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Unusual BAR AND BAT MITZVAH PARTY
VENUE? CONSIDER THESE CHOICES
KEVIN WALKER | JE FEATURE
B AR OR BAT MITZVAH ranks among the most
traditional of all Jewish events — for good reason.

Strip away all the fun party details and glitz, and
a Bar or Bat Mitzvah is meant to mark the transi-
tion of a boy or girl into the full responsibility of being a mem-
ber of the Jewish community.

It’s an event backed by centuries of tradition, but that doesn’t
mean the celebration aft erward has to be that traditional.

In recent years, many parents planning parties for their son
or daughter have moved away from the traditional trappings,
such as country club luncheons. Event planners in the Philadel-
phia area have, of course, seen the trend and made the moves to
accommodate it.

“Th ey’re not so much off the beaten path,” Stacey Kesselman,
owner of Exceptional Events, said of the Bar and Bat Mitzvah
venue choices in modern times. “Th ey are just diff erent venues
outside of a country club or hotel.”
30 OCTOBER 26, 2017
SPORTS AND CENTRIFUGES
Kesselman, who also coordinates weddings through her busi-
ness, has years of experience planning Jewish ceremonies and
events. Th ose include Bar and Bat Mitzvah celebrations in un-
usual places.

In October, she planned a party for a soccer fan at Talen Ener-
gy Stadium, home of Major League Soccer’s Philadelphia Union.

Th e event included decorations with the colors of the team and
other soccer-related items, such as place cards and water bottles.

Th ey also had soccer jerseys as a giveaway gift for party guests.

Kesselman said she has held parties at the Wells Fargo Cen-
ter, home of the 76ers and the Flyers. But it was the 76ers that
were the focus of one particular Bar Mitzvah, where everyone
attended a 76ers game fi rst and then stayed aft er for the party.

While the stadiums are fun, Kesselman said among the most
unique places she has coordinated a Bar Mitzvah was at Th e
Fuge. “Th e Fuge,” she said, “is very cool.”
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