While we're relieved and thrilled that we can finally get married in front of family and friends, we will be celebrating within the parameters of current public health rules. Unfortunately, this means we have had to significantly reduce the size of our guestlist. If you received an invitation to join us virtually, please stay tuned for instructions on how to do so. Thank you for your understanding and support. Stay safe, and we look forward to seeing you soon.

These two words are the beginning of our story. Arielle and Jonathan met in 2013 during a Shabbat dinner at Clark University Hillel. The two Clarkies would see each other time and again for services and dinner over the course of the year. In April 2014, during Kabbalat Shabbat, Arielle and Jonathan both noticed a spark between them. Almost immediately after the beginning of their relationship, their patience and communication skills would be tested as their relationship became a long-distance for the following 3 years. From New Haven, to Paris, to Israel, and to DC, Arielle and Jonathan exchanged daily calls, weekly video chats, and in-person visits as often as possible. Towards the tail end of nursing school, Arielle and Jonathan moved in together in Worcester as Jonathan pursued his Masters in Teaching degree at Clark University while working as a high school English teacher at University Park Campus School. Living together was, in the beginning, a bit bumpy with disagreements over the temperature of the apartment (Arielle is always cold, Jonathan is always hot). These disagreements did not weaken their bond, however, and while Arielle started working as a registered nurse in the summer of 2018, Jonathan completed his second master's (this time in English) at Boston University.

"Shabbat Shalom" Par ces deux mots commencent notre histoire : Arielle et Jonathan se rencontrèrent en 2013 lors d'un dîner de Shabbat à l'Université de Clark. Ces deux étudiants devinrent de plus en plus proches au fil de l’année. En avril 2014, pendant l'office de Kabbalat Shabbat, Arielle et Jonathan remarquèrent une étincelle entre eux. Dès le début de leur relation, leur patience fut mise à l'épreuve, car leur relation devint une relation à distance pendant les trois prochaines années: de New Haven à Paris, en passant par Israël et Washington, Arielle et Jonathan s' appelèrent presque quotidiennement, se parlèrent sur Skype toutes les semaines, et se virent en présentiel aussi souvent que possible. L’été 2018, Arielle et Jonathan emménagèrent ensemble à Worcester (dans le Massachusetts), où Jonathan poursuivait sa première maîtrise à l'Université de Clark, tout en travaillant en tant que professeur d'anglais à un lycée local. Au début, la colocation fut chaotique avec des désaccords à propos de la température de l'appartement (Arielle a toujours froid, Jonathan a toujours chaud). Mais ces désaccords n'affaiblirent pas leur lien et, tandis qu' Arielle commença à travailler comme infirmière en automne 2018, Jonathan a termina sa deuxième maîtrise à l'Université de Boston.

One Friday evening, after attending graduation at the high school at which he taught, Jonathan bolted back to Sharon from Worcester with a special ring in his pocket. Upon arriving at the house, Jonathan took Arielle for a drive to Lake Massapoag where just over 4 years prior the couple had promised to "wait" for each other (meaning, to make their long-distance relationship work no matter what). With the end credit music from The Notebook playing in the background (the very music playing when Jonathan first said to Arielle "I love you"), Jonathan got on one knee and proposed with a ring that holds the same diamond that his grandfather (Zaydie) gave to his grandmother (Savta) when they got engaged. Arielle happily said yes!

Un vendredi soir, avec une bague spéciale dans sa poche, Jonathan amena Arielle au Lac Massapoag. (un endroit spéciale pour le couple). Accompagné par la music du film “N’oublie jamais” , Jonathan s'est mis à genoux et a fait sa demande avec la bague qui porte le même diamant appartenant à son grand-père (Zaydie) donné à sa grand-mère (Savta) lorsqu' ils se sont fiancés. Arielle a dit oui avec joie!

Surrounded by family and friends, Jonathan and Arielle participated in a T'naim ceremony where a engagement contract was read and signed in the presence of witnesses, Jonathan delivered a D'var Torah (Words of Torah or sermon) about the weekly reading and how it related to the meanings of marriage and partnership, and, finally, the mothers-in-law-to-be smashed a plate (a symbol of the strength of women in Jewish households). You can watch the whole thing at https://youtu.be/s01SDo3YQ64. 16 Mai 2019 Entourés des parents et d'amis, Jonathan et Arielle ont participés à une cérémonie T'Naim au cours de laquelle un contrat de fiançailles a été lu et signé en présence de témoins. Jonathan a présenté un Dvar Torah (Paroles de la Torah ou sermon) sur le mariage. En fin de la cérémonie, les futures belles-mères ont brisé une assiette (représentation de la force des femmes dans les foyers juifs). Cette cérémonie peut être visionnée sur le lien https://youtu.be/s01SDo3YQ64.