Destinations

The Wonderful Baseball Wedding in New York

November 14, 2014 by Rabbi Gloria Milner

A Baseball Wedding!

A Jersey guy and a girl from Florida met at a bar in Atlantic City that he was managing at the time. The Yankees were usually not on the TBS network, but were that night in the bar. She stayed to watch because they were being shown. The rest as they say is baseball history.

They went to a game on their first date and continued their romance via bus from NYC to Atlantic City on the Greyhound.

He proposed during the 6th inning of a Yankee game and they and their friends all went out afterwards to celebrate.

This wonderful baseball wedding was held on a beautiful rooftop of the Brooklyn Sheraton. While the day was overcast, by evening, when the ceremony took place, the sun shone and we were treated to a phenomenal sunset.

In keeping with the baseball tradition his good friend carried his own child who carried a baseball mitt in one hand. In the mitt were – you guessed it – the rings! The child was the ring bearer.

At the end we all yelled “Play Ball.” A very happy ending to this “game ” of love.

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Officiating a Theatrical Synagogue Wedding in New York

October 5, 2014 by Rabbi Gloria Milner

Angel Orensanz is an 1850’s German synagogue on the Lower East Side of NYC. It was a working synagogue until the 1970’s when the drug dealers and homeless occupied it. Two brothers many years later bought the structure and restored it to its former glory. Many celebrities such as Sarah Jessica Parker had their weddings there. Whitney Houston recorded there and a Smash episode of a Bollywood dance hall was filmed there. Imagine my surprise when a couple who lived on the lower east side a block away had told me they reserved this space a year ahead and wanted me to officiate the synagogue wedding.

He was a New Yorker and she was of Russian descent. They had to bring in all the food and tables and chairs. They selected great Russian food from the Cabaret/Supper Club Rasputin in Brooklyn and Bar B Q from a vendor in Manhattan. It turned out to be a magical combination of tastes and colors. They also selected a Klezmer band that walked down the aisle after the glass was broken reminiscent of the small village weddings in Eastern Europe. And the space was soaring with room for three balconies and a capacity of 800 people. When the lighting was on it transported those there into another realm (see the picture).

I visited them in their apartment and we fashioned the service so that all their relatives and friends could participate. Seven different people read the Sheva Brachot (7 blessings) in Hebrew and English, the groom’s grandmother read a touching poem,and the bride and groom created their own personal vows. I felt like I was the facilitator of an amazing event that many people shared in. I can only say how privileged i was to be introduced to this venue by the couple and hope to preside there again.

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A Rabbi and a Priest Co-officiate in Basking Ridge, N.J.

August 22, 2014 by Rabbi Gloria Milner

It was such a pleasure to co-officiate a wonderful interfaith wedding at the Dolce Hotel, in Basking Ridge N.J. The couple, bride Russian Jewish and the Groom Catholic with some Russian blood came to me many months ago and asked if I would co- officiate with the groom’s father’s priest. The father of the groom had attended this church for many years and it was important to have Father Joe present at the ceremony. I agreed and right there in my apartment the four of us set out to create the service. We were able to weave together the unity candle and the Baal Shem Tov’s (father of Hasidism) concept of light. And when it came time for the Sign of Peace I spoke about the concept of Shalom which of course means peace in Hebrew but also involves a spiritual wholeness and peace of mind.

We combined “I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine” from the Song of Songs King Solomon from the Jewish tradition with the standard vows, “Do you take…..” . Even the Lord’s Prayer was said in the context of the prayers of all people for peace and well being. Father Joe spoke of this sacred prayer to Christianity in the context of the Jewish religion. Indeed he was a lively and warm person who was so easy to work with. The audience and couple responded to our camaraderie and respect for one another. We were relaxed, comfortable with one another and respected each other’s part of the service

The result a comprehensive and beautiful service that presented the best of both faiths in a loving way. So many guests stopped us both after the ceremony to say how moved and delighted they were in weaving it together. It takes, work, enthusiasm and care, but it will be the prototype for more that I will do.

Check out DolceBaskingRidgeCatering.com for wonderful service and attention day of that makes it look easy

A Plaza Hotel Wedding: co-officiating a beautiful interfaith wedding!

August 13, 2014 by Rabbi Gloria Milner

I was on the ferry from Montauk, New York to Block Island, Rhode Island two months ago when a call came into my cell. A pleasant male voice asked if I was Rabbi Gloria and then proceeded to tell me his interfaith wedding ceremony, planned for just a few short weeks away, was “rabbi-less.” There was a problem with the rabbi they had formally chosen and they were in need a of substitute to co-officiate. Being free on the date of their marriage, I asked the venue. “The Plaza Hotel in New York City,” he replied, “With about 275 people coming in attendance.”

Fast forward a week: I met with the couple and their friend Wesley who was a Universalist Minister and was to co-officiate. The four of us created a beautiful service and both the bride and Wesley, who were from Taiwan, expressed interest in learning more about Judaism.

I was unprepared for just how intimidating the Plaza Hotel ballroom, where I was to officiate, can be. It was a product of the early part of the 1900s, with soaring ceilings, beautiful woodwork, detailing and amazing balconies. The decorations for the wedding were incredible. Candles everywhere, flowers overflowing and lights illuminating the gold fixtures. The chupah was located on the stage, and we rehearsed as if it were a Broadway production. Lights, audio, video; I truly felt like I was beginning my theatrical career.

But then the moment came: the bride and groom were in front of me – a drop-dead gorgeous woman and her handsome groom. Their warmth and love for one another was so apparent. I concentrated on the spiritual service at hand and felt gratitude that I had been selected to lead this service in such a historic, elegant and magnificent setting.

Lovely review from a lovely bride on WeddingWire!

December 6, 2012 by Rabbi Gloria Milner

I co-officiated a wonderful interfaith wedding this fall at the Dolce Hotel, in Basking Ridge N.J. Renata, the beautiful bride, wrote me a very nice review in Wedding Wire, and I do appreciate it!

Her words from Weddingwire.com: “My ceremony was co-officiated by Rabbi Milner and she did a fantastic job! Rabbi Milner took the time to listen and meet with my now-husband and me and created a beautiful ceremony for us. I think by-far, the ceremony was the best part of my wedding and Rabbi Milner helped bring it about! Thank you, Rabbi Milner. I would recommend Rabbi Milner for a co-officiated Jewish ceremony.”

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Many thanks, Renata!

Here is the blog: It was such a pleasure to co-officiate a wonderful interfaith wedding this past weekend at the Dolce Hotel, in Basking Ridge N.J. The couple, bride Russian Jewish and the Groom Catholic with some Russian blood came to me many months ago and asked if I would co- officiate with the groom’s father’s priest. The father of the groom had attended this church for many years and it was important to have Father Joe present at the ceremony. I agreed and right there in my apartment the four of us set out to create the service. We were able to weave together the unity candle and the Baal Shem Tov’s (father of Hasidism) concept of light. And when it came time for the Sign of Peace I spoke about the concept of Shalom which of course means peace in Hebrew but also involves a spiritual wholeness and peace of mind. READ MORE

It was such a pleasure to co-officiate a wonderful interfaith wedding this past weekend at the Dolce Hotel, in Basking Ridge N.J.

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A Jewish Fall Fantasy Wedding

October 23, 2012 by Rabbi Gloria Milner

Two Cornell law school graduates contacted me almost a year ago to plan their Jewish fall fantasy wedding for October this year. They met at the law school and both were enamored of the fall season particularly beautiful upstate New York, where there is colorful foliage, apple picking, pumpkins and crisp clear air. They planned to have the wedding near Cornell, near the Finger Lakes.

We met at their Hoboken apartment and I was introduced to their dog-child: an adorable Welsh terrier who was to walk down the aisle.

Since I enjoy destination weddings, I came up the day before their ceremony and helped with the rehearsal. The groom, from Tennessee, had many relatives there already. They had rented a lovely house for family to stay in and did the rehearsal in the back of the house. Afterwards the rehearsal dinner reminded me of my own college days with large amounts of pizza and beer to go around.

The day of the wedding was unseasonably warm – over 70 degrees – and all the trees glistened in the sun’s rays. They had picked a venue: The FountainBleu Inn, which was a lovingly restored, 1815 country inn with authentic antiques and beautiful grounds. The wedding was on the grass overlooking a lake. The chupah and chairs faced the water and a panoply of multicolored trees. The bride planned every detail of this herself while working at a high pressure law job in NYC. How amazing was that?

When it came time for the bride and groom to do their vows they prepared speeches about themselves. The words spoken to each other were so moving and heartfelt that both bride, groom and audience were reduced to tears. We also did the Hebrew vow from the Song of Songs King Solomon. There were readings, circling in the Jewish tradition and breaking the glass. They danced up the aisle after the end of the ceremony and frolicked with their dog on the acres of grass. We were treated to a beautiful sunset as well.

I stayed for a wonderful reception. Lots of dancing and warmth abounded. The groom danced with his mother to L0uis Armstrong’s “It’s a wonderful world” which for this day in time it certainly was. They even treated me to a stay at the Inn on Columbia, an amazing upscale restored home with an owner who was my personal chef the morning after. Regretfully I left to return to NYC.

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The pictures above were taken by the wedding’s wonderful photographer, Anna Simonak. Many thanks to her for the use of these shots!

You can see her beautiful work here: Asimonak.smugmug.com

Prospect Park Brooklyn hosts a magical interfaith wedding ceremony

September 5, 2012 by Rabbi Gloria Milner

A bride contacted me a few months ago about officiating a small interfaith wedding ceremony in Prospect Park, Brooklyn, Labor Day weekend. The couple had been together 10 years, engaged one year. All their family and friends were asking “so what is taking you so long?” The time was right and I met with them in my apartment to plan the service. The groom was Jamaican and the bride Russian Jewish. The groom was open to an almost entirely Jewish wedding ceremony.

They lived and played in Brooklyn and loved the park. I went there a few weeks ago before the wedding to look at the site in the park they had picked. A small clearing overlooking the lake. Private and quiet. The rules of the park were you could have no more than 25 people in attendance and so it was an intimate group.

The hand-held chupah and doing it open air were throwbacks to the traditional Jewish weddings in Europe many centuries ago. The groom’s sister read the Sheckyanu prayer transliterated and it was wonderful to see this slight black woman repeating the Hebrew. All their friends representing many nations and races participated in the Sheva Brachot. The feeling at that service was one of warmth, inclusiveness and joy for the couple. Life in this twenty first century should only be this wonderful.

Afterward at the reception in a Williamsburg restaurant overlooking the Manhattan skyline I spent time getting to know their friends and family: a former correction officer at Rikers Island now working as an extra in the movies, a Burmese woman who is a resident in internal medicine at a hospital in Brooklyn, and the photographer, a lively black woman Michelle Etwaroo was talented and user friendly to the couple and me. And she was funny! Instead of saying cheese for the posing she said Mazel Tov! Check out her website, www.MichelleEtwaroo.com when you get a chance.

I can only say that I returned home filled with gratitude that I could participate in the best New York can be in the vibrancy and wonder of all peoples joining together.

A Poetic, Interfaith Wedding on the Chelsea Pier

August 29, 2012 by Rabbi Gloria Milner

A couple came to me for their interfaith wedding, who had researched and rejected many rabbis they interviewed. They had known each other many years and were living in Manhattan. She had grown up in Israel and he was from the States raised in the Christian faith. They had definite ideas about the ceremony and service and we set about fashioning the service in my apartment during a number of meetings. They had decided to marry on the Chelsea Pier in New York.

It struck me after the second or third meeting that aside from the structure of the Jewish wedding ceremony that had certain prayers and rituals that they were going to teach me some things about poetry and vows that I hadn’t known. Sure enough they came up with three different English translations of the Seven Wedding Blessings (Sheva Brachot) and went with the most poetic and beautiful one

They had a number of friends who were participating in the service and read poems by Denise Levertov, a modern poet and one by Ann Bradstreet who went back to the colonial days. The most creative reading was by A.A. Milne “Us Two” which of course involved Pooh. The last few lines of this were beautiful and relevant to the wedding and the two people getting married. They were “It isn’t much fun for One, but Two Can stick together,” says Pooh, says he. That’s how it is,” says Pooh.

I admired the ease at which this couple related to one another. They supported each other and had a kindness and compassion that I rarely find. It is as if the words of this poem and their joy in being together were one.

My Most Famous Baseball Town Rainstorm

September 14, 2011 by Rabbi Gloria Milner

I had been engaged to officiate at a destination wedding in Cooperstown New York this past June. The couple had met at a college reunion and were totally delightful. The bride’s parents met at a Harvard Princeton football game- the father Jewish American and the mother Ecuadorian Catholic. They were holding this wedding in the town that is known to all baseball fans as holding the Baseball Hall of Fame.

I visited the entire family at the parent’s home in New Jersey and was welcomed in a warm gracious way, served a delicious brunch and given a tour of the father’s fabulous antique collection in their amazing Victorian house. The couple and I met in Boston several months later to write the service. (I coincidentally was going there for Thanksgiving and that is where they lived and worked.) We met again in NYC so this was a three state affair.

The day before the wedding I arrived at Cooperstown and toured the Baseball Hall of Fame . The weather was a picture perfect cloudless blue sky. The ceremony the next day was due to be outdoors on a grassy lawn overlooking a magnificent lake. All preparations were perfect except for a good weather forecast. We had the rehearsal dinner and enjoyed the clear night sky filled with stars.

The day of the wedding dawned cloudy and showery. The wedding planner at the venue said they were going to decide on outdoor or indoor (involving a large tent) at 3pm. When that time arrived with no rain they proceeded to set up the chairs outside. Of course the inevitable happened- as soon as the procession was over the soft rain came.

What an unusual sight- the wedding party and myself under the chuppah and a sea of umbrellas in every color of the rainbow in front of me. A kaleidoscope of color. As I proceeded with the service we used an Ecuadorian custom of well wishers from the family coming up to give blessings similar to the Sheva Brachot in the Jewish religion.

A s the groom was putting his foot down to break the glass the heavens opened up. A deluge in response to the Mazel Tov and everyone made a run for the tent. Ironically one of the poems I had decided to use was a native American poem entitled “Now there will be no rain.” Little did I know how appropriate this would end up being.

My Most Famous Pink Sands Multi Cultural Wedding

June 28, 2011 by Rabbi Gloria Milner

Bermuda as a destination wedding venue – popular and magical but not the stereotypical multi cultural, multi religious place. But so it was for me and a couple I married last year. They met in New York at a salsa dancing studio. He an athletic looking Filipino man working in an IT firm and she a Russian beauty-first generation in this country. They felt that fate brought them together even though they came from different parts of the world.

From the time the plane touched down in Bermuda until my return I felt welcomed and part of the two families who opened their hearts to me. The couple in the service itself extended gratitude to their respective parents who brought them to the U.S. and sacrificed so they would have a better life.

The morning of the ceremony they took me down to the deck overlooking the water to preview the wedding site. How amazing it all was. Pink sands on the beach, a beautiful wooden deck jutting out into the ocean where black volcanic rocks were constantly being worn down by the azure water. My opening line of the ceremony was “welcome to paradise.”

In addition to the Jewish wedding service the groom introduced a Fliplino wedding custom. A yugal- or decorative cord is placed upon the shoulders of the bride and groom by their parents shaped or looped to form a figure eight. That shape signifies infinite fidelity and love.

At the end of the service the groom broke the glass- all shouted Mazel Tov and the Filipino equivalent which is Mabuhay.

At the reception the small group of couples who had made the trip continued the multicultural theme- there were Japanese , Pakastani, Russian, Hispanic, Indian and children of all colors and ages, some of the beautiful I have ever seen. All of us danced the night away and were treated to a dance recital by two of their amazingly talented friends. Would that the world could be as open and connected as we all were that weekend.