Everything
Continued from Page 10
The biggest Indian element at a Jewish wedding is the mehndi
ceremony, in which the bride’s hands are adorned with designs in
henna, according to an article about one Indian Jewish couple’s wed-
ding in the Times of Israel.

The article also lists local wedding rituals, including “wearing a
garland strung from jasmine flowers and smearing a yellow paste
of turmeric on both the bride and the groom’s faces.”
The turmeric smearing is said to bless the couple with fortune
and prosperity, according to a source in the article.

Ring exchanges are not focused on as heavily in Indian-Jewish
weddings as they are in Western culture. The article explained that
“instead, they’ve adopted the Indian practice of tying the mangalsutra
— a gold and black bead necklace which symbolically keeps the
couple safe from harm.”
Indian Jewish weddings also abide by laws of kashrut — with
their own twist.

The article focused on one couple’s wedding, whose culinary
fare included fiery mutton curries and the popular chicken
biryani, a “rice dish with pan-Indian appeal.” The article men-
tions that all meals were cooked with kosher meat but with their
own cultural zest.

“With its strong spices and condiments, the biryani is made in
over 30 different ways in various parts of the country. Indian Jews,
not to be outdone, have their own recipe,” said the bride in the story.

Other wedding traditions in other countries also have a lot to do
with food — but then again, as Jews, food is important.

According to WeddingTraditions.com, Japanese Jewish
couples and western Russian Jewish brides and grooms have
their own sets of customs.

“Immediately after the religious ceremony,” the article stated,
“the newly wedded Japanese Jewish couple jumps three times over
a large platter filled with fresh fish, or over a vessel containing live
fish, or step seven times backwards and forwards over a fish. The
ceremony is expounded to be the symbol of prayer for children.”
In other parts of the world, prayers for fertility are taken to eggs-
traordinary lengths.

A tradition in Jewish wedding culture in western Russia was to
“set a raw egg in front of the bride as a symbol of fruitfulness, and
that she may bear as easily as a hen lays an egg.”
In his book Marriage Customs of the World: An Encyclopedia of Dat-
ing Customs and Wedding Traditions, George P. Monger wrote: “Another
Jewish wedding tradition is to throw a raw egg toward a bride to express
the wish that she may have an easy and joyful childbirth.”
(No, thanks.)
Something Blue
As they saying goes, there are four components that constitute good
luck for brides: something old, something new, something borrowed
and something blue.

Brides in ancient Israel used to wear a blue ribbon to denote
modesty, fidelity and love.

Nowadays, brides can find much more subtle ways to incorporate
the color into their otherwise all-white getup. From nail polish, to
garters, to even the bouquet, websites offer immeasurable advice
for modern brides to incorporate this ancient tradition.

But no matter where in the world the wedding takes place, mod-
ifying ancient traditions to keep up with modern trends will continue
to marry the old and the new for Jewish couples. l
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New Options for Your Big Event in 2016
JON MARKS | JE STAFF
ays of the quaint family reception in a corner of the syn-
agogue following the ceremony have become the exception
rather than the rule these days when it comes to planning
big events in the Philadelphia Jewish community. While
cutting costs certainly matter, it seems doing something
fun and innovative has become more important.

So, good news! There’s plenty to choose from locally that will not
only make your occasion, but maybe even have folks talking about it.

“The trend in events is unique venues,” said Judy Moore, associate
vice president of sales and marketing at Garces Events, which will
work to accommodate any client’s needs, even providing kosher
food. “It’s no longer hosting the party in a ballroom. We’re seeing
people want unique alternatives. But there are a few places we cater
to we can work into that.”
When it comes to Bar and Bat Mitzvahs, she says Spruce Street
Harbor Park is becoming an “in” place, allowing kids to either ice
skate in the winter or roller skate in the spring and summer.

Distrito — with locations in West Philadelphia as well as
Moorestown, N.J. — is another popular spot. “One of the trends
in mitzvahs is restaurant space,” explained Moore. “That way, they
don’t have to bring in a lot of décor and don’t break the bank on
rental furniture.

“I get a lot of people asking what’s new and trendy and hasn’t
been done a thousand times. People are not interested in a square
room anymore. Kids walk in and love the look of it. Parents walk
and in know they’ll get amazing food from Jose Garces.”
Or not, if they prefer keeping kosher. While Garces is not a kosher
caterer, he’ll bring one in if the client chooses for as many guests as
needed. They’ll also order kosher wine.

That kind of flexibility is a necessity these days to attract busi-
ness. Even at the new Logan Hotel, which has been completely
renovated from the old Four Seasons, you can choose your kosher
D Top: The National Museum of American Jewish History’s fifth-floor
event space makes for a memorable event. Above: The fifth-floor
balcony overlooks Independence Mall.

caterer among Six Points, Barclay Caterers and Betty the Caterer.

Make no mistake, though: Regardless of the quality, folks aren’t
celebrating their occasions here because of the food. “We blend so-
phistication with modern luxury,” said Sandy Heydt, director of sales
and marketing at the Logan, which just opened in December. “We’ve
modernized the way the hotel feels. We wanted the Logan to be a
place where people won’t feel intimidated. It has an exciting, youthful
vibe. But modern doesn’t mean more expensive. It’s more avant garde.”
Among the attractions at the Logan are the various ballrooms,
all of which are adorned by some piece of Philadelphia history,
including an extensive art collection and a spectacular glass en-
closed steel sculpture entitled “Crew” in honor of Philadelphia’s
rowing tradition. That’s among the 100 or so pieces in the hotel
created by local artists.

“The Stenton Ballroom, which is named for James Logan’s summer
estate, has a large window overlooking the Parkway,” explained Heydt.

See Options, Page 14
JEWISHEXPONENT.COM SIMCHAS
MARCH 31, 2016
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