While other girls dreamt of the elegant wedding gowns they would someday wear, when I was young, I dreamt about my chuppah. To me, the chuppah represents the doorway into the heart of the couple married beneath. The chuppah is the most recognizable symbol of a Jewish wedding. Meaning “covering” in Hebrew and open on…
Planning a wedding can be overwhelming. Just a simple internet search can result in thousands of photographs on Pinterest alone. Each year, wedding planners come up with what they think some of the hottest trends will be in their industry. Here are a few ideas of what’s trending for 2018: Navy is the new black…
There was a time, not so long ago, when the words Israeli haute couture could be considered an oxymoron. There was nothing elegant or sophisticated about evening dresses. And bridal gowns? A profusion of puffiness and petticoats! But times changed. Dramatically. In a country known as the startup nation, the bridal industry has captured the…
Arizona Jewish Historical Society Cutler-Plotkin Jewish Heritage Center 122 E Culver St., Phoenix 602-241-7870 • azjhs.org Beautifully restored historic venue is available for weddings, b’nai mitzvah and celebrations. Open to people of all faiths. Main hall has original hardwood floors and 10-foot arched windows; also a museum gallery and lovely outdoor garden terrace. Casa Cala…
The divorce rate in the United States continues to hover around 50%, and the dissolution incidence when one or both of the parties have been previously married is about 65%. This is a national travesty. The amount of emotional angst and money spent, not to mention the extent of trauma brought to the involved children,…
After your wonderful wedding is over, the recollections of your big day will be etched into your heart and mind forever. While no doubt you will have myriad photos and films to look at again and again, it will be the memories that you carry inside that will be the most exceptional: the gleam in…
Rachel Shamir and Moshe Raccach have a unique love story. They spent most of their young lives in the same country, Israel, although it took until later in life for them to meet. They met online, although not on a dating website, but on Motke, “like an Israeli Facebook” Rachel describes. It was on this…
“A Jewish wedding has the potential to be one of the most powerful Jewish rituals. It is a reminder of the power of love and union.” Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz, twice named one of America’s Top Rabbis by Newsweek, shared that perspective with Jewish Life readers in an article about life-cycle events in 2105. Our…
There’s no shortage of amazing wedding ideas on the internet. A simple Google search for “wedding ideas on Pinterest” brings up everything from how much alcohol to stock for a wedding with 100 guests to the best way to pee while wearing a wedding dress. Here are some popular ideas to inspire you! Invitations The…
Arizona Jewish Life posed this question to long-married couples in our community: “What’s the secret to a long, happy marriage?” Here are their answers: “Rabbi Zalman Levertov says, “The key to a successful marriage is not trying to change each other and giving each other space – which is enhanced by the laws of family…
