Qmara Vie Planners: Queen Ohamara Successfully Plans Jewish Bar Mitzvah Event in Nigeria
Renowned Abuja-based event planner and founder of Qmara Vie Planners, Queen Ohamara, has showcased her exceptional talent in crossing cultural borders and crafting unforgettable events. Her latest triumph, orchestrating a memorable Jewish Bar Mitzvah in Nigeria, has captivated the community.
The unique project came to fruition when Ohamara, through word-of-mouth referral in the event planning industry, connected with Rabbi Israel and Haya Uzan, current emissaries of Chabad Lubavitch in Nigeria who needed help with the event planning and management of their son’s Bar Mitzvah ceremony.
Ohamara, who saw it as an opportunity to showcase her skills and creativity in a groundbreaking event, welcomed the challenge with optimism.
Despite the scarcity of specific resources and the need for collaboration with the local Jewish community, she successfully managed over 50 guests in attendance, revealing a vibrant Jewish community in Nigeria that was previously unknown to her.
The celebration, filled with music, dancing, and a strong sense of community, showcased the power of inclusion, collaboration, and cultural sensitivity.
Organising her first Jewish Bar Mitzvah ceremony for a client in Nigeria presented with it a set of challenges, unlike any other event she had ever planned.
Ohamara explained that “Addressing these challenges involved strong vendor management, securing appropriate venues, ensuring availability of kosher options.
“Fostering open dialogue with the parents and building a culturally sensitive team, all of these elements allowed us to create an authentic and respectful celebration that honored the Chabad community in Nigeria.”
In a statement, Ohamara expressed her thoughts on the transformative experience. “Organising this event was not just about planning a landmark celebration but a journey of cultural immersion and understanding.
“My ability to navigate the Hasidic customs and traditions of celebrating a Bar Mitzvah enriched my professional growth and my team. It underscored the importance of cultural sensitivity and collaboration for our future projects.”
This groundbreaking venture by Ohamara is inspirational and encourages emerging event planners to embrace cultural diversity and create meaningful experiences across different cultures.
Looking ahead, she shared valuable nuggets for those looking to organise cross-cultural events in the future.
“Prioritise cultural sensitivity, engage closely with the local community, and foster open communication, these are some of the keys to planning a successful and inclusive cross-cultural event,” says the Qmara Vie Planners boss.
Ohamara and her team are looking forward to applying the valuable lessons learned from this experience to future projects, Mazel Tov to the latest Bar Mitzvah, Yozzy Uzan.
