Wedding
Whether you are considering becoming engaged, are engaged already and seeking an officiant, or are married and seeking an anniversary blessing on the bimah for your 25th, 50th or other special anniversary, Shir Hadash is here for you. Please reach out to our clergy for support at this special time!
Our buildings and outdoor spaces are wonderful locations for wedding ceremonies. Please visit our facility rental page for more details on our beautiful campus and how we can best accommodate your wedding.
Wedding Officiation
Are you seeking an officiant? Congratulations on your upcoming wedding! Congregation Shir Hadash clergy officiate at the weddings of members and those of their adult children who are themselves members of another congregation or active in Hillel. If you are not an adult child of a current member, or yourself a current member of Congregation Shir Hadash, please reach out so that we can go over the details of becoming a member.
- For Jewish and interfaith weddings: Our clergy officiates at Jewish weddings as well as interfaith weddings under certain criteria. Please review the Interfaith Wedding Criteria (PDF).
Aufruf (pre-wedding blessing)
On the Shabbat prior to their wedding ceremony, the bride and groom-to-be traditionally come before the congregation for a special blessing. The blessing and announcement of the upcoming nuptials are known as an aufruf — Yiddish for proclamation. Following the blessing, it is customary for the congregation to throw candies at the couple, symbolically wishing them a sweet future together. Whether the wedding will be solemnized by a member of the Shir Hadash clergy or by a different officiant, all couples are invited to celebrate their upcoming nuptials with an aufruf in the synagogue!
Ceremony
We look forward to supporting you in planning your ceremony. A Jewish wedding is rich with traditions, including most famously the chuppah (wedding canopy) and the breaking of a glass at the close of the ceremony. In addition to these minhagim, or Jewish customs, important elements of a Jewish wedding include: the ketubah — Jewish wedding contract, the birkat erusin — betrothal blessings, the exchange of rings; and the sheva brachot — seven wedding blessings.
Traditionally, Jewish weddings are not held on Shabbat or Jewish holidays. Those with more traditional family members may want to be aware of further restrictions on wedding dates in the spring and summer. If you have questions about a particular wedding date, please contact the clergy.
*Photos on this page were taken by Choco Studios.
Anniversary Blessing
For 25th, 50th, and other special anniversaries, the occasion can be marked by a special anniversary blessing on the bimah. Contact the clergy for more information.