MAZAL TOV ON YOUR FORTHCOMING MARRIAGE!
This is an exciting time in your lives. We are delighted that you are considering Park Avenue Synagogue as a location for your milestone occasion. The information here answers questions couples commonly have as they begin planning.
For additional information regarding the wedding ceremony, please consult a member of our Clergy. Call the rabbis’ office at 212-369-2600, x120.
WHO MAY BE MARRIED AT PARK AVENUE SYNAGOGUE?
To be married at Park Avenue Synagogue, both partners must be Jewish. If either partner has previously been married to a Jew, and the marriage ended in divorce, the partner must present proof that the marriage was ended with a get, a Jewish divorce, as well as with a civil divorce. If you have not yet given or received a get for a previous marriage, one of our rabbis can help you with that process.
WHEN MAY THE WEDDING TAKE PLACE?
A Jewish wedding may not take place on Shabbat (from an hour before sundown on Friday until an hour after sundown on Saturday) or on a major Jewish holiday (same restriction). Weddings may not take place during the Three Weeks before Tisha B’Av, the Ninth of Av, which usually falls in late July or early August. There are restrictions on when a wedding may take place during the seven weeks known as Sefirah, between Passover and Shavuot. If you have any question about whether a wedding is permissible on the date you have in mind, consult with one of the rabbis.
WHERE WILL THE WEDDING TAKE PLACE?
Wedding ceremonies may take place in the Sanctuary, the third floor chapel, the minyan chapel, or in the Eli M. Black Lifelong Learning Center Chapel. We are happy to give you a tour and discuss which space would work best for your ceremony. You may use the Park Avenue Synagogue huppah, canopy in the Sanctuary, or you may bring in a huppah.
WHO WILL OFFICIATE?
If you're a member of the PAS community, a member of the PAS clergy may serve as m’sader(et) kedushin, the officiant, at your wedding, or you may have another rabbi or cantor officiate or co-officiate. Visiting clergy must be invited by the PAS clergy; this arrangement should be made well in advance of the wedding. If you would like a non-PAS rabbi or cantor to participate in your ceremony, please contact the Senior Rabbi’s assistant, Paul Donahue at (212) 369-2600, x120 with your name, contact information, prospective wedding date, as well as the name and contact information of the officiant. The Senior Rabbi will then extend an invitation to your rabbi and/or cantor.
MUSIC
Music for the ceremony should be appropriate for a Jewish religious occasion. Our cantors are available to consult with you on choices of musical style (Hasidic/Israeli/classical) and arrangements. If you wish to hire instrumentalists you must make arrangements with the music department.
AUFRUF
An Aufruf is an aliyah to the Torah for the betrothed couple at a Shabbat service prior to the wedding. Many families mark the occasion by sponsoring the congregational Kiddush after the service. If you would like to have an Aufruf at Park Avenue Synagogue, please contact the rabbis’ office to make arrangements for the aliyah. If you would like to sponsor the Shabbat morning Kiddush, please reach out to Jayde Grossman for more information.
SANCTITY OF SHABBAT (SATURDAY EVENT WEDDINGS)
Until the end of Shabbat (one hour after the time of candle lighting the evening before), there is no photography, music, cooking, smoking, or use of cell phones or other electronic devices permitted inside or in front of the synagogue building.
All deliveries, flowers, and band equipment must enter the building through the delivery entrance and go directly to the chapel or Sanctuary.
Under no circumstances may photography take place in the Sanctuary, the chapels, or any of the synagogue’s public spaces, upstairs, downstairs, or outside the building, on Shabbat.
FEES
There are different fee levels for members of Park Avenue Synagogue and for non-members, and there are different charges for using the Sanctuary and the chapels.
BOOKING A WEDDING CEREMONY AND RECEPTION
Call the Events Manager at 212-369-2600, x141 to make a reservation. A deposit will be required to reserve your date.
PAS offers beautiful ballrooms to celebrate your wedding. We work with a panel of kosher caterers who have been approved to provide catering services at PAS. Call the Events Manager to make an appointment to see the spaces.
AFTER YOU'VE RESERVED THE DATE
If a PAS rabbi is officiating at your wedding, you will meet with him several times before your date. Contact the rabbis’ office before your date to make an appointment.