Omicron and a snow storm did not deter one hardy Massachusetts family who celebrated Bernie’s Bar Mitzvah with sustainable décor and escape room fun! Warmth and love exuded through the screen as guests tuned-in for Bernie’s “love stream” service. Bernie and his dad Max strummed their guitars, leading congregants and guests in tunes from Bernie’s beloved summer home, Eisner Camp. It was important for the family to make the simcha as “green” as possible so they served Kiddush lunch on compostable paper products and decorated tables with edible centerpieces, including cookies, seasonally colorful clementine oranges and Rolo Candies (Bernie’s favorite). Grab-and-go lunches were available for guests who did not feel comfortable removing their masks to eat at the Temple.
Mom Bev is the founder and CEO of an App called Verbina, which the family used to gather video messages from friends and family around the world. Bernie received heartfelt messages from friends and family near home and as far away as Israel and India.
In the evening, guests arrived in sneakers and athleisure at Level99 in Natick, Massachusetts, where they enjoyed 2 hours of escape-the-room physical and mental challenges and snacked on treats in a private room.
Pictured (L-R): Sister Sadie, dad Max, Bar Mitzvah Boy Bernie and mom. Photography by Alex Wilson and the rest of the vendors are listed at the bottom.
Mitzvah Project
For his Mitzvah Project, Bernie honored his first cousin, who died of a drug overdose, by raising money for SOAR Natick, a support group for parents with children suffering from opioid addiction. Bernie and his family shopped for SOAR’s annual holiday gift bags for 10 men living in a group home on their recovery; packed and delivered holiday gift bags; and donated their leftover food from the Kiddush luncheon.
Mom To Mom Advice From Bev
“Be flexible, especially with the uncertainty of Covid and in our case weather. I shifted my focus to making sure our immediate family was healthy on the bima and came to a point that every one else present in the sanctuary was really a bonus.”
Bar Mitzvah Vendors
Venue: Level99
Tutor: Rhonda Magier-Cohen, Major Tutoring
Photography: Alex Wilson, 978-578-0976
Invitations: Greenvelope
Caterer: Franklin Caterers, 800-649-6826
Bar Mitzvah Boy’s Attire: Simon and Sons, 781-559-3212
