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Best practices, tips and unique ideas for the BEST. PARTY. EVER.
Unique Candle Lighting Ceremony Ideas and Songs for Your Child’s Mitzvah Celebration
Want a bar or bat mitzvah candle lighting ceremony that stands out? Here are some unique ideas and special songs to consider.
The mitzvah candle-lighting ceremony is a fun and meaningful tradition to honor the special people in your child’s life. To recognize those who have positively impacted your child, the guest of honor may dedicate a candle to the individual (or group of individuals) and play a special song while the honored guests help light the candles. Not only does the candle-lighting ceremony allow for your child to turn the spotlight on their family and friends by showing appreciation for the impact they’ve had on their life, it also allows for a break within the party and helps create a natural flow and meaningful moment during the event.
Photo credit: Photography by Jen Davis - Princeton, New Jersey
It’s easy for bar and bat mitzvah candle lightings to get repetitive, so you and your child will want to work together to plan an extra-special ceremony that your guests will remember. Here are some ways to really wow your guests with a unique ceremony and mitzvah candle-lighting songs.
Unique mitzvah candle lighting ideas
1. Decorative, themed candle displays
Many mitzvah celebrations feature candlesticks in individual holders or glass votives. To make your child’s candle lighting ceremony more unique or on-theme, think outside the box and create a customizable display. Your guests will love looking at a stunning visual display of large letters with your child’s name or candle holders filled with things like marbles, gel water beads, seashells, or colored sand.
2. Sand pouring
Rather than lighting a candle, have your child give each of their honorees a designated glass or cup of colored sand. As each guest or group is called up, have them pour their sand into one bowl in the center of the table. This represents the unique bonds they share and all of their special loved ones coming together in unison.
3. Giant puzzle pieces
This option is a fun one for everyone involved. Set up a frame with a blank on a tripod for all to see, and designate a puzzle piece to each honoree. They can then come up and stick their velcro or magnetic piece to the background. The puzzle represents your child’s life thus far and shows that each honored guest is an important part of it.
4. Write a poem or perform a rap
Each person that you’d like to give the honor of lighting a candle during your mitzvah is unique. So what better way to honor them, than with a unique way of introducing each of them? Rather than a speech or story, you can take the time to make them feel special by putting together a poem or rap specific to your relationship with them. Not only will this make it more meaningful to the guest you’re honoring, but it will make it even more enjoyable to watch as a guest in the crowd, as there are many ways that you can go with the format you choose: funny, sentimental, etc.
Photo credit: Fotolux - Princeton Junction, New Jersey
Songs to play during your bar or bat mitzvah candle ceremony
The music your child chooses for each of their dedication candles can be deeply personal and special, but sometimes it’s overwhelming to choose a song. If your child is stuck, here are a few popular options for the different groups of people in their life:
Parents
Siblings
Grandparents
Aunts and Uncles
Cousins
Friends
Family Friends
Guest of Honor
Memory Candle
Photo credit: Dom Pierre Photography - New York
Venue: Rushmore Estate - Highland Mills, New York
A lot goes into making your child’s mitzvah a huge success. Start proactively preparing for this day with our mitzvah planning toolkit, complete with a realistic budget projector, a customized planning timeline, guidance on how to find the right vendors, venues, and so much more!
The Most Popular Bar & Bat Mitzvah Photographers in New Jersey
We've compiled a comprehensive list of the most popular professional photographer across NJ to document your child’s upcoming Bar or Bat Mitzvah.
There are countless event photographers in New Jersey, but not all of them have been hired to capture a bar or bat mitzvah. While any photographer may be able to capture the “party” segment of your child’s mitzvah celebration, many families feel more comfortable hiring a photographer who understands the importance of the sacred religious ceremony and is able to document it with the respect and reverence it deserves.
A seasoned mitzvah photographer will know the timeline of a typical bar or bat mitzvah by heart, so they’ll already know which traditions and moments to focus on, like the hora or candle lighting ceremony. Someone with experience capturing mitzvahs is also a great person to have on hand when you’re trying to get a group of excited teenagers to pose for those all-important family portraits!
When choosing a photographer for your event, it is important to do your research and find the right photographer for you, your child, and the vision you have for their bar/bat mitzvah! Your child’s mitzvah will be an important day for your family, and you want to make sure you have a photographer there that can capture all of the special moments that will undoubtedly happen during it and that you’d like to continue looking back at over the years to come!
There are so many New Jersey mitzvah photographers, that it may sometimes seem hard to choose or even know where to start. In our almost two decades of working as a mitzvah entertainment company, we’ve had the pleasure of working with many in the area and are often able to make suggestions to our mitzvah families! Because of that, we thought we’d make it easier for you by making a list here of the top bar and bat mitzvah photographers in the New Jersey area that we’ve worked with in the past and that we feel may be the right fit for you! Be sure to check out their website, look at their past work, and of course contact us if you have any questions in your search for a mitzvah photographer.
FEATURED NJ MITZVAH PHOTOGRAPHER:
Mazel Tov Studios - Manalapan, New Jersey
Mazel Tov Studios exclusively specializes in Mitzvah photography, capturing authentic and unstaged moments that reflect the true essence of each child's special day. Their experienced photographers ensure every cherished smile and tradition is beautifully documented, delivering nearly 1,000 unique images in under two weeks. With transparent pricing, clients can expect all-inclusive coverage, from temple ceremonies to lively celebrations, with no hidden costs.
NJ MITZVAH PHOTOGRAPHERS (A to Z)
Andy Foster Photography - Montclair, New Jersey
Using non-traditional angles, unique poses, and different lighting, Andy makes his photos and the subjects in them larger than life. Andy is best at capturing raw emotion, your chosen theme which you worked so hard on to showcase, and the biggest moments throughout your event.
Bart Gorin Photography - Millburn, New Jersey
With 30 years of photography experience, Bart has solidified himself as one of the top New Jersey mitzvah photographers. His portfolio, showcased on his website, is extensive and a great example of his work and style, which you can expect if you choose him for your event.
Bonnie Wireback Photography - Blackwood, New Jersey
If you hire Bonnie, not only will you be getting a photographer, but you’ll feel as though you’re gaining a friend through the process. She does her best to fully understand your vision before the event, so that you have photos you can cherish forever after it. Being a mother, teacher and mitzvah photographer, she feels that she has the skills and experience to get the best of your child when photographing their event.
Brad Photographers and Video - Wayne, New Jersey
With 40 years of experience and thousands of events photographed, Barry and his team at Brad Photographers and Video are ready to help your event last forever. Their team offers a large variety of options including videography, projections, montages, photo favors, and albums, making them a great option if you are looking for more than just a photographer for your child’s mitzvah.
Captured Event LLC - Scotch Plains, New Jersey
For Josephine, the creator of Captured Event LLC, photography is her life. She has photographed hundreds of events and understands the importance of executing the client’s vision while capturing their individual style. The only thing that exceeds her level of professionalism is her passion, and that is made clear in her many reviews about her work ethic and talent.
DR Photography Studio - Marlboro, New Jersey
David does something not many photographers do; he gives you all of the photos taken, not just the edited ones. This gives you the power to choose which photos you like and what ones you feel best show the memories made at your event. David also gives you full access to all of your digital photos for no additional cost, rather than charging you for prints, so that you can decide on your own what you’d like to do with your photos. David loves photographing and creating memories for his clients and by doing this, he feels that you will get the most out of his work and your special event.
Elena Mitchell Photography - Morristown, NJ
Elena Michelle may have stumbled upon photography at a young age, but that discovery turned into a true love of hers and has led her to become an award-winning photographer. Elena’s style is progressive, fresh and natural. She focuses on capturing moments as they happen, rather than staging them, to create genuine memories that her clients can look back on and relieve through.
Giulianna Marie Studios - Wayne, New Jersey
Giulianna isn’t your everyday photographer. She specializes in making you feel like you’re the only one in the room and captures memories that will last you a lifetime. Giulianna is the perfect mix of elegant, creative, traditional, attentive, and cutting edge, and this is shown in her portfolio of photos which you can view on her website.
Impressions Photo and Video - Marlboro, New Jersey
Impressions Photo and Video of Marlboro has covered more than 2,000 events, but the team still approaches each event with freshness, drive, and passion. They pride themselves on forming personal relationships with each of their mitzvah clients and bringing your vision to life with images captured from exciting angles with interesting lighting and perspectives. Impressions’ mitzvah coverage includes a religious session and coverage of the celebration by a two-person team, with no travel charges within New Jersey.
Ira Casel Photography - Millburn, New Jersey
Ira Casel has an extensive portfolio of bar, bat and b’nai mitzvah photography at a long list of New Jersey and NYC venues. As a parent who has made two mitzvahs, Ira understands and appreciates how meaningful and emotional this milestone event is. He strives to make the whole mitzvah process easy, stress-free, and fun for his clients, who often describe him as “the hardest working photographer that they’ve ever seen.”
Jeremy Messler Photography - Marlton, New Jersey
Solely a mitzvah photographer, Jeremy has learned a thing or two from photographing them over the last 15 years and having one of his own as well. Understanding the importance of the event and the uniqueness it has from others, his goal is to capture the essence of your child at this special moment in their life When choosing a photographer, Jeremey believes it is important to find a photographer that make the experience fun, feel comfortable, and provides a portfolio of past work that you can picture yourself in.
JKP Photographers - Livingston, New Jersey
Starting as a child photographer and later moving on to events and senior photos, JKP has years of experience photographing kids during important moments of their lives. Their goal is to empower young adults through the photos they take, and give them the confidence through their art!
Joy Yagid Photography - Mapplewood, New Jersey
Self proclaimed as a “documentary style” photographer, Joy loves capturing common moments in different ways. She always makes sure to find the joy in the event, not just capturing photos of who attended it.
Memory Creations Photography - Clifton, New Jersey
With photography, experience is key and Brian at Memory Creations Photography has plenty of it. With over 17 years of experience and hundreds of satisfied clients, Brian has a true passion for his work and the ability to capture special moments that can last a lifetime.
Mitzvah Mayhem - New Jersey
Scott Roth at Mitzvah Mayhem prides himself in being able to match the enthusiasm and excitement that kids bring during their mitzvah. Never putting the camera down, he always captures the important moments during your event. Although they have been in the industry since 2003, Scott never lets that stop him from staying fresh and appreciating each event for the new experience it is.
Mitzvahtography by Sharon Fullerton
Sharon shot her first bat mitzvah in the 80’s - not long after her own. She’s a recent mitzvah mom herself, and understands the emotions from both sides of the camera. As a mitzvah-only photographer based in Delaware, Sharon is in demand and regularly travels a couple hours in several directions – to Jersey, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Virginia. All her collections include free high-res downloads and print release for both her clients and their guests. There’s a reason she books up years in advance.
Omar Gonzalez Photography - Hoboken, Westfield, Montclair, New Jersey
Being a kid a heart and a self-proclaimed goofball, Omar feels that he has an edge when photographing teens at their mitzvahs. Having the ability to relate quickly to all ages, he finds it easy to capture the peak of emotion and find the greatest reactions.
Photography by Jen Davis - Princeton, New Jersey
Jen Davis is a master at photographing bar and bat mitzvahs. In fact, these celebrations are the only large events she photographs. Located in Princeton, Photography by Jen Davis offers a range of mitzvah photography packages to suit any family’s budget. Each one includes formal portraits, high-resolution digital files, and an album delivered after the event.
VeroLuce Photography - Montclair, New Jersey
Veronica L. Yankowski, founder of VeroLuce Photography, has been a professional photographer for over 25 years, capturing everything from breaking news to fashion shoots to family and solo portraits. Known for her soulful portraits, Veronica loves to do bar and bat mitzvah pre-shoots, where she collaborates with the child to plan a session around their mitzvah theme so they feel excited and involved. Then, she captures the day itself with style and flair.
We hope this lists aids you in your search and helps you find the right fit for your event! If you do decide to hire one of these incredible photographers, let them know Xtreme Event Group referred you!
If you’re looking to plan your child’s bar or bat mitzvah, Xtreme Event Group will take care of all your mitzvah entertainment needs. Schedule a consultation with one of our bar/bat mitzvah planning experts today.
The Best Music to Use for Your Mitzvah Photo Montage
If you’re planning a mitzvah photo montage for your child’s celebration, here are our planning tips and top-recommended music choices.
Many families planning a mitzvah celebration want to incorporate a photo montage into the evening’s event timeline. A montage allows your child to honor their friends and family that have been a part of their lives, as well as show how much they've grown.
The music you choose for your child’s mitzvah montage is just as important as the photos you include in it. While a soundtrack for your montage is optional, it can showcase another aspect of your child’s personality and set the mood and ambiance for viewing the montage. However, it can be difficult to narrow down just one or two special songs to play during this special part of the celebration.
Image credit: Tada Images / Adobe Stock
To help, here are our best tips for planning your photo montage, along with our recommendations for the best mitzvah montage songs to use.
How to plan your mitzvah montage
If you’re hiring an entertainment team for your child’s mitzvah, they will be able to help you create, edit, and play the photo montage during the event. Here are some of the elements you’ll need to consider when preparing your montage materials:
Photo selection. We recommend selecting a total of 100 horizontally-oriented, high-resolution pictures for your montage. This number of photos typically produces a montage that is approximately seven minutes long and is accompanied by two songs. Include as many pictures of your family and friends as possible — everyone loves seeing themselves represented on screen!
Photo order. The photos you choose for the montage can be displayed either chronologically or random. A random order can be a fun surprise on the day of the mitzvah, but choosing a specific order allows you to tell a special story about your child’s life. To organize the pictures chronologically, you’ll want to change the file name of each picture to reflect the corresponding order (i.e. 001.jpg through 100.jpg) before you share them with your entertainment team.
Montage theme. Some families select a visual theme for their mitzvah montage, which can make it a little more interesting and engaging to watch than a series of photos scrolling by. Some popular montage themes we help our clients create include traditional ones like Infinite Collage, Light Panes, and Keepsake, or specific ones like Life’s A Beach, A Wonderland of Snow, and Bon Voyage.
Music. Montage songs can be slow and sentimental, or upbeat and lively, depending on the photos you choose. Whichever songs you select, make sure your child likes and approves of them!
Our top-recommended mitzvah montage songs
Slow Music
When showcasing moments of growing up or reflection, here are some of our favorite songs to play.
1. Never Grow Up by Taylor Swift
2. Beautiful Boy by John Lennon
3. Better Place by Rachel Platten
4. A Million Dreams from The Greatest Showman
5. 100 Years by Five for Fighting
6. Just The Way You Are by Bruno Mars
7. Have It All by Jason Mraz
8. My Wish by Rascal Flatts
9. Girl on Fire by Alicia Keys
Upbeat Music
Not every moment of the montage is going to be sentimental. Here are our picks for fun and upbeat music to show the more playful side of your family and friends.
1. On Top Of The World by Imagine Dragons
2. I Lived by One Republic
3. Good To Be Alive (Hallelujah) by Andy Grammer
4. Best Day Of My Life by American Authors
5. Wake Me Up by Avicii
6. Can’t Stop The Feeling by Justin Timberlake
7. Firework by Katy Perry
8. Roar by Katy Perry
9. Story Of My Life by One Direction
Creating a photo montage? Get help from the mitzvah planning experts.
Music tastes are constantly changing, and you want to play music that is unique and special to your child. If you need help picking songs or putting together your photo montage, contact the experts at Xtreme Event Group for a consultation call.
How to Host the Perfect Hybrid Mitzvah This Spring
Looking to host a mitzvah with both in-person and online festivities? Here’s how you can host the perfect hybrid mitzvah this spring.
As the pandemic continues to change the event-planning industry, many parents planning bar and bat mitzvahs are deciding on hybrid celebrations to accommodate all their guests. This typically involves a smaller in-person event (often held outside, weather permitting) that is live-streamed for other guests to attend virtually.
As a premier mitzvah entertainment company, we’ve worked with clients all over the country (and the world) to plan virtual and hybrid celebrations for this important family milestone, even during COVID-19. If you’re considering a hybrid mitzvah celebration for your child this spring, here’s what you need to know about planning and executing the best party ever — no matter where your guests are located!
Image credit: Lisa Klein
What is a hybrid mitzvah?
A hybrid mitzvah combines an in-person celebration with an online gathering, accommodating both on-site and remote attendees. In addition to all the elements of a traditional mitzvah event, a hybrid event can also offer interactive virtual activities like real-time curated music playlists, photo booths, and video messages.
Since the start of the pandemic, Xtreme Event Group has been offering virtual mitzvahs that are fully online, allowing families and friends all over the world to safely celebrate their loved one. As smaller in-person social gatherings become safer, unique hybrid mitzvah experiences have been a go-to for families that want to engage both live and virtual guests simultaneously.
To achieve this, we work with a wide network of national A/V vendors that can facilitate an on-site technical experience while we operate the fun, interactive online elements. With this format, we are able to seamlessly integrate in-person entertainment with virtual fun for all your mitzvah guests.
Tips for hosting a virtual mitzvah
If you’ve decided to host a mitzvah with both on-site and virtual components, here are some tips to ensure the day goes smoothly and all your guests have a great time.
1. Test equipment/video before the event.
Taking the time to test any computers, audio/video components, or livestreaming equipment can help you work out any bugs before the big day. Xtreme and our A/V partners provide our clients with a dedicated day-of tech support team and recommendations, as well as a thorough rehearsal prior to the event to make sure everything is working properly.
2. Incorporate traditional mitzvah events.
Mitzvah traditions, such as speeches and the candle-lighting ceremony, can easily be translated into a hybrid model. With livestreaming and Zoom capabilities (plus a bit of rehearsal and planning beforehand), your guests can participate in the traditional mitzvah events regardless of their physical location.
Image credit: Jen Davis Photography
3. Include interactive entertainment.
Incorporating interactive entertainment ensures that both your in-person and virtual guests can enjoy the festivities equally. Curated music playlists sent to your guests, virtual photo booths and video messages, and interactive games and performances can be integrated for an unforgettable experience.
4. Work with experienced mitzvah vendors.
From contacting vendors, to setting up the tech, to ensuring guests are engaged regardless of location, planning a hybrid mitzvah can feel overwhelming. A team of trusted mitzvah vendors can help with planning, coordinating, and executing your vision for the day.
When you work with Xtreme Event Group, we’ll facilitate every step of the process, allowing you and your family to enjoy an amazing mitzvah without the stress of planning. We provide all the tools you need for a highly-engaging virtual celebration that can be held anywhere, as well as recommend local companies to help with the in-person celebration.
Choosing the right team for your mitzvah celebration will ensure a seamless and unforgettable experience for your child and their guests. For more information about our hybrid and virtual mitzvah services, contact us to schedule your consultation call today.
Event Spotlight: Josh’s At-Home Virtual Bar Mitzvah
To celebrate Josh’s bar mitzvah, his family threw an at-home virtual mitzvah celebration with the help of Xtreme Event Group.
For every Jewish family, a child’s mitzvah celebration is a momentous milestone in their young lives. It’s an opportunity to celebrate their child’s hard work, dedication to their faith, and maturity, surrounded by their loving family and friends.
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to put large in-person gatherings on hold, families like Josh’s have found ways to plan this once-in-a-lifetime event from the comfort of their own home.
Image credit: Matt Petit
With the help of Xtreme Event Group, Josh and his family were able to host a virtual mitzvah celebration (“Josh’s Nosh”) and have all of their family, friends, and loved ones attend over Zoom. Josh, his parents, and his sisters stayed on-theme by donning matching shirts, with “Josh’s Nosh” embroidered on the front.
Xtreme Event Group provided the entertainment for the evening, including a virtual scavenger hunt that Zoom attendees could participate in from home. Laughs ensued as guests raced all throughout their houses to be the first to present an item that matched hilarious prompts like “Expired Food” and “Whipped Cream.”.
Josh got the chance to see a new side of his family and friends, who committed to the challenge by doing wild tasks like putting on lipstick for the camera and smashing whipped cream on their faces (though he'd probably have preferred not to know who in his life had expired food around the house!).
Image credit: Mitch Messinger
Josh loved his special day, and the at-home virtual format provided the opportunity to create a truly unique and special event. Josh's parents were overjoyed, too, saying what they loved the most about working with Xtreme Event Group was "the level of customer care.”
“Maggie understood our needs for ensuring this family milestone was properly celebrated, no matter how many times we reached out,” said Mitch, who hosted Josh’s at-home celebration. “They were seamless and made the planning process easy. The scavenger hunt made all our guests feel connected despite being on Zoom."
As we pivot to virtual mitzvahs and events, Xtreme Event Group, has made it a priority to give our clients the same level of joy that our events had before the pandemic. With our limitless creativity and the ability to stream celebrations across the world, we can create a personalized bar or bat mitzvah that will help you and your family create memories that will last a lifetime.
Contact Xtreme Event Group today to schedule a consultation with one of our mitzvah planning experts.
Why Your Child's Bar/Bat Mitzvah Theme Matters
Your child’s mitzvah is a big day, and it’s important to plan a celebration that reflects who they are. Here’s why a bar or bat mitzvah theme matters and how to choose the right one.
Whether you're planning an in-person, virtual, or hybrid celebration for your child's bar or bat mitzvah, it's important to choose a theme that reflects who your child is. This day celebrates your child and their journey toward maturity and adulthood, and choosing the right mitzvah theme is an important part of that process.
Image credit: Jen Davis Photography
Why your child's mitzvah theme matters
A bar or bat mitzvah is a time to acknowledge all the effort your child has put into learning about their faith and to celebrate the person they're growing into. They deserve a party that lets them express their individuality to their family and friends while providing a truly memorable experience for all who attend.
Once a mitzvah theme is chosen, it sets the tone and aesthetic for everything else about that day. Your child’s theme can influence details like the entertainment and activities, how you decorate the venue, what the cake looks like, and what you give out as favors. A unique and well-executed theme will really stand out, and your family and friends will talk about it for years to come.
Remember, the more excited your child is about their mitzvah theme, the more involved they’ll likely want to be in the planning, which makes it easier for everyone else involved.
At Carson’s basketball-inspired bar mitzvah, our staff dressed in striped referee shirts to showcase the theme.
How to choose a bar/bat mitzvah theme idea
A theme can stem from any part of your child's imagination. If they can articulate it, there's some way to make it tangible and real at their celebration. The more specific you can be, the more personalized and special the theme will ultimately be.
The first step in determining your child's theme is to sit down and talk to them about it. Don't just assume what theme they'll choose based on their interests. You never know what they have in mind or how their hobbies and interests are changing.
When Xtreme Event Group helps clients plan the perfect mitzvah for their child, we ask them to share their child’s passions, interests, and hobbies as a way to identify a possible theme. Here are some types of ideas that usually start flowing from those conversations, as well as some ways to individualize them.
Entertainment
TV or film series (Marvel, Star Wars, Harry Potter)
Your child’s favorite actors and actresses
Broadway musicals
Sports
A specific sport or league (NBA, NFL)
Teams from one area or location (New York, Philadelphia, Detroit)
Music
Your child’s favorite artist
Your child’s favorite genre
Locations
Your child’s favorite city
A place they’d like to visit
“Around the World”/travel theme
Art and Culture
Fashion or designer brands
Art museum pieces
Other mitzvah theme ideas
Use your child or family’s name as word play
Your child’s extracurricular interests
Decades
Candy/sweets
Colors
Sammy’s travel-themed mitzvah cake
As we work with clients to determine a bar or bat mitzvah theme for their child, we’ll ask questions to get a better idea of what they like and what they'd like to see. To help, your child may wish to curate images that inspire them on Instagram or Pinterest, so we can get an idea for the aesthetic.
No matter what theme you ultimately choose for your child’s mitzvah celebration, make sure they're happy with it so you can go all-in on an unforgettable celebration!
Need help planning your child’s themed virtual or in-person mitzvah? Get in touch with the entertainment experts at Xtreme Event Group today!
Our Pivot to Virtual Mitzvah Celebrations: Q&A With Xtreme Event Group
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Xtreme Event Group made a smart and strategic pivot to virtual mitzvah celebrations. Here’s how we made the shift and expanded our client base.
This time last year, most families never would have fathomed throwing a Zoom mitzvah celebration for their child.
Many professionals within the live events industry thought the worst of the pandemic would be over in a few weeks or months and people would be back to having large gatherings by the summer of 2020. Of course, that’s not how things played out.
Based on the needs of our clients, Xtreme Event Group made a quick, strategic pivot to virtual mitzvah celebrations. That shift paid off in a big way: Our business not only survived, but grew in 2020, and the virtual format has allowed us to expand our reach beyond our home state of New Jersey to serve clients around the world.
In this Q&A, our founders Scott Present and MJ Navara discuss the changes we made to become a premiere global entertainment company and where we plan to go from here.
MJ Navara and Scott Present, founders of Xtreme Event Group
In the first few months of the pandemic, you made a quick and successful pivot to virtual events. What kind of growth have you experienced to date?
MJ: Being entertainers with a tremendous amount of experience in audio and visual production in a pre-pandemic world, the transition to virtual events was pretty seamless. As word started to spread about the unique virtual mitzvah experience we were providing, we saw a dramatic increase in clients looking for creative ways to still celebrate their child during this pandemic.
Scott: We’ve now surpassed 150 virtual mitzvahs attracting clients all over the globe, spanning four different continents. With minimal live events happening in NJ, our first quarter of 2021 is projected to be the company’s best Q1 in its history.
What was the transition like, going from a hyperlocal entertainment company to working virtual events all over the world?
MJ: We spent much of the month of April 2020 speaking to our clients, truly brainstorming and trying to understand what families were looking for. Our passion and desire to deliver remarkable mitzvah entertainment never changed, and we quickly realized that clients all over the world really just wanted the same thing during this time.
Scott: We are so incredibly thankful to be able to help families all over their world celebrate their child becoming a mitzvah. Over the last 10 months, we’ve learned so much. I'm extraordinarily proud that we figured out how to successfully create an organic and engaging experience that truly allows guests to feel a part of the celebration (as close to “in real life” as possible) and creates a true sense of community.
The Virtual Simcha™ by Xtreme Event Group is an all-inclusive, interactive and engaging experience for your family and friends that gets as close to live and in-person as possible.
What has been the biggest advantage of doing mostly virtual events?
Scott: It’s been incredible to be able to witness the impact we had had on so many families. We’ve seen many families at first saddened and disappointed by their need to cancel or rethink a live, in-person celebration for their child.
A virtual event can be more remarkable than one can ever even imagine. Families can invite family and friends all over the world to participate (when it may normally be unrealistic for them to attend in person). We bring joy, positivity, celebration to each and every event allowing the love to truly radiate through the screen!
MJ: As a company, we can now easily take our passion to other markets outside of New Jersey. In a relatively short amount of time, we built a solid reputation in major markets throughout the United States and Canada and have forged strong relationships with temples, event planners, vendors, venues, and clients alike.
What has your biggest challenge been?
Scott: With virtual events, you rely on so many independent factors that are beyond anyone’s control. We’ve helped our clients navigate through all of the bumps, hurdles, and obstacles that this pandemic has thrown in their way.
MJ: As you can imagine, life throws curveballs (well beyond anyone’s control), and we’ve seen it all during this pandemic. From severe weather causing widespread power and internet outages to family members get sick or contracting COVID-19, we’ve put in place systems, processes, and best practices to ensure a remarkable and seamless experience for all of the amazing families we work with.
Virtual events like Zoom mitzvahs are here to stay for now, but what do you envision for your business as the world returns to in-person events post-COVID?
Scott: Hybrid events are the future. There is really no reason why family and friends halfway around the world can't feel engaged or part of a virtual experience happening in tandem with a live event.
MJ: We constantly talk about what the mitzvah entertainment industry will look like over the next five years. One thing that we know won't change is society’s desire to connect.
As human beings, it’s our innate nature to want to hug, hold and embrace, so I don’t think virtual will ever truly replace a live and in-person experience. However, I think everyone now is much more comfortable with technology. Future live events will absolutely incorporate some form of a virtual component that didn’t exist pre-pandemic.
Ready to plan your child’s Zoom bar or bat mitzvah? Get in touch with us to learn more about The Virtual Simcha™ package we offer.
8 Essential Vendors to Help You Plan the Perfect Mitzvah
If you’re starting to plan your child’s bar or bat mitzvah, here are the essential mitzvah vendors you need to look into.
When you're planning a bar or bat mitzvah, you'll work with multiple vendors to ensure your child's celebration goes off without a hitch.
Here are eight types of mitzvah vendors you'll want to research as you begin the planning process, when to book, and what to look for in each.
Image credit: Jen Davis
Mitzvah vendors you'll need to plan your celebration
Venue
Before planning any other aspect of your child’s bar and bat mitzvah celebration, you'll need to know where you're having it. Research local venues such as banquet halls or hotel ballrooms if your mitzvah will be a more traditional affair. If the mitzvah has a specific theme, look for venues that could enhance it. For instance, you can host a sports-themed party in a premium gym or have your party in an art gallery for more creative themes.
When to book: As soon as you decide on a date / 12-24 months before the event
Entertainment
A world-class entertainment team can help bring energy and excitement to any bat or bar mitzvah. Their staff of DJs, party motivators, and emcees can liven up the dance floor or play games that get everyone involved. A great entertainment team means there’s never a dull moment at your child’s mitzvah.
When to book: At least 10-18 months before the event
Caterer
Many venues include catering options within their packages. However, if they don’t or if you want to use a specialized Kosher vendor, you can look into alternative options. Talk with your child about the type of food they want at their party and assess the guest list to choose meals that will please everyone. You should also ensure that the caterer you choose can accommodate any dietary restrictions or food allergies you or your guests may have.
When to book: 10-12 months before the event
Photography and videography
Such an exciting and special day in your child’s life should be captured professionally. Hire a photographer to ensure that every moment gets remembered. You can also hire videographers to record the event and edit the footage into a special cinematic keepsake video your child can enjoy for years to come.
When to book: 10-12 months before the event
Party planner or event planner
Much like any special celebration, you want to enjoy your child’s day and not worry about time management and curating all the details. A bat and bar mitzvah party event planner can provide all of the décor and coordinate with all your vendors, making sure no details are forgotten. On the day of the event, they can work with the vendors to make sure everything is set up and prepared, as well as move the event along so nothing is rushed or forgotten.
When to book: 10-12 months before the event
Photo booth
What better way to help your child and their friends document their bat or bar mitzvah memories than by renting a photo booth? Kids (and adults!) love capturing fun photos together, especially when there are props involved. The print-outs from your photo booth can double as an additional party favor with your child’s name, party date, and logo, too.
When to book: 6-10 months before the event
Stationery and invitations
Even in the digital age, nothing compares to a beautiful and elegant paper invitation. Your invitation suite serves as the “first impression” of your child’s bar or bat mitzvah, and it’s a great opportunity to showcase the theme and get guests excited. Choose a stationery company that allows for complete customization of your invitation, from the colors and fonts to the type of paper and included inserts.
When to book: 6-8 months before the event
Party favors and Swag
Every great party leaves their guests with a little reminder of the fun time they had. Countless companies can create specialized SWAG items like t-shirts, rally towels, and more with your child’s name, date of their bat or bar mitzvah, and a custom logo to match the branding and color schemes for your child’s celebration. Favors can be handed out on the dance floor by your entertainment team for a fun and interactive experience.
When to book: 3-5 months before the event
What to look for in a mitzvah company
Here are some key components to help you select which bat and bar mitzvah vendors to work with.
Investment. As with most things in life, you get what you pay for when you’re planning a mitzvah celebration—and as a parent, you want the very best for your child’s special day. Price and quality are often closely correlated, so you don’t want to skimp on the vendors that matter most. For your child’s mitzvah venue, entertainment team, and media team, make sure you choose a company that offers premium services and inspire confidence that they’ll make your event truly unforgettable.
Quality. All of your vendors should offer high-quality service and performance. Look at online reviews if available (and they should be!), interview your prospective mitzvah vendors, and ask if they can connect you with past clients for a clear picture of the experience you’ll have with them.
Referrals. When you're starting this process, you should first go to people who have planned similar events. Maybe your child raved about the DJ at their friend’s mitzvah, or a fellow parent was impressed with the photographer at their child’s celebration. Talk to friends and family who have hosted a mitzvah recently to see who they recommend.
If you're looking to host an in-person or virtual bar or bat mitzvah, contact Xtreme Event Group today. We’ll help you plan a one-of-a-kind event that you and your family will never forget.