Events and Celebrations, Spring 2016

8/16/2019 Events and Celebrations, Spring 2016

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EVENTS &CELEBRATIONS

A supplement to the Jewish Standard · Spring 2016


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Jewish Standard S-3

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Games people play ..................................................4From basketball to foosball, racing to rock climbing, the event is a blast

Second time around .................................................5Freedom from traditional wear, if you want

Gifts that give ..........................................................8Tzedakah gifts lift the giver and receiver

Favors back in favor ...............................................11Incredible edibles among top take-home gifts

Inside out ...............................................................12Weddings that use the freshness of the outdoors

Set a sweet stage for thebig graduation party ..............................................14

A global reach ........................................................16Event designer/producer makes aliyah, expands horizon

Take that party outside ..........................................18

Top trends for jazzing up outdoor space


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From basketball to foosball,racing to rock climbing, the event is a blastHEIDI MAE BRATT

Come the end of June and hun-

dreds of graduated seniors

are going to get the stadium

event of their school lives.

They’ll be right on the green at

the Metlife Stadium in East Ruth-

erford to play Dave & Buster’s-type videogames, watching an

awe-inspiring mentalist, and

celebrating their completion of

high school from the night into

the morning in a very safe, very

secure, very fun and very alco-

hol-free space.

It’s Project Graduation, an

event that offers these teen rev-

elers a chance to celebrate with

activities galore, some of which rep-

licate performances to club hopping.

“It’s such a wonderful night,” said

Barbara Mastando, special events sales

manager for Delaware North Sportser-

vice/MetLife. “This could be a worrisome

night, but instead it turns out to be a

great program. The kids have a blast and

for the parents, it’s peace of mind.”

Events are always fun, but games are a

big draw. And what could be more remi-

niscent of a game than holding a party in

a stadium?

In Jersey City, Pole Position Race-

way, an indoor go-kart arena is anotherfun way to celebrate any occasion. “At

Pole Position Raceway, we strive to pro-

vide our customers with a celebration to

remember,” Karen Davis-Farage, presi-

dent and co-owner of the Pole Position

Raceway has said. “We’ve raced hun-

dreds of thousands of people and hosted

countless occasions for 20 to 300-plus

people, including bachelor and bach-

elorette parties, birthdays, corporate

and team building events and more. Our

exhilarating, safe and authentic race

experience coupled with our attentive

and dedicated staff makes for truly per-

sonalized events which we believe keeps

our guests coming back.”

In fact, said Zach Thigpen, director of

marketing, the racing appeals to several

different demographic groups including

corporate clients who love racing around

while doing their team building, tourists,

who get to catch a fun ride while visiting

the area, revelers who are celebrating an

occasion, and folks who just want to have

a great time.“We do many special events such as

bar mitzvahs and bachelor parties , to

name a few,” said Mr. Thigpen.

Bowling anyone? Bowlmor, with loca-

tions nationwide, is a classic game for a

party. Who doesn’t remember the old

bowling party? But venues like Bowl-

mor have taken the partying up a few

notches.

“These events are extremely custom-

izable,” said a representative of Bowlmor,

who handles the company’s publicity.

“When someone plays games at an

event, it heightens their enjoyment,

adding a level of activity and providing

another form of entertainment.”

Games people play


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Second time aroundFreedom from traditional wear, if you want

HEIDI MAE BRATT

The big white dress. A creation

made of tulle, silk, lace, bead-

ing. A train that rivals the

iconic one that followed Prin-

cess Diana at her storybook wed-

ding. A veil that stuns as it frames aperfectly made-up face. Every bride

dreams of that wedding day dress,

that sartorial fantasy and spends

plenty of time shopping for that

right probably-be-worn-once dress.

Some may pass it along to a daugh-

ter or a charity. But most have the

once-worn dress captured in mem-

ories and in photographs.

What happens the second-time

around. Maybe the bride is a bit

older, wiser and not so into themega-white wedding. What are

bri des choosing for when they

walk down the aisle again. And for

that matter, what are men choos-

ing when they walk down the aisle

again.

Local fashionistas say the word is

fashion freedom.

There is freedom to explore

another look, freedom to honor the

changes in your body, freedom tohonor the changes in your age and

the changes in your matrimonial

status. There are also those who like

the more tried and true look.

“Some women are traditional-

ists who want to wear that ivory

or blush to get as close to white as

you can,” said Sara, the owner of

Mishelyne’s Fashions in Teaneck,

an emporium of formal and more

casual stylish clothing.

“Then there are those who really want to go another route,” said

Sara. “They opt for real color like

eggplant, navy and red.”

But the key to getting a second-

time around look, said Sara, is to abso-

lutely ind and choose what flatters.

“In terms of fabric you want to go

for a dress that you like and that you

feel beautiful in and that has a flatter-

ing style,” she said.

Topping it off with the look of ine

jewelry, semi-precious pieces to match

the dress and the color of the season,

and how could you go wrong?

“My best advice,” said Sara, “is if

you’ve already done the original route

the irst time before, so you deinitely

can do something different. Remem-

ber, you don’t have to look like a tra-

ditional bride. You just have to look

special.”

Paula Parlato, owner of The Engle

Shop in Englewood, said that many

second-time brides say they want to

keep the second-time around wed-

ding wear simple and close to white.

They choose light pink, light blue or

ivory. The fabrics range from soft lace

to organza to chiffon.

“You understand that this isstill a real wedding,” said Ms.

Parlato.

Ms. Parlato agreed that the best

thing is for the bride to look her

very best.

“Try to get the best look for your

body. Whatever looks good, whatever

is age appropriate. You can go a little

funky and sophisticated,” she said.

As for the grooms, Aryeh Elbaum,

the visual designer and salesman at

Emporio, the new men’s clothing

store in Teaneck, says that it depends

whose irst time it is. If it is the second

time for the groom, but the irst time

for the bride, the groom may have to

Jewish Standard S-5

Slate, “New York City’s Ultimate Event Venue,”

has “a little bit for everyone,” said Sam Boud-

loche, the director of events for Slate. Slate blends

a swanky nightclub atmosphere with the fun of a

cozy sports bar with its elaborate extras, including

an expansive and state-of-the-art audio and video

system and intelligent lighting.

Likewise, there is plenty of play there, including

a ping-pong table, foosball and more for team build-

ing and friendly competition. There are private and

semi-private areas in the restaurant as well.

“The kids just love it for their parties and bar

and bat mitzvahs,” said Jeremy Lieberman, direc-

tor of marketing and branding for The Lure Group,

owner of Slate.Slate, which attracts several celebrities, includ-

ing Michael Strahan among others, also has a giant

old-school arcade machine equipped with 2,000

games, said Lieberman. In addition, it boasts a

giant chess set (“life size if you’re a kid”) and a

giant Jenga set, a class ic block- stack ing, stack

crashing game. There is also ping-pong, pool, and

shuffleboard.

“Having these games just enhances everyone’s

experience,” Mr. Lieberman said. “It just adds

another layer of fun to the entertainment.”

Another Manhattan game spot where, if you’re

lucky, you can spot — or pay to spot — basketball

legend, Walt “Clyde” Frazier is Clyde Frazier’s Wine

and Dine, which spans a full city block on 10th Ave-

nue between 37th and 38th Streets.

The dining room, bar and lounge occupy 10,000

square feet, and one of the biggest draws is — what

else for the former star player of the Knicks? —

the basketball court. It is a regulation half court,

which is a big hit, especially with the bar and bat

mitzvah parties. It is not unusual for the host to

hire a coach — there is even one on staff at therestaurant — to practice drills with the young, and

even not-so-young guests. For those who want the

extra, which is for Clyde to make an appearance,

he does. For a fee he will come to the party, sign

autographs, pose for photographs and chitchat

with the guests.

Closer to home, Teaneck Doghouse, a quaint

stone tavern and sports bar with kosher food and

full bar, athletic memorabilia and games on mul-

tiple screens that opened in September 2014, is

a great spot for all kinds of parties. If you’re not

playing a game, you’re watching one on the manyscreens playing sports.

Over in West Orange, a relatively newcomer that

has reinvented the space of a former nightclub is

4Sixty6 Caterers, which has the architecture and

amenities of the South Beach, Las Vegas-type night-

club that preceded it. It takes that and now mar-

ries it with a high-tech lighting and sound system to

have a space where bar and bat mitzvahs and other

events are unique and one-of-a-kind, said Jude Rop-

patte who owns the facility with Bill Zolna.

For those who want to get high — as in vertically

— High Exposure in Northvale is one stop shop-

ping, heart stopping, adrenaline pumping, extreme

sporting facility. Fun for families, tots, children,

teens and adults. The facility offers obstacles high

off the ground as well right at your feet.

“Remember, youdon’t have to looklike a traditional

bride. You just have to look special.”

Sara, owner ofMishelyne’s Fashions, Teaneck

Great sleek and pretty looks

for the bride from Mishelyne’s

Fashions in Teaneck.


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go more traditional, but not necessarily pull out his

irst-time tuxedo (not that he should).

Nowadays, a well-itted elegant black suit, paired

with a gorgeous white shirt and a black or a white tieand then set off with a satin black vest, and you’ve

got a near-tuxedo look without the tuxedo, Mr.

Elbaum said.

“It’s also very practical because you have a great

black suit that you can wear again and again, and

not a tuxedo that is going to be stuck in your closet

and pulled out only for the rare black tie event,” said

Mr. Elbaum.

Diana Yomtobian, the owner of Monte Carlo, a

men’s clothing store in Westwood, agrees that the

second time is a bit more relaxed and offers more

choice in terms of suiting up.“The second time is not as formal,” said Ms.

Yomtobian. “But it also depends on where the cel-

ebration is taking place.” Sometimes, she said, the

groom’s attire matches the bride’s dress and they

dress in pants or a jacket that is lilac or lavender.

Ms. Yomtobian also said that blue is replacing

black as the formal color.

“Yes, it’s true. Blue is the new black,” she said.

Another hot look, and one that she witnessed in

S-6 Jewish Standard SPRING 2016EVENTS & CELEBRATIONS

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The groom can be stylishly outfitted at Emporio men’s clothing shop in Teaneck.

Funky and flirty for the bride fromThe Engle Shop in Englewood.

a wedding abroad and clearly had a Euro-

pean lead, was the tie-less suit. A white,

crisp French cuff shirt sets off a suit and

there is no tie. The irst and second button

is left open.

“That’s right. No ties. I saw a lot in

Europe, Paris and London,” said Ms.

Yomtobian.

“Nowadays, everyone makes their own

fashion. Anything goes.”

David Rappaport, owner of Teaneck’s

Emporio, said that the store actually is sell-

ing very few formal tuxedos.

“I don’t think there are any rules,” Mr.

Rappaport said. “I think these days, it’s

really a matter of preference.”


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Jewish Standard S-7

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8/20


There are SO many ways to help at

Jewish Family Service!

Short Term Projects:

• Participate in the Ride to Fight

Hunger.

• Donate “Birthday in a Box” supplies

• Hold a food drive for our Food Pantry.

• Make craft packages for our School

Based Services.

• Socialize with Holocaust survivors at

Café Europa.

• Create holiday packages for Kosher

Meals on Wheels.

• Collect and pack emergency supplies

for senior citizens.Long Term Projects:

• Create a Team for Wheels-for-Meals Ride – get

your friends and family involved!

• Work with local synagogues as a Food PantryAmbassador.

• Create a project of your own! Some of the best

ideas come directly from our volunteers!

For more

information call:

(201) 837-9090

HEIDI MAE BRATT

T

zedakah is one of our values. In fact, it is an impera-

tive. To give. Even if you have very little, the sages

tell us to give, even a little.

Tzedakah gifts are very popular because such a gift elevates the occasion and brings it to a new level. Sure

it’s nice to give a big, fat check or the China setting on the

wedding registry, but some of these gifts are the gifts that

keep giving.

When Rachel Rubinstein, a 12-year-old sixth grader at

Yavneh Academy, started thinking about her mitzvah proj-

ect, her mother, Valerie Rubinstein of Teaneck, turned

to Jewish Family Services for guidance. The agency has

launched and continues to run many successful programs

for the community, including its annual Wheels for Meals

Ride to Fight Hunger.

Ms. Rubinstein reached out to Ellen Finkelstein at Jew-ish Family Services. It just so happened that Ms. Finkel-

stein was launching a new program, Birthday in a Box.

The program was an effort to give the youngsters of fami-

lies who use the organization’s food pantry a chance to

have their own birthday parties.

For these families who avail themselves of the food

pantry, there is little for the essentials and even less for

something like a birthday party, Ms. Finkelstein said. So

was born Birthday in a Box, and Rachel was among the

Gifts that give Tzedakah gifts lift thegiver and receiver

irst to do this project. It involves getting boxes and illing

them with birthday party goodies, such as paper goods,

candles, and balloons — all the accessories that make a

party look and feel like a party.

Rachel assembled the boxes and enlisted friends to

write a lovely birthday card to the recipients — who would

be boys and girls — and then used the illed boxes as cen-

terpieces for her own party. After her party, she gave

the already assembled boxes to Jewish Family Services.

Youngsters are already on tap to have their birthday par-

ties. ( JFS has organized pizza and birthday cake as well.)

“It was really a very nice project for Rachel,” said her

mother. “I also think that is was very relatable. She was

having a party, and she was helping another child to have

a party,” said Ms. RubinsteinReading and helping other youngsters read is the goal of

the Book Centerpieces for a Tzedakah project, said Beth

Rachel Rubinstein and her Birthday in a Box.

Book Centerpieces for Tzedakah supports

Bergen Reads.

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Jewish Standard S-9


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Figman, the director of volunteers for Jew-

ish Federation of Northern New Jersey.

Through the purchase, rental actually,

of artfully designed book centerpieces

that could sit on the tables at an affair or

an event, funds are raised to support Ber-

gen Reads, a program that sends volun-

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students in the area learn to read.

“It’s very meaningful to the kids,” said

Ms. Figman. “These centerpieces look

beautiful when you need them that day

and it serves to support a program thathelps bring children up to grade level in

their reading.”

Another beautiful centerpiece that also

serves a purpose are Flowers by JADD,

bouquets of which are assembled by mem-

bers of JADD, the Jewish Association for

Developmental Disabilities.

“The program started small about ive

years ago but it is really developing and

expanding,” said John J. Winer, executive

director of JADD.

Through this program, he said, “we can

teach people a skill, make them more inde-

pendent and increase everyone’s quality

of life,” Mr. Winer said.

Another gift that goes beyond the stan-

dard items that usually come to mind forcelebratory occasions is Israel bonds.

Giving a gift of Israel bonds is like giving

the gift of Israel, since the bond connects

the recipient to the Jewish state and the

proceeds go towards building and develop-

ing every sector of the nation’s economy.

Two bonds currently being offered by

Development Corporation for Israel/Israel

Bonds that are particularly appropriate for

gifts are the Mazel Tov eMitzvah bonds.

The Mazel Tov Bond is a ive-year instru-

ment with a minimum purchase price of

$100 and available in $10 increments. The

bond pays principal and interest upon

maturity.

The eMitzvah Bond can be acquired for

as little as $36, with available $18 incre-ments. Like the Mazel Tov Bond, the eMitz-

vah Bond — which can be purchased only

online — is a ive-year instrument that pays

principal and interest upon maturity.

The introduction of the Israel Bonds

e-commerce site in fall 2011 has made giv-

ing gifts of Israel bonds a simple and con-

venient process. Additionally, buying gifts

of Israel bonds online offers the option of

printing a gift card for the recipient.

A member of J-ADD and his floral

creation.

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11/20

Jewish Standard S-11

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A fter a few years of skipping wedding favors as a

budget-saving decision — with the marrying cou-

ple donating to their favorite charity in lieu of giv-

ing guests favors in many cases — fabulous favors

have now made their way back onto must-have lists. With

guests traveling, sometimes great distances, to attend the

wedding, couples want to thank them for their time and

efforts on their big day. And with the growth of creativeand edible favors, so admired on wedding blogs and on

Pinterest and Instagram, wedding couples enjoy having

the chance to select or make favors that impress.

According to Shane McMurray, publisher of the wedding

survey magazine The Wedding Report, the average amount

spent on wedding favors is $173-$289, with high-end favors

reaching an average of $347-$462. Here are the most popu-

lar wedding favor items from The Wedding Report:

• Mini-pots of honey. “Honey wedding favors are popu-

lar now because they have multiple levels of appeal,” says

Mary Kosenski, owner of E+M Wedding Favors and E+M

Gold Beekeepers, makers of raw honey products. “The

irst is that honey is used and enjoyed in so many differ-

ent ways, such as added to tea, spread on toast or scones,

drizzled on appetizers, and eaten as-is. Many wedding

couples are also very interested in what beekeepers are

doing to protect the world’s honeybee populations that

are so essential to our environment. And there’s a ‘sup-

port your local farmers’ element that adds a ‘doing good

in your community’ beneit to choosing wedding favors.

Couples know how blessed they are, and they want to give

back by choosing local small businesses’ products.” Mary

also points out that honey its many themes associated with love and marriage, such as the honeymoon or pet

names.

• Jams and jellies. Whether purchased or homemade,

jars of jams or jellies are a welcome treat. Allow guests

to pick their own favorite flavors from a displayed collec-

tion of three or four varieties, or choose a jam or jelly that

matches the wedding color scheme, such as a raspberry

jam to coordinate with pink wedding colors.

• Barbecue sauce. Especially if the wedding has a coun-

try feel to it, or features ribs or barbecued chicken wings

in local flavors, the gift of barbecue sauce shares a mem-

ory of the day and allows guests to indulge later. Salsa orhot sauces share a similar vibe.

• Lemon curd. This surprising 4th-place inisher on The

Wedding Report’s survey results list brings thought of an

afternoon tea. It also color coordinates with a sunny, yel-

low wedding, perhaps inspired by the Pantone color But-

tercup, one of 2016’s top colors.

• Baked goods, such as chocolates, iced cookies or

homemade breads or mufins.

• Candy buffet take-home sweets, with guests given con-

tainers and scoops to help themselves to colorful candies

displayed on a dessert station.

• Seasonally inspired wedding favors. Perhaps salt-water

taffy and gourmet fudge for summertime, beach-inspired

wedding theme, s’mores kits for a winter wedding or

maple syrup for fall wedding flavor.

• Spices. A packet of spices allows the couple to share

Favors back in favorIncredible edibles among top take-home gifts

their favorite flavors of home with their guests. For

instance, a New England wedding might include packets

of seafood flavoring spices, or a winter wedding might

inspire packets of mulled cider spices.

While edible wedding favors rule popularity lists,

non-edible favors are also common, with functionality a

driving force behind selections. Coasters and wine bottle

stoppers will surely be used after the wedding, remind-

ing guests of the special day.

Ornate Victorian-style keys are also rising in popular-ity. Often attached to guest place cards, keys can become

decor items or paperweights back home. Metallic ele-

ments are trending, and there is a symbolism to keys.

They unlock potential, happiness and opportunity, and

many couples are adding notes with such cute sayings as,

“The key to your happiness” or “Lock in the great memo-

ries of today.”Creators.com


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Inside outWeddings that use the freshness of the outdoorsHEIDI MAE BRATT

Who doesn’t want to take advan-

tage of the beautiful weather

when the season turns? And no

wonder that June weddings are

so popular. The sun is shining, the flowers

are in perfect bloom. It’s not too hot yet,not too cold. It’s one of the best times that

a bride and groom can enjoy their nuptials

and their guests in the outdoors.

In our area there are many venues that

allow for an inside and outside experi-

ence, taking full advantage of beautiful

grounds and a bucolic scene for exchang-

ing vows, taking photographs and

mingling with guests.

The Estate at Florentine Gardens says it

all in its name.

“We have a really large outdoor space

with wonderful gardens,” said Maria Dai-

done, owner of the River Vale venue for

27 years.

The garden is distinguished betweenfour different garden spots that have their

own personality. There is the outside gar-

den right off the terrace, featuring a foun-

tain and benches and perfect for photo

opportunities; there is the pergola, ablaze

in light pink roses, especially during May

and June; there is the secret garden, a

hidden space with lush greenery that is a

private space for bride and groom to take

photographs, and there is the main garden

area, where ceremonies take place with a

gazebo as its focal point.“It’s beautiful, and this is a beautiful

time of year,” said Ms. Daidone. “The gar-

den is breathtaking.”

At Northern Valley Affairs at Temple

Emanu-El in Closter, owner Les Friedman

has taken full advantage of the capacious

outdoor space that is practically the size of

the venue’s inside.

So much so that he “flipped” one June

wedding around and brought the main

action, dining and dancing, outside replete

with a bandstand and a dance floor.“We have 5,000 square feet of court-

yard,” said Mr. Friedman. We have done

everything out there from weddings, to

cocktail hour to putting up tents. We can

call it our outside ballroom.”

In recalling his “flipped” June wedding,

Mr. Friedman said the couple wanted

something “a little different and the

weather was absolutely beaut iful. The

effect was that everyone was in awe.”

Mr. Friedman said that the outdoor

space is routinely used for cocktail hour

where grills are cooking up tasty appetiz-

ers such as caramelized portobello mush-rooms, steak, onions and the like.

Very often, he said, the courtyard is also

used for wedding after-parties.

“We set up a cigar bar and get a three-

piece jazz ensemble or reggae or a DJ and

the party continues. We will serve take

out Chinese food. Like mini-egg rolls, lo

mein or hot pretzels if they like. They love

being outside.”

And if there’s a chill in the air, heating

lamps bring the temperature to a comfort-

able level.“I wish that someone can fly into Pleas-

antdale Chateau and see from above

what this looks like,” said Fred Fogg, the

director of sales and catering, of the West

Orange venue that originally was a private

farm dating back to the 1900s.

If you drive in, Mr. Fogg said, there is

a 1/4-mile until you reach the property,

which spans 40 acres. Add to that a pond,

a lake, several bridges, streams and a


13/20


Visit our

Boy’s

Store

TEANECK:

215 W. Englewood Ave.201.530.7300Mon. 10-7, Tue. 11-8, Wed. 10-9, Thurs. 11-8, Friday 10-3, Closed Sunday

The finest selection of Italian

designer men’s & boy’s suits,

sport jackets, pants, shirts,shoes and accessories, at

discounted prices.Timeline for planningthe bar and bat mitzvahBar and bat mitzvahs are one of the important mile-

stones in our children’s lives. It marks their transitioninto adulthood. Let’s debunk some of the mitzvah

myths and provide some tips and tricks about how to

make the mitzvah planning process fun for everyone!

Once you receive your mitzvah date, about two

years prior, set a budget so you can begin looking at

venues. Stop into the premier event venue 4sixty6

Caterers in West Orange and check out their pres-

tigious space. It boasts a two-floor party-room, the

highest quality lights and sound, huge dance floor,

and expertly trained chefs under the leadership of

industry veteran, Bill Zolna. After securing a venue,

create a guest list, choose a theme, and brainstormabout what type of mitzvah your child wants to com-

plete. At least a year prior, select and sign contracts

with your venue, DJ, florist, and photographer. Then,

collaborate with your child on creating their montage

and choosing invitations. About eight months before,

you’ll send out save the dates and book a block of

hotel rooms if needed. Six months prior, your child

will begin learning their Torah portion, while you’ll

begin to plan and book other weekend events.

Want to make all of your weekend events seamless

and stress-free? Book them all at 4sixty6 and let their

talented team take care of everything! Now is also

when you’ll create your centerpieces and begin shop-

ping for your mitzvah wardrobes. Four months prior

is when you’ll inalize your menu, order party favors

and cake, book hair and makeup and book trans-

portation for your guests. Now is also when you’ll

arrange a special photo shoot for your child if that

is a part of your plan. Two months prior, you’ll plan

the candle lighting and send out invitations. A few

weeks prior, you’ll inalize your guest lis t, do your

garment ittings, conirm your vendors, and have

your synagogue program printed. You’ll also havea dress rehearsal at the synagogue, outits and all,

and inalize your seating chart. On the big day: Cel-

ebrate, relax, enjoy and savor this moment you have

all worked so hard to achieve.

waterfall, and “it’s like you come through the gate and you

feel like you are in Europe.”

Guests take full advantage of the outdoors.

“It’s phenomenal for picture taking. We have ceremo-

nies overlooking the lakes and gazebo and it could be fully

lit so an event can take place after sundown.”

In addition to the lush and sprawling grounds, Pleasant-

dale Chateau has kept the farm, which produces produce

that is served at its events. There are cucumbers, apples,

squash, peppers, tomatoes, to name some.

“It’s awesome because it comes off the farm fresh and

then is served at the weddings,” Mr. Fogg said. Pleasant-

dale also has bees that produce honey, also served at the

catered events.

“Being outside is wonderful. You have the tranquility of

being outside on a beautiful weather day. It is very peace-ful and serene. And we are 1/4 mile off the road.”

Even local synagogues, such as Temple Emeth, a

reform congregation in Teaneck, uses it’s outdoor space

for parties and of course, for erecting its sukkah during

the holiday.

The outdoor area can be enhanced by the addition of

rental greenery and shrubs, as well. Exotic orchids, tropi-

cal foliage and flowering plants are available to rent at Foli-

age on Maple in Montclair. There are a wide variety of tree

and palm rentals.

Rave! Catering & Event Planning, whose owner and

chief operation oficer is Noam Sokolow, can stage a

most elegant outdoor party through its creative efforts

and its beautiful food displays, and has done so for

many occasions, be it a wedding, bar mitzvah or any

other event.


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Officiant at Bar/Bat Mitzvah Ceremonies,

Baby Namings and Weddings

Cell: 201-788-6653e-mail: [email protected]

www.cantorbarbra.com

Cantor

Barbra

LiebersteinCertified Cantor with

12+ years of pulpitexperience

Group andprivate lessonsin your home

Learn toread Hebrew

Rent our tropical plants and treesfor parties and events

Fresh Cut Flowers & Arrangements

Delivery throughout the Tri-State Area

www.foliageonmaple.com

80 Maple Avenue • Montclair, NJ

between you and your event in israel

book with us today

ISEL 058 630 1065 . U.S. + 917 475 0091 . pennyandcoevents.com

[email protected]. [email protected]

b r i d g ing the dist an c e

Set a sweet stage for the big graduation partyFrom elementary school to graduate school, every gradu-ation is a milestone typically celebrated with a big party.

Sweet treats are a key part of celebrations, and by adding

personalized details you can truly make your graduate feel

like one-of-a-kind.

Dessert doubles as decorWhen setting up the tables, consider making the cake the

centerpiece. A sheet cake is easy to make and serve, holds

up well and feeds plenty of guests. Round out the dessert

table with other assorted treats like cupcakes, brownies

and marshmallow crisp rice cereal squares. The variety

adds visual interest and ensures you’ll have something for

everyone’s tastes.Show off the individual treats using platters and tiered

stands to give dimension. You can increase the decorative

aspect by also using photographs and other memorabilia

that will accompany the sweets on the table.

Decorate cupcakes witheasy, yet impressive tricksCupcakes are great for guests because they’re perfectly

sized for individual portions. Decorating cupcakes

could be an activity at the party — and you can use the

colors of the graduation, or there are plenty of decorat-

ing kits that you can ind to make the small treats look

bakery professional.

Choose the color palette wiselyNow is your chance to get creative. Make the party all

about the grad by choosing their school colors or their

favorite colors.

There are plenty of color systems on the market that

you can use. Using such a color system takes the guess-

work out of custom coloring icing, fondant, cake batter

and more with the convenience of easy-to-control squeeze

bottles and a rainbow of color formulas.

No doubt your graduate will be touched by the thought

behind your party-planning prowess, and your guests will

be wowed by the spread.Family Features


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C E N T R A L C O N F E R E N C E O F A M E R I C A N R A B B I S • S I N C E 1 8 8 9

For more information and to order, go to ccarpress.org or call 212-972-3636 x241. | CCAR | 355 Lexington Avenue | New York, NY 10017 | ravblog.ccarnet.org

Visit us onl ine for Mishkan T’filah, new publications, back-in-print classics, e-books, certificates, and more

YOUR SUMMER READING FROM CCAR PRESSNEW! THE SACRED CALLING:FOUR DECADES OF WOMENIN THE RABBINATEEdited by Rabbi Rebecca Einstein Schorr

and Rabbi Alysa Mendelson Graf

This collection examines the waysin which the reality of women inthe rabbinate has impacted on allaspects of Jewish life.Coming soon:

The

SACREDEncounter

• CCARChallenge andChange Series •

JEWISH PERSPECTIVES ON SEXUALITY

Rabbi Lisa Grushcow, Editor

FOREWORD BY NAME WILL GO HERE

THE SACRED ENCOUNTER:JEWISH PERSPECTIVES ON SEXUALITYEdited by Rabbi Lisa Grushcow, DPhil

Also available:

THE SACRED TABLE:CREATING A JEWISHFOOD ETHICEdited by Rabbi

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Also available:

LIGHTS IN THE FOREST:RABBIS RESPOND TOTWELVE ESSENTIAL

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Rabbi Nancy H. Wiener, DMin

This is the book for all of today’s couples.Includes Wedding Rituals Checklis t and Planning Timeline.

Also available:

Birkin Artzi: Blessings andMeditations for Travelers to IsraelEdited by Rabbi Serge Lippe

Your guide to uncovering the miraclesand the magic of Israel.

Also available:C C A R

BIRKON ARTZI Blessings an d Meditations

for Travelers to Israel

RS L,withPrefaceby Rabbi RickJacobs,President, UnionforReform Judaism

andIntroduction by BruceFeiler,authoro fWalkingthe Bible

רכון רצי

READINGS AND PRAYERS FOR MANY

MOMENTS OF SPIRITUAL NEED.

Mishkan T’filah forGatherings:

For rental for yourupcoming bar/bat mitzvahservice or meeting.

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combines weekday andShabbat services.

For more information,

call us at 212-972-3636x241 or email

[email protected].

THE TORAH: A WOMEN’S COMMENTARYEdited by Dr. Tamara Cohn Eskenazi

and Rabbi Andrea L. Weiss

An eminently readable volume, unique in itssynthesis of traditional interpretation methodsand critical approaches with more contemporary,topical methods that give new meaning to the text.

THE TORAH: A MODERN COMMENTARY,

REVISED EDITIONEdited by Rabbi W. Gunther Plaut

North America’s longtime most popular Torahcommentary.

Also avai lable:

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ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW FOR YOUR JEWISH WEDDING!

NEED PRAYERBOOKS FOR

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“This book is going to be a veryimportant document forever.”

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rabbi in the United States


16/20


Gift Certificates Available · Catering Daily Lunch Specials · Ample Parking

BYO

CHINESE CUISINE

Scan Code for

Menu & Website

3 Franklin Turnpike, Mahwah

201.529.8288 www.imperialdynastynj.com

Dine-In/Take-Out

Mon. – Thurs. 11:30am – 10:00pm

Fri.& Sat. 11:30am – 11:00pm

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Runner-Up

Best Chinese

Restaurant

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“Fine Dining ina Relaxed Atmosphere” Before or After Dinner Enjoy Live Music

in our Lounge Fri. & Sat. Evenings

53 W. Passaic St., Rochelle Park

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ASK ABOUT OUR PARTY FACILITIES

Lunch 11:30 am - 3 pm · Dinner 5 pm - 11 pm

Lunch on Saturday from 3:00 onOpen Monday-Sunday for lunch & dinner

Excellent - Zagat1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2006, 2014

RISTORANTE

Well known for its authentic cuisine from

Spain, serving only the freshest seafood aswell as its large menu selections, tapas and

daily specials including Steak Mesón.

343 Bergen Blvd.Palisades Park, NJ201.947.1038

www.MesonMadrid.com

Mesón Madrid

Serving Bergen County from more than 30 years

Mesón Madrid is the

perfect place for hosting

large and small events

with private rooms that will

accommodate 25-150 guests.

A globalreachEvent designer/producermakes aliyah, expands horizon

E vent designer Penny Rabinowitz, who has helped

create many bar and bat mitzvahs, weddings and

other events, will be making aliyah, transitioningfrom her Bergen County home to Jerusalem. Not

only will she have a new home, but a new name for her

business; formerly Save the Day Events is now Penny &

Co. Events. Ms. Rabinowitz will continue to operate both

in Israel and the United States. We caught up with her to

ind out what was ahead.

Question: Why did you move to Israel? What was the

genesis for the business to move to Israel?

Penny Rabinowitz: Moving to Israel has always been a

dream of mine and my husband’s, both having grown up

with Zionist backgrounds. Circumstances and jobs in theU.S. made it dificult to make the move but when three of

our daughters made aliyah within a three-year time period

and with one child in college in the U.S., we decided it

made sense to move and hope our son will join the fam-

ily when he inishes college. Also, I have been producing

events in Israel for the past seven years on a part time

basis in order to gear up for the day we made aliyah.

Question: Tell us about the new venture? Is there still a

U.S. component to your business?Penny Rabinowitz: Once we made the decision to

make a permanent move to Israel,

I had to determine what I would do

with the business I grew in the U.S.

for over 20 years. It would be chal-

lenging to run two businesses simul-

taneously but I felt I didn’t want to

lose the amazing relationships I had

with my American clients and the

wonderful connect ions I had with

my American vendors. I also felt the

need to do my best to continue to

infuse some Israeli spirit into Ameri-

can b’nei mitzvah and weddings that

people loved. In the end I am keep-

ing both businesses and simply hired

additional stafing to run the busi-ness while I am in Israel. My plan is

to return to oversee events in the U.S.

as much as needed. I will continue to

keep our apartment and ofice in the

U.S. and will always be just a U.S. phone number away!

Question: How is your party planning business in Israel

the same? How is it enhanced?

Penny Rabinowitz: The business (formerly Save the

Day Events now Penny & Co. Events) will provide the

same quality out-of-the-box experience in Israel as it

has in the States for so many years. We will design cre-ative events with an unmatched professionalism and

Preparing for a bar mitzvah dinner at the King David Hotel, Jerusalem.

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perfectionism that has our clients coming

back to us. Enhancements in Israel will

include an option for our clients to use

our own floral décor and design company

as opposed to relying on an outside florist

to produce our event designs. This will

allow for event décor prices to be lower

and also will insure the cohesiveness

of the entire event under one roof. The

fact that our events will be in Israel is an

enhancement in its own right! We will be

producing weddings and parties in venues

that have historical meaning and value to

Judaism. The beauty and magniicence of

the abundance of venue options is not to

be compared to those anywhere else inthe world. It’s very exciting.

Question: What are the major differ-

ences in the new venture?

Penny Rabinowitz: The biggest differ-

ence is that we will be catering to those

coming from the U.S. or other countries

outside Israel. This means we will be pro-

viding not only the myriad of logistic al

details for a single party or wedding but

will be involved in providing accommo-

dations, travel, touring and much morefor those who are bringing guests from

outside Israel. We will be actively involved

in customizing tours for people who’ve

been to Israel many times over with atypi-

cal and unexpected touring destinations

as well as for people who have never beento Israel with touring around Israel’s more

historical and popular sights. We hand

pick the most outstanding and lively tour

guides when running our tours. No matter

what, all our clients and their guests will

be assured a meaningful and fun experi-

ence they won’t forget.

Question: Are there any interesting dif-

ferences in how U.S. celebrants differ

from Israeli celebrants?Penny Rabinowitz: There is a marked

difference between celebrants already

living in Israel and those coming from

outside Israel. The biggest difference

we’ve noticed is what they are willing to

spend to make an event unique. There of

course are exceptions but the vast major-

ity of Israelis are living on a much tighter

budget. Another difference is the type of

décor they request. For many of our real

Israeli weddings, the brides want rustic

and minimal décor because of the ven-ues they choose, which are typically in

beautiful rustic settings with trees over-

head or beautiful scenic views in the back-

ground. In contrast, when we produce

and design a wedding for a bride com-

ing from outside Israel, she typically will

choose more abundant florals with much

more color. Similarly clients prefer sim-

pler décor for a bar mitzvah if they live in

Israel. Those coming to make a bar mitz-

vah from outside are usually willing to let

us get slightly more creative with a theme

and décor.

Question: How long have you been in the

event design and production business?

Penny Rabinowitz: I’ve been in this business for over 20 years in the United

States and for the past seven years part-

time in Israel.

Question: What are your specialties

when it comes to party planning?

Penny Rabinowitz: I believe that my

specialty is the unique branding element

and ine details that make up my events.

I create the logo and invitations and carry

the design concept through every aspect

of the event with much of the decor beinghandmade and customized for each

speciic client. You won’t go to a party I

design and see the same typical decor you

see at other parties.

Question: What are the most importantthings to look for in an event producer

and designer?

Penny Rabinowitz: It is of utmost

importance to have knowledge of the “ter-

rain” — the vendors and professionals that

have to be dealt with in order to produce

a fantastic event from thousands of miles

away. Dealing with vendors in Israel is

extremely different than in Western coun-

tries. On the one hand, they are more

relaxed (e.g. “Don’t worry! Everything will be ine!”) , and yet extremely stub-

born on the other (e.g. “That’s the way we

do it here and it can’t be done any other

way!). Of course, you also have to take into

account what is important to you and how

much work you want to do yourself. Dif-

ferent event coordinators offer different

services. Some party and event planners

solely coordinate logistics while others —

like Penny and Co. Events — offer in-house

custom décor and design, creating a full

package and simplifying the process forthe client.


EVENTS & CELEBRATIONS


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456 Cedar Lane · Teaneck

201-530-0808

www.SababaGril l.com

AND CATERING

RCBC

Bar/Bat Mitzvah,

Brissim, Kiddushim,

Sheva Brachot & more

Special Shabbat Menu

Ashkenazi and SephardiCatering Menu for Every Budget

Specializing inAuthentic Moroccan andMediterranean Cuisine

Approved Caterer at Rinat Yisrael

as homeowners seek to enhance the

ambiance and safety of their outdoor

space and extend the time they can

spend enjoying it.

High-tech decksHome automation is hugely popular

right now, so it is only natural that the

tech trend should migrate outdoors.

From lighting and music controlled

from a smart phone to motorized rear-

projection screens synced to outdoor

LED televisions, homeowners are now

able to bring their entire entertainment

system outdoors.

Leisure without the laborFor those that want to spend more time

enjoying, rather than maintaining, their

outdoor space, high-performance com-

posite decking, such as Trex Transcend, is

an ideal choice — delivering all the beauty

and aesthetics of wood without the time-

consuming upkeep. Unlike wood, com-

posite decking, resists fading, staining,

scratching and mold — and won’t rot,

warp, crack or splinter.Family Features

trend to continue with increasingly func-

tional outdoor kitchens complete with cook-ing islands, pizza ovens, refrigerators and

all-weather cabinetry and storage features.

Warming featuresOne of the hottest trends — literally — for

this year is the incorporation of warm-

ing features into outdoor spaces. From

candles and tiki torches to ireplaces and

lighting, products that lend physical and

ambient warmth will be in high demand.

Look for increased use of LED lights inte-

grated into deck railings, stairs and yards

Take that party outside Top trends for jazzing up outdoor space

No matter the season or the region,

outdoor living and entertaining is

hot.

As the season melts into sum-

mer, here are six of the top trends that

will influence the look, feel and function

of outdoor spaces this year, spaces that

could serve as the venue for your next

celebration.

Outdoor roomsThanks to advances in all-weather materi-

als, furnishings and accessories, you can

outit an outdoor living space in much the

same way that you would any room in the

home. As a result, expect to see decks with

features such as integrated benches with

upholstered cushions, privacy walls and

ornamental post caps and railings with

decorative balusters similar to those found

inside the home.

Railings that ruleAnother outdoor element

that is being influenced

by indoor styling is deck

railings. When it comes to

selecting the best railing

for your outdoor space,

design experts recommend using one of

the “Three C’s” — coordinate, contrast orcustomize. To make the selection process

even easier, for example, Trex, the world’s

largest manufacturer of high-performance

wood-alternative deck ing and raili ng,

recently introduced a set of curated rail -

ings that pair beautifully with the brand’s

most popular decking colors.

Cooking with classAmericans have taken backyard cooking

and dining to a whole new level. Heading

into the outdoor living season, expect this


Middle Eastern Restaurant

178 Piermont Road · Cresskill, NJ

(201) 816-7343 · Fax: (201) 816-0254

www.samdanrestaurant.com

Private Party RoomUp to 70 people

Available for All Special Occasions

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12 TAPPAN R OAD

HARRINGTON PARK, NJTel. 201-767-4245 · Fax 201-768-9271

www.dinoshp.com


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Events and Celebrations, Spring 2016

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