The religious school students sat quietly in the sanctuary of Temple Beth Elohim recently as the young "bride," dressed in blue chiffon, exchanged vows with her "groom" under a hand-made Chuppah.

The participants in the wedding, from the "Rabbi" to the "flower girl," are students of the Temple Beth Elohim religious school.  Under the direction of Deborah Tract, the 6th grade Religious School class re-enacted a traditional Jewish wedding, complete with pre-wedding jitters, as part of their life-cycle curriculum.

Before the wedding ceremony, the "bride" and "groom" participated in the Ketubbah signing ceremony. A Ketubbah is a marriage contract that is signed in the presence of two witnesses.

The beautiful Ketubbah was custom designed by the 6th grade Gimmel class and their teacher Rachel Weinberg. The document is a promise of the bride and groom's commitment to build a Jewish home together. Following the signing of the Ketubbah, the wedding began.

The processional included the "Rabbi", the "groom" and his "parents,"  the
"wedding party" and the "bride" and her "parents." They all walked down the
aisle in the sanctuary and took their place under the Chuppah, the symbol of
the Jewish home.

The "Rabbi", a female student, recited the Shehechayanu, a prayer of
gratitude.  She continued with the Birkat Erusin - a blessing for the wine
that is symbolic of the joy in the bride and groom's heart. The vows that
were exchanged were written by the students themselves.

Sheva Brachot, the seven benedictions, were read followed by the second cup
of wine. Upon completion of the traditional Jewish wedding, the young couple
were wrapped in a Tallit (prayer shawl), and declared "husband and wife."

The wedding concluded with the traditional breaking of the glass, symbolizing all of the tragedies which have come to Jewish people throughout history.  When our young groom broke the glass, everyone was reminded that while not all things in life are joyous, the shattering of glass will hopefully be the most shattering experience the couple faces during their lifetime.

"Mazal Tov a siman Tov" was sung by the entire school as they entered the Social Hall for delicious wedding cake!  Another sweet end to a perfect day of learning at Temple Beth Elohim's Religious School.

Temple Beth Elohim is a Reform congregation serving the Plainview - Old
Bethpage and surrounding communities since 1955.

With special thanks to Deborah Tract and Debbie Baer of Temple Beth Elohim.