Overview
In Hebrew, the wedding ceremony is called kiddushin, meaning holiness.
We celebrate when two people commit to building a life together within the context of Jewish values and community. Our ceremonies include same-sex couples, as well as interfaith couples who intend to create a Jewish home and raise children within the Jewish tradition.
What to Expect
As part of preparing for a Jewish wedding at Temple:
All couples meet with a rabbi for ceremony planning and pre-marital conversation
Interfaith couples are required to complete an Introduction to Judaism course before their wedding
Temple provides logistical support for civil marriage as part of a Jewish wedding
Temple’s sanctuary, chapel, and reception halls are available for your ceremony and celebration. Couples may engage the caterer and service providers of their choice. Newlyweds are also offered Temple membership to support an ongoing relationship with the community, and all couples are given High Holy Day tickets at Temple for their first holy days as a married couple.
Please note that weddings are officiated at times permitted by the Jewish calendar (e.g. not on Shabbat or Jewish holidays, or times of mourning), and we do not co-officiate with clergy of other faiths. Do not hesitate to contact us with any questions.
Next Steps
Early in the planning process, couples are encouraged to begin by connecting with Aliza. From there, they will be connected with Marcy Kastner, Community Engagement Director, who will help schedule a meeting with a rabbi and guide them through the next steps of the planning process.
L’dor V’dor: Our Community Speaks
A welcoming community, shared in their own words
Lindsay and Ben
Hi Rabbi Grushcow,
I hope all is well with you! Ben and I are settling back into our routines after spending some time with family in Maine.
We were eager to reach out after the wedding, but we wanted to reflect on the day’s events and find time to properly express how much we appreciated you being there.
When Ben and I were planning our wedding day, we anticipated the ceremony being the most meaningful part of our day. We envisioned a ceremony that was true to Jewish tradition, bringing to life the same rituals that our families have performed for generations, while somehow incorporating 11 years of “Ben and Lindsay”. Based on our brief meetings beforehand, Ben and I felt reassured that, as the person tasked with putting all of those pieces together, you would patiently guide us through the process.
Now, the truth is: I don’t remember very much. I was so nervous, that all I could do was lock eyes with you and focus on holding it together. I do remember that it felt like we were taking a “tour” of all the things we discussed, as if everything was coming full-circle: the “story” of me and Ben; the bond we formed as teenagers and nurtured through the years; the importance of trust and respect in fostering an equal partnership now as husband and wife; the meaning of each Jewish tradition and their significance to us. Most importantly, you were crucial in helping me count as I anxiously walked around my perfectly-calm groom.
I’m imagining that everyone thinks their wedding ceremony is special, precisely because it’s their wedding. You should know, however, that literally every person we spoke with afterwards was gushing about how incredible the ceremony was. Some are still gushing! Considering that most of our guests are not Jewish, it was incredible to hear how connected they felt with us and you as you guided everyone through a thoughtful, meaningful and accessible Jewish ceremony. Although a wedding ceremony is not a show or performance, you somehow succeeded in capturing the “audience” while exceeding our expectations for what a “Ben and Lindsay” ceremony could be. Our family and friends, most of whom have known us our whole lives, felt grateful to be part of this milestone, because you made them feel like they were part of it. We emphasized the importance of having a traditional Jewish ceremony, and you carried out our vision in a way that was meaningful and welcoming to non-Jews and Orthodox Jews alike. In Ben’s words: it was a true testament to Reform Judaism.
All of this was thanks to your hard work, patience and guidance, and we really cannot thank you enough.
You were a huge part in what made our day so special, and we’re grateful that you were there to share the experience with us.
We hope you and your family enjoy the rest of the summer and we look forward to seeing you on Rosh Hashanah.
Best,
Lindsay and Ben
