Traditions

As I wrote before, my family are Russian Jews, as most of you know this. For this reason Nick and I chose to pay respect to my families Jewish traditions and have our wedding in a temple. Of course this was no easy task for us to do. To start, you should know that Nick is not Jewish, and I do not go to temple or belong to a congregation. This makes things a little complicated. The one person I know in my family who is very religious is my grandmother on my father's side. She belongs to a very conservative temple. She ask the Rabbi there for us, and that was a definite "NO", that is, unless Nick converted. I found there to be no reason for Nick to convert, if another temple would be willing to marry us. My grandmother's Rabbi did know of another Rabbi, Rabbi Stiffman, in the area that would be able to marry us. The temple he is affiliated with ,Shaare Emeth, was the one I was hoping for. We called him as soon as we got his number. He happily met up with us to hear our story and said he would be delighted to marry us. I was so happy I could have jumped up and gave him a hug. (Don't worry I didn't.)

Just so you know not all Jewish ceremonies have to be in a temple. There are just a few things required for a Jewish wedding ceremony. These are the ones we plan on following:

1. A Rabbi to perform the ceremony.

Rabbi Stiffman, Source

2. Nick will be wearing a kippah. A kippah is cap worn by Jewish men and sometimes women, or in this case a man who is getting married in a temple. Traditionally it is to remind man that there is always something between God and him. It is a sign of humility, and acknowledgement to God. Who knew there could be a Jewish Kitty,Source

3. We will be signing a ketubah. A ketubah is a Jewish marriage contract. It is signed by both bride and groom, the Rabbi, and two Jewish witnesses, before the wedding ceremony.
My parents at their wedding signing their katubah

4. We will get married under a chuppah. A chuppah or huppah is like a canopy, covering the Rabbi, bride and groom, during the wedding ceremony. The chuppah translates to covering. It symbolizes the bride and grooms new home together. Remember Fiddler on the Roof, Source

5. We will say the traditional Jewish vows in english as well as exchange rings.

6. Nick will shatter the glass. Some say that the glass symbolizes the couple, and when it is broken they become a Jewish married couple. Others say that the breaking of the glass reminds Jews of the destruction of the Temple.

Ouch, glad he's wearing shoes.Source

As for the reception, unfortunately I will have to deal with getting lifted up on a chair. I'm not really looking forward to that.