Chuppa Seals Jewish Marriage Ceremony

Dewezet
February 15, 2005

A very special event took place in the Jewish Congregation of Hameln — a Chuppa, a Jewish wedding ceremony.

Hameln (CN) — The Jewish congregation of Hameln, established eight years ago, has celebrated the second wedding of congregation members. The pair, Rebecca and Rudi Brueckner from Barntrup, married at city hall in 1997, celebrated with a religious ceremony, according to Jewish law. Their children, Miriam and Gabriel, stood under the wedding canopy with them. Rabbi Irit Shillor lives in London and serves

	The Chuppa or Jewish wedding is a joyous celebration. From left to right: Rabbi Irit Shillor, witness Rachel Dohme, bride Rebecca and groom Rudi Brueckner with Gabriel and Miriam

the Hameln congregation and a congregation in Gudensberg and Vienna. Congregation president Rachel Dohme calls her “the flying rabbi”. It is an honor for me to be asked to act as witness, and we’re thrilled to have Rabbi Shillor officiate. The second witness was Dieter Vogelhuber, from Bad Muender, a good personal friend of the couple and also a member of the congregation.

He explained that the Chuppa is unknown to many. “Before the religious ceremony commences, the couple and witnesses sign the marriage contract or Ketuba. The religious ceremony follows. The couple and their witnesses stand under the canopy, which is held by four congregants with the rabbi. The vows are spoken in Hebrew and German and the rings are exchanged. The rabbi chants seven blessings, the couple drinks from a goblet of wine and the ceremony is ended when the groom steps on a glass, smashing it. According to one tradition,the tiny shards of glass symbolize the number of happy years the couple should have.

The Jewish Congregation of Hameln is a Reform congregation. The community is 200 member-strong. Although most of the members live in Hameln, the congregation welcomes members from other cities, too.