Another year older, a new one just begun

September 24, 2012 6 Comments
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My birthday falls around the Jewish High Holidays every year.  In fact, when I turn 35 I will be fasting on Yom Kippur while celebrating.  I already penciled in a reschedule for that birth anniversary.

This year I hardly had time to contemplate my upcoming celebration! There is so. much. going. on.

Normally I’m the type of person who demands attention the whole week prior, or for an entire weekend, when my birthday approaches (shocking, I know).  Maybe it’s the number “1″ after “30″ throwing me?  Maybe the chaotic nature of my life draws my mind away? Maybe I’m in denial?

Either way, I’m celebrating another year in life and we’ve started a new (Jewish calendar) year.

Don’t get me wrong, December 31 always means a fun night out, but for me the new year begins with freshly sharpened pencils, apples and honey, and maybe a few presents, too.

September is my January.

New supplies grace my (short-lived) pristine classroom.

The services for Rosh Hashanah call to mind a year’s passing and looking forward to the next.

My birthday reminds me how lucky I am, how loved I am.

I’m looking forward to another great year in my work life, in my religious life, and in my life life.

(and don’t worry, despite the chaos I still had time to enjoy seeing Cirque du Soleil’s Totem, drinks with friends, and dinner with Mike!)

 

Edit — PS: Thank you for all the comments on my previous post. I really appreciate the insight and empathy. I feel foolish for not knowing something so important about my body, but…you live & learn, right?

Filed Under: awesomeness, birthday, Judaism

(Wedding Recap) The Hora!

October 14, 2011 8 Comments

During the post-wedding-feedback stage, several people told me the Hora stood out as their favorite part of our wedding. Comments varied from, “I’ve never seen a group of people so excited!” to “Twenty-five minutes of straight dancing without stopping was incredible.”  Our band rocked it out and kept the party going, for what seemed like a great forever.

[Sidenote: around this point the bustle in my dress began failing & falling.  I stepped on the hem and got frustrated and started hated my dress.  Oh, the heat, too.  The temperature under 6 layers of fabric grew unbearable.]

But that did not stop me from dancing!

I showed off my roger-rabbit skillz.  for realz.

The guys and girls created their own circles.

 Mike flung me around in circles
And then came THE CHAIRS.
My word, the chairs.
The scary chairs, lifted up and down, all over the place.
Feeling like you’re going to fall.
The chairs.
Scary and exhilarating.
(mostly scary)
Once back on the ground, my dad broke out the accordion!!!!
 
Look at him rocking out!
So awesome.
He’s one talented Dad.

Speaking of talented, Mike & danced for each other

This goes down as one of my favorite moments in my life.
Seriously, the best Hora ever!
{Photo amahzingness: Studio Juno}
Filed Under: eat your heart out, family, Judaism, Mike, muzak, recap, reception, wedding

(Wedding Recap) Yichud & Our First Dance!

October 11, 2011 4 Comments

After the wedding ceremony it is customary, in Judaism, for the bride and groom to have time to themselves (yichud). They are escorted to the “yichud room” and left alone. We used this time to scarf down food & say “wow” about a million times.  Back in the day, this time together made the marriage official — if ya’ know what I mean. 
These moments of seclusion signify the couple’s new status of living together as husband and wife.

Once we had enough to eat and drink I texted our wedding planner, eager to move on to the next moment!  We hoped to mingle with our guests, but had to use the time instead for family photos.  Honestly, this became my least favorite part.  We spent time prior to the ceremony taking some family shots, but didn’t finish.  At this point I simply wanted to dance and celebrate with my friends.  I love my family but that flash bulb drove me crazy…. (and of course, I was in every picture).

Once the necessary family portraits finish the cocktail hour time sadly passed.  Next up: Our First Dance!
Mike & I long debated over which song to use for this moment. I wanted something timeless, that might play in the grocery store one day and make us remember back to that day.  He wanted something lively and fun.  We finally decided on one song, and then promptly changed it 3 days later to our final decision. 

We chose the Beatles, I Will
I absolutely love this shot!
(Also, do you see the little glimmer of white in the background that is my niece, the flower girl? adorbs.)

{all photos by Studio Juno}

Filed Under: Judaism, Mike, newlyweds, recap, wedding

(Wedding Recap) Details, Details

October 7, 2011 2 Comments

There are a couple things I need to point out, to validate my/our hard work and document the end results.

For the ceremony, my mom purchased a kit from Michael’s craft stores and then made the layout with her fine Microsoft Office skills.  My dad then helped her print, arrange, and tie the bows. (Thanks Mom & Dad!)  We placed them on chairs for guests, prior to the ceremony.

I found some reserved seating cards on TheKnot.com. (Which reminds me, I need to sell them… anyone want them?)  These were perfect for the ceremony!

The kepot were passed out at the door, thanks to our dear friend, Eric.  We decided to go with a contrasting color to the bridesmaids dresses to change things up a bit.

Post ceremony, the guests were lead to the Board Room where one bar was located, or to the Portico, outside, where there were cabaret (high-top) tables and another bar.  And I have no picture of this. But it existed.

Before entering the cocktail hour area you came across a table with escort cards, decorated with floating candles, similar to some of the table arrangements.  I stupidly printed out all the cards myself, a few days before the wedding (with the help from amazing Lara!).  Turns out, when you do this task after midnight and when your husband is already away on his bachelor party, you will make mistakes… like forgetting a whole table.  whoops!

I found this gift box at Target, days prior to the wedding. I used the same ribbon as I did for my niece’s flower girl basket and the escort card (to differentiate entree choices), for flair.

Each escort card led guests to their assigned table, named after a different zoo animals (a nod to Mike’s proposal!)

At each seat lay menu cards and benchers (Jewish prayer books – which we forgot to use!) flanked each table. Sidenote: I also printed these menu cards out in the wee-hours of the morning.  Not advised.

As mentioned before, I made the cake topper (with that same ribbon).

The bridesmaid’s flowers surrounded the cake table. 

And my bouquet graced our sweetheart table, along with my special clutch from Etsy!

These little elements all came together so nicely!

{all photos by the awesome Studio Juno}

Filed Under: cake, Carnegie Institute, details, flowers, Judaism, Mike, proposal, venues, wedding

L’Shana Tova

October 1, 2011 1 Comment
Happy (Jewish) New Year! 

Rosh Hashanah, being one of my favorite holidays, is cause for celebration and reflection.  It’s not all confetti and ball-dropping, like the cultural United States new year, though. 
I love the juxtaposition of joy and somber feelings during Rosh Hashanah.  We think back on our year and hope that any downfalls and shortcomings will be forgiven, any commitments broken will be overlooked, and any unintentional cause for hurt will all be forgotten with the promise of the new year.

During the two days of services many prayers, poems, psalms and declarations are chanted and sung.
The poem U’netaneh Tokef (literally “we shall ascribe holiness to this day”) is meant to strike fear into hearts:
 
We shall ascribe holiness to this day.
For it is awesome and terrible.
Your kingship is exalted upon it.
Your throne is established in mercy.
You are enthroned upon it in truth.
In truth You are the judge,
The exhorter, the all‑knowing, the witness,
He who inscribes and seals,
Remembering all that is forgotten.
You open the book of remembrance
Which proclaims itself,
And the seal of each person is there.
The great shofar is sounded,
A still small voice is heard.
The angels are dismayed,
They are seized by fear and trembling
As they proclaim: Behold the Day of Judgment!
For all the hosts of heaven are brought for judgment.
They shall not be guiltless in Your eyes
And all creatures shall parade before You as a troop.
As a shepherd herds his flock,
Causing his sheep to pass beneath his staff,
So do You cause to pass, count, and record,
Visiting the souls of all living,
Decreeing the length of their days,
Inscribing their judgment.
On Rosh Hashanah it is inscribed,
And on Yom Kippur it is sealed.
How many shall pass away and how many shall be born,
Who shall live and who shall die,
Who shall reach the end of his days and who shall not,
Who shall perish by water and who by fire,
Who by sword and who by wild beast,
Who by famine and who by thirst,
Who by earthquake and who by plague,
Who by strangulation and who by stoning,
Who shall have rest and who shall wander,
Who shall be at peace and who shall be pursued,
Who shall be at rest and who shall be tormented,
Who shall be exalted and who shall be brought low,
Who shall become rich and who shall be impoverished.
But repentance, prayer and righteousness avert the severe decree.

These words lead directly into the Kedushah, the prayer of the sanctification of G-d’s name.

And I love it.  The U’netaneh Tokef  is a favorite of mine, in a very eerie way.  The haunting melody resonates when the congregation sing the Hebrew words.  It conjures up the reality behind our day-to-day life.  It reminds us that G-d leads and has such power.  Life is fragile, fleeting.

In sharing this poem, I wanted others who do not observe Rosh Hashanah to know the power behind our New Year celebration.  There are ten days of repentance, starting with Rosh Hashanah and ending with Yom Kippur.  While judgement is pronounced on Rosh Hashanah, it is sealed on Yom Kippur. These Ten days are a chance to relent and seek forgiveness.  We celebrate the chance for a new year, but remember that repentance, prayer, and charity shape us and can change judgement.  I almost feel like Jews wish others Happy New Year to avert & even out the potential solemnity during this time.

I know this post is out of character for me.  I don’t go all preachy & only mention religious traditions observed.  But Rosh Hashanah speaks deeply to me.

I wish you all a happy, sweet year, no matter your religious label.

  L’Shana Tova!
Filed Under: Judaism, kosher, traditions, wandering

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