Hi Knotties! I am struggling with some issues with customs in my ceremony and would love some input.
I
grew up Protestant, but--with my family's full support--I chose to
convert to Judaism. Next year I am marrying a Conservative Jewish man
(who has some Orthodox Jews in his family as well). Of course we
plan on having Jewish tradition in our ceremony, but I am
struggling with the fact that our family's customs and traditions are
very different and therefore this is still sort of an interfaith wedding. Of course it's not just about our union, but our families coming together as well.
My family has begun expressing (albeit delicately and
reluctantly and usually only after a drink) the desire to see something
in the ceremony that represents our family. I don't resent this at all; I
care deeply about embracing a Jewish ceremony, but also honoring the
culture, customs and traditions that I grew up with and my friends and
family embrace/identify with. My family and friends are already dealing
with a great deal of Hebrew prayers, a glatt kosher reception, and a lot
of other very foreign things, and I am still dealing with proving
myself committed to Judaism for the more reluctant members of my
fiance's family.
How can I incorporate some familiar Christian--or, more likely, secular--ceremony traditions without alienating my new family, my
rabbi, and my fiance? I am not even sure how I should approach them about the issue. Has anyone else dealt with this?
Thanks gals!