BESA EXPO LINK
(Zack & Jess @ BESA Meeting)
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Besa Expo, March 13th, 2011 @ La Jolla Hyatt
ZG Productions is getting very excited for this years BESA Expo at the La Jolla Hyatt. The event start at 12pm and ends at 4pm. If you are looking for any kind of entertainment for your upcoming Bar or Bat Mitvzah than you should be attending this event!
BESA EXPO LINK
(Zack & Jess @ BESA Meeting)
BESA EXPO LINK
(Zack & Jess @ BESA Meeting)
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
San Diego ZG Productions Bar Mitzvah Video Screens & Lighting March 5th, 2011
ZG Productions was proud to be a part of another San Diego Bar Mitzvah event! Having the night off from being the DJ/MC was a nice break but that doesn't mean there was no work involved. Starting the day out at 2pm to load in (2) 9ft by 12ft Big Screens, Dance Floor Lighting and 20 LED Uplgihts at the La Jolla Hyatt.
We had custom digital gobos created just for the event and they looked great. I was supposed to DJ/MC this event but a lot of guests at the event were Persian so the client wanted a Persian DJ/MC. The event started around 7pm and when the doors open to the guests you could see the wow factor in everybody's eyes. For the grand entrance the Bar Mitzvah Boy was accompanied by the "BODY POETS" who are an awesome San Diego based B-Boy / Break dance Troop. The room looked awesome and the room was packed for the DJ to rock it out!
ZG Productions is San Diego's top rated special events company. If you are looking for a San Diego Bar Mitzvah DJ, San Diego Bat Mitvzah DJ,San Diego Bar MItzvah Disc Jockey, San Diego Bat Mitzvah Disc Jockey, San Diego Wedding DJ, San Diego Wedding Disc Jockey, San Diego School Dance DJ, San Diego Bar Mitzvah Event Lighting, San Diego Bat Mitvzah Event Lighting, San Diego Wedding Event Lighting, San Diego School Dance Event Lighting, look no further. ZG Productions is a Bar and Bat Mitzvah, Wedding, School Dance and Corporate Entertainment company that has created its reputation by offering new and unique ideas to help your event standout from the rest.
Monday, March 7, 2011
Why do DJ's & MC's costs vary so much?
There are a lot of factors as to why one DJ will cost differently than another. You can put them into the following primary categories.
* 1. Experience
* 2. Overhead
* 3. Professional vs. Part-time vs. Hobbyist
* 4. The Nature of the Business
EXPERIENCE:
With a tons of events under ZG Productions under our belt, years of experience and many enthusiastically satisfied clients we are confident in the services we provide and know without a doubt that we will do a fantastic job for any client. If we weren't so sure of our services we would not charge as much as we do today. Why else would a true professional continue to be a mobile DJ if he or she would not be able to raise his or her rates from when they first started? There would be no money and incentive for that DJ to continue so longevity as a mobile DJ would be extremely hard to come by.
OVERHEAD:
Starting off I we didn’t have a web site, our equipment was lower grade, we didn’t have liability insurance, we didn’t invest in back-up equipment, we didn’t have a dedicated van for my business, we didn’t have a business license, we had another part-time job and so on. Now that I have been doing this for over 10 years I have made this a full time career and invested in everything I should have when I first started out. With true professionalism comes costs. My overhead is now greater with the costs of more professional equipment, business licensing, taxes, music royalty fees, replacing/repairing equipment, insurance costs, web site development and more. If we did not invest in these things we would not be found for people to hire us or people would not want to hire us after they found me.
PROFESSIONAL VS. PART-TIME VS. HOBBYIST
This makes up another good portion of why some DJs cost less than others. As I mentioned in the EXPERIENCE category of this article I used to charge a lot less when I first started than I do now as a true professional. Most DJs you find will probably fall into the part-time category. By the nature of this business over 90% of the work a DJ receives is on the weekend making it easy for someone to hold a weekday job Monday – Friday and still be available part-time for Saturday and Sunday gigs. This also means they don’t need to charge as much since this is not their only source of income. However part-time DJs usually don’t offer as many of the reassurances and are not able to perform as many events per year as a full-time DJ. The flip side for a full time DJ however is that we only have a limited number of days each week to perform and to make a living. How many weddings have you been to on a Tuesday? In addition, out of that 90% of the work we receive on the weekend, over 65% of that is for Saturday alone. This is why you will notice prices highest on Saturday. Most people and their friends and family have a regular weekday job so Saturday’s make the most sense to hold a party. This way they are not tired from working all day Friday and can stay up later since they don’t have to go to bed earlier on Sunday. Hobbyist DJs typically charge the least but they also tend to perform less events per year than any other DJ and don’t typically offer any (if at all) reassurances such as a back-up DJ, liability insurance, web site, back-up equipment, etc.
NATURE OF THE BUSINESS:
By the nature of this business over 90% of the work a DJ receives is on the weekend and over 65% of that is for Saturday alone. This is why you will notice prices highest on Saturday. Most people and their friends and family have a regular weekday job so Saturday’s make the most sense to hold a party. This way they are not tired from working all day Friday and can stay up later since they don’t have to go to bed earlier on Sunday. How many weddings have you been to on a Tuesday?
BOTTOM LINE:
Not all DJs are created equal and shopping around for a DJ should never be based on price alone. With just price you are never comparing apples to apples. As the old saying goes, it’s not a great deal if it’s not a great service. Spend a little extra time and do some research, it will pay off for you in the end.
ZG Productions is a Southern California based DJ/MC Company providing services Bar Mitzvah's, Bat Mitzvah's, Weddings, School Dances, Corporate and Private Parties!
* 1. Experience
* 2. Overhead
* 3. Professional vs. Part-time vs. Hobbyist
* 4. The Nature of the Business
EXPERIENCE:
With a tons of events under ZG Productions under our belt, years of experience and many enthusiastically satisfied clients we are confident in the services we provide and know without a doubt that we will do a fantastic job for any client. If we weren't so sure of our services we would not charge as much as we do today. Why else would a true professional continue to be a mobile DJ if he or she would not be able to raise his or her rates from when they first started? There would be no money and incentive for that DJ to continue so longevity as a mobile DJ would be extremely hard to come by.
OVERHEAD:
Starting off I we didn’t have a web site, our equipment was lower grade, we didn’t have liability insurance, we didn’t invest in back-up equipment, we didn’t have a dedicated van for my business, we didn’t have a business license, we had another part-time job and so on. Now that I have been doing this for over 10 years I have made this a full time career and invested in everything I should have when I first started out. With true professionalism comes costs. My overhead is now greater with the costs of more professional equipment, business licensing, taxes, music royalty fees, replacing/repairing equipment, insurance costs, web site development and more. If we did not invest in these things we would not be found for people to hire us or people would not want to hire us after they found me.
PROFESSIONAL VS. PART-TIME VS. HOBBYIST
This makes up another good portion of why some DJs cost less than others. As I mentioned in the EXPERIENCE category of this article I used to charge a lot less when I first started than I do now as a true professional. Most DJs you find will probably fall into the part-time category. By the nature of this business over 90% of the work a DJ receives is on the weekend making it easy for someone to hold a weekday job Monday – Friday and still be available part-time for Saturday and Sunday gigs. This also means they don’t need to charge as much since this is not their only source of income. However part-time DJs usually don’t offer as many of the reassurances and are not able to perform as many events per year as a full-time DJ. The flip side for a full time DJ however is that we only have a limited number of days each week to perform and to make a living. How many weddings have you been to on a Tuesday? In addition, out of that 90% of the work we receive on the weekend, over 65% of that is for Saturday alone. This is why you will notice prices highest on Saturday. Most people and their friends and family have a regular weekday job so Saturday’s make the most sense to hold a party. This way they are not tired from working all day Friday and can stay up later since they don’t have to go to bed earlier on Sunday. Hobbyist DJs typically charge the least but they also tend to perform less events per year than any other DJ and don’t typically offer any (if at all) reassurances such as a back-up DJ, liability insurance, web site, back-up equipment, etc.
NATURE OF THE BUSINESS:
By the nature of this business over 90% of the work a DJ receives is on the weekend and over 65% of that is for Saturday alone. This is why you will notice prices highest on Saturday. Most people and their friends and family have a regular weekday job so Saturday’s make the most sense to hold a party. This way they are not tired from working all day Friday and can stay up later since they don’t have to go to bed earlier on Sunday. How many weddings have you been to on a Tuesday?
BOTTOM LINE:
Not all DJs are created equal and shopping around for a DJ should never be based on price alone. With just price you are never comparing apples to apples. As the old saying goes, it’s not a great deal if it’s not a great service. Spend a little extra time and do some research, it will pay off for you in the end.
ZG Productions is a Southern California based DJ/MC Company providing services Bar Mitzvah's, Bat Mitzvah's, Weddings, School Dances, Corporate and Private Parties!
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Should I give my Bar/Bat MItzvah DJ a Playlist?
Should I give my Wedding DJ & Bar MItzvah DJ a Playlist?
Planning a San Diego Bar Mitzvah or Bat Mitzvah can be a daunting task with details abounding everywhere. To make it worse everyone has an opinion about how things should be handled. It can be a very tense time so it’s of the up most importance to hire competent professionals who can help you plan your event. Good advice doesn’t cost; it pays.
Every Bar Mitzvah and Bar Mitzvah understandably wants their party to be perfect and, most realize or at least should, that the DJ is a critical choice that will shape the entire event. The DJ will make or break your party.
He is the front person at your Bar or Bat Mitzvah. They generally attend to the announcements and the special events at the event. It’s his job to keep the focus and spotlight on the kid … after all, it’s their special day. The music that’s chosen will greatly impact the success of the celebration.
First realize people’s goals and desires are different. Not everyone envisions a Bar / Bat Mitzvah event where all guests are up partying and dancing up a storm while for others the party is paramount. It all depends on what you want and what your vision is for your Bar / Bat Mitzvah Event. That’s why it’s important to choose a DJ who both understands what you want and whose personal style is able to deliver it.
Because of the importance of choosing the right music for the right event to set the right mood, many kids decide they want to give their DJ a complete playlist of tunes that will be played throughout the evening. Now, as far as DJ’s go, there are two schools of thought on this. I subscribe to the latter.
The first says that since the kids (I mean kids parents) are paying the bill they should be able to choose all the music if they so desire. These DJ’s say, “Sure, I’ll play whatever music you choose. Just make a list and I’ll play through it.” While less confrontational and seemingly more helpful, they’ve just transferred the job of running the party to the kids, which is, ostensibly, what they seem to be asking for.
The second school of thought goes like this: I’ve been a DJ for 15 years and because every event is different with a unique blend of guests and musical tastes, even with my extensive experience I wouldn’t feel confident choosing all the music prior to the event. There’s just no way to predict how a party will go before it begins.
While I have worked with a few clients who asserted that, “this is our party, we’re paying for it and we want to hear the music we like,” most often kids want their guests to have input into the party also and want a DJ who can nurture a tiny seed of a party until it breaks out into a mighty celebration.
You probably wouldn’t go to your attorney, doctor or auto mechanic and tell them in advance exactly what you want them to do because, hopefully, you’re dealing with people you trust and whose advice you value and want to follow. When you give your DJ a complete playlist for the evening you’re really saying, “I don’t think I trust you enough to choose good music for my party.” Hmmm. Maybe it’s time to find someone else to work with whom you do trust.
What a DJ brings to the table is the experience of having presided over hundreds, maybe thousands, of similar parties and has developed the unique ability to read the crowd, gauge the direction they’re moving in and help lead them happily down the path they’ve chosen. Most times having the flexibility to guide the party by letting the guests guide the DJ worked best. To do otherwise might be like trying to fit a size nine foot into a size six shoe.
So, what should you do? Doesn’t the Bar & Bat Mitzvah kids have the right to help choose the music? Of course they do.
I’d never suggest that the client should have no input into the music played at their own party. But I would suggest they choose seven or eight of their personal favorites and then give the DJ some guidelines to follow such as don’t play rap, country or hip-hop at our event or, perhaps, play hip-hop or rap only if family members ask and then do so only sparingly. Guidelines are extremely helpful in that a DJ knows the limits and can choose the very best music within them.
Another quick suggestion while I’m still on my crazed rant. Try to keep your “Do Not Play” list as tiny as possible. I’ve seen couples literally suck the life out of their own parties, parties they desperately want to be successful, by banning the very songs people expect at a wedding.
Remember, Aunt Sally and Uncle Joe may not be the hip nightclub set you’re used to hanging out with. For them, the YMCA may be the height of a great time. If it’s on the banned list, the party suffers when they don’t participate. It’s really about a compromise between what seems corny and what keeps the party going.
Several of the best bar & Bat Mitzvah parties I’ve done had the least likely people dancing wildly to such unsavory tunes. My choices? No way. But they loved it. Afterward, in each case, the client wrote to tell me how pleased she was that so many of her guests had called to tell her they thought their Bar/Bat Mitzvah party was one of the best they had ever attended. Go figure.
Planning a San Diego Bar Mitzvah or Bat Mitzvah can be a daunting task with details abounding everywhere. To make it worse everyone has an opinion about how things should be handled. It can be a very tense time so it’s of the up most importance to hire competent professionals who can help you plan your event. Good advice doesn’t cost; it pays.
Every Bar Mitzvah and Bar Mitzvah understandably wants their party to be perfect and, most realize or at least should, that the DJ is a critical choice that will shape the entire event. The DJ will make or break your party.
He is the front person at your Bar or Bat Mitzvah. They generally attend to the announcements and the special events at the event. It’s his job to keep the focus and spotlight on the kid … after all, it’s their special day. The music that’s chosen will greatly impact the success of the celebration.
First realize people’s goals and desires are different. Not everyone envisions a Bar / Bat Mitzvah event where all guests are up partying and dancing up a storm while for others the party is paramount. It all depends on what you want and what your vision is for your Bar / Bat Mitzvah Event. That’s why it’s important to choose a DJ who both understands what you want and whose personal style is able to deliver it.
Because of the importance of choosing the right music for the right event to set the right mood, many kids decide they want to give their DJ a complete playlist of tunes that will be played throughout the evening. Now, as far as DJ’s go, there are two schools of thought on this. I subscribe to the latter.
The first says that since the kids (I mean kids parents) are paying the bill they should be able to choose all the music if they so desire. These DJ’s say, “Sure, I’ll play whatever music you choose. Just make a list and I’ll play through it.” While less confrontational and seemingly more helpful, they’ve just transferred the job of running the party to the kids, which is, ostensibly, what they seem to be asking for.
The second school of thought goes like this: I’ve been a DJ for 15 years and because every event is different with a unique blend of guests and musical tastes, even with my extensive experience I wouldn’t feel confident choosing all the music prior to the event. There’s just no way to predict how a party will go before it begins.
While I have worked with a few clients who asserted that, “this is our party, we’re paying for it and we want to hear the music we like,” most often kids want their guests to have input into the party also and want a DJ who can nurture a tiny seed of a party until it breaks out into a mighty celebration.
You probably wouldn’t go to your attorney, doctor or auto mechanic and tell them in advance exactly what you want them to do because, hopefully, you’re dealing with people you trust and whose advice you value and want to follow. When you give your DJ a complete playlist for the evening you’re really saying, “I don’t think I trust you enough to choose good music for my party.” Hmmm. Maybe it’s time to find someone else to work with whom you do trust.
What a DJ brings to the table is the experience of having presided over hundreds, maybe thousands, of similar parties and has developed the unique ability to read the crowd, gauge the direction they’re moving in and help lead them happily down the path they’ve chosen. Most times having the flexibility to guide the party by letting the guests guide the DJ worked best. To do otherwise might be like trying to fit a size nine foot into a size six shoe.
So, what should you do? Doesn’t the Bar & Bat Mitzvah kids have the right to help choose the music? Of course they do.
I’d never suggest that the client should have no input into the music played at their own party. But I would suggest they choose seven or eight of their personal favorites and then give the DJ some guidelines to follow such as don’t play rap, country or hip-hop at our event or, perhaps, play hip-hop or rap only if family members ask and then do so only sparingly. Guidelines are extremely helpful in that a DJ knows the limits and can choose the very best music within them.
Another quick suggestion while I’m still on my crazed rant. Try to keep your “Do Not Play” list as tiny as possible. I’ve seen couples literally suck the life out of their own parties, parties they desperately want to be successful, by banning the very songs people expect at a wedding.
Remember, Aunt Sally and Uncle Joe may not be the hip nightclub set you’re used to hanging out with. For them, the YMCA may be the height of a great time. If it’s on the banned list, the party suffers when they don’t participate. It’s really about a compromise between what seems corny and what keeps the party going.
Several of the best bar & Bat Mitzvah parties I’ve done had the least likely people dancing wildly to such unsavory tunes. My choices? No way. But they loved it. Afterward, in each case, the client wrote to tell me how pleased she was that so many of her guests had called to tell her they thought their Bar/Bat Mitzvah party was one of the best they had ever attended. Go figure.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Real Life Mario Cart
Anybody who has ever played Mario Cart or been to K1 Speed track in Carlsbad must watch this!
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
How to have a Meaningful Mitzvah Celebration without Breaking the Bank
At ZG Productions we speak regularly with families who are concerned about the costs of having a Bar or Bat Mitzvah party for their child.
In the first group are parents who pull out all the stops and throw a big, flashy party. If this describes what you want – go for it. Be prepared both for significant costs and a great party. Remember that the best Mitzvah’s manage to keep the focus on your child and the spirit of the occasion, no matter what the final budget of the event.
But what if you want something less flashy, less expensive, and just as (or maybe more) meaningful? In this group are families who are not interested in trying to out-do others on spectacle. The best part of planning a party for this second group is that you’re already focused on the heart of the event: planning a special, memorable and fun family party that incorporates Jewish tradition, special ceremonies and good times.
Here’s how you can have a special, exciting and memorable Bar/Bat mitzvah party for your child without having to take out a second mortgage on your home!
1. Choose a venue that has great dynamics for a party vs just a room in a fancy building – look for a large main room sized to the number of guests, allow for some alcoves/smaller areas that allow people to get away to talk, that has clean restrooms, and that has easy access for setup and takedown.
2. Choose inexpensive but interesting party favors to hand out to guests as a special memento.
3. Choose game prizes like I-Tunes gift cards, $2 bills, or other small chatchkis; small gift bags that appeal to kids and adults alike filled with inexpensive, Jewish themed items which can be assembled at home.
4. Make good use of simple fabric backdrops and up-lighting to make the room look beautiful.
5. Use your photos, videos, and LCD projectors to best advantage. In some rooms this may be off to the side; in others your slideshows may be part of the main event.
6. Think about interactivity for your guests. A digital snap shot booth, a live camera fed to a projector, a fun game table off to the side, and so on.
7. Keep the focus on your child and your guests.
8. If you are the host parent, then delegate, delegate, delegate even if you are not hiring coordinators. This leaves you free to work the room and relax.
9. Sweat the details of the guest list. A good party starts with a good crowd.
At ZG Producions we strive to work with families to create a Mitzvah party that accomplishes both your objectives: affordability and fun. We’ve learned to find the happy medium between a lavish, high cost affair and a casual low cost get together by placing the emphasis on fun, family and tradition. We are good at it and we’d love to be your Entertainment company of choice.
In the first group are parents who pull out all the stops and throw a big, flashy party. If this describes what you want – go for it. Be prepared both for significant costs and a great party. Remember that the best Mitzvah’s manage to keep the focus on your child and the spirit of the occasion, no matter what the final budget of the event.
But what if you want something less flashy, less expensive, and just as (or maybe more) meaningful? In this group are families who are not interested in trying to out-do others on spectacle. The best part of planning a party for this second group is that you’re already focused on the heart of the event: planning a special, memorable and fun family party that incorporates Jewish tradition, special ceremonies and good times.
Here’s how you can have a special, exciting and memorable Bar/Bat mitzvah party for your child without having to take out a second mortgage on your home!
1. Choose a venue that has great dynamics for a party vs just a room in a fancy building – look for a large main room sized to the number of guests, allow for some alcoves/smaller areas that allow people to get away to talk, that has clean restrooms, and that has easy access for setup and takedown.
2. Choose inexpensive but interesting party favors to hand out to guests as a special memento.
3. Choose game prizes like I-Tunes gift cards, $2 bills, or other small chatchkis; small gift bags that appeal to kids and adults alike filled with inexpensive, Jewish themed items which can be assembled at home.
4. Make good use of simple fabric backdrops and up-lighting to make the room look beautiful.
5. Use your photos, videos, and LCD projectors to best advantage. In some rooms this may be off to the side; in others your slideshows may be part of the main event.
6. Think about interactivity for your guests. A digital snap shot booth, a live camera fed to a projector, a fun game table off to the side, and so on.
7. Keep the focus on your child and your guests.
8. If you are the host parent, then delegate, delegate, delegate even if you are not hiring coordinators. This leaves you free to work the room and relax.
9. Sweat the details of the guest list. A good party starts with a good crowd.
At ZG Producions we strive to work with families to create a Mitzvah party that accomplishes both your objectives: affordability and fun. We’ve learned to find the happy medium between a lavish, high cost affair and a casual low cost get together by placing the emphasis on fun, family and tradition. We are good at it and we’d love to be your Entertainment company of choice.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Seven Alternatives to Traditional Bar Mitzvah Candle Lighting Ceremonies
Many mitzvah moms struggle with the tradition of candle lighting. They worry about offending or excluding family and friends, their kids spend hours writing rhyming poems instead of studying their Haftorah portions and song selections become a family debate. All the while, the underlying question remains – how can a Bar Mitzvah candle lighting ceremony be unique, memorable and “cool”, all at the same time?
Well, let’s start by considering the history of the candle lighting ceremony. Contrary to popular belief, there’s nothing in any Jewish text that describes or mandates this tradition. No one knows exactly when it began or who started it, only that the popularity of the candle lighting ceremony has grown to the point where it’s now an expected occurrence at any New York Mitzvah celebration. But what does it all mean?
Technically, when Jewish children “become a Bar or Bat Mitzvah”, they become responsible for their own actions. The term mitzvah has also come to express any act of human kindness. By using these definitions, I have found and created 7 non-traditional alternatives to candle lighting ceremonies which are inclusive and meaningful. Who knows? Maybe we’ll start a trend!
Dim the lights. As your child lights each candle, he/ she will call upon a particular group of guests to light their own candles. Ideally, by the time your child lights the last candle, everyone has lit theirs and the room is glowing. Some examples below. Create your own groups.
”Because you mean so much to me and I’m grateful that you’re all here today to help me celebrate, I’d like to call upon each of you to participate in my candle lighting from your tables.”
1. I would like to light a candle for those who could not be here with us tonight (mention names)
2. Would my immediate family please stand and light their candles now (mention names).
3. Would my grand parents please stand and light their candles now (mention names).
4. Would all my aunts, uncles and cousins please stand and light their candles now.
5. Would those of you who knew my family before I was born, please stand and light your candles now.
6. Would those of you who I met in elementary school please stand and light your candles now.
7. Middle School
8. Summer Camp
9. after school activities (hockey, gymnastics, etc.)
10. Family friends
11. My parents work colleagues and their spouses
12. Those of you who took care of me as a child (babysitters, nannies)
13. Neighbors
These are a few examples of grouping guests so get creative. Use common interests or geographic locations. The possibilities are endless.
2. VALUES – Work with your child to identify qualities in your honorees which he/she hopes to incorporate into his/her own life. Have your child tell a short anecdote about how each quality is reflected in that person or group of people. For instance, “I remember my grandfather whistled everyday. I think it was because he was content with his life, everyday. Now, when I whistle, I realize it’s because I’m content. Thank you, grandpa.” Other qualities to consider are Consideration, Strength, Compassion, Honesty, Reliability, Humor, Courage, Honor, Tenacity, Creativity, Intelligence, Cooperation, Love and Patience.
3. MITZVAH PLEDGE – Have your child pledge 13 mitzvah or good deeds that he or she plans to achieve, either over the next year or over his or her lifetime. It can range from helping around the house without being asked to organizing volunteers at soup kitchens. Ask each guest to silently light his or her candle at their table and make a mitzvah pledge of their own.
4. WISDOM – Combine the montage with the candle lighting by hiring a company that specializes in combining video and photos, such as rewindpics.com/. Have them film interviews with honorees. Long distance relatives can be recorded by phone. Each honoree offers words of wisdom your child. Candles can be lit live by your child as he/she watches candles being lit in the video.
This idea can also be accomplished without a montage. Ask honorees to offer a blessing or words of wisdom to your child when they’re called up to light the candle. Be sure give enough advance notice so that honorees can prepare something appropriate and don’t forget to tell them to keep it short. One or two sentences per candle is perfect.
5. PLANT A TREE - Instead of lighting candles, plant 14 trees in Israel. Display 14 saplings during the reception in the same way you would display a cake with a small card in front of each explaining the Honorees they represent. his is a great option for families who don’t actually want a candle lighting ceremony.
6. VOLUNTEER – Take photos of your child doing 13 volunteer projects and create a montage. Have him/her dedicate each mitzvah to an honoree. For example, “To my Grandmother, who always read to me and continues to inspire my education, I donated books to our local library” or “To my Aunt and Uncle, who taught me to reuse, renew and recycle, I planted a tree in Israel”.
7. REMEMBER US PROJECT - The simple act of remembering someone restores that person’s value and meaning, and adds meaning and value to your own life. One-and-a-half million Jewish children were lost during the Holocaust before they had a chance to grow into Jewish adults, many before their own call to the Torah. Visit www.remember-us.org to request a name of one of these children. Dedicate the first candle to this lost child and ask your child make a commitment to saying the Kiddush prayer on the anniversary of his/her Bar/Bat Mitzvah each year, so they never forget.
Well, let’s start by considering the history of the candle lighting ceremony. Contrary to popular belief, there’s nothing in any Jewish text that describes or mandates this tradition. No one knows exactly when it began or who started it, only that the popularity of the candle lighting ceremony has grown to the point where it’s now an expected occurrence at any New York Mitzvah celebration. But what does it all mean?
Technically, when Jewish children “become a Bar or Bat Mitzvah”, they become responsible for their own actions. The term mitzvah has also come to express any act of human kindness. By using these definitions, I have found and created 7 non-traditional alternatives to candle lighting ceremonies which are inclusive and meaningful. Who knows? Maybe we’ll start a trend!
- CUP OF LIFE - Created by Rabbi Anchelle Perl. Fill 14 small cups of grape juice or wine (13 for each year plus one for good luck). One by one, they are poured by each honoree into a large brandy snifter. At the end, your child recites Kiddush and drinks from the snifter. Each cup represents an ingredient in the “recipe” for a good life:
- Cup of Good Health
- Cup of Wisdom
- Cup of Faith
- Cup of Compassion
- Cup of Good Humor
- Cup of Dedication
- Cup of Success
- Cup of Prosperity
- Cup of Generosity
- Cup of Friendship
- Cup of Happiness
- Cup of Humility
- Cup of Patience
- Cup of Love
Dim the lights. As your child lights each candle, he/ she will call upon a particular group of guests to light their own candles. Ideally, by the time your child lights the last candle, everyone has lit theirs and the room is glowing. Some examples below. Create your own groups.
”Because you mean so much to me and I’m grateful that you’re all here today to help me celebrate, I’d like to call upon each of you to participate in my candle lighting from your tables.”
1. I would like to light a candle for those who could not be here with us tonight (mention names)
2. Would my immediate family please stand and light their candles now (mention names).
3. Would my grand parents please stand and light their candles now (mention names).
4. Would all my aunts, uncles and cousins please stand and light their candles now.
5. Would those of you who knew my family before I was born, please stand and light your candles now.
6. Would those of you who I met in elementary school please stand and light your candles now.
7. Middle School
8. Summer Camp
9. after school activities (hockey, gymnastics, etc.)
10. Family friends
11. My parents work colleagues and their spouses
12. Those of you who took care of me as a child (babysitters, nannies)
13. Neighbors
These are a few examples of grouping guests so get creative. Use common interests or geographic locations. The possibilities are endless.
2. VALUES – Work with your child to identify qualities in your honorees which he/she hopes to incorporate into his/her own life. Have your child tell a short anecdote about how each quality is reflected in that person or group of people. For instance, “I remember my grandfather whistled everyday. I think it was because he was content with his life, everyday. Now, when I whistle, I realize it’s because I’m content. Thank you, grandpa.” Other qualities to consider are Consideration, Strength, Compassion, Honesty, Reliability, Humor, Courage, Honor, Tenacity, Creativity, Intelligence, Cooperation, Love and Patience.
3. MITZVAH PLEDGE – Have your child pledge 13 mitzvah or good deeds that he or she plans to achieve, either over the next year or over his or her lifetime. It can range from helping around the house without being asked to organizing volunteers at soup kitchens. Ask each guest to silently light his or her candle at their table and make a mitzvah pledge of their own.
4. WISDOM – Combine the montage with the candle lighting by hiring a company that specializes in combining video and photos, such as rewindpics.com/. Have them film interviews with honorees. Long distance relatives can be recorded by phone. Each honoree offers words of wisdom your child. Candles can be lit live by your child as he/she watches candles being lit in the video.
This idea can also be accomplished without a montage. Ask honorees to offer a blessing or words of wisdom to your child when they’re called up to light the candle. Be sure give enough advance notice so that honorees can prepare something appropriate and don’t forget to tell them to keep it short. One or two sentences per candle is perfect.
5. PLANT A TREE - Instead of lighting candles, plant 14 trees in Israel. Display 14 saplings during the reception in the same way you would display a cake with a small card in front of each explaining the Honorees they represent. his is a great option for families who don’t actually want a candle lighting ceremony.
6. VOLUNTEER – Take photos of your child doing 13 volunteer projects and create a montage. Have him/her dedicate each mitzvah to an honoree. For example, “To my Grandmother, who always read to me and continues to inspire my education, I donated books to our local library” or “To my Aunt and Uncle, who taught me to reuse, renew and recycle, I planted a tree in Israel”.
7. REMEMBER US PROJECT - The simple act of remembering someone restores that person’s value and meaning, and adds meaning and value to your own life. One-and-a-half million Jewish children were lost during the Holocaust before they had a chance to grow into Jewish adults, many before their own call to the Torah. Visit www.remember-us.org to request a name of one of these children. Dedicate the first candle to this lost child and ask your child make a commitment to saying the Kiddush prayer on the anniversary of his/her Bar/Bat Mitzvah each year, so they never forget.
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