Jewish Post, Indianapolis, Marion County, 22 January 2003 — Page 4

IN 4 January 22. 2003

Weddings

Continued from page 2 the giving of the ring in Hebrew. All the rest is custom Customs change over time and from place to place. Sometimes customs change to meet the needs of people in different eras; sometimes they change to express the concerns of people in different personal, group, or national situations. Both old and new customs are being observed in Jewish weddings these days. To learn more about these customs, read Anita Diamant’s The New Jewish Wedding. Customs vary as to other parts of the ceremony, such as the veiling of the bride, the processional, thechuppah, and the circling of the bridegroom by the bride. Some of the customs vary according to whether the ceremony is Orthodox, Conservative, or Reform; some vary as to Ashkenazic or Sephardic traditions. The bridal veil The bridal veil is a symbol that goes back to the biblical story that Rebecca covered her face when she came to marry Isaac. Orthodox and most Con-

servative brides wear a veil for the wedding ceremony. A specific ceremony of veiling the bride is performed before Orthodox weddings. It usually takes place in the rabbi's study or the bride's room of the synagogue. The bridegroom is called to low'er the veil over the bride's face. The bridegroom's act is said to take place to avoid Jacob's fate. In 15th century Europe the wedding veil, a gift from the groom, was always made with spun gold. Gold was later removed from the veil as a sign of mourning over the destruction of the Temple. In Near Eastern countries, Jewish brides have long worn commu-nity-owned headdresses lavishly embroidered with beads, coins, and decorative chains. The processional There are no rights and wrongs with respect to the wedding processional. While it is an American custom for the father to escort his daughter and give her in marriage, the Jewish custom is for both parents to lead their child, both daughters and sons, to marContinned on page 9

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Your Wedding Celebrate your wedding in grand tradition with a rehearsal dinner, ceremony, or reception in the historic Severin Ballroom of the 4Diamond Omni Severin Hotel in downtown Indianapolis. Since 1913 the ballroom and adjacent lobby with sweeping staircase and balconies have provided the ideal setting for hundreds of wedding related events.

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Photo courtesy J. Wyant Photography Omni & Severin Hotel 40 West Jackson Street, Indianapolis 317/634 6664

Reb Shlomo Carlebach, z"l, performs the wedding ceremony of Bruce and Diane David, of Bloomington, in June, 1984 at Kehilath Jacob Synagogue - the Carlebach Shul, on West 79th Street in New York City. In a celebration that started after Shabbat on a Saturday evening and went until after 3 a.m. the next day, the happy couple was showered with much love and joy by the members of the congregation. Before the chuppah, the bride was escorted to the synagogue by candlelight along Central Park, where the groom waited with Reb Shlomo, other rabbis, and guests.

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Couples love the charm of this historic B&B, which once served as the Columbus city hall. Today, the 1895 building provides a quiet atmosphere with elegantly detailed architecture. Listed in the National Register of Historic Places, the Inn includes large limestone-arched entries, rock-faced limestone walls and a large tower capping the building. The lower-level room holds 60 guests for a sit-down dinner and 70 for a standing reception. Catering provided on-site. Alcohol by permit. A 50 percent deposit required.

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