How to plan a conservative jewish wedding

plan a conservative jewish wedding

It's interesting:
"At the wedding rehearsal yesterday evening, I had the pleasure of talking with Linda’s close friends. They talked about how she’s the friend they turn to when they need to vent over a foolish boyfriend or for advice on land the job of their dreams. They also said she has some pretty sweet moves on the dance floor. So let’s see them!"

Conservative Judaism is a modern Jewish movement that provides a flexible structure of religious observance. Conservative Jews strive to maintain stronger links to traditional Jewish beliefs and practices than in Reformism, while also adapting to modern secular society beyond the strictures of Orthodoxy. Conservative Judaism has the principal objective of retaining the "core values" of traditional Judaism, defined as as a shared, lived religious experience. Conservative Jewish weddings share this same fluid objective. Planning your wedding entails recognizing the meaningful Jewish wedding customs and symbolism, adapting them to your ideal wedding vision, and incorporating them into your shared, spiritual marriage experience. (See References 2).

Things You'll Need

• Rabbi
• Ketubah
• Witnesses
• Huppah
• Yarmulke
• Wedding bands
• Kiddish cup

Instructions

1. Planning Your Conservative Jewish Wedding

   • 1

     If your wedding is on a Saturday, Conservative Judaism requires that it commence subsequent to sundown.

     Choose your wedding date, time, and location. Conservative Judaism prohibits weddings on the sacred Jewish holidays, as well as before the hour of sundown on Shabbat, which will vary depending on what time of year you are getting married and where. (See References 2).

   • 2

     Select a rabbi and schedule a meeting for you and your fiance(e) at least several months in advance of your wedding date- usually, couples choose a rabbi from the synagogue with which they are affiliated.

   • 3

     Your rabbi can help you and your fiance(e) plan a customized Jewish wedding ceremony that represents you both as a couple.

     Meet with your rabbi and your fiance(e) to discuss your wedding ceremony. Make sure you are in agreement with respect to how the rabbi will lead your ceremony, which traditions and rituals you wish to include and how you wish to adapt and incorporate them. (See References 3).

   • 4

     Select a ketubah, the Jewish marriage contract document, and decide the text to include. Many contemporary conservative couples veer away from traditional ketubah text (outlining the bride's rights and duties to her husband) and instead choose text that expresses their marriage hopes and commitments. (See References 1).

   • 5

     Select the witnesses you wish to have sign your ketubah at the pre-wedding signing ceremony. Most Conservative Jewish couples today invite close family friends to do this honor, and most rabbis will allow witnesses to be male or female (but will require them to be Jewish).

   • 6

     Under your wedding chuppah, you and your love stand beneath one roof in front of your family and friends for the first time as a married couple.

     Select your huppah, the four-poled canopy that will cover the bride and groom at your wedding ceremony. The huppah should be designed both as an intimate space, symbolic of your new home together as a married couple, and open for all to see, symbolic of your welcoming visitors into your home. (See References 3).

   • 7

     In a Conservative Jewish wedding, couples exchange simple, non-decorative bands, symbolizing a smooth and harmonious marriage.

     Select the ritual objects to include in your ceremony. Choose simple wedding bands, yarmulkes for your guests, a kiddish cup for the bride and groom to share a drink from under the huppah, a tallis for the groom, and a glass for the groom to stomp upon and break for a celebratory conclusion to the ceremony. (See References 1).

   • 8

     Instruct your band leader and/or DJ to play Horah music for the traditional Jewish circle dance early in your reception. Ensure that the venue has chairs on hand for the bride and groom that guests will lift in the air during the Horah.

   • 9

     Don't let wedding planning overwhelm you! Your wedding should celebrate your personalities, love for one another, and commitment to the Jewish faith.

     Make time to relax and enjoy time together as a couple amidst the often stressful pre-wedding planning countdown. Getting married is a mitzvah -- a good deed -- in the Conservative Jewish faith. Mazel tov!

Source: www.ehow.com

Tags: your wedding, Conservative Judaism, bride groom, Conservative Jewish, References Select