Sports Themed Bar Mitzvah Celebration in New York City

Similar to many other families across the country, the Kushlefsky’s from New York City could not have the Bar Mitzvah celebration they had planned for their youngest son Nate. Their original plan included a fun party at Citi Field with the kids cocktail hour in the visitor’s locker room and included batting practice. The montage (created by sister Zoe) was going to be shown on the giant scoreboard screen and the main event in one of their clubs overlooking the field.

Although that couldn’t happen, they still made use of the baseball “save the dates” and stuck with their original sports theme. After Nate’s Bar Mitzvah service, the family walked to a nearby restaurant for an outdoor dinner wearing their branded sweatshirts. Mom Stacey tells Mitzvah Market, “It wasn’t what we planned, but in the end it was even better and more special!”

Pictured above (L-R): Sister Samantha, brother Jaden, sister Eliza, mom Stacey, Bar Mitzvah boy Nate, dad Noah, sister Zoe and her fiancée Sarah

Nate outside Park Avenue Synagogue

Proud parents

The whole immediate family got involved with the service. Nate’s brother Jaden, who is disabled, played a bongo drum while the cantor chanted Hallelujah

Nate and his dad sang a duet of l'dor vador

Friends cheering from their homes were "spotlighted" at various points during the service

After posing for a few fun family photos, everyone headed over to a nearby restaurant for dinner

A family friend created 4 logos to personalize things as much as possible. NSK Sports was used as the main logo and the other 3 were for each of Nate’s favorite teams – the Mets, Rangers and Minnesota Vikings

Large foam core centerpieces with Nate's logos were placed along a shelf around the perimeter of the outdoor dinner structure

They had a very small crowd which meant everyone got to light a candle during the candle lighting ceremony

Check out the unbelievable cake!

Cake maker Shari Rosenblatt also created these adorable cupcakes

At one point, Nate's sisters took him outside onto the sidewalk, played Hava Negila on the portable speaker and lifted him up for the Horah!

As a surpise to Nate, school, camp and family friends who lived nearby stopped by for a quick socially distant Mazel Tov at the restaurant!

Everyone who stopped by got a t-shirt with the NSK sports logo. There were also logo'd sweatshirts and face masks

Party planner Carrie Herman came up with a way to use their "Save The Date" baseballs (which were supposed to be sent March 2020 to invited guests) - see next photo!

White cooler bags with Nate's logo were mailed or delivered with items you would snack on at a sporting event!

Also included were yarmulkes with hockey sticks and snack bags each personalized with logos

The popcorn was wrapped with info about the remote service

Mitzvah Mom To Mom Advice

“Focus on the true meaning of what a Bar Mitzvah is about and the importance of carrying on traditions from generation to generation.  Don’t get caught up in the details – it’s about the big picture. A party is always fun but the real focus should always be on the child and this transition in their life.”

Mitzvah Project

For Nate’s Mitzvah Project, he read books over Zoom each week to his brother Jaden and other kids at Jaden’s school, The Center for Discovery, a residential program in upstate New York for children and adults with disabilities.

Bar Mitzvah Vendors

Bar Mitzvah Service: Park Avenue Synagogue
Dinner: Farbrizio, Paola’s Osteria, 212-923-5820
Party Planner/Favors: Carrie Herman, Styled Concepts by Carrie Herman, 917-817-7506
Photographer: Frank Padrone, Full Circle Photography, 631-965-7741
Invitations: Greenvelope, 888-505-2588
Cake: Shari Rosenblatt, 516-996-4377
Decor: Richie and Artie, Lighter Than Air, 516-933-3210
Dresses: Nordstroms
Nate’s Suit: Barry, Lubin’s at Rothmans, 914-713-0300
Make-up: Taymour, 917-627-0081
Hair: Ryan Looney, 917-272-3818
Yarmulkes: Randi Lehman, That One Special Touch, 516-496-1025
Montage: Created by sister Zoe
Logos: Jim Wordes, family friend