Lynda & Stefan
Our Wedding
Sunday, September 15, 2019
Kabbalat Panim (Cocktail Hour)
1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
775 Branch Boulevard, Cedarhurst, NY 11516
What is kabbalat panim? Kabbalat panim literally translates to “receiving the faces”. It is the time before the ceremony for guests to greet the wedding couple. There is food, drink, and joyful celebration. Basically, a cocktail hour with some special traditions thrown in. At our wedding we will be having a chosson’s (groom’s) tish and a kallah’s (bride’s) tish during the kabbalat panim. “Tish” is Yiddish for "table". At the tishen we will sing songs, share words of Torah and wisdom, and offer toasts. Guests are encouraged to spend time with both bride and groom during this hour. At the end of the tishen, Stefan will be escorted with music, dancing, and fanfare to Lynda for the "badeken" (covering). They will greet each other, she will adorn him with a new kippah, and he will lower her veil. Bride and groom cover one another as recognition of the holy and awe-filled nature of the moment, and as a sign of their commitment to care and provide for each another.
Our Ceremony
2:00 pm - 2:45 pm
775 Branch Boulevard, Cedarhurst, NY 11516
We are so excited to commit ourselves to each other surrounded and supported by our family and friends. You are the diverse communities that have shaped us and helped us define ourselves. Our wedding ceremony is an intentionally crafted reflection of those communities, our identities, and our values, rooted in our commitment to egalitarianism, pluralism, our Jewish faith, and our distinct cultural traditions. Jewish tradition is rich in wedding customs. For some of our guests the wedding ceremony will be very familiar, for others it will be an opportunity to engage with Jewish traditions in a new-to-you way, and for others it will be an entirely novel experience. Our wedding program will describe the marriage customs, their ritual meaning, and their meaning to us. We look forward to celebrating our love, community, and commitment together with you. For more information about what to expect at a Jewish wedding, check out: www.myjewishlearning.com/article/jewish-weddings-101/
Seudat Mitzvah (Party Time!)
2:45 pm - 7:00 pm
775 Branch Boulevard, Cedarhurst, NY 11516
Dress to feel fabulous!
Guests at a Jewish wedding are commanded to celebrate and share in the joy of the bride, the groom, and their families. You are required to have a good time! The mitzvah (commandment) to rejoice with the bride and groom is reflected in traditions you will see at our reception: The Hora! After a few moments of seclusion, we will join the reception to celebrate with family and friends. Guests will join in two circles (one with Stefan, and one with Lynda) to dance the Hora. A few strong guests will hoist the bride and groom high above the crowd on chairs while friends and family dance around in one big circle. Shtick! Lynda and Stefan will be seated on the dance floor while friends and family dance and goof around to make us laugh. Shtick is a time for family and friends to find personal ways to celebrate with the bride and groom through their unique connections represented in props and costumes. We are counting on you to have a good time as we eat, drink, and dance the day away!