The Reform Ceremony The Reform movement was founded in Germany in the second half of the 19th Century. it is rooted in a liberal Jewish tradition within which it's adherents are guided by "personal choice" rather than "halacha" (religious law). Some Reform Rabbis invite the wedding couple to the Temple on the Friday evening before the wedding and bless them in front of the congregation. Reform Rabbis use a Ketuba, which also is signed before the wedding. The witnesses may be women, may be relatives and even may be non-Jewish. After the bridegroom declares, "Behold, thou art consecrated to me with this ring, according to the law of Moses and Israel," the Reform bride usually will reply, in Hebrew, "I am my beloved's and my beloved is mine." Some Reform Rabbis do not require conversion and will perform interfaith marriages. Rabbi begins with prayer, and asks if the couples comes of their own free will |