My mom has become increasingly angry at my decisions for everything from food to who is going to walk me down the aisle for my wedding in 8 weeks. I am Jewish by heritage and I do not practice nor have a practiced for 15+ years. My parents rarely do anything religious as well. It is Jewish tradition for both parents to walk the daughter down the aisle. I only want my dad to walk me down the aisle and gave my mom the special task of bringing up our rings and doing something during the ceremony to make sure she felt included. Today I get a phone call from my dad who relayed his dismay about her doing a job "a child" or "a dog" normally does and that I "should seriously rethink how this is going to work." I have my doubts if the aisle will even be wide enough for 1 and for 2, it's not something I want to have both walk me down. At this point I'm ready to just walk alone and send them on their own together. Suggestions for how to deal with this or present another idea for my mom to do to include her in the ceremony? We're not into unity candles/sand/hand binding type stuff.
Re: MOB what the heck to do...
You haven't made it clear why you don't want your mother walking you down the aisle with your father. Even non-practicing Jews can take religious traditions seriously at a wedding, and that's what it sounds like is happening with your parents.
Also, asking her to bring the rings is not something an MOB does traditionally do. It's something a bridal party attendant would do. So I can understand why she's pissed that you're asking her to do that rather than walk down the aisle with you...even if she ditched the tradition herself.
So I guess I need more information on why you prefer to just be walked by your father alone, and why you would ask your mother to do this, before I can give more helpful advice.
@HisGirlFriday13: Readings are not usually done at Jewish wedding ceremonies, so that's not really an available role.
Given that she elected to not have her own mother escort her and went against tradition, she's out of line pressuring you to do something different.
I agree with this below, and if you're comfortable with it, I would tell her that she can choose to either be escorted by your brother while you're escorted by your father, or she can be escorted by your father, and you'll walk down by yourself. Leave it at that and be done with it. Good luck!
“As our sons and daughters find partners and find homes for the next generation, each family is enriched and enlarged. Would the parents of the bride and groom please come forward?
This occasion is a special celebration for you, the parents who have brought these children into the world, and nurtured them into adulthood. Today you are witnessing another stage in the lives of your son and daughter. Your continuing support and encouragement will be needed as Leah and Christopher unite in marriage. Will you who have loved and nurtured these two, try with the greatest love and wisdom you have, to support this new couple and help in every way?”
I know this didn't really answer your question, but just an example of what a nice tradition it is. Family is very important to me and I want to start our new life as each others family with the support and love of our parents.