BRooklyn. It’s more than a BoRough. It’s a state of mind. It’s a vibe. It’s an energy. It’s a culture. It’s big. It’s the only place big enough to host a Mitzvah of this magnitude…at the BaRclays Center. So much creativity went into the production of this event, it’s truly BReathtaking. This was BRandon’s legendaRy BaR Mitzvah!
Mastermind parents Jason and Nicole sought out Executive Producer Michael Cerbelli of Cerbelli Creative to create an epic, larger-than-life, one-of-a-kind experience for Brandon and all his guests. Collaborating with the Gourmet Advisory Services team ensured the event of this size and scope had impeccable coordination and event logistics.
In the fall of last year, we kicked off the experience together with an incredible pre-event photoshoot inside the Barclays Center and the two iconic bridges of New York.
Pristine weather was delivered to us in February…it was all meant to be on 22016
The heart of this story begins with Brandon and his family in Israel. They had gone to Jerusalem prior to the big event to experience a warm and wonderful Judaic experience which was beautifully documented by Oren Cohen and shown prior to the service.
Brandon’s family commissioned an 8-month creation of a brand new Torah, a mind-boggling masterpiece of labor and skill that became the centerpiece of the entire event.
The Torah was later donated to their Synagogue so that others may experience the truly magnificent Torah scrolls.
Joel Cohen and Rebecca Keren of Door to Door Tutoring led a deeply personal and touching service. The music features Max Weinberg and his Rock and Soul band together with Jerry Korman for a sweeping orchestral movement. Artist Brian Olsen painted a Brooklyn > NYC portrait of Brandon during the service, adding another layer to the religious experience.
The party kicked into high gear when the Nets Beats led a drum line processional from the Barclays Atrium to the 40/40 Club and the Calvin Klein lounge. Kids were able to shoot hoops on the Brooklyn Nets practice court and adults were treated to an Ice Beat Factory performance of chainsaw wielding ice sculpture artists.
BRandon’s initials were the inspiration for the clever swag slogans, “B BRave, BRing It, B Ready, BRace Yourself, B LegendaRy, B BRilliant and many more.
The massive amusement park rides FREAK OUT and SEVEN SEAS even came with their very own BaRf bags for the unfortunate few who couldn’t handle the giant rides.
The electric Extreme Beam laser-bending performers kicked off prime time inside the arena of the Barclays Center. DJ Roonie G dropped the beats in the center of a fantastical Coney Island experience.
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Brandon shocked everyone by rappelling from the rafters to kick off a monster horah! Hart Pictures created a hilarious montage which featured multiple special guests. Then in one of the most tender moments of the evening, the legendary Aaron Neville sang, “The First Time I Ever Saw Your Face” for Brandon and Nicole’s honor dance.
The energy of the night built to a massive crescendo when the hit-machine, and ultra-secret surprise guest Pitbull took the stage and whipped the guests into a dance frenzy.
As the official documentarian, and on behalf of all the creatives who poured their heart and soul into this project, we hope you enjoy reading about this truly spectacular event.
Brandon’s A-Team of Artists and Creatives
Cerbelli Creative, Gourmet Advisory Services, Total Entertainment, Frost Productions, Levy Catering, Barclays Center, Carolyn Dempsey, Hart Pictures, Jerry Korman Service Band, Joel Cohen and Rebecca Keren from Door to Door Tutoring, Mobile Valets, Alpine Creative Group, Bar Mitzvah Bouncers, and Atomic.
Very special thanks to Max Weinberg and his Rock N Soul Band, Aaron Neville, Pitbull, Brooklynettes
Extreme Beam, Nets Beats (Drumline), E3 Band,
Ice Beat Factory, DJ Roonie, Party Painters
Time Stoppers, Butt Sketch, Amusements and Rides by EJ Dean, Cirque Mechanics/Gantry Trikes, Timestopers 360, Party Painters Heidi Schwartz and Brian Olsen, Nathans Famous, The One Sushi
L&B Spumoni, Juniors, Brooklyn Donut, Brooklyn Four and Twenty, Buffalo Boss, Blue Marbel, The Barclays Center’s Calvin Klein Lounge and 40/40 Club
I’d like to send a big shout-out to my team at Michael Jurick Photography who created photographs that I’m very proud to share. Thank you Oren Cohen, Samuel Fisch, Nathaniel Johnston, Gary Kahn, Bia Sampaio, Mark Sweeney, and Kali Ventresca. The biggest thanks goes to Jason and Nicole for hosting such a magical event.
