Kippot for a Cause

I've noticed a new trend developing -- kippots which bebefit various causes. If you're looking for something unique and meaningful, check out these amazing hand made kippot.  They are beautiful, functional and memorable..  Best of all, a portion of the proceeds go to support the local communities who make them:

 

Maya Works, these beautiful and colorful kippot are hand crafted by Mayan women.  Sales support villages in Guatemala where they live. maya works

 

Kippot for Hope, 100% of profits go to support Jewish communities in Uganda.  it's worth visiting their website just to read about their history and commitment to Judaism. kippot for hope

 

Lifeline for the Old (Yad L'Kashish),  is based in Jerusalem.  Elderly Israelis make kippot, tallitot, challah covers and all types of gift items. life line

 

Party Rentals

Recently I was asked to shoot a short video for the knot with insider tips and advise about rentals.

We shot the video at “party rental limited” in NYC. The Knot Live

I am amazed every time I visit rental companies showrooms and see the plethora of options we have for event rental these days. Looking back not so long ago it was always the same items and variety that we had to work with. This segment talks about taking small pieces and elements and adding them to your wedding reception to make a big impact. Whether you have a kosher event or not you can still use some of the rentals like chairs, linens, napkins, and even glassware and charger palates.

Just remember most of the rental companies do not work directly with you the bride and groom but you can always go through your caterer, event planer or florist. 

Have a happy spring!

Simply Divine

For those of you in the NY Tri-state area who are looking for some great Kosher catering options, I wanted to share the news of the new merge: Foremost Simply Divine!
Simply Divine, New York’s premier kosher boutique caterer and event planning company has just become the new boutique division of Foremost Caterers. Joining forces in January 2010, Foremost Simply Divine (as it will now be called) has now the resources to bring their clients expanded boutique catering and event planning services and a wider distribution of their retail line, Divine To Go, currently selling at Zabars and Fairway.
 Judy Marlow, creator of Simply Divine more than twenty years ago, excels in providing a wonderful experience of creative menus with attention to detail and great style.
Executive Chef, Brian Sutor, will continue to have his talented hands on every item on the Foremost Simply Divine Menu. His extensive background of training at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris and thirteen years as Sous Chef at the renown Le Bec Fin in Philadelphia plus the last five years at Simply Divine give him a unique place in this new division. Foremost Simply Divine will continue to offer different menus from the regular Foremost fare and will continue to approach each event as a unique, one of a kind experience in terms of menu, presentation style, and service.
So whether you need a full kosher wedding or need to provide some of your guests with kosher meals, Foremost Simply divine is a great choice.  
for more information please call  Judy Marlow 212 - 541 7300

Sun Down/Sun Rise

Over the years, many of my clients have come to me with the same question: Jewish weddings on Shabbat. As we approach the spring and summer wedding season and daylight saving starts, I wanted to share some options for Saturday Jewish weddings. 
One of the difficulties of planning a Jewish/interfaith wedding in the spring/summer is that, according to traditional Jewish law, weddings are forbidden on the Jewish Shabbat, which lasts from sundown Friday night to nightfall on Saturday night.
Some of  the more liberal  Rabbis and cantors who do officiate at Jewish or  interfaith weddings often are willing to officiate at weddings that begin late Saturday afternoon before sundown.
If this is your case, you can then have a ceremony before sundown and have a great sundown cocktail hour.


If you decide to hold your wedding on Saturday night and your Rabbi will not perform the ceremony until after sundown, you can start your event with the cocktail hour first so by the time all your guests arrive, you can move to the ceremony and then the dinner dancing celebration. 

And if you feel there is no way for you to start your event until Shabbat is over i would simply say maybe doing a sunday afternoon / evening wedding is a better chice for you.