Program help for Jewish wedding

I am in the process of creating a program describing my Jewish wedding ceremony and am clueless about where to start, what to include, what to leave out, etc. Many of the guests will not have attended a traditional Jewish wedding before and I want to explain what will be going on in a clear, yet concise manner. We are having the program translated into another language, so I need to complete it soon to get it to our translator with lots of time for her to work on it. I would love to see templates that other brides have used for their Jewish/Interfaith weddings. If others have made their own programs and don't mind, can you please email me your template/program text to [email protected]??

Thank you!!!

I would strongly suggest picking up Anita Diamont's New Jewish Wedding. It has descriptions of all the rituals so it will be easy for you to write out everything.

In terms of a template-- I would look at some others and get an idea.. For me, my program is just listing all the people- nothing having to do with the ceremony, etc.

I found some templates at uprint.com, diybride.com..

I am so dumb - I have that book!! But, I got it right after we got engaged, read it and lent it to... someone. Now, you've reminded me that it's time to get that back. Thanks! Good idea.

We need to have a program with more explanation, b/c my FH is converting to Judaism. His family is not too familiar with Judaism or the customs of a Jewish wedding. Making things more complicated is the fact that he is Korean and his parents don't speak English very well. We are having a friend who is fluent in both languages (wish my FH is, but he was as lost as I was when we visited Korea! ) translate the program for us and I wanted to use it before the wedding to help explain everything that will be going on to them. It would be SOOO much easier for them to understand what to expect if they could read the explanation in their native language. I just want them to feel comfortable at their son's wedding.

THIS IS WHAT I WROTE (sorry so long) hope it helps:

The Ketubah
The Bedeken
Wedding Processional “Air on the G string”-Bach
Bride’s Processional “Canon in D”-Pachelbel
Welcome
Kiddushin
Presentation of the Rings
Reading of the Ketubah
Rabbi’s charge to bride and groom
Nissuin
Sheva Brachot
Breaking of the Glass
Recessional “Simon Tov u’ Mazel Tov”


Traditions
A traditional Jewish wedding is full of meaningful rituals, giving expression to the deepest significance and purpose of marriage. These rituals symbolize the beauty of the relationship of husband and wife, as well as their obligations to each other and to the Jewish people. The following is a guide to the laws and customs of a Jewish Wedding. We hope this information will help you appreciate the essence and symbolism of a Jewish wedding and enable you to more actively participate in our joyous occasion.

The Ketubah

In Jewish tradition there is a marriage contract, called a Ketubah, that defines the relationship in terms of commitment and financial aspects. The Ketubah is a binding document of confidence and trust, which details the husband's obligations to his wife. It expresses the idea that marriage is not only a physical and emotional union, but also a legal and moral commitment. The Ketubah was executed in the presence of two witnesses prior to the ceremony.

The Bedeken

This is a brief ceremony where the groom will come to the bride, verify her identity, and lower her veil. The custom of Bedeken recalls the predicament of Jacob, who thought he was marrying Rachel only to discover, after the ceremony, that he had married Leah. After the signing of the Ketubah, Eric lowered the veil over Joanna’s face, reminiscent of Rebecca’s covering her face before marrying Isaac.

The Chupah

The wedding ceremony takes place under the Chupah, a canopy that represents the new home about to be created. Open on all four sides, the Chupah is reminiscent of Abraham’s house, which had entrances on all four sides in order to warmly welcome any approaching guests.

Seven Circles

There is a tradition followed whereby the bride walks around the groom seven times under the Chupah before the rabbi begins the wedding ceremony. This tradition has ties to the prophet Jeremiah, who said that a woman encompasses and protects a man. As Joshua circled the wall of Jericho seven times, the walls fell down. So, too, after the bride walks around the groom seven times, the walls between them will fall and their souls will be united.

Kiddushin (Betrothal)
Two cups of wine are used in the wedding ceremony. The first cup accompanies the betrothal blessing, and after these are recited, the bride and groom drink from the cup. Wine, a symbol of joy in Jewish tradition, is associated with the Kiddush, the sanctification prayer recited on Shabbat and festivals. Marriage, which is called Kiddushin, is the sanctification of a man and woman to each other.

Exchanging of Rings
The central act of the Kiddushin occurs when Eric places a solid and unbroken ring on Joanna’s right index finger. This is based on a belief that the second finger is directly connected to the heart. The ring should be made of precious metal, without blemishes or ornamentation, just as it is hoped that the marriage will be one of simple beauty. Eric legalizes the marriage as he gives the ring by declaring in Hebrew “Behold, you are consecrated to me with this ring in accordance to the laws of Moses and Israel.” According to Jewish law, this is the central moment of the wedding ceremony, and Joanna and Eric are now fully married at this point.
After the Kiddushin, the Ketubah is read aloud. The Ketubah is written in Aramaic, but the rabbi must translate it when he reads it to make sure the bride and groom understand the terms of the marriage contract. After the reading, the groom hands the marriage contract to the bride.
At this time, Joanna will give Eric his ring and recite in Hebrew “I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine.”


Nissuin (Nuptial Ceremony)

The second part of the ceremony, Nissuin, consists of the “Sheva Brachot,” the seven blessings of marriage, which are recited over the second cup of wine. The Sheva Brachot are among the most joyous and beautiful blessings in Judaism. Recited under the Chupah, and over festive meals during the first week of marriage, they represent not only the happiness of the couple but of the entire community. The Sheva Brachot are as follows:


Blessed art thou, Lord our G-d, King of the universe, creator of the fruit of the grapevine.
Blessed art thou, Lord our G-d, King of the universe, who created all things for his glory.
Blessed art thou, Lord our G-d, King of the universe, who created humanity.
Blessed art thou, Lord our G-d, King of the universe, who created man in his image, in the image set forth by his plan, and who prepared from himself a structure to last for all time. Blessed art thou, Lord our G-d, Creator of humanity.
May the barren (land) rejoice and be glad when its children are gathered back to it in joy. Blessed art thou, Lord our G-d, who makes Zion rejoice in her children.
May you grant great joy to these dearly beloved, just as you granted happiness to the work of your hands long ago in the Garden of Eden. Blessed art thou, Lord our G-d, who grants joy to the bridegroom and bride.
Blessed art thou, Lord our G-d, King of the universe, who created happiness and joy, bridegroom and bride, rejoicing in song, delight and cheer, love and harmony, peace and fellowship. Soon, O Lord our G-d, may there be heard in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem, a sound of gladness, a sound of joy, a sound of the bridegroom and sound of the bride, the sound of rejoicing from bridegrooms at their weddings, and young people at their feasts of song. Blessed are you, O G-d, who grants joy to the bridegroom with the bride.


After the reciting of the Sheva Brachot, Joanna and Eric will drink from the second cup of wine.

Breaking of the Glass

The Jewish tradition of the groom breaking the glass has been interpreted in many ways. The shattering of the glass is an irrevocable action, just as marriage itself leaves us forever changed. It also reminds us that as strong as love is, it is also fragile as the glass and must be treated with care and never taken for granted. Lastly, it is seen as a reminder of the destruction of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. Once broken, the ceremony is over and the celebration begins. It is customary to shout “Mazel Tov” once the glass is broken.

Yichud

Following the ceremony, Joanna and Eric will spend their first moments alone as husband and wife. This time alone symbolizes their new relationship and allows them to share their first meal together before joining the reception.

Wow - that's great!! Thank you so much!!