Here you will find an explanation of some of the Jewish traditions we have chosen to incorporate in our ceremony, as well as a brief introduction to our rabbi and cantor who will be officiating. Click on a subheading in the black bar above for more information!

Rabbi Schulman is the rabbi at Congregation Beth El, in Missouri City. This is the synagogue where I have grown up and also the synagogue my parents helped found. We have been members there since its creation in 1982, and I'm very happy that Rabbi Schulman will be part of Marc's and my wedding ceremony.

Although I didn't meet Rabbi Schulman until several years ago, he knew Marc's family long before he met me. He used to be the rabbi at Temple Sinai, the synagogue where Marc and I often attend in Denver. Marc's Aunt Cyndi goes way back with the Schulman/Ben-Ora family - Cyndi goes to temple where Rabbi Schulman's wife used to be the rabbi - at Temple Emanu El - also in Denver. I also hear the two of them used to teach Sunday school there together. What a small world!

I couldn't be more excited to have Cantor Katz, of Congretation Beth El help officiate my wedding! I have known him for so many years - since 1982 I think. When I come home to Sugar Land I look forward to going to services just to hear his voice! (He has a wonderful voice and presence and has performed in many theatrical productions.) It's also great to go to services because whenever I go I know that I get to see Ralph - a long time friend. Oh, and he tells great stories!

A ketubah is, very simply, a Jewish marriage contract. Traditionally, the ketubah is a legal document "signed by two witnesses who testify that the groom 'acquired' the bride in the prescribed manner and that he agreed to support her. . .This is not a mutual agreement; the bride only has to willingly accept the groom's proposal of marriage," (Diamant, 84). Marc and I have chosen a more contemporary rendition of our ketubah, one that states:

Diamant, Anita. The New Jewish Wedding. New York: Simon & Schuster, 2001.

After the ceremony, we will go inside to eat, drink, and dance. This meal following the wedding ceremony is called a s'eudah mitzvah - which is the term used to identify a meal that accompanies fulfilling a religious commandment (Diamant, 117) - in this case, marriage!

The music will be provided by Midstream, a local Houston band. The dinner will be a sit down dinner at approximately 8:30pm, catered by Vargo's.

Diamant, Anita. The New Jewish Wedding. New York: Simon & Schuster, 2001.

The chuppah is a bridal canopy. Literally, chuppah means "that which covers or floats above," (Diamant, 98). The space beneath the chuppah is considered to be a very holy place, one that is sanctified by the presence of love, of the community, and of God (Diamant, 101).

Our ceremony will be conducted from under the chuppah, where the rabbi, cantor, Marc's parents, my parents, the Best Man, and my Matron of Honor will be standing alongside Marc and me. The idea behind surrounding the couple with friends and family while under the chuppah symbolizes the establishment of the tradition of hachnasat orchim, or hospitality, in the couple's new home. The chuppah we will be using is particularly special because it was handmade by my mom.

Diamant, Anita. The New Jewish Wedding. New York: Simon & Schuster, 2001.

The Oyfruf is where our congregation and community publicly recognize us as a couple about to be married. Marc and I will be called to the bimah, or podium, on Friday night, August 31st at Congregation Beth El. (Services begin at 8:00pm - you are more than welcome to attend!) The rabbi will congratulate us, and then say the Mi She'beirakh, which is considered "a prayer for all occasions." It may be said "on behalf of a sick person or to wish well a Bar Mitzvah or for the health of a newborn child and his/her mother," (Diamant, 248). In our case, it "invokes God's blessing on the bride and groom, with wishes for [our] happiness and success in creating a Jewish home," (248).

Diamant, Anita. The New Jewish Wedding. New York: Simon & Schuster, 2001.

The breaking of the glass is a well-known image often identified with a Jewish wedding ceremony. There are a number of explanations as to why it is done.

• Probably the simplest explanation is the way that it breaks the seriousness of the ceremony. After the groom steps on the glass, guests shout "Mazel Tov!" and singing breaks out as the joyous festivities begin. A wedding is a time for merriment and joy, and the glass marks the transition from seriousness to celebration.
• It used to be thought that the making of a loud noise, in this case the glass shattering, was frightening to evil spirits and demons.
• Another explanation is that it reminds us of the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem. Even in times of wondrous joy, we must not forget the sadness we have experienced.
• On a larger scale, you may wish to think of the destruction of the glass as a symbol of all of the difficult times that the Jews have encountered. The broken glass may also be "seen as a reminder that although the wedding has provided a taste of redemption, the world is still in exile, broken and requiring our care," (Diamant, 192).

Diamant, Anita. The New Jewish Wedding. New York: Simon & Schuster, 2001.