Weddings

At Temple Israel we believe that as much effort and attention must be given to the symbolism and spiritual intention of the wedding as there is to the decor and food. Our rabbis work with each couple to help them craft the Chuppah and the events around it, keeping carefully within the boundaries of halacha (Jewish legal requirements) while at the same time offering opportunities for personalisation so that the end result is a true reflection of who the couple are.

The wedding ceremonies offered by Temple Israel uphold the principles of inclusivity and gender equality, hallmarks of the Progressive Movement. While the ceremony follows the traditional format of a Jewish wedding, the ketubah expresses the ideals of equality between both parties and does not include the traditional Aramaic legal document which discloses the amount of the dowry brought to the marriage by the bride and the payment which will be made to the bride in the advent of a divorce. The ketubah is signed by both parties and women are eligible to sign as witnesses. A further illustration of our commitment to equality of all genders is our insistence on a double ring ceremony during which the couple place rings on each other’s fingers and recite the declaration of intent that they are consecrated to each other by the Law of Moses and Israel.

Our rabbis are also marriage officers appointed by the Minister of Home Affairs and therefore have the authority to perform civil marriages/unions according to the Laws of the Republic of South Africa. In order for a marriage/union to be recognised by the secular authorities this civil ceremony needs to be performed before or after the Jewish ceremony.

In keeping with our movement's position since 2006, our rabbis officiate at all Jewish weddings, whether mixed gender or same-sex weddings. In all cases, both parties have to be Jewish (whether born to a Jewish mother or having chosen to become Jewish through a recognised Jews-by-Choice programme) in order for one of our rabbis to officiate at a wedding. Proof of Jewish status (parents’ ketubah or other document) is required before a wedding ceremony can be arranged. In the case of one of the couple entering a JBC course, the wedding date cannot be booked until the Jew-by-Choice has completed that course by appearing before the Beit Din.

While our rabbis do not officiate at interfaith weddings, we are able to participate (with guidelines) in an interfaith ceremony led by a marriage officer. Please speak to one of our rabbis to learn more about how we support and welcome interfaith families.

For further information, or to book your wedding with us please contact one of our rabbis HERE.