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Continued from Page 13
“And the wall and ceiling were built from reclaimed Pennsylvania
farm wood. The Grand Ballroom, which can hold 500, has refinished
railroad ties made into tables, which give it a rustic look. We’re finding
a lot of people like using them as natural tables and putting a flower
arrangement on it. It’s the most interesting ballroom in Philadelphia.”
The Logan will also offer a group rate for guests, encouraging
them to make a weekend of it, where they can also take advantage
of its elegant fitness center and spa.

That’s just one advantage of hosting your Jewish event in what
some might see as the perfect place: the National Museum for Amer-
ican Jewish History. Since opening in 2010, the NMAJH has become
a hot spot for hosting events.

While the exhibition floors are generally closed during your party,
they will permit guests to arrive early and see the place. They also
work with a number of hotels and parking garages to make things
as convenient as possible.

“I work with the client from the moment they book the place until
they leave to make sure everything on site is perfect,” said Ellen Weiss,
NMAJH facilities rental and event planning manager. “It’s up to the
customer if they want to keep the exhibit open they can do that. Nor-
mally, during social events, we don’t keep it open. But if people are
in for the weekend and want to come in, we can make arrangements.”
Once you book the museum — which could range from around
$3,500 to $5,000, depending on how much space is needed — what
you do with it is pretty much up to you. “Normally, the customer
will bring in lighting and their own vendors,” said Weiss. “We work
with the vendors. They can set up as early as they want. It depends
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The same goes for the food — and drink. “We have a list of ap-
proved caterers,” she continued. “Barclay, Betty, Essen and Prestige
— and seven non-kosher caterers.

“And in terms of alcohol it’s BYO — they can bring in their own,
which is a nice cost saving. We’ll work with the customer about what
they should buy.”
The bottom line, though, is that the NMAJH is a unique place
to host your special event. “There are so many museums in the city,”
acknowledged Weiss. “But we like to think we’re competitive when
it comes to hosting special events and we have a fabulous outdoor
terrace that overlooks the city, which we keep open year-round.”
Those are just a few of the many new venue options for 2016.

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The Logan’s Stenton ballroom features reclaimed wood tables.

Garces also recommends the Cira Centre near 30th Street, where it
hosts a wedding just about every weekend. The Starr Catering Group
is getting regular bookings at the Horticulture Center in Fairmount
Park and the New Liberty Distillery.

But once the event gets underway, once the bar is open and the
hors d’oeuvres have been served, what about the party itself?
Sally Mitlas, who’s been performing spectacularly at Jewish wed-
dings and Bar and Bat Mitzvahs for over 20 years, has some ideas
how to add an extra touch.

“We’re doing something special in video production for our clients,”
said Mitlas, whose documentary, A Hero From Heaven, on Philadelphia
native Michael Levin who was killed in battle in Lebanon, has won
numerous awards. “Personal messages shown at the affair — very cre-
ative videos with scripting and green-screen production.

“I get to know the client very well and create a one-of-a-kind cin-
ema production, which is shown at the affair. I also work with the
musicians and vocalist and redo lyrics of a song to tailor it to the
bride and groom or the Bar or Bat Mitzvah.”
It’s an intricate process where she applies the personal touch,
being involved from the start. That’s apart from the entertainment
itself, which includes ranging from a DJ, to novelty performers
and character actors, to the band — which can be as large or small
as you like.

“With music, what people love about what we do is that I want
to stay true to the music forms and don’t want to change,” she ex-
plained. “It’s not terribly new, but I don’t think anybody does it like
us. With the videos, they come to our studio and I show them dif-
ferent videos, because no two are alike. I produce and direct every
one of them. We can do one in four weeks, four months or four
years. If they want us to spend a day in New York with them, I’m
overseeing it. I have a camera crew, audio crew and editors — six
people involved from beginning to end.”
Ultimately, whether you spare no expense like that or are just
doing something simple, the show will go on. Whether you book
the Logan Hotel or the NMAJH, have it catered by Jose Garces or
Stephen Starr or simply have it at the synagogue like old times,
there’s only one thing that truly matters: That you’re happy with
the end result. l
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