Indian Jewish 'Wedding' At Jewish Community Center In New York

On Sunday, February 17, the Indian Jewish Congregation of USA staged an Indian Jewish “wedding ceremony” at the Jewish Community Center in Manhattan.

It was a close replica of the wedding rituals and ceremony performed in India by the Bene Israel community. The “chattan” and “kallah”were Lael and Regina Daniel, a longtime married couple.

The chattan was brought to the bimah (platform) to the singing of the Torat Emet (Maimonides’s 8th of 13 principles of faith stated by Maimonides). Then Lael sang the Yona Theezeev, a 16th century melody, praising both the bride’s comeliness and Israel. The kallah then joined the chattan on the bimah.

The ritualistic wedding ceremony, the melody for confirmation of vows, and the exchange of rings were performed by Romiel Daniel, president of the Indian Jewish Congregation of USA. This was followed by the chanting of the Akhtana (wedding contract written in Aramaic) by David Galsurkar and the recitation of five blessings (instead of the usual seven, as this was not a real wedding).

Romiel Daniel explained the wedding’s rituals and the unique Indian Jewish ceremony, the malida. It was pointed out that any auspicious occasion is preceded by the invoking of God’s blessings and the request for Elijah the prophet to be the protector.


The wedding ceremony was preceded by an Indian kosher vegetarian buffet lunch. The event was an enjoyable and educational eye-opener of the unique rituals and traditions of the Indian Jewish community for the American Jewish attendees.


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