Red, White & Blue Bat Mitzvah Inspired by American Political System

Service

Bold stars and stripes were proudly displayed on Alexis's invitation

Alexis became a Bat Mitzvah at Temple Emanuel in Newton. She had a mincha service at which she read Torah and Haftorah and led the service. She was surrounded by family and her day school classmates (who joined her in song at the end!)

Reception

Alexis and her family - mom Nanette, dad Jose and brother Jacob - took a moment on the dance floor before the party began

Before entering the reception, Alexis's guests had a chance to sign in and wish her well

The Constitution inspired board was just one of the clever nods to American politics

Gifts were deposted in a ballot box

The ballroom was transformed into a patriotic display of red, white and blue

Guests found their tables, organized by U.S. state, on this oversized seating chart

Table centerpieces were designed to look like delegate signs from national conventions; Each table represented a different U.S. state

The dance floor was wrapped in the Bat Mitzvah girl's logo

Alexis and her friends kept the dance floor packed

The White House also served as a backdrop to Alexis's candle lighting display

Special Touches

In keeping with the theme, the photographers wore media credentials

Alexis and her mom came up with the idea to use political quotes (and jokes!) on cocktail napkins. (Mom Nanette says the original idea came from her son's Bar Mitzvah where she used baseball quotes.)

Specialty cocktails for the kids kept the red and blue theme going

The food buffets were draped inn patriotic stars and stripes

Alexis sported customized Converse high tops with her logo and Mitzvah date

Family friend Rory Torstensson painted the sneakers for Alexis

Guests had a blast in the photo booth where they posed not only with political quote signs, but could also wear a mask of U.S. politicians past and present

Dance floor giveaways included patriotic (and comfy!) socks

Alexis's friends took home custom logo sweatshirts

Montage

Watch Alexis's awesome campaign video (aka montage!) created by Elissa Owens Montages here

Mitzvah Advice

“Get day-of help so you can enjoy,” says mom Nanette, who brought in a professional event planner to coordinate day.

Mitzvah Project

Alexis raised funds for The Sandy Hook Promise which was founded after the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, CT. The goals of the organization are to educate children and adults about gun violence, prevent any person from becoming a victim and to teach about mental health issues.

While fundraising, Alexis explained: “At my school, my friends and I brought the conversation of gun violence and mental health awareness into our middle school. I have decided to take it a step further and on my own reach out to you for donations if you are so inclined (no pressure). . . When I speak about the topic of gun violence, or mention The Sandy Hook Promise, many people will ask me, ‘Why do you care?’ My answer to this question is I am part of a community that is bigger than myself, where it is my responsibility as a person in the community to take action and speak up when I see something wrong. Most of my life is being involved with my school and temple where I am taught everyday how to be an active member of my community and work towards repairing our world, no matter how big or small of step it may be. This is something that I value and will continue to value for the rest of my life. Also, my childhood has been marked by mass shootings. When I was in kindergarten, I remember hearing about the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary school. Last year when I was in 5th grade I remember hearing about the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Shooting in Florida. Even though I am not a direct victim of gun violence, hearing about all of these shootings and these senseless tragedies has definitely affected me. I am also deeply inspired by the activism that has come from tragedies such as these, and specifically been inspired by kids very close in age to me making a bigger impact than many of our politicians.”

Vendor Directory

The following vendors helped to make Alexis’s night unforgettable. If you contact them, please let them know you read about their services on MitzvahMarket.com.

Venue: Boston Marriott Newton, 617-969-1000
Party Planner: Rachel Glazer, Rachel G Events, 617-835-1491
Music/MC/DJ: Johnny K, Pure Energy Entertainment, 978-646-9226
Photographer: Meri Bond, Meri Bond Photography, 617-823-3244
Montage: Elissa Owen, Elissa Owen Montages, 617-480-4935
Favors: All Sports Wear (sweatshirts), 617 244-4220
Logos/Sign-In Board: Lisa Thompson, Lisa Thompson Graphic Design, 508-930-8444
Invitations: Toby Dondis Ltd., 617-332-5253
Décor: Ashima Samuel, True Elegance Design, 603-233-9599

For more information on working with Mitzvah vendors in the Boston area, check out Mitzvah Market’s Boston planning group on Facebook. Live in another city? You can ask questions get advice in Mitzvah Market’s regional Bar Bat Mitzvah planning groups on Facebook.