Bat mitzvah girl Lauren shares two of my favorite loves, so I was very excited to get this submission from Nathalya at NM Events and share it with you all! Lauren and I are both inspired by the Middle Eastern culture, and share a love for the hamsa, as you can see from both of our logos! And I am completely in awe of her photos and the story from her special day.
Photography by Dan Aguirre Photograpgy.
Lauren’s bat mitzvah was December 8, 2012, the first night of Hanukkah! The ceremony was held at the family’s synagogue in the morning with the bat mitzvah party venue at a different local synagogue later that evening. From Lauren’s Mom: “The theme Lauren wanted was “Middle Eastern – Lite,” which meant that there would definitely be the lamps, the rugs, tents and Middle Eastern music but allow Lauren to have the American music she wanted and the type of food she wanted to have with her friends.”
The entrance way was lined with large Moroccan lamps. “It was the intention that the theme be a generic Middle Eastern desert/Bedouin theme inspired from the parsha (Vayeshev) about Jacob, Joseph and his brothers in the desert that my daughter had read in synagogue that morning. However, I met a Moroccan gentleman with a business in my area designed to sell and consign Moroccan goods. Using his items worked great!”
We totally agree!
The principle colors were orange, red and green for the tablecloths. The family wanted warm, inviting colors for the cool December evening. The chiavari chairs were gold with an ivory cushion. The glasses had gold rims. Some tables had Moroccan lamps as centerpieces surrounded by small Moroccan tea glasses filled with orchids. Other tables had tall centerpieces with red and orange orchids and willow branches. Then votives in Moroccan tea glasses were lit and surrounded the tall vases.
The table numbers and seating cards were made to match the bronze/gold colors on the table. A stamp with a henna-like motif was used to stamp the cards, which were then embossed to give the stamp a raised effect. Purple up-lighting gave the room a fun yet elegant feel.
The food was a blend of Middle Eastern inspired food, traditional Chanukah hors d’oevres, and a variety of different cuisines
Since the bat mitzvah fell on the first night of Chanukah, the family lit the candles on the menorah.
Bat Mitzvah Entertainment
Scotty from Northern Lights Entertainment did an amazing job of making every guest feel comfortable and energized.
They also featured an Israeli/Arabic music segment, bringing nearly everyone to the dance floor to belly dance.
Father Daughter Dance
Lauren and her dad Alan shared a special moment in their choreographed father-daughter dance.
The family enjoys getting lifted on chairs.
After giving speeches and reading poems, her friends gave her a beautiful thoughtful collage that they made.
Bat Mitzvah Cake
The dessert was a 4-tiered vanilla cake with each fondant tier decorated with a Middle-Eastern theme. The cake was topped with a mosque top and a votive inside.
Bat Mitzvah Favors
A hamsa logo was specially-created to put on the pajama pants given to Lauren’s friends. The hamsa also carried over to the sign-in board and the logo on the bottom of the photo booth strip guests posed for.
Mitzvah Project
Lauren’s bat mitzvah involved volunteering with the local organization Cradles to Crayons which distributes clothing, hygiene items, books and toys to underprivileged children from birth to age 16. She and one of her classmates collaborated to hold a winter clothing drive asking for gently worn or new clothing, particularly winter coats. Coats to Cradles to Crayons paralleled the Joseph’s multi-colored coat in her Torah reading.
Lauren also took the initiative to include her synagogue community in the drive as well as our local dry cleaners whose customers were cleaning out their closets. The project was an overwhelming success. The entire family spent a Sunday morning at the organization sorting clothing, and helped 355 youngsters in a two-hour period.
Advice from Mom: Feeling a comfort level to discuss and brainstorm with one’s party planner was important to me. It was also important that she shared my vision for an elegant, warm and inviting evening.
Mazel Tov to Lauren and her family! Thanks to you and Nathalya from NM-Events for sharing your special and beautiful bat mitzvah day with us.
New York Jewish Parenting Guide- Bar & bat Mitzvah, Chanukah, moroccan decorations, jewish travel, photos, videos, hamsa, event planners, entertainment, invitations
Bat Mitzvah Theme: Morocco, Israel, Middle East, Hamsa
Colors: Orange, Red, Green, Gold, Purple
Vendor Credits: