trPn s
BY CARLA SCHWARTZ
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JUDY ELIYAS/STUDIO 9 2 5
hen Melissa Rebecca Stern and
Seth Seligman Meltzer stood
together under the chuppah at
The Townsend hotel on June 7,
their marriage produced a legacy for Temple Shir
Shalom. The chuppah, created especially for the
couple by artist Jiro Masuda and purchased by
Melissa's parents, Randy and Craig Rubin, is
available for all future Temple Shir Shalom
weddings.
According to Rabbi Dannel Schwartz of
Temple Shir Shalom, the beauty is that the fami-
ly thought of this idea that can be used from
generation to generation. "Most people think of
themselves during a wedding. This family is
thinking of posterity and the congregation," said
Schwartz. All Temple Shir
Shalom families will be able to
use the chuppah with the pro-
viso that they make a donation
to the Temple. "Not only is
the chuppah a beautiful artifact
ii but it is a fundraising opportu-
nity as well," noted Schwartz.
The design of the chuppah
mirrors and complements the
architecture of the synagogue.
Each steel post displays a dif-
ferent Hebrew quote, chosen
by the Meltzers. "Melissa and
Seth had tremendous input,"
said Randy Rubin. "They
researched it and found four
quotes relevant to them."
The four chosen quotes are:
I am my beloved and my
beloved is mine; The voice of
joy and happiness are the
bride and the groom; Blessed
are you 0 God who causes a man and woman
to rejoice in each other; Wherever you shall go
I shall go.
Both Melissa and her mother, Randy, talk
about "beshert" when describing the wedding
and the chuppah. Melissa began dating her
husband after an Israel mission. "My friend
Brad `Bubba' Urdin told me I would make
great friends and possibly meet a wonderful
man," said Melissa, acknowledging that Brad
was correct.
Melissa and Seth soon realized their grand-
parents were once in business together, their
mothers were bridesmaids at each other's
wedding, and Melissa and Seth knew each
other years ago because Melissa is friendly -
with Rachel, Seth's sister.
Mother and daughter both described the
chuppah as a beautiful work of art. Rubin is
happy to have created an heirloom to share
with others. "I did it in tribute to their
marriage." ❑
W
Above: Florist Don
Mazur of Ferndale
adorned the chuppah
with a plethora of
lilies. The chuppah
was created exclu-
sively for Melissa
and Seth Meltzer by
artist Jiro Masuda.
Left: After a beautiful
wedding, the couple
honeymooned in the
Greek Isles and Italy.
They are shown here
in Positano, Italy.
6 •
AUGUST 2003 • STYLE Al' THE JN