Welcoming the newest Epstein..

We probably closed in on 250 people today at the Simchat Bat for Nitzahn and we loved every minute of it.

The NFO had a vision...make the event about serving other people.

So, we had 4 activity tables (as kid-friendly as possible) to accomplish that. And each table was devoted to the memory of one of our grandparents

1. a table for making flower blankets that will be donated to A Wider Circle's Well Mother program
2. a table for Sunnygrams for Project Sunshine
3. a table for Craft Kits for Project Sunshine
4. a table for cards for the bombarded children of Sderot, Israel

We also asked our guests to answer the following question for Nitzahn (if you didn't do it already, offer up via a comment here):

What valuable skill do you think you can teach Nitzahn?

And we've gotten some great responses so far.

I'll post some pictures later, but for now here are some from Edith Gelfand.

I was particularly pumped to hear about the connections made via the use of name tags.

Josh Pines met Esther Kustanowitz in person (previously only known online). Mike Fox and Mark Spira met in person for the first time even though they are both in the same fantasy football league. And Tevi Troy reconnected with Alan Gersch, his high school and college classmate after 18 years!

It's the people you meet at an event that make the experience, so we were excited to see that happen.

And a few key lessons on big events

1. As the host, you should expect to have no more than 2 minute conversations with each guest.
2. You can have up to 2 two minute conversations
3. As a guest, you shouldn't expect more from your host. Don't try to monopolize. I can't stand the high maintenance guests. Sorry, have to be honest here.
4. When bringing a gift, staple or tape securely the card to the gift. The worst feeling in the world is when the host can't match up the right gift/card combo.