The New Jewish Wedding, Revised [Paperback]

Anita Diamant (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review

Rabbi Lawrence Hoffman Professor of Liturgy, Hebrew Union College and cofounder of Synagogue 2000 An extraordinary revision of an extraordinary book -- the first and still best guide to what every couple should think about in planning a Jewish wedding. -- Review

Product Description

The Definitive, Completely Up-to-Date Guide to Planning a Jewish Wedding

Since its original publication in 1986, The New Jewish Wedding has become required reading, assigned to engaged couples by Conservative, Reform, and Reconstruc-tionist rabbis alike. In this new revision, Anita Diamant, one of the most respected writers of guides to Jewish life, continues to offer step-by-step guidance to planning the ceremony and the party that follows -- from hiring a rabbi and wording the invitation to organizing a processional and hiring a caterer. She also includes:

• A new chapter focusing on converts, non-Jews, and same-sex couples
• Essential Web sites
• All new art, with examples of ketubot, invitations, and other wedding paraphernalia
• New poems and new translations of the seven wedding blessings

Complete, authoritative, and indispensable, The New Jewish Wedding is a must-have resource for anyone who wants a wedding that combines spiritual meaning and joyous celebration.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Scribner; Original edition (March 6, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0743202554
• ISBN-13: 978-0743202558
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.4 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
• Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #47,606 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

  #13 in	Books > Religion & Spirituality > Judaism > Jewish Life
  #61 in	Books > Religion & Spirituality > Other Practices > Ritual
  #31 in	Books > Home & Garden > Weddings > Planning

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

48 of 48 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars THE book to buy!, January 17, 2000

By	S. W. Matthes (New York, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: New Jewish Wedding (Paperback)

I wrote a not quite positive review of another book in this category and received several responses wanting to know which book I DID recommend. Now that my wedding is over, the thank-yous are (nearly) done, and the scrapbooks are being put together, I can finally write the review I wanted to write for this book!

THIS IS THE BOOK! I have directed everyone who has asked to read it, cover to cover (if time permits) for its excellent guidance through the religious aspects of wedding planning.

When I recently relinquished my dog-eared and tabbed copy to another bride to be, I was amazed at how much of the information I found relevant/meaningful enough to "tab" for inclusion in our wedding disscussions/ceremony/program. The whole first section "Making the Tradition Your Own" really got me off on the right foot. My fiance converted about a year ago, and it was really important to both of us that the wedding speak not only to us, but to our non-Jewish family members and friends. This book really deals with these issues in a modern, egalitarian way.

A good deal of the text from our wedding program was culled from this book. It is clear and concise, without being preachy or didactic. It speaks to the beauty of the Jewish wedding traditions without making one or the other better.

In addition, this book does not discount the groom's role in crafting the wedding of HIS dreams! So many other wedding guides are filled with frilly verse and discussions of dresses and flowers. This one gives you the information you need so that you, your spouse, and your guests will remember the ceremony, not just the weather and the "franks in blanks!"

Whatever book you choose, and whatever you decide, I wish you ease of planning, and a day in which you are surrounded by the love of your family and friends! Mazel tov to all brides and grooms to be!

26 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is the Jewish wedding book you should purchase., January 2, 2000

By	Shawn Weil - See all my reviews

This review is from: New Jewish Wedding (Paperback)

Since I am in the thick of helping to plan a Jewish wedding, I have looked at a number of the available guides to Jewish wedding planing. Bar none, this is the best. It treats weddings not only as the social events they invariably are, but also as the spiritual event we all want them to be. This is a tall order considering that the adjective "Jewish" applies to Hassidic Jews and egalitarian Reform Jews both. Anita Diamant is successful at pointing out the way one can make their wedding feel more "Jewish," no matter what the level of observance. She details the ceremony and the significance of all of its elements, but does not advocate one set of values or beliefs in lieu of another. Using real examples, she is able to illustrate that you can utilize the rich set of Jewish wedding traditions to make your wedding uniquely yours, and distinctly Jewish - as you define it for yourselves.

This book seems to have been written for Conservative and Reform Jews who may not be aware of all of the elements of a Jewish wedding. However, even if you are more traditional in your beliefs, you might appreciate this book as a resource for ideas.

Another, unrelated, point - Anita Diamant speaks not only to the bride, but also to the groom. She does not take us for granted, men. The only drawback of this book - and this is a minor point - is that it was written fifteen years ago, making some of the resources out of date. Do not let that stop you from purchasing the book - most of the information it contains is timeless.

Not only did my sister-in-law give us a copy when we announced our engagement, but our rabbi made it compulsory reading. My love and I are both grateful that they did. If you only buy one book, this should be the one. Mazel Tov.

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Required reading for the Parents, too., December 10, 2000

By	Michele Withnell (Grand Blanc, MI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: New Jewish Wedding (Paperback)

My daughter lives and will be married 600 miles away, so when she told me that the rabbi wanted her and her fiance to read this book, I bought it, too. It has been a great help in planning this wedding. We had already read a number of general wedding books. Even though we already knew the general basic traditions and laws of Jewish weddings, we needed a resource for all the options and creative ideas. We found it in this book. Almost every phone call (often several a week) has a discussion of some element of the wedding and what Anita Diamant says. I not only recommend this book to brides and grooms, but it should be required reading for their parents as well.

I was especially gratified with the inclusion of information related to including non-Jewish family, as my husband is a convert to Judaism. Other Jewish resources, I have read only deal with problems in an interfaith marriage. The book was also helpful in equalizing the differences in Jewish knowledge of my daughter and her fiance.