Bar & Bat Mitzvahs

Cha Cha's Bat Mitzvah

Friends, let us tell you about this bat mitzvah. Our venue is known for hosting great parties, and this celebration was no exception. From the pops of hot pink to the Chanel logos, Cha Cha and her team of vendors worked tirelessly to transform our event space into a chic and glamorous night club fit for a diva.

Scroll down for more photos captured by the fabulous Jennifer Weisbord.

Cha Cha's Bat Mitzvah Ceremony

The evening kicked off with an intimate ceremony in our theater. Hot pink uplighting and twinkle lights gave guests a taste of the glamour to come in the reception.

Event Decorations
Hot Pink Lighting
Catering

Certé kept hungry guests happy and fed all night long.

Event Entertainment

EK Productions kept the energy alive all night with dancing, singing, and plenty of fist pumping.

Dancing

Thank you for letting us be a part of your special day, Cha Cha!

Event Planning by Deena Parnass Kleinman
Photography by Jennifer Weisbord
Catering by Certé
Entertainment by EK Productions

Planning an Event? Contact Us to learn more about events at HELEN MILLS, or check out more recent events here.

Mitzvah Series #1: Basic Mitzvah Terminology

Are you an event planner diving into the world of Mitzvahs?  Will you be attending the Mitzvah of a friend or family member, and are curious about what to expect?  The HELEN MILLS team has hosted many Mitzvahs in the past, and we'd like to compile some helpful information for planning your next Mitzvah.  In the first of our Mitzvah Series, we'll explore some of the basic terminology associated with Mitzvahs to help you better familiarize yourself with this memorable celebration.

  • Bar Mitzvah: Male celebration, from the Hebrew word "bar" meaning "son", and "mitzvah" meaning "celebration"
  • Bat Mitzvah: Female celebration, from the Hebrew word "bat" meaning "daughter", and "mitzvah" meaning "celebration"
  • Tallit: Fringed garment made of wool or linen, typically worn over outer clothes during prayer
  • Tefillin: Black leather boxes containing scrolls of parchment inscribed with verses from the Torah
  • Motzi: Traditional prayer/blessing
  • Hora: Circle dance in which the celebrator is raised in the air on a chair and guests dance around them
  • Cubbies: Small cubes typically brought in by the entertainment company. Cubbies are convenient for the kids to put their belongings or for the client to put favors in the cubbies for each specific child.
  • Mazel Tov!: Phrase used to express congratulations for a happy and significant occasion or event
  • Motivators: Dancers brought in by entertainment company to get the children to dance and have fun
  • Montage video: Short video with music played on a screen of photos from birth until present of the celebrator

In our Mitzvah Series #2, we'll detail the basic run of show for mitzvahs.  Stay tuned!

It's All About Amelia!

On Saturday, March 25, friends and family traveled from all over to celebrate an extremely talented and lovely young woman, Amelia, here at the HELEN MILLS Event Space and Theater.

Amelia with cake

After saying their hellos and grabbing some delicious appetizers, guests moved to the theater where Amelia and her friends treated them to a number of gymnastics and dance performances.

Amelia, a decorated gymnast, wows the crowd with her beautiful routine.

Amelia, a decorated gymnast, wows the crowd with her beautiful routine.

Guests spent the rest of the evening eating, drink, dancing, and most importantly, celebrating Amelia!

Beautiful chandeliers hang over each table. Adults enjoyed a family-style dinner, while the younger guests grazed at the ample buffet.

Beautiful chandeliers hang over each table. Adults enjoyed a family-style dinner, while the younger guests grazed at the ample buffet.

After eating and dancing their feet off, the younger guests headed back down to the theater to enjoy a movie on the big screen! They all changed into PJs, grabbed some popcorn, and got cozy. What a fun and unique way to end a party!

Young guests in the theater space
Collage of Amelia's event

Mozel tov, Amelia!

Amelia in the crowd

Planning an Event? Contact Us to learn more about events at HELEN MILLS, or check out more recent events here.

 

Catering by Orange Grill Catering
Decor and Planning by Nikoletta Events
DJ, Emcee, and Entertainment by
Photography by Inessa Sperkach
Videography by Lucent Vision Studio

 

Event Inspiration: "Go B or Go Home" Sports-themed Mitzvah

Basketball game

This past weekend, Brian's bar mitzvah transformed the event space into a sports-lover's wonderland. As guests entered, they were greeted by photos on the venue doors of Brian playing his favorite sport. Guests were then invited to sign an elegant, custom-engraved bat. The party continued with pop-a-shots, a photo booth with fun props, candy centerpieces, dramatic dance floor lighting, and custom gift bags for all.

Check out photos from the night below - we hope you are as inspired as we are!

Photos of Brian playing baseball and his custom event logo greeted guests as they arrived for the party.

Photos of Brian playing baseball and his custom event logo greeted guests as they arrived for the party.

In addition to the street-level signage (above), the event featured a number of custom-items. Below from left to right: Brian's custom-engraved bat for guests to sign, custom printed pillows with the event tagline 'Go B or Go Home,' and custom-printed gift bags for guests.

The party featured a custom-gobo projected onto the wall. The event was accented with seasonal cherry blossom branches for a sophisticated touch.

The party featured a custom-gobo projected onto the wall. The event was accented with seasonal cherry blossom branches for a sophisticated touch.

No detail was missed for the event. Clockwise from the top left, fun accessories were a hit with the photo booth, the dinner buffet was accentuated by LED uplighting and cherry blossoms, each table featured a different blue candy for guests to enjoy, and partygoers enjoy the pop-a-shot.

To round out the great decor and fun activities, the event featured an awesome dance floor with fun lighting and an LED stage ready for guests! 

Planning a Mitzvah? Contact Us for more details or check-out our mitzvah page for more details and photos.

The following vendors made up the all-star event team: Lighting, games, photo booth by Untouchable Events | Chaperons provided by Bar Mitzvah Bouncers | Florals provided by House of Flowers

Gracie's Gorgeous, Record-Inspired Mitzvah

Gracie's mitzvah this past weekend was nothing short of exquisite. From the record-themed decor to the custom-made confections to the crowd clearly bursting with excitement, the evening was everything a milestone celebration should be. We were truly impressed by the creativity, attention to detail, and sense of design that shined through, throughout the night. 

Below are just a few of our favorite things from a spectacular night. We hope this brings you inspiration!

Gracie on the dance floor, surrounded by friends and family. Photo by Art Photographers.

Gracie on the dance floor, surrounded by friends and family. Photo by Art Photographers.

This one take's the cake! Lori's Cakes designed this custom record player cake for Gracie, complete with her favorite record (pictured at left). Photo by Art Photographers.

This one take's the cake! Lori's Cakes designed this custom record player cake for Gracie, complete with her favorite record (pictured at left). Photo by Art Photographers.

Gracie's candle lighting ceremony involved close family and friends who were there to commemorate the milestone. Photo by Art Photographers.

Gracie's candle lighting ceremony involved close family and friends who were there to commemorate the milestone. Photo by Art Photographers.

The dance floor featured paper lanterns, gobos, and LED - raised platform, lounge ottomans, and more. Photo by Art Photographers.

The dance floor featured paper lanterns, gobos, and LED - raised platform, lounge ottomans, and more. Photo by Art Photographers.

It's all in the details - from left to right - hanging mobile made of records, candy bar, and porthole signage. Photo by Art Photographers.

It's all in the details - from left to right - hanging mobile made of records, candy bar, and porthole signage. Photo by Art Photographers.

In addition to the creativity of Gracie and her mother, the following vendors worked hard to make for a magical event: Cake by Lori's Cakes | Candy bar by Lisa Blacker | DJ, dance floor platform, and gobos by Total Entertainment | Flowers by Merriel Weston Floral Design | Lounge furniture provided by HELEN MILLS.

Planning a Mitzvah or other celebration? Contact us for more information or click here to learn more.

So Phun, So Dance, So Party: Sophia's Bat Mitzvah

This past weekend, HELEN MILLS was home to Sophia's Bat Mitzvah - an fun, elegant, and dance-filled party that lasted well into Saturday night. The night kicked off with the ceremony that included readings, singing, and some very touching words of advice from the parents of the Mitzvah girl. A cocktail reception with blue-themed mocktails for the kids followed - complete with a photo booth and pop-a-shot booth. Finally, the dancing started with a group photo on the LED dance floor, followed by great music and dancing.

The party was wonderfully decorated from the porthole windows featuring Sophia and her family's dogs to the beautiful floral displays throughout the venue. Check out the photos below for more highlights and fun ideas.

As guests arrived, they were greeted by photos of Sophia and her family's dogs in the venue door's portholes.

Sophia's Bat Mitzvah at HELEN MILLS - Exterior signage with photos of the mitzvah party girl in each of the portholes.

Beautiful blue wall wash, elegant table centerpieces, and Sophia's customized 'ssj' gobo made for an elegant bar and lounge area:

Sophia's Bat Mitzvah at HELEN MILLS - Tables with gorgeous centerpieces for the adult guests across from the bar. Sophia's custom gobo is projected above the bar area.

Gorgeous small florals and candles contributed to the elegant feel of the party.

Sophia's Bat Mitzvah at HELEN MILLS - Tables with gorgeous centerpieces across from the bar. Sophia's custom gobo is projected above the bar area.

As guests entered, they were greeted by a sign-in board where they could write their greetings and well-wishes for the Mitzvah girl.

Sophia's Bat Mitzvah at HELEN MILLS - Upon entering, guests were invited to sign Sophia's mitzvah sign-in board. A gift table was placed on the side.

The tables had tall centerpieces, perfectly complementing the venue's high ceilings. The branches were perfect for the Fall timing.

Sophia's Bat Mitzvah at HELEN MILLS - Tables with gorgeous centerpieces across from the bar. Hydrangea and branges complement the venue's high ceilings.

Guests sat for the ceremony before the cocktail hour and reception began.

Sophia's Bat Mitzvah at HELEN MILLS - Guests listened through the ceremony, before the party kicked off.

The dance floor before the dancing started. The LED lighting made for a fun place to gather.

Sophia's Bat Mitzvah at HELEN MILLS - The LED dance floor provided a spark for guests.

The pop-a-shot and photobooth were a hit with guests.

Sophia's Bat Mitzvah at HELEN MILLS - Guests were entertained with a photo booth and pop-a-shot, in addition to dancing.

Sophia's love for soccer was reflected by the soccer balls hanging from the ceiling, adding a personal and unique decor touch to the space.

Sophia's Bat Mitzvah at HELEN MILLS - Creative decor included soccer balls suspended from the ceiling.

Sophia's friends posed for a group photo right before the dancing began.

Sophia's Bat Mitzvah at HELEN MILLS - Sophia's friends pose for a group photo before the music kicked off.

Looking for a venue to host your next Mitzvah or Private Party? Contact Us or check out the Mitzvah Photo Gallery for more inspiration.