ZOOM INFO + CEREMONY PROGRAM

5:00- The Pre-wedding Reception

5:00 pm

During non-Corona times, guests filter into a Jewish wedding during this time, so we will be turning our Zoom on at 5:00 pm, when you can tune into what is known as the “Kabalat Panim”- This Hebrew term translates literally into ‘receiving faces’. It is the time during which the Bride and Groom greet guests. Robyn and Larry will be seated in separate areas. Robyn will be seated in an area where guests can greet her, and she can bestow blessings upon guests with the ‘bridal superpowers’ granted to her on this day, according to Jewish tradition. (ok, not actual superpowers but a heightened capability to bestow blessings upon others.) Larry will be in a different area, at what is known as a ‘tisch’ (yes, like NYU School of the Arts). Tisch literally means ‘Table’ in Yiddish. The ‘Ketubah’, or marriage contract is signed at this point. There’s no turning back now! It’s now wedding call time…

Knobel Wedding

5:00 pm

5:15- The Veiling

5:15 pm

At this point, Larry’s friends and family will escort him to Robyn’s side of the venue. During normal times, this may feel like the NYC subway during rush hour or a mosh pit- in a good way! Everyone will be dancing and singing as they lead Larry to his bride. This tradition dates back to the Bible, when Jacob was tricked by Laban into marrying Leah over Rachel. Prior to the veiling, unlike Jacob, Larry will have the opportunity to make sure that it’s actually Robyn that he will be marrying and not a cardboard cutout or something. He will then proceed with the veiling. This is called the “Bedekin”, which means “to cover”, in Yiddish. Larry will then retreat in song and dance with his group of friends and family.

5:30- The Chuppah Procession

5:30 pm

During non-Corona times, traditionally, parents walk their children down the aisle. Due to social distancing measures resulting from the pandemic, Larry and Robyn will walk down the aisle alone. “alone at the altar I stand, And as I watch my bride coming down the aisle I pray For the strength to walk like a man” Larry will walk first, and eagerly await Robyn’s arrival, but he will have to wait, because we have a dose of cuteness setting petals for the Bride. Petal Patrol: Our cute little friends, Bailey and Leora Small, will petal up the aisle for Robyn. Junior Bridesmaid: Next comes Lily Knobel, sister of the Groom, to pave the way for the Bride. “Two Drifters, off to see the world, there’s such a lot of world to see” Larry and Robyn have always been an adventurous duo. Robyn will drift down the aisle to her Groom, ready to start their next adventure.

5:35/5:40ish- The Chuppah Ceremony

5:30 pm

Rabbi Howard Diamond will now conduct the ceremony under the canopy. Rabbi Diamond will begin by reading the Ketubah. The Ketubah is written in Aramaic. Don’t worry, we don’t understand Aramaic either. Rabbi Diamond will read the Ketubah first in Aramaic and then translate it into English. (We would never sign a document that we don’t understand!) The reading of the Ketubah is followed by Rabbi Diamond’s recital of the Sheva Brachot- translated from Hebrew, these are “Seven Blessings” for the Bride and Groom. After the Blessings are read, the Chuppah will conclude with the breaking of a glass. This is symbolic of the fact that, despite the happy occasion, we remind ourselves that Jews are still in a time of exile, without our ‘Beit Hamikdash’, our Holy Temple. After this solemn moment, it is time to break out in celebration! Larry and Robyn will be escorted from the Chuppah to song and dance and greetings from the audience.

Virtual Champagne Toast

6:00 pm

Typically, the bride and groom go into a solitary room for their first moments as husband and wife, while guests begin the first course of a celebratory meal. The couple then makes a grand entrance to singing and dancing and the continuation of a festive meal. Toward the end of the meal, the seven blessings would be recited again. Guests may be given an honor of reciting one of the blessings. In lieu of this part of the wedding (thank you, Corona), we invite you to stay on Zoom for a few minutes following the ceremony, BYOB (only because we have no choice), and share a toast with us! Thank you for attending our Wedding Ceremony! Larry and Robyn