Any fellow jewish destination brides??

[MSG518]

Hey girls,

 

Am I alone in trying to find a Rabbi in the Cancun area?? I tried calling the Jewish Community in Cancun and even they don't have a rabbi! Anyone know of a Rabbi that lives in the area?

 

Thanks!

[Blkatz]

You are going to have a problem finding someone down there. The problem is that most Rabbis want to make sure the place is kosher etc. Your best bet would be to bring someone down with you or contact Cantor Debbie on here-she has done weddings down there.

Good luck-we decided not to bother and just get married by our Rabbi before we left.

[MSG518]

Thanks so much! I sent her a PM to see what she says!

[MrsMarch4]

Hi MSG518,

I also had a hard time finding a rabbi in Cancun (I'm getting married at the RIU Palace Riviera Maya in Playa del Carmen). I must have emailed every rabbi in Mexico, and they all pretty much said the same thing; that they don't officiate weddings (I think a majority of them are Orthodox).

 

We are flying our rabbi from home in for the wedding, but he is only doing a religious ceremony so we are legally getting married at the courthouse before we leave for Mexico(so romanic:).

 

If you have any more questions on where I got things for the ceremony (i.e. yarmukles, ketubah, etc.) feel free to PM me. Good luck planning!

Alexis

[allegraapple]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrsMarch4 Hi MSG518, I also had a hard time finding a rabbi in Cancun (I'm getting married at the RIU Palace Riviera Maya in Playa del Carmen). I must have emailed every rabbi in Mexico, and they all pretty much said the same thing; that they don't officiate weddings (I think a majority of them are Orthodox). We are flying our rabbi from home in for the wedding, but he is only doing a religious ceremony so we are legally getting married at the courthouse before we leave for Mexico(so romanic:). If you have any more questions on where I got things for the ceremony (i.e. yarmukles, ketubah, etc.) feel free to PM me. Good luck planning! Alexis

Hi Alexis (and fellow Cali bride),
We haven't finalized our site or date yet, but we are hoping to get married sometime in December in the Riviera Maya area. After much discussion and debate over the issue, I think we are also going to just go to the courthouse and get our license before heading to Mexico. Then, do the religious ceremony down there. I'd love to hear what you are doing about yarmukles, ketubah, etc.! Thanks,
Allegra

[mexicobride2010]

We are flying our rabbi down, as well, as no rabbis in the area were in the least bit interested in marrying us (my fiance is jewish, and I'm not). I think we are going to run to the courthouse here before we go down as well to knock out the legal part.

 

We're getting married at the Iberostar Grand in April and, while they have been fantastic, I don't think they've done many jewish weddings. They are more than willing to learn, though! For example, I have to send the wedding planner a challah recipe so that they can bake one for the reception. So... anyone have a good challah recipe?

[cantorballard]

Hi Ladies -

Just thought I would offer the advice that all of my Mexico (and most other DW location) brides have their civil ceremonies in the states, and perform the Religious/Spiritual ceremony at the destination. I highly recommend this, as there is never any question about documentation, and you have no legal grey areas.

 

Also - dear Mexicobride - a challah recipe is very difficult to translate into how to cook in Mexico! The altitude is different, the water is different, and so I have seen many of the resorts attempt to make a challah - but it is SO hard to get right! I usually bring a challah with me, when I officiate in Mexico. It might get a little squished -but it's so much better than what results when they try to make it!

 

Lastly, learning the components of a Jewish wedding is simple - anyone can pull it up on the internet, and script something out. But, it's usually at times like very meaningful lifecycles, that anyone who wants the presence of Jewish tradition will want someone more authentic to perform the ceremony. That's why people seek out Rabbis and Cantors to perform their weddings.

 

I find that even the most non practicing Jews (and non Jews alike) want the "real deal" to solemnize their wedding. They feel it gives more credibility to the holiness of their marriage. But if that is not an issue and your local officiant will read a script, then that is an easy way to include the rituals and traditions of your faith.

Hope that helps!!

Debbi

[Future Mrs. L]

Hi MSG518,

 

Did you have any luck finding a Rabbi? We are getting married on June 13th at the Grand Velas RM and we are also looking for a Rabbi. I have spoken with the Rabbi in Cancun and he does not perform weddings. We are considering flying our rabbi out there.

 

Best,

Daniela

[MSG518]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrsMarch4 Hi MSG518, I also had a hard time finding a rabbi in Cancun (I'm getting married at the RIU Palace Riviera Maya in Playa del Carmen). I must have emailed every rabbi in Mexico, and they all pretty much said the same thing; that they don't officiate weddings (I think a majority of them are Orthodox). We are flying our rabbi from home in for the wedding, but he is only doing a religious ceremony so we are legally getting married at the courthouse before we leave for Mexico(so romanic:). If you have any more questions on where I got things for the ceremony (i.e. yarmukles, ketubah, etc.) feel free to PM me. Good luck planning! Alexis

Thanks so much, Alexis. I will definitely pick your brain when I get more organized...good luck to you too!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Future Mrs. L Hi MSG518, Did you have any luck finding a Rabbi? We are getting married on June 13th at the Grand Velas RM and we are also looking for a Rabbi. I have spoken with the Rabbi in Cancun and he does not perform weddings. We are considering flying our rabbi out there. Best, Daniela

Hi Daniela,

No such luck finding a rabbi in Cancun or in the area that performs weddings. I Google'd "destination wedding rabbi" and a rabbi in the NY area came up that is willing to fly down. So it looks like we are going to fly him and his wife down. They seem like wonderful people, but it's so expensive! However I'm so happy we can meet them face-to-face before the wedding.

How much are your rabbis charging for the ceremony?

[MrsMarch4]

Quote:

Originally Posted by allegraapple Hi Alexis (and fellow Cali bride), We haven't finalized our site or date yet, but we are hoping to get married sometime in December in the Riviera Maya area. After much discussion and debate over the issue, I think we are also going to just go to the courthouse and get our license before heading to Mexico. Then, do the religious ceremony down there. I'd love to hear what you are doing about yarmukles, ketubah, etc.! Thanks, Allegra

Hi Allegra,
Here is what I have ordered so far:
Ketubah: ketubah.com
Yarmukles: www.yarmulkes.com
Kosher food for our rabbi, challah & kosher wine (for ceremony): Kosher Order Form - Chabad Lubavitch Jewish Center of Cancun. This is through the Chabad in Cancun; they require 3 weeks notice prior to delivery. I've emailed the rabbi there a few times and he is very nice & replies to my emails right away.
Mazol tov glass (for groom to stomp on at the end of the ceremony): Jewish Gifts, Judaica, Wedding Gifts, Bar & Bat Mitzvah Gifts, Jewish Baby Gifts

Feel free to PM me w/ any questions:) What resorts in RM are you considering?
-Alexis