy:
“Enjoy it! Be organized. Learn Excel and make spreadsheets. Ask friends for help and advice and share the joy! Trust those you engaged to put the shindig together – they are the experts and you gave them your input and preferences. Believe that they know what they are doing, their reputation should speak volumes. Have faith and enjoy instead of worrying. Trust your intuition when making decisions – you will know, for example, when the MC is the right match for your family and your occasion once you meet them or see them in action – go with your instinct even if it’s the slightly more expensive option. It makes the party. Dance at your party, don’t count the sushi or stress when the napkins are Caribbean blue instead of turquoise… and don’t worry about the small stuff. A great caterer has all of those details covered and more. Wear something special and glamorous and feel beautiful, a gown is your prerogative, day or night, because you deserve it. Let your child wear sneakers if they want to – it’s their party – and make them awesome! Laugh when your wristbands come imprinted with the 13th instead of the 3rd (once we caught the wristband mix up, which was “my bad” since I ok’d the proof), our awesome vendor replaced them free of charge, rush delivery! In the scheme of things, all that matters is the smile on your son or daughter’s face, and the pride and joy on yours. Appreciate those who worked to make your day so wonderful and give gratuities. And if you’re me, get ready to do it again in 2017 on your fiftieth birthday for daughter number 3!”
The following vendors helped to make Zoe’s Bat Mitzvah special. If you give any of them a call, let them know you read about their products or services on MitzvahMarket.com
Venue: Temple Or Elohim, 516-433-9888
Caterer/Cake: Hasson Caterers, 516-937-0120
Party Planner: Mom Mindy Tashlik
Music Entertainment: MC Jared Levine, More than Music, 516-626-9400
Party Photographer: Photography By Felicia, 516-242-1947
Pre-party dress Photo Shoot: Julie Shapiro Photography, 917-696-8916
Décor/florist: Lighter than Air Events, 516-933-2113
Videographer: Joe Pergo, Dockside Digital Videography, 631-944-1994
Invitation: Suzi Evangelista, Wow Creations, 516-662-9558
Zap Shots: Ross Farber, Events by Ross
Photo booth, Sign-In Postcards: Gina and Brian Geiger, The Wow Factor Party, 631-897-2556
Favors/hats/t-shirt giveaways: Act 2 Promo, Debbie Lerner, 917-882-4340
Table numbers design: Bat Mitzvah girl Zoe and Mom Mindy
Zoe’s sneakers: Superga on Zappos.com
Mom Mindy’s dress: My Daughter’s Wedding, 516-773-2367
Bat Mitzvah girl Zoe dress/Mom’s blinged sneakers: Designing Dreams, 516-248-1988
Sisters’ Maddie and Mollie’s party dresses: Amy, Outrageous Boutique, 516-931-3331
Sister Ella’s dress: Lester’s
Hair: Cori Levin, Cactus Salon, Deer Park, NY location, 631-423-7110
Makeup: Jessica Abel, 516-984-4309
