Going Dutch

Rav-hadassah is a blog I just found which is dealing with a Jewish wedding that will be taking place later this year in Amsterdam. It is fun to read... it helps that it is in English and some of the photos are quite pretty. The author has been accepted to the University of Judaism's Ziegler School of Rabbinics, a Conservative seminary in Los Angeles, California. Let's plan on following this wedding.

Here is the information about the Temple where the religious ceremony will be held.
The synagogue holds special significance for me. Built in 1764, to serve the Jewish proletariat of this part of Amsterdam, the shul was left deserted and neglected after the Second World War. Thankfully, it was recently renovated. Although officially property of the Amsterdam municipality, one can rent the synagogue for services, chuppot but also secular activities (chamber concerts, receptions and even civil weddings!). However, the significance for me is entirely different, and closer to the original intent: the Progressive community Beit ha'Chidush has reclaimed the use of the building as a house of Jewish worship. This is also the community where I set my first steps on my Jewish journey and I fell in love with the quiet and light atmosphere of the space. I knew I wanted to get married here: this shul where I sent my first, tentative Jewish prayers Heavenward.

This Op Fields Ketubah is from Rachel Deitsch of California. Maybe Rachel and our bride can meet up some day!

I saw you at Sinai

Looking for your bashert (soul-mate)? You’ve probably already seen him/her – at Sinai. When the Torah was delivered, every Jewish soul stood at Mt. Sinai with his or her soul-mate, according to the Midrash (Jewish commentaries). Now all you need is someone to reunite you. For more go to Jewish San Diego Journal and learn how many have found their mate.

Once you found your one true love, you will need to invite everyone to your wedding. The Ketubah Tree has designed some wonderful invitations- and they have thoughts of everything from soup to nuts (including the menu card). Below is the invitation from their Bashert collection. The one on the right has the vellum overlay in place. Lovely.

Stitching together

Take a look at this chuppah which is being knit by Theresa. Now that is love!

Forever Huppah

Jewish weddings. Nothing better. If you want to have a good time, find a NJB or NJG, fall in love and get married.



What do you need? A chuppah of course. The chuppah, or canopy, which is made of cloth stretched between poles, symbolizes the new home of the couple and is often carried by the attendants to the position where the marriage ceremony will take place. In many weddings the chuppah is already in place. The groom's parents walk him to the chuppah, where they stand together awaiting the bride. While a cantor sings from the Song of Songs, the bride is accompanied to the chuppah by her parents.

Sure you can use the temple's chuppah, but wouldn't it be better to have your chuppah forever? If you choose to have Rachel Eisen Bressler of Forever Huppah make you chuppah you will have something that you will treasure for years to come.
As Rachel says regarding designing her huppa for her marriage to David (who happens to be one of my oldest friends from Hebrew School), "I made our huppah with the thought that although one day a daughter of ours might think my wedding dress was ugly too; she (or her brother) still might like to marry beneath the same canopy which covered her mother and father on their wedding day. I'll tell you the truth though—I had my dress preserved along with the huppah... just in case!"


Rachel's hand paints the chuppah's on china silk adding details specific for each couple. David did pretty well for himself, marrying a beautiful woman who can also create such beauty. Enjoy looking...

Marriage Mezuzah

It may be gloomy February, but there are many a betrothed couple who are planning their nuptials. That invitation can't be too far away. Perhaps it is time to start gift shopping???
How about a mezuzah for the broken glass? According to the Guide to the Jewish Wedding from Aish.com
A glass is now placed on the floor, and the chatan shatters it with his foot. This act serves as an expression of sadness at the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem, and identifies the couple with the spiritual and national destiny of the Jewish people. A Jew, even at the moment of greatest rejoicing, is always mindful of the Psalmist's injunction to set Jerusalem above my highest joy.

Others explain that this is the last time the groom gets to put his foot down.

(In Israel, the glass is broken earlier, prior to the reading of the Ketubah.)

This marks the conclusion of the ceremony. With shouts of Mazel Tov, the chatan (groom) and kallah (bride) are then given an enthusiastic reception from the guests as they leave the chupah together and head toward the Yichud room, their temporary private chamber

I have to confess that my broken glass is sitting at home in a box with other wedding parephinalia. One of these days I will do something like this:





From left to right are mezuzot from Sara Beames, Faye Miller Shardz and Arthur and Wendy Silver.

What a beautiful way to remember such a special day!