About our Ceremony

Join us in celebrating our love with our fusion of meaningful Jewish ceremony, rich in tradition and joy and modern patriotism, values we strive to embody in our lives.

The traditional Jewish wedding ceremony is rich in meaning, and we hope this explanation enhances your experience of our day. Prior to the ceremony, Eitan signed the Ketubah, a Jewish marriage contract, in the presence of two witnesses, in which his responsibilities to Liad are outlined. The ceremony will take place under the Chuppah, a canopy. The Chuppah is reminiscent of Sarah and Abraham’s biblical tent and represents our continuation of the tradition of hospitality in our new home. The canopy used in the ceremony is a family canopy, under which Liad's two sisters were married.

Rabbi Nissan Antine, Senior Rabbi of Beth Shalom Congregation of Potomac, will officiate the ceremony. The ceremony will begin with Erusin, or Kiddushin, the betrothal portion, during which we will drink from the same cup of wine to symbolize our unity. Eitan will then place a simple, unadorned ring on Liad’s finger as part of the Nissuin, or marriage, while reciting the following Hebrew phrase to formalize the marriage: “Behold you are consecrated to me with this ring, according to the laws of Moses and Israel.” This will be done in the presence of two pre-designated witnesses. Rabbi Antine will then recite the Sheva Brachot, or seven blessings, celebrating love, joy, and the union of past and future. The blessings are stated as follows:

The Seven Blessings

Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, Who has created everything for His glory.
Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, Who fashioned the Man.
Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, Who fashioned the Man in His image, in the image of his likeness and prepared for him – for himself – a building for eternity. Blessed are You, Lord, Who fashioned the Man.
Bring intense joy and exultation to the barren one through the ingathering of her children amidst her in gladness. Blessed are You, Lord, Who gladdens Zion through her children.
Gladden the beloved companions as You gladdened Your creature in the Garden of Eden from aforetime. Blessed are You, Lord, Who gladdens groom and bride.
Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, Who created joy and gladness, groom and bride, mirth, glad song, pleasure, delight, love, brotherhood, peace, and companionship. Lord our God, let there soon be heard in the cities of Judah and the streets of Jerusalem the sound of joy and the sound of gladness, the voice of the groom and the voice of the bride, the sound of the grooms’ jubilance from their canopies and of the youths from their song-filled feasts. Blessed are You, Lord, Who gladdens the groom with the bride.
Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, Who creates the fruit of the vine.

At the end of the ceremony, a moment will be taken to remember the sorrows that still exist, even in times of joy. Prior to breaking a glass, Eitan and Liad will recite blessings for the State of Israel, the United States of America and for their security forces to symbolize the commitment they share as a couple to bring healing to that brokenness.

Thank you for being part of this special moment with us.