I want to document the creation of my Orthodox Jewish Wedding in very unorthodox Sonoma County. Here is the situation. I am 43 my beloved is 44. We have been together for 27 years but never married. I think the following will illustrate why:
My family is part reform Jews, part lapsed Presbyterian I think (my bio dad does not even know I am practicing Judaism). My step mother is a vehement anti-Semite. My brother belongs to something called the Church of religious science. Non of my sibs are observant. My fiancé and I are newly observant in the Lubavitch Chabad Chassidic community in Santa Rosa. All of my cousins are catholic. My fiance’s family is half Ashkenazi from Poland and half Sephardic from Syria. I think they are all non-observant (except one cousin). Did I mention that some of them are also communists.
Aside from the hilarity (and fireworks) that are bound to result from planning this wedding, I have come to realize that there are many, many Jews with similar backgrounds and stories. We were afraid for many years to get married because of all the “mishugas” that would ensue, but now I feel that maybe we can “come out” about our families and practices and show other people that they are not so unusual.
Am looking for someone familiar with and comfortable around Jewish customs and traditions Who can see the poignancy and humor in this situation.
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