A young woman seated on a chair is lifted high above the guests in a traditional Hora dance.

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Home » Blog » Events » Bat Mitzvah Event at Nissi’s: Natalie
  • Nissis event center features several projection screens like this one that says, Mazel Tov Natalie, printed over a sunflower.
  • A young woman wears a tallit or prayer shawl given to her by her parents at her mitzvah.
  • View of an event table set with blue napkins and table number 14. The rest of the many tables are blurred in the background.
  • A mother, father, mitzvah candidate, and brother.
  • The blue light of Nissis event center highlights the hand of someone holding a yad and reading the Torah.
  • A young woman at her mitzvah with her best friend illuminated by the magenta colored lights at Nissis event center.

Mazel Tov!

Congratulations to Natalie, who celebrated her bat mitzvah on a rainy day in June at Nissi’s music, entertainment, and event center in Lafayette, Colorado.

The venue created a colorful and lively atmosphere for the service and celebration immediately following. The various magenta, blue, and purple lighting effects and projection screens created an energetic vibe equaling Natalie’s enthusiasm for her big day.

What better way to celebrate the months of mitzvah preparation than with a rock-star environment on the occasion that marks your entry into Jewish adulthood?

The Service

At the event, Natalie chanted from the Torah for the first time and led the service. She worked hard to prepare for the day with the help of Rabbi Jamie Korngold and Hebrew Tutor Caroline Saliman.

Many family members contributed to the service. These included aunts, uncles, cousins, her grandmother, great aunt, and classmates of the Adventure B’nai.

The service reflected the philosophy and principles of Adventure Judaism with a relevant, meaningful, and accessible modern service for everyone present.

During her summary speech, Natalie reflected on her journey leading up to her mitzvah day. She recounted how the training experiences shaped her life, her understanding of community, and, most importantly, her place in it.

Remembering Us Project

Natalie participated in Remember Us: The Holocaust Bnai Mitzvah Project during her mitzvah preparation. This project allows teens preparing for their mitzvah to connect with the memory of children lost in the Holocaust.

On her mitzvah, she remembered Sonja Butman, a young girl born in Nevel, Russia, in 1930 to parents Shlomo and Liba. Sonja died in the Holocaust in 1942 at just 12 years of age.

The Celebration

A plate of plain and sesame bagels at a brunch buffet.

Following the service, everyone enjoyed a sweet and savory brunch buffet. The choices included French toast, bagels, assorted toppings, and many other tempting dishes.

After refueling with food, the young adults turned the balloon centerpieces into entertainment. They used their newfound energy to keep the balloons airborne as the music played on.

The DJ then announced that all participants must incorporate the moves of the Macarena Dance between any balloon taps.

Young teens attempt to keep balloon airborne and dance the macarena during a bat mitzvah.

From the balloon game circle, The Hora naturally evolved.

Natalie, her mother Sabina, and her dad Alex all took a turn being respectfully lifted in chairs high above the crowd. The celebration had officially begun!

Side view of a young woman being lifted up in a chair during The Hora at her bat mitzvah.

Photo Gallery

  • Nissis event center wide angle view of a mitzvah service taking place on stage and tables in the foreground.
  • A young woman at her mitzvah with a project screen showing her name, "Natalie."
  • Friends of Adventure Rabbi in training for their mitzvahs.
  • A mother and father present a tallit or prayer shawl to their daughter.
  • A grandmother receives The Torah from the Rabbi during the passing of The Torah part of a service at a bat mitzvah.
  • Several cousins read during a bat mitzvah service.
  • Several cousins at the front of the congregation take turns reading during a mitzvah service.
  • A side view of the stage looking out into the audience during a mitzvah celebration at Nissis event center in Lafayette, Colorado.
  • A woman receives The Torah from her husband and prepares to pass it to their daughter during a mitzvah service.
  • A mother wipes tears from her eyes during a mitzvah service.
  • A young woman with a yad reads The Torah at her bat mitzvah service.
  • Aunts and Uncles read at a bat mitzvah service.
  • A young woman is hugged by her parents at a bat mitzvah service.
  • A young woman seated on a chair is lifted high above the guests in a traditional Hora dance.

Vendor Team

The Hora

Music licensed from Artlist: Eran Barber – Bar Mitzvahs Medley

Related Mitzvah Reading

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Photographer

Anne Stephenson is a Denver, Colorado photographer who captures honest, unscripted moments rooted in connection and story—reflecting who you truly are at weddings, mitzvahs, and beyond.

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