"The rabbis who codified Jewish law, made it so easy for couples to marry that the minimal requirements for carrying out a kosher Jewish wedding can be summed up in a few words: the bride accepts an object worth more than a dime from the groom, the groom recites a ritual formula of acquisition and consecration, and these two actions must be witnessed. That constitutes a Jewish wedding; the rest of the traditions associated with .Jewish weddings - the chupah, the seven wedding blessings, the breaking of a glass, even the presence of a rabbi and cantor- are customs. Custom changes over time and differs from one nation to the next. Some Jewish wedding customs have been discarded and forgotten, and some persist with even greater symbolic and emotional power that the religious prescriptions." -Anita Diamant, The New Jewish Wedding

At Congregation Sha'aray Shalom we can help make your wedding the once-in-a-lifetime simcha it should be. You can choose to have everything from the rehearsal dinner, to the ceremony, and the reception here at Temple. Or, perhaps you just want to be blessed by the rabbi or cantor prior to taking your vows.

Weddings Q & A
Q: What is the first thing I do to schedule my wedding at Congregation Sha'aray Shalom or at a reception hall?
A: Contact the rabbi and the cantor to confirm the date and time of your wedding.

Q: Will the clergy officiate at my ceremony in which my partner is not Jewish?
A: The clergy are open to discussing officiating at Jewish weddings in which the non-Jew agrees to have a Jewish wedding and a Jewish home. Contact the rabbi and the cantor to further discuss these sensitive issues.

Q: Will the clergy officiate at my ceremony in which my partner and I are gay?
A: The requirements for officiating at a wedding are the same for all wedding couples.

Q: Is there a charge for my wedding?
A: There is no charge for the worship space for our members or children of our members. Fees apply for any reception space you choose to utilize. It is appropriate to give Tzedakah in honor of this simcha.

Q: How do I schedule an aufruf or a blessing of the bride and groom?
A: Let the clergy know you would like to be blessed during one of the Shabbat services preceding your wedding. They will schedule it at a time which works for both you and the synagogue. Traditionally, the aufruf is just prior to the wedding date although this is flexible. To recognize the blessing it is appropriate to contribute towards the Oneg Shabbat following services.

Q: Where can I get more information about the Jewish wedding ceremony?
A: Anita Diamant's book, The New Jewish Wedding, is available at Judaic Treasures and the Weisberg Library. The Life Cycles office maintains a source list of vendors with everything from where you can order' a Ketubah to who call do your wedding day hair and makeup.