Mara and Danny K.
I was so excited when Mara and Danny booked me for my first-ever Kentucky wedding. They wanted an interfaith wedding rabbi to help them create a ceremony that was mostly traditionally Jewish, with some meaningful elements from Danny’s Episcopalian upbringing, which he treasures. So this would be a solidly Jewish-Episcopalian interfaith wedding.
When they first called, Mara and Danny said they had scheduled their wedding for the first day of Sukkot - oops! I hesitated a little, but we struck a deal - if I could stay in Ohio for the first night of Sukkot with my family instead of attending their rehearsal dinner, I would make it to Kentucky for the ceremony. They agreed. What sweethearts - I’m so glad they did.
At first, I thought that Kentucky SOUNDED so far away for an Ohio wedding rabbi, but the Lexington area is only about three hours from where I live. So, the drive there and back would take less time than an audiobook.
Along with the always-fun cruise through Cincinnati and the beautiful rolling hills of Kentucky, the peaceful audiobook time was icing on the cake!
Mara and Danny got married at Buffalo Trace Distillery. The main building of the Distillery was tall, stately, and offered the perfect shading for the peaceful little grove where the chuppah waited for me to arrive.
The Ketubah signing and reception all took place in this gorgeous little cabin, which boasted original beams and walls. This was a very special ketubah signing - there were several dozen guests in attendance, and they were all quite emotional! In fact, the handkerchief that Danny and Mara used for their indication of kinyan was passed very quickly back to a guest who was sniffling with tears.
It was a blessing and a privilege to see a Rachelle ketubah in person, and to sign it. Yes, well all took a moment to kvell over Mara and Danny’s celebrity ketubah artist!
The chuppah was built by Mara, along with her mom, dad, and sister, in their backyard, then transported to the ceremony location. After the ceremony, she was able to pass this DIY birch pole chuppah on to another Jewish bride in the area! She was a little apologetic, but I let Mara know that it’s an even greater mitzvah to pass along Jewish stuff to others who can use it.
An heirloom tablecloth from Danny’s Hungarian grandmother made a perfect canopy for the chuppah. We didn’t want to damage it at all by securing it and the slight wind made it wave delightfully over our heads, while reminding us of what the chuppah symbolizes - the fragile nature of a new home filled with hope, and sheltered by the memories and lessons of our family stories. Danny’s uncle bundled up the tablecloth right after the ceremony for safekeeping, and assured me that it would be used this Thanksgiving as it was every year - but this time with fond memories of Mara and Danny’s beautiful wedding day.
Photo by Kristen Ellis Photography, 2023
When we used Mara’s family kiddush cup for the blessing over wine, everyone was very touched. While we couldn’t pin down the exact history of this cup, the family did know for sure that it was one of the few things that made the voyage to America from the Old Country. It’s one of the family’s most treasured possessions, and we all knew how proud and overwhelmed with joy Mara’s ancestors would have been to see it used at this wedding.
My second great blessing and privilege of the day was sharing a few moments under the chuppah with Mother Barbara, who has known Danny since birth. It was especially poignant because we weren’t sure if she would be able to attend the ceremony at all, due to a minor health issue. When we met, I realized I was in the presence of a pure, nurturing energy of wisdom and love. The way she led Mara and Danny through the traditional Episcopal wedding vows in her big booming smiling voice made me realize just one of the things that made her so special to Danny and his family. I am so grateful she was there.
Mara and Danny’s entire family lined up at their sides to help recite the Seven Wedding Blessings. Mara’s family read them in Hebrew, and Danny’s echoed with the English translation, each person taking two blessings. I finished off with the seventh.
Photograph by Kristen Ellis Photography, 2023
A fun rabbi “oops” - the seventh blessing didn’t make it into the script for my Kindle, so I hand-wrote it on a little paper, which greatly amused Mother Barbara. I didn’t, however, transcribe the translation, which put my live Hebrew-translation skills to the test under the chuppah. I hope nobody noticed, and if they did, they didn’t mind!
Mara and Danny’s guests LOVED saying “Mazal Tov” when Danny smashed the lightbulb at the end. (He wasn’t taking ANY chances with his foot health before the two of them set off on their whirlwind European honeymoon tour.) In fact, they were STILL cheering with “mazal tov” while they took family photos under the chuppah, and I heard several dropped throughout the reception, as well!
Danny and Mara’s reception was calm and cozy, just like they are as a couple. The room was full of cheers for them, but they only had eyes for one another. Even when they danced the hora and the room got super rowdy, Mara and Danny were steady and focused - well, as much as a couple can be while being bounced around on chairs above their guests’ heads!
Photograph by Kristen Ellis Photography, 2023
Mara and Danny, I feel so lucky that we met, and that you trusted me to officiate your perfect interfaith Jewish-Episocopalian wedding ceremony in beautiful Kentucky. My heartiest MAZAL TOV to you both - don’t forget to keep me posted on all your beautiful adventures together, and anything you may need a rabbi for!
