Celebrate with
Michigan's
Hottest Group

an aufrufcelebration is held in shul.
When the groom is called up for
his aliyah to the Torah, he is pelted
with small bags of candy thrown by
congregants, symbolizing wishes for
a sweet married life. For the bride, a
forshpiel or Shabbat kallah is held
Shabbat afternoon, at which friends
of the kallah and her family gather in
her home to sing, shmobze, and
enjoy fancy cakes and nosh.
Chassanahs (weddings) are almost
always large catered affairs, held in
shuls or hotel ballrooms. After the
feasting and dancing of the wedding
dies out, the celebrating continues
for an entire week with sheva brochot
(the seven wedding blessings), formal
dinners hosted by friends or relatives
of the new couple. Typical atten-
dance ranges from 30-100, with men
and women seated separately.
A seuda hoda'ah (feast of thanks) is
a special personal simchah made to
publicly thank the Almighty for sal-
vation from danger, such as recovery
from serious illness, or surviving a _
catastrophe like a fire or car crash. A
lavish meal is enjoyed by friends and
family, accompanied by songs and
speeches of thanksgiving.
Another type of celebration, large-
ly unique to the Torah observant
community, is the stlyum (comple-
tion). This festive ceremony and
meal, held in the home or syna-
gogue, marks the accomplishment of
completing a segment of Torah study,
most frequently a tractate of Talmud.
Often a siyum is made on a yahrtzeit
(anniversary of a death), to give
merit to the soul of the deceased. A
minyan of men is required atten-
dance. The guest list is normally 30-
70 men and women.
On Sept. 28, 1997, the 10th
Sivum HaShas included nearly
100,000 celebrants. Marking the 7.5-
year global study cycle of the
Babylonian Talmud, participants
packed New York's Madison Square
Garden, New Jersey's Nassau
Coliseum, and ocher venues through-
out the world.
No caterer rose to the challenge,
however. After the ceremonies, those
assembled returned to their homes
for private afterglow celebrations
with family and friends.

Mel and Ball
Colours

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Crain's/Detroit Business

• Wedding Specialists

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• Exclusive entertainment
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• Also representing the finest
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• Ceremonial ensembles

music •dance • fun

"It's just not a party, if joe'r not invited"

29623 Northwestern Hwy • Southfield • (248) 356-6000

4/9
1999

Detroit Jewish News

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