Bar•Bat Mitzvah Spring/Summer 2017 by Cleveland Jewish Publication Company

Mitzvah Bar•Bat

BARBATMAGAZINE.COM

MEANINGFUL MOMENTS

SPRING • SUMMER 2017

INSIDE:

Advice for planning b’nai mitzvah celebrations that will allow parents to cherish – not stress over – the occasion

BIRTHDAY PA RTIES BAT MITZVAH S

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Mitzvah Bar•Bat

Spring•Summer 2017

CONTENTS

8 Mitzvah Bar•Bat

BARBATMAGAZINE.COM

MEANINGFUL MOMENTS

INSIDE:

Fantastic flashbacks

Looking ahead to the pages of this issue, editor Michael C. Butz shares his fondness for Looking Back

Planning tips from Northeast Ohio professionals about catering, stationery, entertainment and photography

Planning priorities

Bar•Bat Mitzvah // Spring•Summer 2017

Venue variety Selecting a suitable location is key to throwing a successful party, and Greater Cleveland is home to many great options

Great gifts From personalized products to ceremonial items, plenty of good options exist for finding the right gift

Experienced event planners offer insight into what to consider when preparing to throw a party

Extracurricular activities Following the ceremony, it’s time to celebrate, and some places help put the ‘active’ in party activities

40 28

Teaching mitzvahs Two longtime tutors reflect on their years of helping b’nai mitzvah children in Northeast Ohio’s Jewish community

Ask A Pro

Looking back Well-known Northeast Ohioans remember their bar or bat mitzvah

Advice for planning b’nai mitzvah celebrations that will allow parents to cherish – not stress over – the occasion

On the cover: Kyra Horvat hugs her mom, Darcy, during her bat mitzvah May 6, 2016 at Temple Israel Ner Tamid in Mayfield Heights. Photo courtesy of Palmieri’s Fine Art Photography.

SPRING • SUMMER 2017

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FANTASTIC FLASHBACKS T

Mitzvah Bar•Bat

President & CEO Kevin S. Adelstein Vice President of Sales Adam Mandell

his issue of Bar•Bat Mitzvah marks the start of my fourth year as editor of the magazine, and over the seven issues I’ve now overseen, the section that routinely is my favorite is “Looking Back.”

If this is the first issue of Bar•Bat Mitzvah you’ve read, well, Looking Back is the section in which we talk to public figures – rabbis, business and agency leaders, government officials – in Northeast Ohio’s Jewish community and ask them to revisit their bar or bat mitzvah. The features are often an enjoyable and entertaining mix of memories and Throwback Thursday-worthy photos, and they share a more personal side of people you may otherwise only read about on the pages of the Cleveland Jewish News. One of the most memorable bar mitzvah stories was that of Jewish Federation of Cleveland President Stephen H. Hoffman, who told us back in a 2015 issue of Bar•Bat Mitzvah that basketball legend Wilt Chamberlain was present for a portion of his 1963 bar mitzvah in Philadelphia. Who knew? A few more memorable tales: the way in which a synagogue building caretaker helped Milton Maltz, president of The Malrite Company, clear up the laryngitis he had the day of his 1942 bar mitzvah; the generous labor leaders who attended the 1970 bar mitzvah of Big Fun owner Steve Presser; and the nervousness surrounding the occasion recalled by former Cavs head coach David Blatt, who as a professional basketball coach (these days in the Turkish Super League and Euro League) stands in front of thousands of fans each night his team takes to the floor.

Bar•Bat Mitzvah // Spring•Summer 2017

This issue of Bar•Bat Mitzvah is no diﬀerent in that it contains four new and interesting recollections. Featured on the following pages are Lee Fisher, interim dean and visiting professor of law at Cleveland-Marshall College of Law at Cleveland State University; Jared Isaacson, executive director at Cleveland Hillel Foundation; Rabbi Yossi Marozov, executive director at Friendship Circle of Cleveland; and Lee C Shapiro, Cleveland regional director for the American Jewish Committee. Particularly inspiring is Shapiro’s bat mitzvah story. I don’t want to take away from her story by retelling it here, but I will say that I hope every child has a bar or bat mitzvah experience similar to Shapiro’s – and I hope you enjoy reading Looking Back as much as I do. Of course, we hope you also enjoy reading all the informative planning advice and helpful tips packed into this issue. From ﬁnding the right venue and planning the party to giving great gifts and seeking out interesting activities for the day, local experts weigh in to help ease every parent’s burden. Last but not least, if you missed any of those Looking Back features I mentioned, I invite you to give them a read. Visit barbatmagazine.com and scroll down to “Looking Back” to take a trip down memory lane.

Editor Michael C. Butz mbutz@cjn.org Design Manager Jon Larson CJN Managing Editor Bob Jacob Controller Tracy DiDomenico Manager of Digital Marketing Rebecca Fellenbaum Events Manager Gina Lloyd Editorial Ed Carroll Amanda Koehn Contributing Writers Sue Angell Hannah Edelman Digital Content Producer Lillian Messner Custom Publishing Manager Paul Bram Advertising Marcia Bakst Marilyn Evans Ron Greenbaum Andy Isaacs Adam Jacob Nell V. Kirman Sherry Tilson Design Jessica Simon Stephen Valentine Business & Circulation Diane Adams Tammie Crawford Abby Royer Yoda Newton Editorial Intern Reagan Anthony Subscriber Services 216-342-5185/circulation@cjn.org Display Advertising 216-342-5191 adsales@cjn.org

VOL. 141 NO. 15 CLEVELAND JEWISH NEWS (ISSN-00098825) is published weekly with additional issues in January, March, May, June, August, October, November and December by The Cleveland Jewish Publication Company at 23880 Commerce Park, Suite 1, Cleveland, OH 44122-5380. Single copy $1.25. Periodicals Postage paid at Cleveland, OH., and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER and additional mailing offices. Send address changes to the Cleveland Jewish News, 23880 Commerce Park, Suite 1, Cleveland, OH 44122-5380

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Spring•Summer 2017 // Bar•Bat Mitzvah 7

LOOKING BACK

Well-known Northeast Ohioans remember their bar or bat mitzvah

Rabbi Yossi Marozov

RABBI YOSSI MAROZOV Executive director, Friendship Circle of Cleveland By Amanda Koehn

he Thursday before Rabbi Yossi Marozov’s Saturday bar mitzvah in 1988, he made a special trip from his home in Montreal to the Crown Heights neighborhood of Brooklyn, N.Y. As part of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement, Marozov was going to be called up to the Torah for the first time by the leader of the movement, Menachem Mendel Schneerson, or the Rebbe. “It was something very special, it was magical to be so close to the Rebbe,” says Marozov, adding that bar mitzvah boys in the movement were able to schedule such visits. “We had to travel on Thursday to New York, when they read the Torah in the morning, and then we had to travel back to Montreal for the Saturday bar mitzvah.” Schneerson, also known as the Lubavitcher Rebbe, was influential to the Hasidic Chabad-Lubavitch movement and known worldwide as one of the most important Jewish

leaders of the 20th century. He died in 1994. Marozov, now executive director of the Friendship Circle of Cleveland in Pepper Pike, says not only was he in the presence of Schneerson at such an important time in his life, but the service actually took place in the Rebbe’s home. “This was within the year of his wife’s passing, so he was doing the prayers, instead of at the synagogue, he was doing it in the living room and dining room of his house,” says Marozov, adding that Schneerson had a following

Bar•Bat Mitzvah // Spring•Summer 2017

Efraim Tabak

of regulars who came daily to pray with him. “You can imagine how packed it is having 100 or 200 people wanting to pack into the small living quarters.” Upon his return from New York, Marozov says his bar mitzvah at Congregation Zichron Kedoshim in Montreal entailed the “usual butterflies,” but generally went smoothly, despite him being self-taught. Since Marozov’s brother had a bar mitzvah prior to his and they shared a room, Marozov picked up such lessons early. Moreover, with a father who is a cantor, the singing portion also “came a little more natural to me,” thus a teacher wasn’t necessary for young Marozov. “I remember the invigorating feeling of being able to do the entire bar mitzvah ceremony without having a bar mitzvah teacher,” he says. Moreover, he learned early not to be too concerned about any potential mistakes.

Above: Rabbi Yossi Marozov, center, celebrated his bar mitzvah with his parents, Rabbi Zalman and Chaya Marozov, in Montreal in 1988. Left: The Marozov family celebrates Rabbi Yossi Marozov’s son Shmuli’s bar mitzvah in October 2016. Back row, from left: Berel, Rabbi Yossi, Shmuli, Estie, Meir and Mendel Marozov; Front row, from left: Mariasha, Mushka and Chana Marozov. “Becoming bar mitzvah was not about the performance and how well you chanted and how few mistakes you were able to make,” he says. “We understood this is something that was deeply ingrained that you stepped up in your responsibilities, and now as an adult, things mattered on a greater level.” Marozov says although he doesn’t remember the speeches, he remembers enjoying a Shabbat party with family, friends and the community. More importantly, he remembers experiencing a heightened sense of responsibility that goes along with becoming an adult in the Jewish community. “In an observant home, the bar mitzvah ceremony is overrated,” he says. “The ceremony itself is nice and it’s a celebration, but the shifting moment is more the recognition that you have to take Judaism more seriously, or that there is more consequence and more responsibility.” BM

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From left, Jason Zone Fisher, Peggy Zone Fisher, Lee Fisher, Jessica Zone Fisher, Lee’s late father Stan Fisher and Lee’s stepmother Beverly Ludwig Fisher at Jessica’s bat mitzvah in June 2004. Lee Fisher

LEE FISHER Interim dean and visiting professor of law, Cleveland-Marshall College of Law at Cleveland State University

By Amanda Koehn

ee Fisher says when his two children, Jason and Jessica Zone Fisher, were bar and bat mitzvahed, he saw them “mature before his eyes.”

“It’s not until you actually see them on the bimah that you are moved because you do see a certain maturity and dignity that you might not have otherwise seen in your child,” he says. Fisher, who is now Cleveland State University’s ClevelandMarshall College of Law interim dean and visiting professor of law, sees his children’s bar and bat mitzvahs from a different angle than some Jews since he never had a bar mitzvah himself. Fisher grew up attending Suburban Temple-Kol Ami, a Reform synagogue in Beachwood, which didn’t do bar mitzvahs when he came of age. However, he did have a confirmation at the temple in 1966 when he was 15. Confirmations generally occur when one is a bit older than 13 and are done with an entire temple class at the same time. There also is no individual party involved and if there is any

celebration, it is typically one the class has together. “The difference is that the bar and bat mitzvah is very focused on the individual and obviously those who are being bar or bat mitzvahs are the focus of attention and recite extensively from the Torah,” Fisher says. “Whereas each confirmand speaks much more briefly and it’s not necessarily a longer service, but it’s a service less focused on any one person.” Of that day, Fisher remembers being the president of his confirmation class of 25 students. He led the service and read the longest Torah passage of the students, which he remembers to this day – the Shema from Deuteronomy, verses 4-9. “Although I value bat and bar mitzvahs, at the time I didn’t feel like I was losing anything by participating in a group ceremony in which we were all confirmed,”

10 Bar•Bat Mitzvah // Spring•Summer 2017

he said. “In retrospect, would I have liked to be bar mitzvahed? The answer is yes, I would have – but at the time it was not something I felt I was missing out on.” Altogether, Fisher says his Jewish upbringing, especially with Suburban Temple, influenced his lifelong value of tikkun olam. “I think, frankly, it had a big influence on my decision to pursue a public career in government because I felt that it was consistent with this whole concept of tikkun olam that I learned in Sunday school,” says Fisher, who is former Attorney General of Ohio and Lieutenant Governor of Ohio. While he says he was nervous at the time of his confirmation – he estimates 200 to 250 people attended the confirmation – Fisher found the whole experience “very moving” in a way that is distinct from that of a bar or bat mitzvah. “This was moving in a different way because you felt like you were part of a larger community,” he says.

However, when Fisher’s children, who are now adults, were bar and bat mitzvahed, also at Suburban Temple, he also remembers being impressed with how much Hebrew they learned and the degree of discipline it required, compared to his confirmation. “The nice thing about it is it wasn’t just recitation, they actually understood the words and understood the meaning,” he says. And Fisher was not the only one who saw his children’s bat and bar mitzvahs as special and unique: his wife, Peggy Zone Fisher, and her family, as Catholics, were also new to the experience. Fisher remembers how moved and impressed her family was at the ceremonies. “(Zone Fisher’s) family recited from the Torah during both Jessica’s bat mitzvah and my son’s bar mitzvah and I remember how moved they were by the service and how they came away feeling that there was nothing comparable in the Catholic or Christian religions that was as moving as that service,” he says. BM

LEE C SHAPIRO Cleveland regional director, American Jewish Committee I did not start out thinking that my life’s work and mission would be as a Jewish professional and yet I was always very connected to my Judaism and to a set of life values and dreams. I do believe that in speaking up and speaking out at that bat mitzvah – and making that connection and being part of a peoplehood and being part of a community – is very important to me and has become my life.

Lee C Shapiro around the time of her 1970 bat mitzvah in Stamford, Conn. Lee C Shapiro

By Amanda Koehn

hortly before Lee C Shapiro’s bat mitzvah, her mother needed to meet with the rabbi and cantor of her Conservative Stamford, Conn. synagogue, Temple Beth El. Her mother was concerned the 12 yearold Shapiro wasn’t doing well in preparing for the day.

She seemed to be studying and spending more time in lessons than her peers and seemed to worry about it – a lot. However, during the meeting, the rabbi and cantor just chuckled and asked Shapiro if she had not told her mother about her special circumstances: she was going to lead the full Friday evening Shabbat service, during a time – November 1970 – when girls typically chanted haftorah on Friday nights and did not read Torah like the boys did. “Because I opened my mouth, I led the entire service and the girls after that did as

well,” she says. “It was everything from beginning with lighting the candles, through all of the readings and the haftorah, and then you gave a little speech.” Shapiro, who is now Cleveland regional director of American Jewish Committee, says that experience of speaking out and acting on her ambitions was where her Jewish journey started. “I was annoyed that boys got to do things that we didn’t get to do and that was sort of the beginning of a journey that was both a Jewish journey and a life journey of connection and

12 Bar•Bat Mitzvah // Spring•Summer 2017

that bat mitzvah process,” she says. “I remember it like it was yesterday.” However, being such a leader doesn’t mean everything naturally aligned perfectly for Shapiro. Just a month before her bat mitzvah, she had her tonsils out and was worried she wouldn’t be able to sing on her special day – quite an issue for someone who already couldn’t carry a tune, she says. “I remember waking up in a panic in the hospital. I kept asking for the cantor because I needed to practice, because I was so nervous about it,” she says. Other details Shapiro remembers include the dress she wore, the range of desserts available afterward and the concert at her party. “I was wearing, like, my first adult dress and I loved my dress,” she says, adding that after the service, she had a dessert table at the Jewish community center next to the synagogue with “every dessert in the world.” Shapiro had the party for all of her friends the following Saturday night, where she says a close friend recruited her brother’s popular band to play as a gift to Shapiro. “It was really loud, it was noisy – it was really fun,” she

says. “It was really very special because my parents wanted the bat mitzvah to be about my friends and me.” Although Shapiro says she remained connected to her Jewish community throughout her life, pursuing a 25-year-long career in political journalism in New York City, she never thought she would work as a Jewish leader. “I did not start out thinking that my life’s work and mission would be as a Jewish professional and yet I was always very connected to my Judaism and to a set of life values and dreams,” she says. “I do believe that in speaking up and speaking out at that bat mitzvah – and making that connection and being part of a peoplehood and being part of a community – is very important to me and has become my life.” Shapiro says working and speaking out in the Jewish community now allows the path her bat mitzvah set her on to come “full circle” – and that day still makes her incredibly happy to think about. “I think it was everything that I wanted it to be,” Shapiro says. “When I look back on it, I’m sitting here grinning from ear to ear.” BM

Spring•Summer 2017 // Bar•Bat Mitzvah 13

Jared Isaacson with his sister on the morning of his bar mitzvah in 1982. Jared Isaacson

JARED ISAACSON Executive director, Cleveland Hillel Foundation By Amanda Koehn

ared Isaacson’s bar mitzvah memories go back months before the actual ceremonial day in October 1982. His lessons started around April of that year, and while many kids probably would have taken a short time off during the summer, at least while at Jewish summer camp, that did not happen for Isaacson, per his father’s wishes. “My father lovingly managed for me to meet with the cantor, who happened to be on staff at the summer camp, to give me additional bar mitzvah lessons over the course of the summer so that I wouldn’t lose traction,” says Isaacson, who is now executive director of Cleveland Hillel Foundation. “Which was in hindsight a lovely, great thing to do, but as a kid in summer camp, the last thing I wanted was to have bar mitzvah lessons.” Finally, after months more of diligent preparation at Congregation Beth-El, his Conservative synagogue in Montreal, the Monday before his Saturday bar mitzvah, Isaacson finally went

to the main sanctuary with his parents and the cantor and he stood at the bimah to get a feel for it. Although doing so was likely intended to ease nerves, Isaacson mostly remembers that he passed out. “I fainted,” he says. “I went to the doctor and it turns out I had some sort of flu virus. So I was actually home in bed Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of the week of my bar mitzvah, hoping that I’d be OK by the weekend.” By Saturday, Isaacson was finally somewhat well and returned to the bimah paradoxically with the sense of calm and confidence the traumatic earlier visit was meant to induce.

14 Bar•Bat Mitzvah // Spring•Summer 2017

“It was actually a very peaceful feeling for the whole morning, feeling very calm, somewhat confident and at home,” he says, also remembering that he wore his first fitted suit. Moreover, he not only read his Torah portion, but also led a large part of the service – also thanks to his father. “I can still probably sing the first couple of opening lines to my haftorah,” he says. After the service, Isaacson remembers several other details, including that his friends threw hard candy literally at him immediately after his haftorah, that he had a DJ in his recently refurbished basement during the party, and the movie – “Escape from New York” – he and his friends watched on a rented projector after the adults decided they wanted some time on the basement dance floor away from the kids. “I would say, looking back, it was probably not the most appropriate movie for a bunch of 12 and 13 year olds,” he says, citing violence.

As one of the oldest in his grade at a Jewish day school, Isaacson says he was one of the first to have a bar mitzvah, which had its benefits. “It was a good starting point because I really didn’t have to worry about living up to anything else yet,” he said, adding that it also let him get away with a lower-key party, citing little competition that far into the year. However, on a more serious note, Isaacson says that his bar mitzvah did impart a sense of adulthood. Moreover, since it took place at the same synagogue his parents were married in, with the same rabbi, it conveyed a connection to family and past generations. “Whether or not you actually become a man on your bar mitzvah, you certainly feel a sense of growing up or becoming a grown up to some extent,” he says. “My perspective especially, because I didn’t just do the bare minimum of what one might do for a bar mitzvah – my father pushed me to do more. In hindsight, I felt good about that.” BM

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TEACHING MITZVAHS Gadi Galili, right, observes as his wife, Ginny, and their twin sons, Ezra and Shai, participate in an October 2015 rehearsal for the boys’ b’nai mitzvah at Park Synagogue Main in Cleveland Heights. Michael Weil

Two longtime tutors reﬂect on their years of helping b’nai mitzvah children in Northeast Ohio’s Jewish community By Ed Carroll

16 Bar•Bat Mitzvah // Spring•Summer 2017

adi Galili insists every student is special and every one has his or her own story.

The 59-year-old has been tutoring bar and bat mitzvah students at Park Synagogue in Pepper Pike and Cleveland Heights for about 20 years. He might not always remember the names of the students he teaches, he says, but he definitely remembers their faces or what he taught them. “I’ve taught at least 800 to 1,000 students,” says Galili, a Pepper Pike resident. “A lot of kids. A lot of pleasure and satisfaction and giving back. I’m teaching and I’m learning. The kids are taking from me and I am taking from them, so it’s a very enjoyable process.” Galili says teaching allows him to hear and learn about the individual journey each student goes on, both in preparing for his or her bar or bat mitzvah and in life. “I am interested in this, being with them on the journey of Judaism,” he says. “I help them learn verses for their bar or bat mitzvah. They will forget maybe 90 percent of those verses a year later. It’s

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not important. What is important is setting the roots of Judaism in them, especially at that age.” Linda Wolfe has been teaching since she was 14. She began teaching Hebrew at Suburban Temple-Kol Ami in Beachwood around 1973 and a couple years later began tutoring for bar and bat mitzvahs. She says each student has his or her own individual uniqueness. “I’ve had students that moved in the middle of our preparation and continued tutoring over the phone because they felt we had a connection,” says Wolfe, a Mayfield Heights resident. One of the most special parts of tutoring Wolfe experiences is when she gets to teach children of former students, she says. “That is special to me because it means I was able to instill a love of Judaism and a connection to prayer and history,” she says. “And that their children are learning it now with me makes me feel very honored. I feel like I am continuing the tradition and actually instilling an important part of our Judaism and passing it on to future generations.” Galili says the most rewarding aspect of tutoring for him is the knowledge that the families of his students are happy. “It’s rewarding for me to know that the family, at least the parents or other family members, that all of them have a good experience,” Galili says, adding that the experience is far more important than the knowledge of what the bar or bat mitzvah student might be studying. “You might not remember everything you studied in college but you remember the experience, good or bad,” he says. “A bad experience you’ll remember for a long time. A bad experience shows you that it’s not for you, it’s bad, ‘I don’t want it,’ close the book on it, period. A good experience shows what the family wants for the student. The family might not really believe in God but they believe in community and that is important to me. I might see the students two, three, even four years after, and of course they forget portions of the readings, but they always have a good smile, a good memory from the bar mitzvah.” The children remember him, too. Galili says he recently visited Israel for the first time in 30 years and doesn’t know too many people in the country anymore. While there, he says he saw about 10 former students who recognized him in the streets and said hello. “I didn’t remember all of their names, as I taught them when they were 13, but I remember teaching them and I remember their parents,” he says of seeing his former

students in Israel. “We’re 6,000 miles away from Cleveland and I remember them. Then I come home and hear from the family ‘Oh I hear you ran into my son, my granddaughter’ – all kinds of things such as these.” For Wolfe, one of the most rewarding things about tutoring is being able to listen to the children’s stories. “Getting to know the children and their families, tutor(ing) them for over a year each time, really (getting) to be close to the children – they trusted me and we talk,” she says. “I have time to listen to their stories. Now, it seems like everyone is so busy. People don’t always take time to listen to the children, and especially teenagers, they always have something worthwhile to share. (It’s) nice to see them grow into adulthood, and it means a lot to me that they carry on and continue to study.” Wolfe also says the children’s experience of being able to stand up in front of their family, friends and congregation gives them a feeling of self-confidence and self-respect they can carry into adulthood. “I think it is so important to keep this tradition and to continue to study the Torah and live by those laws and rules that are relevant today,” Wolfe says. “I know my students are able to stand up and present themselves and lead an entire service. I have had some very shy students that thought they could never become a bar or bat mitzvah. They had wonderful success and realized they could sing – even the boys – and realized they could be loud, clear and confident. I’ve had a very good success rate.” Wolfe says she gets the children to start using the microphone as soon as they learn their prayers to get them comfortable. “I start right at the beginning, get them thinking they own that sanctuary,” she says. “It’s theirs and they’re comfortable. They usually read out of the Torah for a couple of months before bar or bat mitzvah and they can feel like that sanctuary is their home. So they feel they belong and can become closer to the Jewish community and closer to God.” In many ways, building and continuing the community can bring people closer to God. And while every student might have their own story, the stories collectively make up the community. Galili says he continues to tutor because it is important to bring the community to the next generation. “I am here because generations before me wanted to build a synagogue and community and that is why I am here,” he says. “We are a link in the chain and we have to keep it going. I didn’t create the Jewish community, but we are here tutoring to continue the great job for the next generation.” BM

18 Bar•Bat Mitzvah // Spring•Summer 2017

I am here because generations before me wanted to build a synagogue and community and that is why I am here. We are a link in the chain and we have to keep it going. I didn’t create the Jewish community, but we are here tutoring to continue the great job for the next generation. Gadi Galili, ritual director at Park Synagogue

David Tavens / Natural Light Studio Linda Wolfe with Ben Stager, whom she taught in March 2013 at Suburban Temple-Kol Ami in Beachwood.

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A lot of time and eﬀort goes into planning a bar or bat mitzvah, and along the way, many questions are certain to arise. Thankfully for area families, Greater

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Compiled by Reagan Anthony and Hannah Edelman

ASK A PRO FLORAL

HEATHER THOMAS | OWNER/PRINCIPAL DESIGNER | HEATHERLILY EVENT AND FLORAL DESIGN WHAT’S THE MOST IMPORTANT THING TO GET RIGHT? Hiring the right event professionals that will work together as a team cohesively to create a flawless event is the most important thing to getting it right. Many parents have an idea of what they desire for their child’s bar or bat mitzvah, but few are able to execute it. An experienced event designer will make your vision a reality, executing all of your ideas while taking the event to the next level by taking care of details you never thought of. Most of our clients place flowers in a high priority category. Flowers, if designed properly, have the ability to completely transform a space. They set the tone for the evening. It’s not just about the food or the entertainment anymore. It’s about creating a complete sensory experience for your guest, which they will remember for months and years to come. You can’t achieve that without flowers. After all, your eyes take the first bite.

WHAT’S OFTEN OVERLOOKED? The mitzvah planning process should be a fun and exciting experience for both parents and child. Throw out the terms like “this is typically how it’s done” or “should be done” or “we’ve always done it this way.” In order to create a truly authentic event, focus on creating a celebration that is true to your child and your family. You want the celebration to reflect their budding sense of style, interests and passions.

WHAT ELSE SHOULD PARENTS CONSIDER? Personalization, personalization, personalization is key. Lighting, flowers, décor, centerpieces, linens, invitations, favors and more – all of these areas offer you an opportunity to personalize or brand your event. Video montages over the photo slide shows or personal interviews are incredibly touching and a wonderful keepsake for years to come. A custom, colored, wrapped or even video dance floor is a piece of

20 Bar•Bat Mitzvah // Spring•Summer 2017

HeatherLily Event and Floral Design the décor and perfect canvas for personalization. Custom candy stations that include signage and your logo on boxes or bags gives the table a finished look. Custom Snapchat filters matching the theme of your event, logos or other verbiage are another option. The possibilities are endless. The difference between something good and something great is in the details.

WHAT TRENDS ARE YOU SEEING? We’re seeing requests ranging from circus, sports, graffiti and skateboard-themed to rustic vintage, a-life-well-traveled, under-the-sea, Paris, Hollywood and nightclub-inspired themes.

WHEN SHOULD PEOPLE START PLANNING? There are so many factors when choosing the right date for your child’s bar or bat mitzvah, including checking the school’s calendar, Jewish calendar, temple or synagogue availability, and navigating and avoiding schedule conflicts with family and friends. Decide what type of event you want, put together a list of religious and secular dates that you many want to avoid, then call an event professional. Some of the top professionals book 12 to 18 to 24 months out. Booking early and getting a head start will always benefit you, your event, and your checkbook. Winter is typically the least expensive time for caterers and venues. BM

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ASK A PRO CATERING

JESS EDMONDS | PARTNER + CATERING DIRECTOR | SPICE CATERING CO.

WHAT’S THE MOST IMPORTANT THING TO GET RIGHT? It’s important to let the professional do what they are best at. You need to give up a little bit of control to let the person you’ve hired do their job. I think it is really important to understand that we do this every day and we will sometimes get clients who insist on doing things certain ways or creating menus in a certain fashion. For example, in terms of how many items they want to offer. We have had a lot of experience doing things in all different ways and we have found that offering three entrées on a buffet might be too much food. Take the guidance from the professional you have hired and really rely on them with their instincts and experience.

WHAT’S OFTEN OVERLOOKED? I feel so often that clients will worry so much about what their guests will want or think about each person’s palate. They will not think about what they actually want and they will be so focused on what their guests like. I always try to explain, you know, the guest doesn’t think like you do, the guest is there to enjoy a good time and they are not going to be judging every minor detail. Clients will try to customize things so much and almost stress about it. I am always trying to guide them to pick what you like and know that since you hired an exceptional caterer, the food will be awesome and people will be happy either way.

WHAT ELSE SHOULD PARENTS CONSIDER? Realize how fast the time goes.

You plan these events for anywhere between six months and two years. Don’t try to squeeze so much in a small period of time when it comes to formalities. Formalities tend to push back logistics of dinner, which restricts time on the dance floor. Focus on the food, dancing and the fun. Don’t focus on too many minor details that seem like a big traditional thing but might take up too much time.

WHAT TRENDS ARE YOU SEEING? In the last three years or so, family-style has become a really hot trend. People are loving family-style and big communal farm tables. Guests love passing trays of food back and forth instead of being served or having to get up to go to a buffet. Interactive chef stations are big if you want a roaming station. It personalizes the experience and

Local artisan cheese boards with Spice Acres figs ZMEDIA / Spice Catering Co. adds interaction to make guests feel more involved.

WHEN SHOULD PEOPLE START PLANNING? Getting things booked a year out is so important because other people have the same things going on. You miss out on your first and second choices when you wait out. Book your vendor and caterer and other important things a year out and plan the rest the closer you get. BM

ASK A PRO ENTERTAINMENT

JEFF DICK | PRESIDENT | ZONE ENTERTAINMENT WHAT’S THE MOST IMPORTANT THING TO GET RIGHT? Have a plan and think it through. Most bar and bat mitzvahs have a group of 12- to 13-year-olds on the guest list as well as a group of adult friends and family. Pick entertainment options that will keep both groups involved. Think of your event in stages – different stages, such as cocktail hour, dinner and dance time. Keep your event fresh from start to finish – and keep guests on their toes – by offering new and exciting activities.

WHAT’S OFTEN OVERLOOKED? Ask your entertainment provider or party planner for a checklist at the beginning stages of planning and keep going through the list as your planning adventure continues. Clients often forget to add in party favors, novelties, sign-in boards,

memory videos and custom apparel until the last minute. Do not forget to ensure that you have the right amount of dancers or party motivators. Dancers do far more than dance – they are the catalyst to create interaction from start to finish. One dancer for every 20 kids in attendance is usually the best rule of thumb for a successful party.

WHAT ELSE SHOULD PARENTS CONSIDER? Build a core team of vendors you feel comfortable working with. These rock stars will make or break your event. Ask friends for referrals and do your own research when you attend events of friends and family. Choose companies that you know will carry out your vision of a successful event. You can ask one vendor you trust for referrals to cover other elements of your party. Many vendors work

22 Bar•Bat Mitzvah // Spring•Summer 2017

together on a weekly basis and can provide the best recommendations.

WHAT TRENDS ARE YOU SEEING? Not every event needs a theme. Many of our recent clients couldn’t decide on an exact theme, so they decided to go without one – and it worked! Another trend we have seen is extra lighting and special effects. Lighting can be one of the most prominent elements used to create high energy and excitement at your event. Special effects can increase dance floor excitement and create awesome photo opportunities. LED novelties that are wirelessly controlled to match the dance floor lighting and change color to the music are new this year.

Zone Entertainment WHEN SHOULD PEOPLE START PLANNING? Start planning as early as possible. Select dates can reach capacity 12 to 18 months in advance. Lock in your venue and entertainment early to avoid disappointment down the road as options become limited. Even if you do not have an exact vision, securing dates with your core team of vendors is always a smart idea. You can fill in the details later. BM

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ASK A PRO PHOTOGRAPHY

KAREN SNYDER | FOUNDER/OWNER | KAREN SNYDER PHOTOGRAPHY WHAT’S THE MOST IMPORTANT THING TO GET RIGHT? I would say making sure to really capture the essence of the bar or bat mitzvah. So that includes both individual photos with the bar or bat mitzvah teen at the temple, probably the detailed shots of the family with the Torah and also candids of the grandparents hugging or showing them being proud of their grandchildren, as well as the family at the reception ceremony, enjoying and having fun.

WHAT’S OFTEN OVERLOOKED? The connection between the parents, the family and the photographer in terms of the comfort level and making sure the personality of the photographer fits with the family. It depends on each family, but a lot of time they want to do portraits at the temple as well as having them there for the evening party. So since the family’s going

to be spending a lot of time with the photographer, it’s really important that they get along with and connect with the photographer because they’re going to be spending a lot of time with them. I really encourage families to make sure that they feel comfortable with a photographer.

WHAT ELSE SHOULD PARENTS CONSIDER? I think style is important is important along with feeling comfort with the photographer. So if they’re wanting a more candid approach than formal, also just asking themselves what they’re wanting, if they are wanting more traditional posed photos then to make sure they have time for that during the day. They can call or email or set up an appointment to meet with a photographer. A lot of times, photographers will let families know about a lot of packages. For my packages, they include coverage (how many hours they’re wanting). So that they

can ask themselves how much coverage they’re wanting during the day.

WHAT TRENDS ARE YOU SEEING? Definitely a lot of candids of the kids on the dance floor and the parents on the dance floor. A lot of times with different bar Paper Source mitzvahs and bat mitzKaren Snyder Photography is relatively new to vahs, they’ll have time Northeast Ohio, but Snyder has photographed for kids to be doing a lot many b’nai mitzvah families, including this one of different games and dances and then later on from Massachusetts. Karen Snyder Photography during the night they’ll involve the parents. During the cocktail hour, the parents Sometimes that can be a little will more have kind of their own bit too far in advance for some separate time while the kids are photographers. I think (for finding playing on the dance floor. photographers) a lot of times it’s word-of-mouth through photographers that their children’s friends WHEN SHOULD PEOPLE have used – and also looking in START PLANNING? Jstyle magazine and the Cleveland It’s generally a year out, similar to Jewish News, because photograa wedding. Sometimes they want phers will advertise there. BM to book two years in advance.

ASK A PRO SYNAGOGUE

PAULA BOTKIN | CALENDARING | B’NAI JESHURUN CONGREGATION WHAT’S THE MOST IMPORTANT THING TO GET RIGHT? This is your child’s party and celebration. It is their simchah; make sure you are listening to them. Your child is No. 1, listen to what they want and don’t want. The service comes from the clergy; some kids are able to do more than others. It depends on their level of education and how in tune they are to doing all of that. It is their day, for both the service and the party. Don’t plan a black-tie event if the kid wants to go to whirly ball. Listen to what your children want, if your child is dead set on doing one thing, don’t do something else. Don’t plan an elaborate party if your child is not that kind of kid.

WHAT’S OFTEN OVERLOOKED? Numbers are very important. This is in terms of the celebration and not really the service. Know who is coming and make sure you are communicating this number with the people who are catering and with the temple. Don’t forget to count your family and your child. If you have a brunch or kiddush following the service, do not assume people will not eat. It reflects poorly on the synagogue and we want to make sure all of your guests are eating.

WHAT ELSE SHOULD PARENTS CONSIDER? In some way, it is important to work with your child so that they want to have a bar or bat mitzvah.

24 Bar•Bat Mitzvah // Spring•Summer 2017

Not every child needs to get up in front of people and have a Saturday morning service. They can do a Minchah service on a Saturday or do a service on Rosh Chodesh. If a kid really doesn’t want one, then that would be a conversation to have with the rabbis. It is often a matter of how much a kid can do.

WHAT TRENDS ARE YOU SEEING? Parties are no longer as fancy as they were when some parents had their own simchah. Today, kids want more casual parties – they want to go to Cedar Point or whirly ball, not all of them want to get that dressed up.

WHEN SHOULD PEOPLE START PLANNING? We try to give dates out about

B’nai Jeshurun Congregation offers ample space for celebrations, as shown here during its Sesquicentennial Gala Premiere in 2016. Bob Jacob three years ahead; it depends on the synagogue and the class size. In terms of the simchah, start planning at least 18 months before the event. Start tutoring, plan your budget, and makes your lists and the big choices. BM

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ASK A PRO STATIONERY

MAGGIE FOSTER | ASSISTANT MANAGER + CUSTOM PRINT SPECIALIST | PAPER SOURCE

WHAT’S THE MOST IMPORTANT THING TO GET RIGHT? The most important thing to consider when designing your invitations is what you want to convey about your event. This is usually the first introduction of what guests should expect and they will use this information to plan accordingly. You don’t want someone to come to a barbecue dressed in black tie attire and vice versa. When it comes to ordering, it’s all about your timeline.

WHAT’S OFTEN OVERLOOKED? The biggest “miss” we see is that customers frequently do not know how many households will be receiving invitations. It is important to distinguish who gets invitations to the ceremony, kiddush and the evening party, or who might just get one or the other. This number is different than the amount of

individuals invited so it is important to keep track of all of the different numbers.

WHAT ELSE SHOULD PARENTS CONSIDER? It is important to think about the different components to each invitation. Sometimes it is easiest to order your invitations to the different weekend events, thank you notes, RSVP cards and any other pieces to your invitation together. It is also important to think about what information you need from the guests and what information they need from you. You can inquire about dietary restrictions or meal choices if you will be providing plated options, and all of this feedback can be added to an RSVP card. A fun idea is to ask your guest what song will get you dancing; this is a surefire way to get everyone up and dancing. In turn, driving directions for out of town guests can be

included with invitations. You can also include a link to your event website for more details for your guests.

WHAT TRENDS ARE YOU SEEING? The traditional invites have been replaced with colorful and modern options. Personal touches and unique styles are popular right now. Some cool examples are invitations that are shaped like travel tickets or passports. We also are seeing more foil in several different color ways such as gold, iridescent or silver. Bold typography and hand lettering is also trending right now.

WHEN SHOULD PEOPLE START PLANNING? Once you have all of your details, it is never too early to begin planning. Send out your save-the-

Paper Source dates between six months to a year ahead of time. When it comes to invitations, the best-case scenario is that you order everything about 16 weeks before the event. That leaves you with eight weeks to order and have everything be addressed so you can send invites out about six to eight weeks before the event. We suggest asking for RSVPs to be returned two weeks before your vendor requests them, giving you time to contact the people who did not respond. BM

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Sky Zone Cleveland

lthough most families can predict about when a child’s bar or bat mitzvah will be from before they are born, when it comes down to actually planning the day, “overwhelming” likely isn’t a strong enough word for some.

Of course making sure the child is well-prepared and the ceremony goes smoothly take precedence, but planning the whole party – including choosing a venue, music, food, plus countless other things – may be even more stressful on the parents’ side. To help foresee common issues and make the most of the day, two party planners – from distinctly different venues – discuss their party spots, tips and trends.

Bouncing around

PLANNING PRIORITIES Experienced event planners offer insight into what to consider when preparing to throw a party By Amanda Koehn 28 Bar•Bat Mitzvah // Spring•Summer 2017

Sky Zone, a venue that highlights trampoline-based activities with locations in Highland Heights and Westlake, offers those celebrating bar and bat mitzvahs a chance to get some exercise and play games during the special day. Trampolines cover the floor and walls, and games like dodge ball, trampoline basketball and generally flying into foam pits are popular attractions for kids and adults alike. Valerie Hurst, marketing director for Sky Zone Cleveland, says she sees a bar or bat mitzvah about every other week at the locations. “We provide the jumping and court monitors and everything, so we do the set up (and) we do the clean up,” Hurst says. Hurst says a key draw is that Sky Zone offers catering services for families to take advantage of, or allows them to choose their own, and has similar options for DJs and music, as well as a large screen to show photos or a film. Hurst says that families like the mix-and-match option in terms of activities, food, music and more. “A lot of people have requested our glow parties,” she says, adding that it is one of Sky Zone’s new features and glowin-the-dark parties are a popular trend elsewhere as well.

Setting your Scene At Landerhaven in Mayfield Heights, Michael Ferrara, event planner and designer, says he has such a “loyal clientele” that he is now planning bar and bat mitzvahs for kids whose parents he also planned the special days for decades ago. “We have to keep remodeling and changing and updating,” he says. “A lot of

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Sky Zone Cleveland that is done through décor and props, decorations, themes, as well as of course the evolving food and menu ideas,” he says, adding that Landerhaven tries to be a “one-stop shopping” experience in terms of food, décor and other party necessities. While Ferrara says Landerhaven is accommodating to any theme the bar or bat mitzvah boy or girl desires, in recent years he has seen a general shift toward more casual parties as well as a focus on sports, theater or travel. Even more recently, Ferrara has seen kids and families interested in incorporating virtual reality into the celebration, which can include trending video games and even VR goggles. He’s also happy to do an “old fashioned” party, citing picnic style, western themes or having each table have its own movie theme.

Amanda Lu Cates / Executive Caterers “We can do almost everything under one roof,” he says. “Frankly, it makes it so much easier for our customers.”

Planning strategies Both Ferrara and Hurst recommend reserving the venue before all else. For Sky Zone, Hurst says many people begin working with them a year in advance, although they are able to accommodate parties in shorter time frames as well, as long as it’s well organized. “If somebody calls us for a bar mitzvah, we will schedule the date but then we will say, ‘we really would like to sit down and talk with you about all the details,’” she says. For Landerhaven, Ferrara says that scheduling the event two years in advance is common practice. However, he recommends saving food choices and other details until about six months before,

30 Bar•Bat Mitzvah // Spring•Summer 2017

explaining that “the child is going to change his or her mind 20 times” on such details if they are given the option and too much time. In terms of food, Ferrara says that Executive Caterers is able to accommodate a variety of requests. He says that recently, vegetarian and healthy options have been popular, like large salad bars and sushi. He says some of his favorite catering options center around buffets or pizza stations, where the kids can choose any toppings for a personal pizza. “It’s fun to do stations where there is, what I call ‘audience participation,’” Ferrara says. Hurst also says that Sky Zone has caterers that they regularly work with, however, are able to accommodate any catering choice the family desires. She says in recent years, buffet-style bars with candy options for dessert have

been popular, as are specialty cupcakes and cake pops. “Two families had a specialty cupcake company that gave everybody a cupcake when they left, instead of having a big cake,” Hurst says. Moreover, both Ferrara and Hurst say that while there are always things that are forgotten or overlooked until the last minute, they are used to dealing with that, which is one of the advantages of working with a professional. “We are really good at last-minute stuff. It always happens,” Ferrara says. “If you use an event center that has the experience and has the knowledge and has the reputation of doing a professional, affordable and a polished job, what that’s going to do is make it very stress-free and it’s just going to make it a more relaxing, enjoyable experience for the parents and the immediate family.” BM

Celebrate Your Special Day at Hawken It’s all possible at Hawken. Our facilities easily accommodate gatherings of all sizes and for all ages. Hawken’s convenient locations and flexible offerings make it the ideal place for your Bar/Bat Mitzvah.

To schedule your special event or for more information, please call 440-423-2133 or email

reservations@hawken.edu

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Spring•Summer 2017 // Bar•Bat Mitzvah 31

New Image Photography / Bertram Inn and Conference Center

VENUE VARIETY

New Image Photography / Signature of Solon

Selecting a suitable location is key to throwing a successful party, and Greater Cleveland is home to many great options By Hannah Edelman

here are many ingredients that go into the planning and execution of a successful (and therefore fun) bar or bat mitzvah party. Preparing themed decorations, arranging and then rearranging seating charts to separate bickering relatives and selecting a caterer are all important for a smooth and enjoyable event. However, it’s impossible to host the perfect bar or bat mitzvah party without the perfect venue, and Northeast Ohio is home to a number of great options. One such location is Signature of Solon Country Club,

where a 9,200-square-foot ballroom can seat 500 guests and provides a beautiful view of the golf course, says private events sales director Melanie Roddy. The room comes equipped with two ceilingmounted projection screens, a

32 Bar•Bat Mitzvah // Spring•Summer 2017

built-in hardwood dance floor and two fully stocked bars. There is also a pre-function space for a cocktail hour outside of the ballroom.

“It’s very versatile. The ballroom is essentially a blank canvas, you can turn it into anything that you want,” Roddy says.

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Spring•Summer 2017 // Bar•Bat Mitzvah 33

New Image Photography / Signature of Solon

New Image Photography / Bertram Inn and Conference Center

Parties can bring their own entertainment, decorators and florists. She adds that the neutral color palette of the room looks amazing with decorations of all colors. Signature of Solon also provides its own catering service with a banquet kitchen connected to the ballroom for fresh cooking and fast service. However, because the kitchen is not kosher, outside kosher catering is allowed. “That’s our trifecta: it’s a beautiful space, phenomenal service and excellent food,” Roddy says. The venue should be booked at least a year in advance and is available to non-members as well. Hosts can access the room as early as 7 a.m. the day of the party to set up, and parties typically end at midnight. For smaller parties of 185 people or fewer, the ballroom can be divided in half. Smaller parties may also find their perfect fit at the Bertram Inn and Confer-

ence Center in Aurora. This “well-kept secret” offers three ballrooms of varying sizes as well as an amphitheater and outdoor spaces, says Victoria Hudson, director of sales. The smallest ballroom has a capacity of 150 guests, and the larg-

34 Bar•Bat Mitzvah // Spring•Summer 2017

est accommodates 350 with a dance floor. “We have vast facilities that people aren’t aware of,” she says. “With the phenomenal amount of space we have, you can create an experience unlike anything else.”

Past parties at Bertram Inn and Conference Center have had creative themes such as a luau and an arcade using the hotel’s game room. Guests have also shown movies in the amphitheater, brought bounce houses into the

ballroom and served meals at the two award-winning on-site restaurants. Although the kitchen isn’t kosher, third-party caterers are allowed and can even rent the kitchen attached to one of the ballrooms. Hudson recalls that previous parties have even koshered and blessed the kitchen to prepare their food while observing dietary laws. “We are committed to excellent service, great food and an excellent experience that everyone will be amazed by,” Hudson says. “We can accommodate just about anything.” Hudson also stresses the importance of the venue’s location and atmosphere. As an inn, the building has 224 rooms perfect for out-of-town guests to stay in. There’s even an outdoor pool and a getaway cottage. “You’ve got just such a unique and beautiful background,” Hudson says. “You’re nestled in the woods. You’re sort of away from everything and close to everything at the same time.” Guests are fewer than 20 minutes away from attractions like the Hard Rock Rocksino, outlet malls and Tinker Creek nature reserve, perfect for fun between events for out-of-towners. “We just have lots and lots to offer for the area that I think has been a well-kept secret over the years,” Hudson says. So whether you’re looking to host an all-out dance party or a more intimate gathering, look no farther than Solon or Aurora. The best bar or bat mitzvah party for you and your child may be closer to home than you realize. BM

Skylar's Bat Mitzvah “I’d be thrilled to work with you again. I’m really impressed with your artistic [origami] skills as well as your ability to engage with the kids.” Rachel Hoffberger - Plan It Perfect Events Baltimore, Maryland

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Spring•Summer 2017 // Bar•Bat Mitzvah 35

Carl Feather / Adventure Zone Family Fun Center

EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

Following the ceremony, it’s time to celebrate, and some places help put the ‘active’ in party activities

By Hannah Edelman and Michael C. Butz

he most important part of a bar or bat mitzvah party is arguably the activities. Sure, good food and great company are integral components, but one can only revisit the buffet and retell the same stories to distant out-of-town relatives before boredom settles in. This disinterest can be easily combatted by the addition of fun activities in which all guests can participate. Although many bar and bat mitzvah parties have veered toward the recent dance party trend, why not have the best of both worlds? Zip City in Streetsboro offers a 1,200-square-foot mezzanine perfect for a DJ and a dance

floor in addition to its indoor zip line and trampoline park. “It’s definitely more of an active type of party as opposed to standard dinner and dancing, says Lauren Klein, director of marketing and special events at Zip City. “Kids really like that,

36 Bar•Bat Mitzvah // Spring•Summer 2017

it’s a good switch up from more traditional events.” The venue even comes equipped with a state-of-theart sound system that plays throughout the entire facility, flat-screen TVs and a giant projection screen perfect for viewing bar and bat mitzvah videos. Parties can reserve the entire facility and staff for four hours of fun at the zip line and trampoline park, which includes five zip lines, an open jump area, trampoline basketball and dodge ball courts, and a foam pit. Guests both young and old can also access the rock wall and arcade area.

“We see these kids walk through the door and they’re in athletic clothes and they’re totally relaxed and so excited to get in there and have fun rather than just dinner and dancing,” Klein says. “We have a really nice atmosphere.” Parties come with unlimited fountain drinks and bottled water, and third-party caterers are welcome. “We’re really flexible. You can bring in anybody,” Klein says. Past parties have brought in everything from casual buffet platters to high-class food trucks. Bars and high top tables can be set up around the facility for eating and mingling.

Gena Page Photography

Bonnie Davis Catering Experience A Great Party!

Any Menu Any Place Any Time The Marderstein Family

Join us for Simchas AT B’NAI JESHURUN

Make your simcha come to life in our awe-inspiring sanctuary, our intimate chapel or outside in one of our beautiful courtyards. Our exceptional clergy and friendly staff look forward to helping you plan and commemorate your family’s life cycle events.

• Beautiful indoor & outdoor facilities for celebrating, eating & dancing • Streaming video and keepsake DVD of your special event • Kosher kitchen on-site

Contact Paula to plan your B’nai Jeshurun event:

216-831-6555, ext. 109

www.bnaijeshurun.org 27501 Fairmount Blvd., Pepper Pike, OH 44124

In the lifetime of a Jewish family there is so much to celebrate. Whether you are a young adult becoming a Bar or Bat Mitzvah, a couple preparing for marriage, a family with small children looking ahead to religious school, or an adult wanting to renew or build a connection to a synagogue community, The Temple provides that special place. Become a part of The Temple family and celebrate with us. For information, contact Allison Shippy, Director of Member Services at (216)455-1703 or ashippy@ttti.org.

THE TEMPLE -TIFERETH ISRAEL 26000 Shaker Boulevard, Beachwood 216-831-3233 • www.ttti.org

An award winning caterer for your

Bar/Bat Mitzvah, , Wedding, or any occasion

Kosher Catering available at • Park Synagogue • B’nai Jeshurun Designated Caterers • Fairmount Temple Also, other synagogues • Temple Emanuel • Suburban Temple • Private Homes

(216) 831-7909

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-Rabbi Robert Nosanchuk, and Rabbi Joshua Caruso Sarah Sager, Cantor and Rabbi Joshua Caruso Cantor Sarah Sager Cantor Sarah Sager Jordana Chernow-Reader, and Rabbi Joshua Caruso and Rabbi Joshua Caruso Rabbi-Educator

FAIRMOUNT TEMPLE’S CLERGY FAIRMOUNT TEMPLE’S CLERGY FAIRMOUNT TEMPLE’S CLERGY partner with students and families, meetFAIRMOUNT TEMPLE’S CLERGY partner with students and families, partner with students andmaking families, meetFAIRMOUNT TEMPLE’S CLERGY ing you where you are, a meetdifferFAIRMOUNT TEMPLE’S CLERGY partner with students and families, meeting youyou where you are, making a adiffering where you are, making differpartner students and families, meetence inwith your lives and our community. ing where you are, making differpartner with students anda adifference inyou your lives and our community. ence in your lives and our community. ing you where you are, making ence in your lives and our community. families, meeting youcommunity. where you ence in your livesTHE and our JOIN JOURNEY. JOIN JOURNEY. JOIN THE JOURNEY. are, making aTHE diff erence in your JOIN THE JOURNEY. JOIN JOURNEY. Want to learnTHE more about lifelong learnlives and our community. Want to learnmore more about lifelong learnWant learn about lifelong learning, toprayer and social action with us, Want to learnand more about lifelong learning, social action with us, Want toprayer learn more aboutaction lifelong learning, prayer and social with us, contact Steve Borstein, 216-464-1330 or Want toSteve learn more about ing, prayer and social 216-464-1330 action with us, contact Borstein, ing, prayer and social 216-464-1330 action with us, Sborstein@fairmounttemple.org. contact Steve Borstein, oror contact Steve Borstein, 216-464-1330 lifelong learning, and oror Sborstein@fairmounttemple.org. contact Steve Borstein,prayer 216-464-1330 Sborstein@fairmounttemple.org. Sborstein@fairmounttemple.org. Sborstein@fairmounttemple.org. social action with us, or about

our First Year Voluntary Dues for the unaffiliated, contact Steve Borstein, 216-464-1330 or Sborstein@fairmounttemple.org.

ANSHE CHESED FAIRMOUNT TEMPLE ANSHEBlvd., CHESED FAIRMOUNT TEMPLE 23737 Fairmount Beachwood, OH 44122 216-464-1330 CHESED FAIRMOUNT TEMPLE 23737ANSHE Fairmount Blvd., Beachwood, 216-464-1330 ANSHE CHESED FAIRMOUNT TEMPLE www.fairmounttemple.org (for more info. andOH live44122 streaming of Shabbat Services) ANSHE CHESED FAIRMOUNT TEMPLE 23737 Fairmount Blvd., Beachwood, OH 44122 216-464-1330 23737 Fairmount Blvd., Beachwood, OH 44122 216-464-1330 www.fairmounttemple.org (for more info. and live streaming of Shabbat Services) 23737 Fairmount(for Blvd., Beachwood, OH 44122 216-464-1330 www.fairmounttemple.org more info. and live streaming of Shabbat www.fairmounttemple.org (for more info. and live streaming of ShabbatServices) Services) www.fairmounttemple.org (for more info. and live streaming of Shabbat Services)

ANSHE CHESED FAIRMOUNT TEMPLE

23737 Fairmount Blvd., Beachwood, OH 44122

216-464-1330

www.fairmounttemple.org (for more info. and live streaming of Shabbat Services)

Spring•Summer 2017 // Bar•Bat Mitzvah 37

216 Photography / Zip City

Carl Feather / Adventure Zone Family Fun Center Klein recommends reserving the facility at least six months in advance, but if there is a last-minute change and the facility is available, it can still be booked. Is your child instead interested in getting a taste of outdoor excitement for his or her party? Then Adventure Zone Family Fun Center in Geneva-on-the-Lake might be the place. Visitors to this seasonal destination – it opens beginning in May – can zoom around an open-air Go Cart track, descend from a zip line 60 feet up in the air, plummet 45 feet from that same platform in a free-fall drop (new in 2017), conquer the climbing and rappelling walls, jump to new heights while harnessed in the Bungy Tramp, and soak friends and family while motoring around in bumper boats. “We’re the only family entertainment center, basically, between Cleveland and Erie, Pa.,” says Doniella Winchell, a partner at Adventure Zone. Adventure Zone is also home to a large arcade, which is unique in that it operates on a quarter-based system rather than tokens or cards, which Winchell says makes it a better value. Another value: Adventure Zone’s prizes generally require fewer tickets to take home. “I won’t denigrate any competitors, but our prizes are significantly more valuable than most of the national chains,” she says, adding that other traditional family entertainment center attractions at Adventure Zone include miniature golf and batting cages. For younger party attendees, there’s a merry-go-round as well as the Kids’ Krawl, a labyrinthine network of tubes, slides, netting and crawl spaces to explore. “McDonald’s has those little play lands – ours is like that on steroids,” Winchell says. “It’s huge.” With plenty of seating and scenery that provide for grandparents who prefer to watch the action, lodges to accommodate large groups of people, and catering options that include in-house service or allow people to bring their own food, Adventure Zone aims to meet partygoers’ needs. “We’re very focused on providing a positive experience,” Winchell says. BM

38 Bar•Bat Mitzvah // Spring•Summer 2017

216 Photography / Zip City

An Unrivaled Setting For Bar / Bat Mitzvah Events

An Unrivaled Setting For Bar / Bat Mitzvah Events An Unrivaled Setting For Bar / Bat Mitzvah Events

In the lifetime of a Jewish family there is so much to celebrate. Whether you are a young Guests can enjoy: 225 luxuriously appointed Guest Rooms and adult becoming a Bar or Bat Mitzvah, a couple The Leopard, a fine-dining Hospitality Suites. preparing for marriage, a family with small restaurant rated Four Diamonds Multiple Ballrooms to accommodate 30-500 children looking ahead to religious school, or by AAA Experienced Event Coordinators to assist with an adult wanting to renew or build a connection Gamecan room Guests enjoy: theme in choosing individual room design, color 225 luxuriously appointed Guest Rooms and to a synagogue community, The Temple provides Sushi bar schemes and menus The Leopard, a fine-dining that special place. Become a part of The Temple Hospitality Suites. restaurant rated Four Diamonds Paws casual restaurant Special Rates for Overnight Guests MultipleGroup Ballrooms to accommodate 30-500 family and celebrate with us. by AAA Kosher Catering available Experienced Event Coordinators to assist with Free Parking For information, contact Allison Shippy, Director of Guests enjoy: Gamecan room 225 Roomscolor and themeluxuriously in choosingappointed individualGuest room design, Member Services at 216.455.1703 or ashippy@ttti.org. Guests The a fine-dining can SushiLeopard, bar enjoy: schemes and menus Hospitality Suites. 225 luxuriously appointed Guest Rooms and restaurant rated Four Diamonds The a fine-dining PawsLeopard, casual restaurant Multiple Ballrooms to accommodate Special Group Rates for Overnight 30-500 Guests Hospitality Suites. by AAA rated Four Diamonds Experienced Event Coordinators to assist with restaurant Free Parking Kosher Ballrooms Catering available Multiple to accommodate 30-500 Game AAAroom theme in choosing individual room design, colorwith by Experienced Event Coordinators to assist Sushi schemes menus Gamebar room theme in and choosing for a personal touchindividual room design, color Paws Special Rates for Overnight Guests Sushi casual bar restaurant schemesGroup and menus Free Parking Kosher Catering available Paws casual restaurant Special Group Rates for Overnight Guests Free Parking Kosher Catering available Jack and Lilyan Mandel Building Inn & Conference Center 600 N. Aurora Rd. • Aurora, Ohio 44202 Toll free600 (877) 995-0200 • Road www.thebertraminn.com N.Aurora z Aurora,Ohio 44202

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Toll Free (877) 995-0200 z www.thebertraminn.com Inn & Conference Center 600 N.Aurora Road z Aurora,Ohio 44202 Toll Free (877) 995-0200 z www.thebertraminn.com Inn & Conference Center Inn & Conference Center

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Spring•Summer 2017 // Bar•Bat Mitzvah 39

Ceremonial items are among the gifts available at the Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage. Samantha Salkin

W GREAT

GIFTS

From personalized products to ceremonial items, plenty of good options exist for finding the right gift By Sue Angell

hen it comes to rites of passage, a bar or bat mitzvah is significant for the celebrant. And what better way to acknowledge a young person’s hard work than to offer a gift to mark the occasion? But the gift you choose doesn’t have to break the bank – sometimes, simple (and thoughtful) is best. “You’ll want to make the gift personal, so it is a keeper,” says Rita Sachs, co-owner of Mulholland & Sachs in Woodmere. “You want to give a memorable item.” One of her favorite recommendations for both girls and boys is personalized stationery and thank you cards, which are printed on demand. Sachs recommends either monogramming or imprinting these items with the child’s name. The gift is two-fold – it’s something the child will be able to use for a long time, but it also teaches them to sit down with a pen and paper to write a letter or thank you message. A cheerful accompaniment to stationery are acrylic desk trays that come in a variety of sizes and colors. Sachs recommends putting a child’s name or monogram on the tray, too, so that they can proudly display

40 Bar•Bat Mitzvah // Spring•Summer 2017

it on their desk. And at $18 a tray, this personalized gift is very affordable to give if you have been invited to attend multiple celebrations. But if a relative or close family friend wishes to spend more, Sachs suggests buying a small gift (such as a cosmetic bag, for girls), and then putting a gift card inside. “It makes the presentation that much nicer,” she says. At the other end of the gift-giving spectrum are ceremonial items, such as a mezuzah, menorah or kiddush cup (for celebrants of either gender), or a tallit for a boy and a set of Shabbat candlesticks for a girl. “A child will have these items for the rest of his or her life and will use them often,” says Helen Fineberg, store manager at the Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage in Beachwood. She says it’s not unusual for grandparents to give such a special item to a grandchild, although the museum sells

items ranging from the traditional to the contemporary. “It’s a very personal decision when you are considering what to give for this occasion,” she says. Fineberg says that some of her favorite gift ideas include a book specifically for girls, “Today I Am a Woman,” which relates stories of b’not mitzvah around the globe, or “The Jewish Book of Why,” for children of either gender. The museum also carries the Great Jews series, which connects readers to prominent Jewish athletes, entertainers and musicians. “These books are a great way to explore the culture further,” she says. Whatever you choose to give, the price can vary tremendously. That’s why both Mulholland & Sachs and the Maltz Museum strive to provide choices at all price points. “As a store owner, I feel it is one of my responsibilities to offer my customers a range of items that look good and are always nicely wrapped,” Sachs says. “It should be up to the giver to decide what to spend.” BM

Personalized cosmetic bags and acrylic trays are gifts available from Mulholland & Sachs. Kim Ponsky Photography

Celebrate With Us! Let Us Create Your Perfect Event Together! Relax, Enjoy & Allow Our Staff To Showcase Your Vision Of This Very Special Occasion. Shabbat Dinner • Bar/Bat Mitzvah Family Brunch • Weddings & Showers Conveniently located on Chagrin Boulevard Personalized Menus

The Cleveland Racquet Club www.clevelandracquet.com Sheryl Hersch, Manager Food and Beverage 216-831-2155 ext 120 sheryl.hersch@clevelandracquet.com

Spring•Summer 2017 // Bar•Bat Mitzvah 41

DEALING DOLLARS WITH

Monetary gifts can open the door to important conversations about ﬁnancial decision-making By Ed Carroll

child’s bar or bat mitzvah might mark more than the child becoming an adult in the Jewish community, it might mean the first time in his or her life a child will have a significant amount of money, thanks to gifts from family and friends. Deciding what to do with that money can be a big choice in the child’s life thus far, and it’s important to have a discussion to determine what the goals should be for using that money.

If there isn’t an immediate need for the money, Rob Soroka, senior vice president and retail group manager at Fifth Third Bank, says saving and investing might be the best use for it. “This may be the first time your child has received a large sum of money, so it’s an ideal time to discuss how to make sound financial decisions and reinforce needs versus wants,” Soroka says. “Sound financial management is integral to success in life and it’s important to start off on the right path.” Todd Hays, regional bank executive for First National Bank, says there isn’t a single roadmap to sound financial decisions that applies to everyone.

“The process to help a child decide what to do with their bar or bat mitzvah money isn’t all that different from the one an adult would use regarding a windfall later in life,” Hays says. “It should start with a family conversation about goals for the money and deciding whether it should be put aside for a big future expense, like college or a car, or used to fund ‘everyday’ purchases in the more immediate future.” Both Hays and Soroka say the decision to put the money in a savings account or something more long term, like a CD, depend on the goals for the money and the amount of money received. “If a child is able to leave the money untouched for a longer

42 Bar•Bat Mitzvah // Spring•Summer 2017

period of time, then a certificate of deposit, or even a mutual fund, may be the way to go,” Hays says. “If the child needs to have more immediate access to the money, perhaps for new school clothes Hays or even just everyday spending, then a savings account is the better option.” Soroka says most minor savings accounts require a minimum of $50 to open and parents can easily check savings accounts rates and CD rates at local banks to determine which one would earn more. “Consider putting aside a portion of the funds to build an emergency savings account for unexpected expenses,” Soroka says. “Your child may not need this until they are on their own, but having it set aside could help save them in the future. Five-hundred dollars is a good start for emergency savings.” Both Hays and Soroka agree gifts of money for a bar or bat mitzvah are an opportunity to get the child involved in learning about finances and the importance of saving.

Soroka “The best approach is to evaluate goals as a family first and then proceed with a determined path,” Hays says. “That doesn’t mean all the money must go to one place or the other. A plan could be to spread the money around equally. You may have both college savings and on-demand spending money in mind. But it all starts with evaluating your goals.” Soroka suggested having the child write down a list of needs and wants with associated costs. “It’s OK to spend on an item in the near term but help your child understand the opportunity cost of buying an expensive ‘want’ item versus the wealthbuilding aspects of saving. Additionally, teach your child to regularly manage and monitor their accounts and statements and start building a budget.” BM

Spring•Summer 2017 // Bar•Bat Mitzvah 43