From generation to generation.....a truly meaningful gift!

"The book that you made about my grandparents' history was the most incredible and meaningful present I received for my Bar Mitzvah. I'm so glad my relatives all pitched in for this amazing and priceless gift. Having the details about my ancestors' lives and experiences -- conveyed through my grandparents' stories and memories--is so totally relevant as I experience this important transition to adulthood."

For the past 23 years, Living Legacies has been preserving the precious oral histories of family elders.

More than a few anecdotes or simply a family tree with names and dates, the in-depth interviews conducted by Ellie Kahn, bring forth Grandma and Grandpa's personal recollections of the times in which they lived, their life experiences and the family's challenges and successes. This is a special way to honor family elders by giving them a chance to tell their life story, and it's hard to imagine a more appropriate and valuable way to celebrate a Bar/Bat Mitzvah than to help a young person understand their heritage and those who came before them.

Ellie Kahn, an award-winning documentary filmmaker and professional writer & oral historian, produces both written and video family histories to be given as a unique gift, as well as tribute-length videos to be shown at the celebration.

In addition to Bar Mitzvah gifts, Living Legacies oral histories are ideal for anniversary, wedding, birthday and retirement gifts, or simply because a family realizes how critical it is to preserve Bubbe and Zeyde's stories, while their memories are still clear.

For more information, www.livinglegaciesfamilyhistories.com

or call Ellie Kahn at 818 786 1974.

A wonderful Mitzvah idea.. from Jourdan

Nothing is worse to me than seeing a lot of wonderful food go to waste, and at many parties over-generous caterers make a lot of extra that doesn't get eaten. Their insurance sometimes won't let them donate food, but nothing is stopping you, the host, from donating it. Ask your caterer or planner if they can donate, and if they can't, be ready with the name of a food bank, shelter or other group that takes donations of prepared food, and the phone number of the volunteer who will pick it up, or designate a good-hearted party guest to be responsible. Then ask that leftovers be packaged up to go.(You can even be ready with a few big disposable catering pans that are stashed in the car.)

In Los Angeles the Greater West Hollywood Food Coalition takes all kinds of leftover food, even Wedding and Bar Mitzvah cakes, and serves it to hungry people on the street in Los Angeles. Half-carved turkeys and prime ribs become hearty soups and casseroles for the needy. It's a Mitzvah!

The Greater West Hollywood Food Coalition can be reached at (323) 462-7055.You can call them in advance to be ready for a pick up.

hello, cookie

okay.. so if you've seen more than enough cupcakes for awhile.. check these out. this amazing cookie tree is from Xtreme desserts in Studio City California, and they taste as good as they look. I think the portion size is perfect, and I also think it adds fun and a relaxed filling to serve a dessert that can be eaten out of our hands.. No extra plates or silver either( That's a savings!) They can be ordered and shipped as gifts too.

xtremedesserts.com, or call 818-505-1759. YUM!

Thank you cards!

Elianna and Lauren chose their favorite colors for their thank you cards, but echoed the motif of their B'not Mitzvah invitations. I think they are a beautiful way to bring their special, special day to a close.