Mazel Tov! My Big Fat Jewish Wedding an Outrageous Success!

On Thursday, November 16, My Big Fat Jewish (mock) Wedding was held at Binghamton University.  In the face of a huge rain storm that flooded Broome County causing officials to declare a state of emergency, the show went on with almost two hundred students showing up to enjoy "the party of the semester." The program included all components of a traditional Jewish wedding with all members of the wedding party played by students who were dressed for their roles to the hilt. The evening began with a reception at which students enjoyed an open bar of mocktails and hors d'oeuvres in a campus room transformed by hard work to look just like a fancy country club. The bride received guests surrounded by members of her party while the groom sat at the "tish" surrounded by the groomsmen, Rabbi and Cantors. After an emotional  "bedeken" ceremony at which the groom veiled the bride, guests took their seats for the Chupah which included both ashkenazik and sephardic customs. The processional and Chupah, while including every facet of a real wedding with the exception of the groom putting a ring on the bride's finger, drew continuous laughter from the assembled as members of the bridal party played their roles in a humorous fashion. After shouts of Mazel Tov rang out signalling the end of the Chupah, guests enjoyed a catered buffet dinner and spirited dancing to the music of a NJ based one man band.
 

A sampling of comments about the event included: "It felt just like a real wedding, it was incredible," and "It was more fun than I have had at any other event on campus- ever!"  Kol Hakovod to the committee heads who worked so very hard on decorating, catering and the costumes.