The Hebrew month of Shvat is the 5th month in the Hebrew calendar and brings us to Tu Bishvat, the New Year for Trees. So much remains beneath the surface right now but we know that new growth is on its way, it just requires a bit more waiting.
We love this inspiration from Hope Jahren (with adaptation by Cathy Ostroff)
"Every tree was once a seed
that waited.
A seed knows how to wait.
A cherry tree will wait for a hundred years.
A lotus seed may wait a thousand years
for a chance to become a tree."
What an incredible year it has been, filled with so many incredible couples! ☺️
We love this beautiful piece in the Los Angeles Times by Rabbi Jen Gubitz about encountering loss and grief amid wedding joy. Planning your JewISH wedding and want to connect? Reach out.
#modernjewishcouples #mjc #weddings #bridetobe #chuppah #beloveds #jewishweddings #interfaithweddings #lgbtqLove #smashingtheglass #beloved #planningajewishwedding #jewishweddingplanning #jewishweddingrituals #jewishrituals #grief
Time to reflect with Rav Taylor! 😁🪞
🍷🥰 The Jewish wedding ceremony has two parts and we mark each by the blessing and drinking of two cups of fruit of the vine – Kiddush, meaning holy, unique, or set aside.
In this photo - both Jess and Brendan are holding family heirlooms. Like them, consider honoring both of your backgrounds by choosing a meaningful glass or cup from each family! The vessel you choose and the wine or juice within become special when you recite the blessing over them.
Two tips:
- Stick to white wine. No stains on your wedding day. 😁
- If you can’t or don’t drink wine, use white grape juice! 🍇
Okay, this photo is technically the OPPOSITE of bedeken, the veiling ceremony in a Jewish wedding, but you get the idea. 😅
Bedeken is a yiddish word meaning to check or confirm, rooted in the biblical story where Jacob is tricked by his father-in-law (who is also his uncle) and marries Leah - instead of his beloved Rachel.
It’s not an awesome story.
These days, while we feel fairly confident that by the time you reach your wedding day, the right partner will be awaiting you - it can be beautiful to incorporate this tradition into your ceremony with a modern twist.
Affirm this is your partner and consider together what about your future - the joys and sorrows - remains ‘veiled’ to you.
"I have a voice. My voice is powerful." 🙂
(Alternate favorite quotes: "I'm a leader!" or "I've been practicing.")
OMFG We're at a Christian Retreat Center! Rabbis Jen and Jodi had a great time with some interfaith clergy this summer. It's kinda like grown-up summer camp, pranks and all.
What's a moment of joy and excitement you've had this summer?
“On this Tu B’Av, may we all seek out those people who are on our team through despair and delight, who can forgive and seek forgiveness, who see us for who we truly are and support us on the journey to becoming whoever we will someday be.” ♥️
Tu B’Av is the Jewish day of love...and we are so happy to celebrate! (We love love, today and all days.)
How are you celebrating Tu B'Av this year? (It's okay, you can celebrate late, busy bees.) Where do you find love--platonic, romantic, familial, or otherwise?
Check out the rest of Rabbi G's beautiful piece on Tu B'Av -->https://tinyurl.com/yck7r2bm
Tu B'av isn't just for couples! Join us Wednesday, August 2nd, 4:30-6:30 at Lehrhaus. 🥳
Folks who are solo and searching for love are invited to gather at Lehrhaus for intentional conversation and connections. Its customary to wear white on this day - so freshen up your summer (or Yom Kippur) whites and join us!
In this gathering, everyone will meet everyone. You might find love, you might make a new friend, you might build a business connection.
Join us! RSVP here: https://tinyurl.com/4wp4n7r5
Join MJC at @lehrhaustavern on Wednesday, August 2nd at 8:00! 🍷
Tu B'Av (15th of Av) is the Jewish day of love. Gather together with other couples to connect and learn over delicious drinks and treats.
RSVP at the link in bio. Can't wait to see you there!
#modernjewishcouples #mjc #weddings #bridetobe #chuppah #beloveds #jewishweddings #interfaithweddings #lgbtqLove #smashingtheglass #beloved
#planningajewishwedding #jewishweddingplanning #jewishweddingrituals #jewishrituals #tubav #jewishholiday
Join MJC at Lehrhaus on Wednesday, August 2nd at 8:00! 🍷
Tu B'Av (15th of Av) is the Jewish day of love. Gather together with other couples to connect and learn over delicious drinks and treats.
RSVP here! https://tinyurl.com/mw78kvbk
The duality of love. 💕
Such an astute observation from (Jewish!) psychotherapist and couples expert Esther Perel from her excellent book, Mating in Captivity.
How do you find a balance between separateness and togetherness?
It's summer...which means time for summer camp! 😎🏕️
Okay, did you go to Jewish summer camp? How many summers were YOU there? What was your favorite job? We're dying to know.
Jen and Jodie are Jewish summer camp veterans! Any other lifeguards out there?
Ok, so obviously this isn’t a picture of Yichud, but WOW (!) it is such a beautiful photo! 🥰
We’ve never been to anyone else’s Yichud - which is probably a good thing - because Yichud is an Ashkenazi ritual moment for beloveds to spend their first minutes of marriage together - alone - privately.
Yichud is a really special moment - post public ceremony - for a couple to take a pause, to breathe and reflect, and to realize “OMG we’re married.”
And (let’s be real) many couples use this time to enjoy some snacks and, if needed, bustle a dress or reapply deodorant.
Shout out to the beloveds Alex & Micah who are coming up on two years of marriage! 🎉
Our Ketubah 101 workshop with @ketubahdotcom is so soon! June 4th, 7-8:30 on Zoom! ✨
RSVP here...we can't wait to see you there. https://tinyurl.com/dr4xmn6h
Drinks and apps on us! 🥳
Rabbi G will be in NYC - we can't wait to see old faces and meet new ones! Catch you at the Liberty on Monday, May 22nd...RSVP: https://tinyurl.com/yjtmkydb
O…M…K. Oh my Ketubah!. We’re kind of geeking out. Modern Jewish Couples is pairing up with Ketubah.com (aka Jewish Wedding Royalty) to bring you an amazing Ketubah 101 workshop this June! Aaaaah!
Check out our website for more information!
Also, can we get a Mazel Tov for Amy & Craig and their beautiful Ketubah from Foreverie Paper Modern Ketubah Studio!
This is a hyper-realistic rendering of your exact experience at our bourekas workshop with Vilna Shul on May 10th. You look great in blue.
Link! https://tinyurl.com/2p6k29ws
"The refuse of daily living," whoa! 🤯
Rabbis Jen and Jodi have some food for thought about hametz this #passover. What do you need to cast off?
#happypassover #modernjewishcouples #chagpesachsameach
