It is possible to have a modernized Jewish wedding that still touches upon the traditions of old yet adds a sense of the current.

Here’s how:

Design the chuppah as you see fit.
The chuppah, as many know, is the portable canopy under which the bride and groom consummate their marriage, in the Jewish tradition. However, many do not know that there is actually not prescribed model for the chuppah. In other words: you can design it as you see fit, with different colors, fabrics, or patterns that speak more to your personality as a couple so don’t be afraid to get creative!

Get two rings, not just one.
In older Jewish wedding ceremonies, the groom would present the bride with a wedding ring, while reciting the marriage formula in Hebrew. However, in recent years, it’s become increasingly accepted for the bride to also present the groom with a ring in order to make the platform a more equal one for all.

Break the glass as a couple.
Going beyond just the rings, couples can create a more modernized, egalitarian wedding ceremony by both committing another crucial act of Jewish ceremonies together: the breaking of the glass. This is the “mazal tov” moment that is so important to every Jewish wedding. So instead of just letting the groom alone breaking the glass, consider breaking it as a couple and enter your future as a married couple together.

There are several ways to honor the past and celebrate the future when it comes to Jewish weddings and interfaith weddings. If you have questions or concerns about creating a modernized Jewish wedding, contact Rabbi Richard Polirer.

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Following the signing of a Declaration of Independence in Tel Aviv, Ben-Gurion revealed Israel was officially declaring its independence.

Obviously, this was an important day in Israel’s history, and as such, the country celebrates Independence Day, known as Yom Ha’atzmaut, every year on the fifth day of the month called Iyar. The holiday takes place right after the celebration of Yom Hazikaron, which is a day devoted to Israel’s fallen soldiers. In 2018, Ha’atzmaut is set to begin on the night of April 18 and carries into April 19.

There are many celebrations scheduled every year on Yom Ha’atzmaut. There is an official ceremony that is held on Mount Herzl in Jerusalem on the night before Yom Ha’atzmaut. During this ceremony, there is a speech delivered by the Israeli Parliament speaker. There are also several performances that take place in addition to a ceremonial lighting of 12 torches, each one representing the various Tribes of Israel. Israeli citizens who have made a contribution to society are invited to light the torches to celebrate their accomplishments. In other parts of Israel, there are fireworks displays, performances by Israeli singers, and more.

On Yom Ha’atzmaut itself, the celebrations surrounding Israel’s independence continue. The President of Israel always hosts a reception to pay homage to Israeli soldiers. Many of the Israel Defense Forces open up their bases for visits from the public. There are contests, like the International Bible Contest and the Israeli Song Festival. Israeli citizens often celebrate by hosting barbecues and other events as well. There are also many Jewish people outside of Israel who celebrate the independence of the Israeli and gather for religious services.

Rabbi Richard Polirer will be celebrating Yom Ha’atzmaut this year along with Jewish people around the world; however, he shares his wisdom and knowledge of the sacred text for Jewish and interfaith families to commemorate life cycle events throughout the year. Contact Rabbi Polirer today to learn more about the services he can help with.

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But the holiday was nearly lost forever in history after the destruction of the Second Temple, in 70 CE. For centuries, all fruit offerings were lost, without a home to celebrate them.

It wasn’t until the kabbalists of Safed in the Land of Israel revived the age-old holiday during the 16th century that Tu Bi’Shvat returned to our tradition. This would become known as the “Feast of Fruits,” which is what we celebrate today.

Now, we welcome Tu Bi’Shvat as the “new year” or “birthday” of our trees. While the late January date changes each year in accordance with the Jewish calendar, it is recognized as a time to celebrate our Earth’s beauty by encouraging ecological activism, and the protection of God’s offerings.

When Zionists first returned to Israel in the 1930s, Tu Bi’Shvat was a day to plant new trees as a symbol of rebirth in an old land.

Today, many people of the Jewish faith plant trees locally or donate planted trees throughout Israel. In addition, the ecologically important holiday is heralded by a meal in the same fashion as a Passover Seder, which involves foods native to the Holy Land, like wheat, barley, grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives, and four glasses of wine.

On this fateful day, we remember a line from Deuteronomy: “Man is a tree of the field.” We welcome our brothers and sisters with a Chag Sameach, and remember our responsibilities as stewards of our precious plant, given to us by God.

With Rabbi Richard Polirer, we welcome Tu Bi’Shvat and other meaningful Jewish celebrations each and every year!

Do you feel a strong connection to the earth and Tu Bi’Shvat? Honor both the planet we live on and the celebration of its harvest here.

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The Story of Hanukkah

The story of Hanukkah is rooted in a 2,000 year-old history and begins in Israel. At the opposition of a man named Judah Maccabee, a war was waged with a Syrian king, Antiochus IV, who at the time ruled over Israel. The Jewish people, led by Judah, rejected the Greek Gods of the Syrians as they revolted for the next three years. The Jews reigned triumphant as they re-seized control of the temple of Jerusalem and forced the Syrian people to leave Israel. Hanukkah is the celebration of that against-all-odds battle, with a focus on the small amount of oil that miraculously burned for eight straight days in the temple after the war.

The Lighting of the Menorah

Jewish people celebrate the revival of the temple of Jerusalem by placing nine candles in a menorah, called a Hanukkiah. Each night of the eight-day celebration starting on December 12 and ending on December 20, another candle is lit. The candle that is lit on the first night is the middle candle called the Shamash. This candle is used to light all the other candles on the menorah. Many families like to hand craft their own menorahs for this important holiday.

Hanukkah Traditions

Many families exchange gifts on each night of the celebration, with both their own family members and sometimes other families. The holiday staple food enjoyed by all is the latke, which is a potato pancake popularly served with sour cream and applesauce. In addition to family dinners, people also honor the traditions of Hanukkah by decorating their homes in blue, white, and silver, and playing dreidel games with chocolate coins.

Rabbi Richard Polirer specializes in Jewish education and can help you on your path to conversion. Find out what he can do for you here.

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Shiva is a custom that is still followed by many Jewish people throughout the United States and it is important to understand what it is for those people.

If you attend a shiva, it’s imperative that you be respectful at all times. You should dress appropriately for the occasion and potentially bring a meal or flowers for those who are in mourning. If you suspect that your kids might not be ready to handle a shiva, you should leave them at home so that you can focus on comforting the family members who are grieving. You should also be prepared to follow certain customs when you enter a shiva house. For example, some shiva homes will place a pitcher of water outside of the front door since it is customary to wash your hands after you have visited a cemetery in the Jewish culture.

You may make several observations when you enter a shiva home. All of the mirrors in the home may be covered. Additionally, the chairs that the grieving family members are sitting in may be stripped of their cushioning. These are also shiva customs that are being followed. Mirrors are covered to symbolically represent the absence of any vanity or self-indulgence in a shiva home, while the barebones seating is meant to be a nod to the olden days when sitting on the ground while in mourning was the custom.

As you prepare to leave a shiva home, you should always offer to come back in the near future to spend time with the grieving family once shiva has ended. It can be really hard for those in mourning to get back to living their everyday lives, so you will likely be met with a smile and an open invitation to come back once shiva is over. You will be doing your part to help the family both now and in the future.

Rabbi Richard Polirer can help those families who are in mourning with all of the funeral services they will need. Call me at 954-234-4153 today to schedule services right away.

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Seeking Religious Meaning

Many people, according to ReformJudaism.org, decide to make the conversion to Judaism after a long spiritual search or journey. People who have felt ostracized or uninspired by their own faiths or churches may feel that the Jewish beliefs and traditions speak more to their own ideas of faith and religion. People who convert for this reason typically spend many hours participating in Jewish traditions and customs and learning from other Jews before making the decision to officially become a practicing member.

Uniting Your Family

People also convert to Judaism to share their faith with their families. If one’s relatives are Jewish, but they were never formally brought up in the faith, they may want to convert so that they can better relate to their family members on a spiritual level, especially during holidays. Unifying all members of the family under a single faith is a common reason people convert, and can bring people not only closer with their loved ones, but a greater community.

Sharing Your Faith

Perhaps the most common reason for people to convert to Judaism, however, is as the result of a romantic relationship. Many people who are Jewish and dating someone who is not Jewish want their marriage to take place within the Jewish faith. If their partner is willing and interested in converting, then the two can be married in a traditional Jewish ceremony and vow to pass the faith onto their sons and daughters. Preparing for life in the Jewish faith in matrimony helps to ground the turmoil of planning a wedding and getting ready for a full future together and can serve as the backbone and anchor of their love and relationship for decades.

No matter the reason, if you are interested in converting to Judaism, Rabbi Richard Polirer can help. His Jewish education and conversion program can help new members of the faith learn the tenets of Judaism. He will serve as guide and mentor, providing personal instruction and discussions about faith, leading to a mikvah ceremony to make the commitment to Judaism official. Learn more by calling Rabbi Polirer today at 954-234-4153.

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Passover, which is also around the corner, honors and commemorates Israelites’ exodus from Egypt, marking their freedom from slavery. Though Passover is only celebrated for eight days, there are many similarities between the Christian celebrations of Lent and Easter and the Jewish celebration of Passover. In many ways, Jews prepare their homes and hearts for Passover for many weeks leading up to Passover in much the same way as Christians spend Lent preparing for Easter.

According to My Jewish Learning, the resounding message for both celebrations is that of renewal and hope. Both Christians and Jews celebrate renewal at this time – ironically during the season of renewal, spring.

There are a number of parallels in both traditions, as well. Just as Jesus spent 40 days suffering in the wilderness in preparation for reuniting with God, so did the Israelites spend 40 years in exile preparing for the redemption of the Promised Land. Similarly, Passover celebrates the rebirth of the Jewish people. ReformJudaism.org says that during the 400 years of slavery, the Jewish people grew from a small clan numbering less than 100 to a population of more than 1 million, dramatically bolstering the Jewish population. Similarly, Lent and Easter celebrate the rebirth of Jesus, both in his death and in his resurrection from death.

If you’re interested in learning more about the Jewish faith – whether during the Lenten or Passover season or at any time of year – Rabbi Richard Polirer offers a wide range of Jewish education courses, including programs for those who want to convert to Judaism. Polirer’s classes and discussions will provide a comprehensive education about the practices and tenets of the Jewish tradition and bring you closer to your faith. To learn more, call Polirer today at 954-234-4153.

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When a couple is married in the Jewish faith, the ceremony typically ends with the groom breaking glass with his foot. Then, the temple erupts in shouts of “mazel tov!” – a Yiddish blessing. InterfaithFamily says that usually, the glass is covered with cloth or placed inside a pouch to prevent injury. Some couples use a wine bottle, while others choose something more delicate and easy to break, like a light bulb.

As anyone who has attended a Jewish wedding before will tell you, this part of the ceremony is beloved by the guests of the bride and groom. The breaking of the glass signifies that the couple has been successfully wed and that the party celebrating their nuptials is about to begin. But it is actually a traditional symbol with much more of a religious significance.

The most traditional association with the breaking of the glass is the destruction of the Temple of Jerusalem. The symbol of the fall of the temple is present in the wedding ceremony to remind the newly married couple of the importance of their faith, says MyJewishLearning.com. When the Temple of Jerusalem was destroyed, the Jewish people were exiled to Babylonia. Their exile was seen as a fulfillment to prophecy, and so served to strengthen the Jewish faith.

To some couples, the breaking of the glass can also serve as a symbol of breaking down barriers – particularly relevant in an interfaith marriage. As Chabad.org notes, the only cure to a fractured or broken thing is to unite and build anew together, and couples may choose to view the broken glass as a reminder that no matter struggles they will face in their life together, they can rebuild whatever breaks into something more strong, lasting and new.

Different people may have different opinions about breaking glass at the end of the ceremony, and however you choose to include this tradition – or not include it – Rabbi Richard Polirer will work with you to honor your choices and traditions in officiating at your wedding ceremony! To learn more about planning a wedding with Rabbi Polirer, call him today at 954-234-4153.

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Consider: Adar (Feb. 27 through March 27, 2017)

A wedding during this month on the Jewish calendar of year can be considered symbolic and beautiful. Adar is a month of celebration and happiness, so any sort of birth, marriage or celebration can be considered special. This month is considered to be a month of joy and celebrations, so holding a wedding at this time can be another great event to enjoy.

Avoid: Purim (March 12, 2017)

While this holiday is often marked by celebrations and festivities, it’s not typically a good day for holding a wedding. With so many different events and the traditional end-of-day festive meal with family, there is too much going on to celebrate Purim to make it a day to schedule your nuptials.

Consider: Rosh Chodesh (Jan. 28, Feb. 26, March 28, April 26, May 26, June 24, July 24, Aug. 22, Oct. 20, Nov. 19, Dec. 18)

Rosh Chodesh literally translates as “head of the month” and is recognized at the start of each month of the Jewish calendar. In 2017, there are 11 celebration dates, as Bridal Guide notes, each of which are considered to be a favorable time to be wed in Jewish tradition. Since the Jewish calendar follows the lunar year, there are numerous opportunities throughout the year to schedule your wedding to coincide with Rosh Chodesh, allowing you to plan your wedding for nearly any season you prefer.

Avoid: Yom Kippur (Sept. 30, 2017)

This is considered a day of atonement in the Jewish faith, and it causes synagogue attendance to increase substantially. While some people could argue that atoning for your sins might be appropriate on your wedding day, it’s probably best to avoid getting married on this holiday.

Consider: Tishrei (Oct. 1-3, 2017)

Tishrei is the day after Yom Kippur. As we discussed above, Yom Kippur should be avoided, but the days between Yom Kippur and Sukkot are generally recognized by those of the Jewish faith when people are “preoccupied with mitzvot,” according to Chabad.org. As a result, it is quite appropriate to get married around this time.

Avoid: Rosh Hashanah (Sept. 20-22, 2017)

The days in the week before Yom Kippur should also be avoided. This period, Rosh Hashanah, is the period of the Jewish New Year events. Tradition calls for those of the Jewish faith to not work, meaning even if you were planning a wedding, your caterers and other vendors shouldn’t be working – not to mention your rabbi. Observe the new year instead and look at other dates for your wedding.

Rabbi Richard Polirer offers Jewish and interfaith wedding services around Miami and throughout South Florida. Let him work with you to plan the perfect date for your marriage or interfaith wedding. Call Rabbi Polirer today at 954-234-4153 to discuss your wedding plans today.

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Receiving tutoring in preparation for a bar or bat mitzvah can be impersonal – most kids who are around the age of 12 and 13 probably don’t love spending their afternoons listening to someone drone on about Judaism. And most of the time, if your child has an impersonal experience during bar or bat mitzvah preparation, the results are not always successful. But with online preparation courses with Rabbi Richard Polirer, your child will have a one-on-one experience.

This method of instruction will give your child an opportunity to discuss any topic about Judaism, from its origins to its relevance in the modern world. It will also give your child the opportunity to speak openly and learn about these topics now as he or she prepares for this big day. Plus, with recording included, your son or daughter can look back and review these conversations in the future as he or she grows in faith.

Rabbi Richard Polirer has more than 30 years of experience tutoring bar and bat mitzvah students, so his course has been carefully and meticulously improved and expanded throughout the years. Plus, since each child receives practiced and personalized attention, the tutoring experience will be more instructive and successful than any other program out there.

Distance learning is available for students who are not able to attend an in-person session as often as necessary. Rabbi Polirer’s online instruction style uses tools like Skype to reach your child, creating an informal and conversational setting that your child can attend in person or from the comfort of home.

Learn more about online bar and bat mitzvah courses by calling Rabbi Richard Polirer today at 954-234-4153.

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