Faith and LGBT Equality in the News
In recent months, LGBT equality has come to the fore in a number of denominations.
Gay Pride: Not Always a Cinch
The cake from Temple Beth El's Gay Pride Shabbat, held last month. Photo taken by Temple Beth El member Barbara Herman.
The author, John Hirsch (left), and Herb Leiman before their wedding at Temple Beth-El of Great Neck, Great Neck, NY, 2012.
Holding Israel's Declaration of Independence Up to the Light of Day
Israel’s Declaration of Independence is the foundation of a state that is both Jewish and democratic. But does it accurately describe the Jewish State today?
12 Rituals You May See at a Jewish Wedding
Breaking the Glass
It’s wedding season and we are booked. Our weekends are filled witnessing couples walking down the aisle and standing together under the Chuppah.
Who can sign our ketubah? How should we pick our witnesses?
Who can sign our wedding ketubah (Jewish marriage contract)? How should we pick our witnesses?In Reform Judaism, witnesses may be of any gender, above b’nei mitzvah age (13 or older), and customarily, identify as Jewish, although some clergy permit individuals from other backgrounds and faiths to serve as ketubah witnesses. Some clergy also will allow additional witnesses, so you can honor three or even four friends as witnesses.
Parents' Blessings on Your Wedding Day
I was asked to be a ketubah witness at my friend’s wedding. What do I need to know?
The wedding partners honor two friends by asking them to sign the document as witnesses. Usually, the witnesses are expected to sign their names in Hebrew. If you aren’t sure how to do that, ask the wedding couple for guidance and they can speak with their clergy about how to make that work.
Does my wedding ring have to be plain gold or can it be a diamond band instead?
If you have a wedding ring in mind that you’d like to use in lieu of a solid gold or silver band, you should speak with your officiant about choosing the type of ring (or rings) that best suit you, your relationship, and your custom.