Processional
- Chuppah Bearers
- Mesader Keddushin – Rabbi Baruch Hertz
- Groomsmen
- Grooms Family
- Samantha Sloane – Spencer’s cousin
- Jessica Sloane – Spencer’s cousin
- Gabrielle Sloane – Spencer’s cousin
- Ran, Hanah, Dovi, and Hila Lifshitz – Spencer’s brother-in-law, sister, nephew and niece
- Tata Jerusalem – Lifelong Nanny of the Brasch Family
- Lillian Brasch – Sister of the groom
- Abigail Brasch – Sister of the groom
- Noa Brasch – Sister of the groom
- Maxwel Brasch-Best Man, MC and brother of the groom
- Spencer, escorted by his parents, Mary Anne and Joel
- Bride’s Family and Bridesmaids
- Grammy Adele Segel
- Aviva Landau – Adina’s friend from college
- Goldie Zbozny- Adina’s friend from high school
- Tiferet Nickerson-Lekowsky – Adina’s friend and learning partner from Seminary
- Talia Morrow – Designer of the ketubah and a member of the Framily
- Sarah Plumb – Adina’s Framily little sister
- Eliana, Yigal and Sammy Saghian – Adina’s Framily older sister, brother-in-law and nephew
- Akiva, Chana and Shoshana Levy – Framily brother and sister-in-law and niece
- Avi and Miryl Passy – Adina’s brother/MC and sister-in-law/matron of honor
- Yael Passy and Blaire Ellenberg – Adina’s sister and honorary sister and maids of honor
- Jamos Cohen – Flower Boy and Ring Dude, and nephew
- Adina, escorted by her parents, Elise and Marc
Welcoming the Groom
After the groom arrives at the chupah, Max will welcome Spencer on behalf of all gathered by singing Baruch Haba, a brief Hebrew greeting that also includes a request for G‑d’s blessings for the new couple.
Mary Anne will help Spencer don his kittel.
Circling The Groom
Accompanied by her mother and future mother-in-law, Adina circles Spencer seven times. This is symbolic of several things:
God created the world in six days and rested on the seventh. Seven symbolizes completeness and holiness. Adina circling Spencer creates a private world for the two of them within the greater world. In Judaism, the wife is the foundation of the home. After circling Spencer, Adina will stand next to Spencer.
Other symbolisms:
Seven times also reminds of the wrapping of tefillin on a man’s arm and his connection to God, so too should Spencer be bound to Adina.
Joshua marched around Jericho seven times and the walls fell down, so too should any walls between Spencer and Adina fall down.
Erusin/Kiddushin
The first part of the actual wedding, Spencer will give Adina a ring and recite the ancient formula (“You are sanctified to me, with this ring, according to the law of Moses and Israel.”) in front of two witnesses. This act makes Adina consecrated to Spencer and forbidden to all others.
Rabbi Gershie Meisel and Rabbi Yochanon Posner are honored to be the Eidei Kiddushin.
Reading the Ketubah
Rabbi Baruch Simon will read the Ketubah, after which Spencer will present it to Adina.
Sheva Brachot
Each of the Sheva Brachot are read by honored guests:
- 1st – Rabbi Baruch Hertz, as Adina and Spencer drink from the glass of wine over which the wedding was sanctified.
- 2nd – Uncle Mark Sloane
- 3rd – Uncle Ed Cohen
- 4th – Rabbi Yitzhak Sprung
- 5th – Rabbi Irving Rotter
- 6th – Aharon Mirlas
- 7th – Rabbi Yaakov Kirshenbaum
Prayer for the safety of the soldiers in Israel
As Jews we often try to find times within our joy to pray. With our brothers and sisters in Israel at war, it only feels right that we take a moment during the ceremony to pray for those fighting for the state of Israel. We are honored that Max Brasch who fought for the state of Israel will be leading us in this prayer.
Remembering Jerusalem and Breaking of the Glass
A classic element of a Jewish wedding, the groom steps on a glass, but first the song Im Eshkachech Yerushalim (if I forget thee Jerusalem) is sung at the end of the ceremony.
One reason is that in times of joy, Jews take a moment to remember the sadness we feel not having our temple in Jerusalem.
Another reason more connected to breaking the glass, is that it is supposed to remind the couple of their unwavering commitment to each other. Just like the Jewish people remember their connection to Jerusalem through hard times, the couple should never forget their commitment to each other.
Another reason is its connection to breaking the glass directly – just as the glass cannot be put back together, there is no going back to their lives before.
Dancing the Couple out
The couple is lead out by family and friends to …
Yichud
Adina and Spencer will spend their first few minutes as a married couple alone. To ensure that they are not disturbed, there will be 2 Eid Yichud per access point: Yitzy Rothenberg, Yitzchak Friedman, Avi Levy, Mecah Levy,
Please proceed to the Beren Event Center for Channukah Candle Lighting and the Reception.