When is Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day)?
On the Jewish calendar, Yom HaShoah falls on the 27th of the Hebrew month of Nisan, which means the observance will begin at sundown on 26 Nisan. In 1951, when the Knesset (Israeli Parliament) established the observance, it did not want the day to interfere with Shabbat by coming either immediately before or after Shabbat. Therefore, if 27 Nisan falls on a Friday, the day is observed on Thursday, 26 Nisan. If 27 Nisan is
Is writing on the side bar of my Hebrew Bible book forbidden?
Rabbi Jullie Zupan answers - Is writing on the side bar of my Hebrew Bible book forbidden?
How can we explain circumcision to our friends?
Do you have some talking points we can use with our friends to help them understand our choice as parents?
What is a Sukkah?
A sukkah is a temporary, hut-like dwelling built during the holiday of Sukkot. (In fact, the word sukkot is the plural of sukkah.)
Is a bride at a Jewish wedding required to wear a veil?
Thought it was once common for Jewish brides to be veiled, today's brides have several options.
What’s the Hebrew word for the wedding ceremony?
Kiddushin, the Hebrew word for the Jewish wedding ritual, means “holiness.” The word has the same linguistic root as kadosh, meaning “holy.”
Who can sign our ketubah? How should we pick our witnesses?
In Reform Judaism, witnesses may be of any gender, above b’nei mitzvah age (13 or older), and customarily, identify as Jewish, although some clergy permit individuals from other backgrounds and faiths to serve as ketubah witnesses. Some clergy also will allow additional witnesses, so you can honor three or even four friends as witnesses.
Does my wedding ring have to be plain gold or can it be a diamond band instead?
If you have a wedding ring in mind that you’d like to use in lieu of a solid gold or silver band, you should speak with your officiant about choosing the type of ring (or rings) that best suit you, your relationship, and your custom.
I was asked to be a ketubah witness at my friend’s wedding. What do I need to know?
The wedding partners honor two friends by asking them to sign the document as witnesses. Usually, the witnesses are expected to sign their names in Hebrew. If you aren’t sure how to do that, ask the wedding couple for guidance and they can speak with their clergy about how to make that work.
Should we invite our officiating rabbi or cantor – along with a partner or spouse – to our wedding reception?
Your officiating rabbi or cantor – along with a partner or guest – will certainly appreciate an invitation to your reception. It’s a thoughtful gesture on your part, and some consider it proper etiquette.
What if my ketubah witnesses don’t know how to sign their names in Hebrew?
If your witnesses aren’t comfortable writing in Hebrew, consult your officiating rabbi or cantor for their practices and preferences
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