Gifts have changed over the years from fountain pens and the planting of trees in the Holy Land to iPods and whatever else a typical 13-year-old birthday child would want, and tend to vary greatly by community. But most often, close friends and family choose gifts that are meaningful to the occasion or something the bar/bat mitzvah can use in years to come.
1. Bookend replicas of the Second Temple, Tree of Life bookends, photo frames with the Star of David, Tzedaka (charity) Boxes, silver kiddush cups, menorahs and prayer shawls.
Walk into the Inspiration Gallery at Edna’s Inspiration and you’ll be greeted by owner Edna whose inspiration began as a business in her home in 1986. The Gallery has been at its current location for 18 years and after one visit, it’s no wonder. You’ll find Judaic books and gifts for every Jewish holiday and celebration. The friendly staff is more than willing to offer gift suggestions but if browsing is more your style, this is the place to browse until your heart’s content. You’ll find bookend replicas of the Second Temple, Tree of Life bookends, photo frames with the Star of David, Tzedaka (charity) Boxes, silver kiddush cups, menorahs and prayer shawls. Monday through Thursday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Friday 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Sunday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Closed on the Sabbath. Inspirational Gallery, 1333 North Ave., New Rochelle. 633-8508. judaica@att.net. www.inspirationgallery.com.
2. Custom Pillow
Jane Fried Sheinfeld, of The Pieced Palette, creates fabric keepsakes, most often pillows that commemorate important milestones such as bar/bat mitzvahs, births and weddings. For the bar/bat mitzvah, Sheinfeld designs pillows with embroidered monograms centered within a Star of David, computer generated designs matching the font and colors of the invitation, fabric reproductions of digital photos and scanned invitations that are framed on pillows with coordinating fabric and trim ñ the possibilities are endless. With Sheinfeld’s help and experience the pillow style, color and design will reflect the style of the bar/bat mitzvah and commemorate the event in a unique way. Production time and prices are dependent on detailing, fabric and design. $50 and up. Jane Fried Sheinfeld, The Pieced Palette. 420-1746. info@thepiecedpalette.com. www.thepiecedpalette.com.
3. Personalized Newspaper Print
The Daily Portrait, the flagship product of Milson Road, the family-run business of Mark and Margaret Brown, came to fruition while the Brown’s lived in Australia on now other than, Milson Road. The portraits started as handmade versions created by Mark for nieces and nephews commemorating important milestones. It soon developed into a sentimental favorite with requests from family and friends and a passion of Mark and Margaret Brown’s. When they returned to the states they brought The Daily Portrait with them and opened Milson Road. The Daily Portrait is a framed, personalized commemorative print celebrating a special occasion or milestone in a news page format alongside the day’s headlines – it’s a time capsule of memories captured in a beautiful framed print (18 X20-inches). The lead headline of a bar/bat mitzvah Portrait is the news of the child being called to the Torah and becoming a bar/bat mitzvah and the lead story reports the details. The Daily Portrait can be ordered online through the Milson Road Web site. Milson Road, 487 E. Main St., Suite 141, Mt. Kisco, NY 10549-3420 (mailing address). 1-877-464-5766. www.milsonroad.com.
4. Cash Registry
Modern technology has impacted the way we do everything including how we “window shop,” comparison shop and purchase items. We can do it all online if we choose and when it comes to purchasing gifts, online registries have become a convenient, smart and acceptable way to ask for and receive gifts. Deposit a Gift (DAG) is an online cash registry site that differs from the traditional registry; it is based on saving for something rather than signing up at specific stores for specific items. The bar/bat mitzvah may want to save for a future trip to Israel or collect donations for a special cause or charity and guests can contribute a monetary gift toward their desire. It may sound unconventional but, at one time, so did sending Evites and using online photo sites for sharing and storing photos. www.depositagift.com.
Irene C. Okwit has written often for Westchester Family.
