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Mock Wedding Shows
udents Tradition

JENNIFER FINER JEWISH NEWS INTERN

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Daniel Ellman and Julie Meyer
learn about weddings firsthand.

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THE DETRO

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10

Cantor Berman and Rabbi
Schwartz officiate as Daniel and
Julie temporarily tie the knot.

his wedding was like any other
Jewish wedding — almost.
There was a bride and a
groom, a best man and a maid
of honor, ushers and brides-
maids , a reception and guests,
and, of course, a chuppah and
flowers.
But in this ceremony, the ke-
tubah was fake and the bride,
Julie Meyer, and groom, Daniel
Ellman, took only temporary
wedding vows.
Daniel and Julie, both fifth-
grade students attending reli-
gious school at Temple Shir
Shalom, took part in a mock
wedding last Sunday. The
event was designed to teach
students about the traditions of
a Jewish wedding.
Rabbi Dannel Schwartz and
Cantor Samuel Berman offici-
ated at the mock ceremony,
which included the traditional
breaking of the glass and ex-
changing of rings.
Rabbi Schwartz, who ex-
plained the meaning behind

Jewish wedding traditions, said
there are several theories on
why a glass is broken.
One explanation indicates
this ritual symbolizes the de-
struction of the First and Sec-
ond temples. Another says each
shard of glass symbolizes each
year of the marriage. A third ex-
planation claims the glass is a
symbol of material objects
which should not be considered
important.
"Do you, Daniel Ellman,
promise for the next 15 minutes
to care about Julie?" Rabbi
Schwartz asked during the cer-
emony. "And do you, Julie Mey-
er, promise for the next 15
minutes to care about Daniel?"
At the end of the ceremony
and after a lot of coaxing, the
"bride and groom" hugged.
Julie and Daniel, who were
married as a result of a class
vote, said they had a lot of fun
participating in the mock wed-
ding.
"We try to give our children