Attending a Bat Mitzvah to Remember!
This past weekend, I attended the Bat Mitzvah of Emma Dienst, the daughter of my good friends, Jill and Dan Dienst. Both the male Bar Mitzvah and the female Bat Mitzvah are Jewish coming of age rituals. Within the Jewish religion, when children reach the age of thirteen, they become responsible for their actions. After the Bar or Bat Mitzvah ceremony, a person gains the responsibilities of an adult Jew under Jewish law. Emma’s ceremony took place at The Central Synagogue in Manhattan, where she read beautifully from the Torah, or Hebrew Bible. Following was a festive celebration with all of Emma’s family and friends.
1 Here I am with the Bat Mitzvah girl, Emma. Photo By Donna Newman http://donnanewman.com/
2 Jill and me - Photo By Donna Newman http://donnanewman.com/
3 Here I am with Dan.
4 Stephen Sills, Dan Dienst, and Kevin Sharkey
5 Emma's Bat Mitzvah reception was held at Center 548 in the Chelsea section of Manhattan, in the Dia:Chelsea’s public program space.
6 Obviously, there was an equestrian theme. These amazing horses were borrowed from the department store, Bergdorf Goodman. They were part of a window display about a year-and-a-half ago.
7 The horses were meticulously adorned with all natural materials - moss, dried flowers, stones, etc.
8 And the hooves were bejeweled with diamonds!
9 Jill worked with thirteen-year-old Emma on the decor. Rather than flowers, Emma wanted green glitter throughout. The upholstery fabric is a horseshoe pattern.
10 If you look closely at the fabric, the horseshoes form an E for Emma!
11 Even the ping pong table was glittered in green. The rug is faux fur.
12 Friends from school enjoyed the game.
13 These little girls look cozy.
14 And from the other side, Emma's friends - Clementine, Fran, and Frankie
15 There was a henna tattoo artist at the celebration. Emma and Dan
16 Emma's father Dan Dienst, Douglas Milch, Steven Zaslov, and Rodney Montag
17 My friend and Emma's mother, Jill Dienst wearing a lovely Lanvin dress
18 The crowd
19 A very talented candy sculptor was also part of the entertainment. He was very magical.
20 Dan gave candy sculpting a try and did very well!
21 A virtual reality roller coaster simulator
22 Cherry spritzer's were offered.
23 The bar table was decorated with two giant equestrian trophies.
24 The backdrop was fabric with glittered horseshoes.
25 Party favor bags were made to look like feed bags.
26 This is the dining area for the kids.
27 And the area for adults. Photo By Donna Newman http://donnanewman.com/
28 Convex mirrors on a long wall offered a funky 1970's vibe.
29 Emma's grandfather gave a touching speech and performed the Ha-motzi blessing. (The blessing of the bread) Lisa Matlin, Arthur Hoffer, Donna Landsman, Emma, and Jill
30 The food was provided by Olivier Cheng catering - Fillet of beef on rosti with horseradish cream (adult menu) Photo By Donna Newman http://donnanewman.com/
31 Barbecued chicken quesadilla (kid's menu) Photo By Donna Newman http://donnanewman.com/
32 Maine lobster salad with fava beans, frisée, and tiny tomatoes
33 Spiced quinoa salad
34 A salad of local asparagus, snap peas, crispy shallots, and edible flowers
35 The centerpieces were created from candy.
36 DJ Kiss provided the music. She was recently named one of the 25 most stylish New Yorkers by US Weekly magazine, and spins in hip clubs all over the world.
37 David Monn - the famous events planner - and his assistant hold the socks for the dance floor - the socks had all kinds of fun patterns.
38 The column in the middle of the room was covered with greenery.
39 Emma, Mackenzie, Olivia, and Carly
40 Emma being lifted on a chair for the traditional Hora.
41 Emma enjoying herself - Photo By Donna Newman http://donnanewman.com/
42 It's traditional to raise the whole family up on the chair - Photo By Donna Newman http://donnanewman.com/
43 For dessert, there were several flavors of rice pudding from RIce to Riches http://www.ricetoriches.com/puddy.aspx and also frozen yogurt with toppings from Pink Berry. http://www.pinkberry.com/
44 There was even a candy bar with all good old-fashioned candy in barn buckets and feed cubbies with paper bags for filling - Photo By Donna Newman http://donnanewman.com/
45 A graffiti artist decorated hats and t-shirts.
46 The graffiti station- Photo By Donna Newman http://donnanewman.com/
47 This is melted wax for making wacky hand molds.
48 Objects for dipping in the wax.
Martha Pins
Martha Tweets
...wow...beautiful party...personally, my celebrated/celebrates Confirmation with a dinner out, a simple gift, and a great cake...but, it's people willing to spend money (big money) on life that keep capitalism going...
Posted by: Monica | May 20th, 2011 at 5:57 am
Wow! I'm sitting here thinking, "How much did this party cost"? Fabulous party, no doubt. If you have it, flaunt it!
Posted by: Susie Poss | May 20th, 2011 at 7:02 am
It looks like everyone had a very good time.
Thank you for sharing this with us.
Gloria G!!
Posted by: Gloria | May 20th, 2011 at 8:15 am
What a fabulous party, to mark such an important event in a little girl's life. My favorite photos would have to be of that magnificent horse borrowed from Bergdorf's. The color and the construction, simply divine.
Posted by: Al | May 20th, 2011 at 8:48 am
Such wonderful imagination used, absolutely fantastic.
Posted by: Aussie gal | May 20th, 2011 at 9:11 am
Wow! This is *quite* the party!
Her mother Jill is beautiful!
amy @ glass confetti
Posted by: amy | May 20th, 2011 at 9:13 am
Hi Martha, What a beautiful, fascinating blog post this is! I have never seen a Bat Mitzvah or a Bar Mitzvah for that matter-thanks for sharing this terrific event! These photos are superb and Donna Newman did a nice job offering some photos, also. Emma certainly is a darling teenager who certainly had a spectacular party! Everyone who was there looked so happy and all of the kids were really cute! That equestrian theme was really charming and all of Emma's decorations were lovely! All of the food looked delicious. I'm sure you and Kevin had a fabulous time! Got to go over to The Daily Wag now and see how Sharkey does baking a souffle today! Loved your tweets and twitpics about your meeting with the Hallmark Channel setting up your schedule for this fall's TV Shows! Have another wonderful weekend! Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | May 20th, 2011 at 9:36 am
I love the ping-pong table! Something to keep the kids involved and part of the action is essential at a Bar/Bat Mitzvah. Most of the time you see a variety of vendors - henna tatoo artists, money machines, wax hands and photo booths. The ping-pong table allows the kids to be an active participant and to do something together rather than as individuals. Great idea! I'm going to borrow it and share with some of my clients. Thank you!
Posted by: Laura Taylor | May 20th, 2011 at 11:19 am
Hi Martha,
Emma is a very lucky 13-year old to have such a fabulous party given in her honor. Her parents provided her with a beautiful memory that will last a lifetime. I'm wondering if everyone went home with green glitter all over them! lol I hope it was Martha Stewart glitter. Also, I remember you mentioned Jill a few times so I checked the site and found her beautiful Colonial house filled with her Swedish antiques. She has exquisite taste. Here's the link: http://bit.ly/jyeRJc Have a nice weekend everyone. Trish
Posted by: Trish | May 20th, 2011 at 11:26 am
Wonderful and beautiful party...amazing attention to detail! A very lucky girl and, i am sure, most appreciative of the opportunity to have her friends share in the special occasion.
Posted by: sherey | May 20th, 2011 at 11:47 am
Wow beautiful party and event. Love all the details.
Wish you a wonderful weekend!
Posted by: Rowaida Flayhan | May 20th, 2011 at 2:19 pm
Excellent blog and stunning photos! Thank-You, Martha, for allowing us a peek into an event many of us have never personally experienced. I can only imagine that this Bat Mitzvah was significantly more elaborate than most, and yet what I particularly enjoyed was the obvious fact that so much love went into creating it. Emma and her family will have a lifetime of memories to share. We can all be inspired by such creativity and imagination.(BTW, in photo #2, you and Jill both look stunning in your elegant outfits!) Thanks again for sharing!
Posted by: Kate | May 20th, 2011 at 3:29 pm
Hi this is Jill aka 'Emma's Mom'! Dresses, design and glitter mean nothing without friends and family. We consider ourselves truly blessed that Martha is part of our family. She constantly teaches me the true meaning of friendship through her sharing, love and guidance. xo
Posted by: Jill Dienst | May 20th, 2011 at 6:45 pm
The best part has to be the glitter ping pong table. Totally inspired!
Posted by: Katie | May 20th, 2011 at 7:50 pm
Jewish celebration is new for me but I like the party afterward served with good food and wine.
Posted by: RawFood | May 21st, 2011 at 5:15 am
Beautiful photos - Bat Mitzvahs are the Best!!
Posted by: Sweet Tea with Cindy | May 23rd, 2011 at 9:50 am
great post my frined I enjoy reading it the the bat mitzva will be surely an evet that we will all remember for lifetime !
Posted by: מועדונים לבת מצווה | January 30th, 2012 at 8:49 am