The Creative Jewish Wedding Book (2nd Edition): A Hands-On Guide to New & Old Traditions, Ceremonies & Celebrations

Enrich your wedding with your own creative use of Jewish ritual and tradition.

Wedding planning can be a stressful experience. Keeping track of all the details―deciding who to invite, choosing a caterer, arranging the reception―can sometimes lead to a couple forgetting about the bigger picture and the significance of this day in their lives: a joyous occasion that should reflect not only your personality, but your values, as well.

Updated and expanded, The Creative Jewish Wedding Book, 2nd Edition, brings your complete wedding planning into focus. Gabrielle Kaplan-Mayer helps you express your individuality and spirituality on your wedding day. Whether your plans are traditional or alternative, whether you are planning your first or second marriage, she provides the tools you need to look at and think about ritual and tradition in new and innovative ways including:

• Insights and reflections from a broad range of couples who have created their own distinctive weddings
• Practical hands-on techniques and ideas for creating many of the ritual objects connected to a Jewish wedding―from designing your own ketubah, to making paper for invitations, to fashioning the chuppah
• How to express your spiritual life and values through your ceremony―now updated with more eco-friendly tips and suggestions
• An up-to-date guide to wedding resources in the Jewish world

Inspiring and useful, The Creative Jewish Wedding Book, 2nd Edition, can help you reclaim your wedding day from the whirlwind of details and bring out the honesty and integrity you desire in your wedding experience.

Gabrielle Kaplan-Mayer is a writer and educator based in Philadelphia, the author of two books of plays for children, and a theater workshop leader specializing in custom-designed programs for exploring Jewish sacred texts through creative writing and drama. She is married to Fred Kaplan-Mayer, executive director of the Hiway Theatre in Jenkintown, PA. Gabrielle works with couples as a wedding officiant, leading creative, personal wedding ceremonies. Click here to learn about how she can work with you and your partner to create a memorable Jewish Wedding.

Rabbi Kerry M. Olitzky, named one of the fifty leading rabbis in North America by Newsweek, is well known for his inspiring books that bring the Jewish wisdom tradition into everyday life. He is executive director of Big Tent Judaism, formerly Jewish Outreach Institute, and is author of many books on Jewish spirituality, healing and Jewish religious practice, including Making a Successful Jewish Interfaith Marriage: The Big Tent Judaism Guide to Opportunities, Challenges and Resources; Introducing My Faith and My Community: The Jewish Outreach Institute Guide for a Christian in a Jewish Interfaith Relationship; Jewish Paths toward Healing and Wholeness: A Personal Guide to Dealing with Suffering; Grief in Our Seasons: A Mourner's Kaddish Companion; Twelve Jewish Steps to Recovery: A Personal Guide to Turning from Alcoholism & Other Addictions―Drugs, Food, Gambling, Sex...; Facing Cancer as a Family; Life's Daily Blessings: Inspiring Reflections on Gratitude for Every Day, Based on Jewish Wisdom; 100 Blessings Every Day: Daily Twelve Step Recovery Affirmations, Exercises for Personal Growth and Renewal Reflecting Seasons of the Jewish Year and Recovery from Codependance: A Jewish Twelve Step Guide to Healing Your Soul. He is also coauthor of Grandparenting Interfaith Grandchildren; Jewish Holidays: A Brief Introduction for Christians; Jewish Ritual: A Brief Introduction for Christians; Renewed Each Day, Vol. One―Genesis and Exodus: Daily Twelve Step Recovery Meditations; Renewed Each Day, Vol. Two―Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy: Daily Twelve Step Recovery Meditations Based on the Bible and coeditor of The Rituals and Practices of a Jewish Life: A Handbook for Personal Spiritual Renewal (all Jewish Lights).

Rabbi Kerry M. Olitzky is available to speak on the following topics:

• The Jewish Twelve Step Path to Healing and Recovery
• Sparks Beneath the Surface: A Spiritual Read on the Torah
• Welcoming the Stranger in Our Midst
• How to Nurture Jewish Grandchildren Being Raised in an Interfaith Family
• Optimism for a Jewish Future

Click here to contact the author.

Rabbi Sue Levi Elwell is the director of the Pennsylvania Council of the Union for Reform Judaism.