Discover a bridal look that`s all your own.

Transcription

Discover a bridal look
that’s all your own.
With hundreds of exquisite gowns
from some of the world’s most
renowned bridal designers, along
with our selection of accessories,
jewellery, shoes, lingerie and
more, all your wedding style
dreams will come true.
Book your gown consultation
online or by phone today
for an incredible experience
you’ll cherish forever.
K L E I N F E L D B R I D A L . C A
4 1 6 - 8 6 1 - 6 6 0 0
FEATURED GOWN: PALOMA BLANCA STYLE 4512b
ridal
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THE CANADIAN JEWISH NEWS
FEBRUARY 19, 2015
Sponsor Content
Custom-designed kippahs a specialty at The Israeli Source
I
magine being able to custom-design
kippahs for your wedding guests – having something that is your very own
creation, different from any made for any
wedding ever before.
Previously a dream only available to
those willing to shell out untold amounts
of cash, Thornhill’s Judaica superstore, The
Israeli Source, now offers exactly that option to any couple looking to make their
special day that much more special.
The simchah experts at The Israeli
Source are able to help clients choose
from a breathtaking array of an absolutely
staggering 400-million-plus kippah customization options, before even taking
into account completely custom-designed
hand-crocheted kippah patterns, so that
each couple can have something that truly
reflects their own sense of style.
“The idea is,” explains Chuck Elnekave,
who has for the last 14 years been helping
customers by guiding them through the
ordering process, “to give each wedding,
each bar or bat mitzvah, the ability to be
unique in its style, down to something as
formerly run of the mill as the kippahs.
There’s no reason that kippahs can’t be as
much of a custom creation as the catering
menu or the floral arrangements.
“Styles and fads change every season,
and we strive to stay on top of those trends,
giving our clients the ability to get what’s
hot. Last year’s favoured choices of suede
kippahs for weddings and satin kippahs
for bar mitzvahs give way to this year’s
popularity of linen kippahs for weddings
and sports mesh kippahs for bar mitzvahs.
Next year’s contemporary choice will be
different still – and so we ensure to position
ourselves to be ready for whatever comes.”
But does that mean that they’re ready to
rest? In Elnekave’s words – no. “In the last
year, we’ve managed to increase the range
of options to our customers twofold. And
we’re constantly in search of new possibilities that will maximize our clients’ ability
to have it their way. New developments
are always underway, and it’s always a
great feeling for us to see the customers’
reactions when they see how much fun
they can have putting together their own
unique creation.”
But kippahs aren’t all – Elnekave says that
The Israeli Source is always adding new
artists to its repertoire of gallery-quality
ketubahs. Popular artists such as Danny
Azoulay, Mickie Caspi, and Emanuel
Bensolomon are
counted amongst
the many who
The Israeli Source
work with to ensure that every
couple can have
a beautiful ketubah to enhance their
wedding, a cherished
souvenir to constantly remind them of that special day.
Offering a variety
of artists, explains
Elnekave, ensures
that clients will
have many options not only in
design but also
in personalization options and
price.
“Some artists,”
he says, “create limited-edition prints of
their work. It’s all pre-done,
so while you’re getting something that
is guaranteed to be a limited quantity run
and not something mass produced,
you also might sacrifice the ability
to personalize to the degree you
might like. Other artists print separately for each order and employ
digital calligraphy methods, so in
those cases a couple can customize their ketubah a bit more. Each
options has its pros and its cons – we
try to work with our clients to find something that suits them.”
If that wasn’t enough, The
Israeli Source also offers an
impressive selection of
benschers. After finding
a benscher that suits
their tastes, explains
Elnekave, the couple
can even add finishing touches such as
a custom monogram
embossed on the front
cover. “We try to make
it a one-stop simchah
shopping experience,” says
Elnekave. And what an experience it is.
The Israeli Source is at 60 Doncaster Ave.,
Thornhill. Call 905-482-2025. n
Dysautonomia
Foundation Inc
Dysautonomia Foundation Inc
Fanconi Canada
THE CANADIAN JEWISH NEWS FEBRUARY 19, 2015
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Sponsor Content
Kleinfeld Hudson’s Bay, where your bridal journey begins
A
n unforgettable salon experience.
That’s what you can expect at your
initial gown consultation.
ARRIVING AT THE SALON
First, you’ll visit the Kleinfeld Hudson’s
Bay reception desk on the seventh floor.
Your consultant will greet you and take a
few minutes to get to know you and the
three family members and friends you
brought along.
DISCUSSING YOUR DREAM DRESS
You’ll have a quick chat about what you’re
looking for and you’re welcome to explore
the gowns out on the floor. If you’ve been
saving dresses to your Hudson’s Bay Wish
List online or collecting clippings of your
favourite gowns, this is the perfect time to
show them to your consultant.
SEARCHING OUR ASSORTMENT
While you put on your luxurious robe
in one of our fitting rooms, your consultant will search the salon for all the gowns
that match your description of the perfect
dress – and maybe even ones that don’t.
Allow your consultant to make recommendations. You could end up falling in
love with a dress you would have never
considered.
TRYING ON GOWNS
If you don’t already have the shoes and
lingerie you’ll be wearing on your big day,
we can provide those to you during your
appointment. With the help of your consultant, you’ll try on all the gowns that you
believe will be strong contenders. And we
can’t forget about the Twirling Area. That’s
where you’ll get the chance to see each
gown in the spotlight and show it off to
your family and friends.
FINDING THE ONE
With our extensive, specially curated selection of designer bridal gowns, don’t be
surprised if you find “the dress” on your
first visit to Kleinfeld Hudson’s Bay. It’s
always an emotional and celebratory moment when you say “I do” to the dress of
your dreams. But the excitement doesn’t
stop there.
COMPLETING YOUR LOOK
You’ll also have the opportunity to
browse through our beautiful assortment
of shoes and accessories. You can even try
on your favourites with your gown to get
the full picture of your overall wedding
day look.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
We will contact you when your dress has
arrived at the salon to schedule your first
fitting. Remember, it can take up to three
fittings to ensure your gown is the absolute perfect fit.
We also have a stunning selection of
bridesmaid dresses and we would love to
help you and your bridesmaids find theirs
during another shopping experience
you’ll never forget. n
For your own incredible experience,
book your initial gown consultation
today.
Online: kleinfeldbridal.ca
Phone: 416-861-6600
Email: [email protected]
Discover more at kleinfeldbridal.ca
CELEBRATE YOUR UPCOMING WEDDING, BAR OR BAT MITZVAH!
C o m p l e t e K o s h e r E v e n t s under
Mitzuyan Kosher Caterers has been appointed the exclusive
kosher caterer to The Avenue Banquet Hall and The Boulevard Room
The Avenue Banquet Hall
The Boulevard Room
Seats up to 400
Seats up to 110
1600 Steeles Ave. W. Units 37-42
theavenuebanquethall.com
905-669-0777
1600 Steeles Ave. West Unit 44
boulevardroom.com
416-419-5260
contact
Marla Kay
FANTASTIC PROMOTIONS AVAILABLE www.mitzuyankoshercatering.com
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FEBRUARY 19, 2015
Childhood friendship blooms into romance
VICKY TOBIANAH
SPECIAL TO THE CJN
I
t’s not often that a couple can say that
they grew up with their spouse, but
Debra Vatenmakher and Jacob Posluns
can.
They both attended Netivot HaTorah Day
School throughout elementary school. In
Grade 7, they became close friends and by
Grade 9 they were dating and have been
together ever since. This past summer they
got engaged and are planning a June 2015
wedding.
Vatenmakher and Posluns, now both 20,
can say they truly know their spouse better
than anyone.
“We were in school together but weren’t
so close until Grade 7,” said Vatenmakher.
“He claims he had a crush on me in Grade
4, though.”
After becoming best friends, they quickly
realized they had feelings for one another
and started dating. “I think something
that’s really special about our relationship is we’ve grown up together. We know
each other better than anyone else in the
world,” said Vatenmakher.
They had been dating for six years when
Jacob Posluns and Debra Vatenmakher met
at Netivot HaTorah Day School.
Posluns proposed. “We have been talking
about getting married since we were 14,
but no one would have taken us seriously at that age. Only over the past two years
did we discuss publicly about wanting to
get married,” said Posluns.
“Once I got the okay from her parents,
I began planning the proposal. With my
cousin’s help, we set up roses and candles
along a dock by the lake.
“When approaching the dock and getting
ready to propose, a few things went wrong.
It happened to be pretty windy along the
water so by the time we got there, almost
all of the roses had fallen into the water
and all of the candles had blown out. Luckily, Debra says she does not remember any
of it and she could not have been happier
with how everything went,” he said.
Although they’re not in school together
anymore – Vatenmakher is at York University studying kinesiology while Posluns is
studying business technology management at Ryerson University – they’re still
best friends who put each other first.
“I’m really excited for just the mundane
things like being able to sit on the couch
while he’s sitting at the table doing his
homework and finally being together
every day,” she said.
“I hang out with him all the time and I
always have to go home at the end of the
night. I find it’s so hard. I’m definitely looking forward to going home with him, and
I’m looking forward to eventually building
a family together,” she said.
The couple is planning a traditional
Orthodox wedding in June and has advice for any other couples dealing with the
stress of planning a wedding.
“I think it’s really important not to let the
wedding get to you and to always stay focused on the reason for the whole adventure of planning a wedding – which is to
Jacob planned a romantic proposal for
Debra.
marry the person you love and start a life
together, and I think that that’s the best advice,” said Vatenmakher.
“Always keep your eye on the prize, know
why you’re doing it and the rest doesn’t
matter.” ■
THE CANADIAN JEWISH NEWS FEBRUARY 19,, 2015
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Sponsor Content
Consultant helps make your special day perfect
H
ow exciting! You are getting married.
After the kvelling and misty eyes,
the planning starts, and this is where
things can quickly go from dream to nightmare.
The first thing that has to be decided
is the budget. This can be tricky because
unless budget is no issue, money can be
difficult to talk about.
The groom will have already spent a
good chunk of change on the ring, which
is, in his mind, justifiable, since the bride
will have it forever. A wedding is over in a day and the dress
is worn but once…all true. However the
wedding is the start of everything that an
engagement ring represents and it will, in
fact, also be with the couple forever.
The very word “wedding” means the
act of blending or joining contrasting elements. A wedding is the celebration of the
uniting of two families, through the bride
and groom. While the wedding day is focused on the bride and groom, it is, by definition, a family event.
So how does one make everyone in both
families happy?
How many times have you seen a brideto-be and her mother, father or future in-
laws all having meltdowns over something
or other related to the pending nuptials?
It always happens if you are doing things
yourself. Invariably, someone feels that
they are doing too much while someone
else feels that they are not doing enough.
That’s where a wedding planner steps in. A wedding planner is an expert in his/
her field. You wouldn’t draft your own legal
agreement or fill your own tooth, so why
would you plan one of the most important
days in your life on your own?
A great wedding planner is on everyone’s
team but nobody’s side.
Your bridal consultant takes the stress
of every detail and logistic away from
the bride and her family and seamlessly
stitches everything together so that the
perfect day unfolds as everyone dreamed
it would. Your bridal consultant has at her fingertips vendors, caterers, florists, make-up
artists, musicians, ice sculptors, aerial performers, klezmer bands, cake artists, paper
specialists, horse and carriage drivers and
even white-gloved footmen – anyone and
everything to make your day perfect.
A great bridal consultant is able to make
even a modest budget look generous. Although you might consider the consulting
fee something that you could have allocated elsewhere, your consultant will be
able to secure much better deals than you
would have on your own. This means you
will probably save more with a planner on
your team, than going solo, despite the
consulting fee.
The most critical part of hiring a wedding
planner, is hiring someone that you like
and with whom you have an instant connection. You are going to be working very
closely with your consultant so hire someone that your gut tells you is the right fit. Once the last of the champagne has been
sipped and you finally take a breath and
look back on your wedding day you should
sigh because it was perfect, not because
you are relieved it’s over. Chique Functions has been planning
very exclusive private events, including
weddings, bat and bar mitzvahs, baby and
bridal showers and milestone birthday
parties for years.
Recently, we have decided to open our
services to the Greater Toronto Area.
To mark this event, we are running a special bridal contest.
Entrants submit a short paragraph to
[email protected], detailing why
they think that they should win the following incredible prizes:
• bridal consulting for your wedding
provided by Chique Functions, valued at
$5,000
• hair and make-up for the bride provided by Hair BLVD, valued at $750 • flowers for the bride and her bridal
party provided by Blossom Boutique valued at $1,000
• décor for your wedding provided by
Ultimate Wedding Project valued at $750
• bridal accessories provided by Mona
Richie, valued at $300 n
Patricia Wald | Principle
Phone: 416 917 4000
www.chiquefunctions.com
Dream Wedding Contest
To enter our Dream Wedding Contest simply send an email to [email protected]
and tell us about your dream wedding and why you deserve to win all these incredible prizes:
The winning bride will receive:
Blossom Boutique
Flowers & Gifts with Style.
UW
P
ltimate
edding
roject
• Complete bridal consulting and planning services for your wedding and wedding rehearsal,
provided by Chique Functions, valued at $5000
• Hair and make-up for the bride, including consultation for the bride, valued at $750 and a 10%
discount for hair and make-up for the bridal party, provided by Hair BLVD
• Bridal bouquet and bridal party ﬂowers from Blossom Boutique valued at $1000
• Bride and Groom thrones provided by Ultimate Wedding Project, valued at $750
• Bridal Accessories from Mona Richie, valued at $300
RULES:
• Please provide your name, email address and telephone number in your entry
• Your wedding must be at least 6 months away from the contest closing date of March 19, 2015.
• You must actually be engaged to be married.
• Your wedding must take place within the Greater Toronto area.
• You must be a resident of the Greater Toronto Area
• You must be willing to allow photographs of your wedding and preparations for your wedding to be displayed on
the prize donors websites
• "Consulting" prize is for bridal consulting services only and does not include fees or deposits to any vendors selected
by the bride.
• The winner will be selected by Chique Functions, whose decision is ﬁnal.
• The winner will be required to be a part of an editorial that will run on the Chique Functions and prize donors
websites as well as potential print and or television media
• The prize donors and Chique Functions are not responsible for any cost incurred by the winner, outside the
stipulated prizes in this contest.
• By entering this contest, contestants agree to all rules and regulations
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BRA SALE
Over 32 Years of Your Support!
20
%
With this coupon:
off Bras & Panties
T
FEBRUARY 19, 2015
Celebrate your upcoming
wedding
in style
(in stock merchandise only expires Feb. 28, 2015)
Danielle Kubes
Special to The CJN
est.1982
Specializing in Fitting Bras & Undergarments
Preteen to Full-Figured Women – Sizes AA- L, 30-56
5867 Leslie St., Mon.-Sat. 10-5
416-497-2350
www.braboutique.com
L
ooking for the Best Bachleorette/
Bachelor places in Toronto? The CJN
has compiled a partial list:
Body Blitz
If you can’t afford a bachelorette party
in Miami or Tel Aviv, head to this women’s
only spa to escape Toronto’s harsh winters. Besides offering a full menu of massages, scrubs, facials and mud, its main
attraction is a water circuit. Jump in and
out of pools to get your blood flowing.
They have a hot one with Epsom salt, a
warm one with Dead Sea salt and a cold
plunge, that may actually be refreshing. You and your girlfriends can lounge
around all day and detox all the toxins
you accumulated from a rager the night
before. They accept group bookings.
416-364-0400
Drake Hotel
This decade-old mainstay in Toronto’s
west end can provide services for your entire bachelorette or bachelor antics, from
dinner, to dancing, to crashing in a room
upstairs to a gossipy brunch the morning after. Choose between bottle service
or ordering off their extensive cocktail
list. They offer a prix-fixe menu for large
groups. 416-531-5042
BRIDAL REGISTRY AVAILABLE AT BOTH OUR LOCATIONS
BAYVIEW VILLAGE (BAYVIEW & SHEPPARD)
416-590-7311 • TOLL FREE 1-877-591-1115
8099 WESTON RD UNIT 25
WOODBRIDGE • 905-264-7778
www.davidsfinelinens.com
Flirty Girl Fitness
Why hire a stripper for your bachelorette when you can learn the skills yourself? This King West studio has various
sexy dance options, from belly dancing
to lap dancing to a chair striptease. They
provide all the props like feather boas,
cowboy hats, mocktinis and a Coyote-Ugly style bar for you to show off your
moves. They also have options for girly
add-ons like manicures and pedicures.
416-920-1400
Rock’n’ Horse Saloon
A mechanical bull – need we say more?
See how long the bride or groom can last
without getting thrown off. When that
inevitably happens, and it will – probably in one minute or less, you will have
the chance to show off the line-dancing
skills you learned during your bar mitzvah years and get down to Cotton ‘Eye
Joe. For pre-party eats, they have a pubstyle menu. Don’t forget your plaids.
647-344-1234
Crew and Tangos
Watch some of Toronto’s finest
drag-queen talent at this bar in the
Church-Wellesley Village. Sure to be a
good time for guys and gals, an added
bonus is the groom probably won’t have to
worry about another guy coming on to his
girl. Full of energy and dance moves, these
performers are sure to make it a night to
remember. 647-349-7469
High Tea at the Windsor Arms Hotel
Rise above the drunken fray and have
a bachelorette party your mother-in-law
won’t blush at attending. Sip from their
collection of loose-leaf teas and munch on
scones and crustless cucumber sandwiches. A gluten-free menu is available. Afternoon tea is served at this Yorkville hotel
four times a day and starts at $38 a person.
Kate Middleton who? 416-971-9666
Pravda
This Russian-themed vodka bar on Wellington caters to an older, more refined
crowd. Over 70 vodkas are available and
you can do shots from glasses made from
ice. They’re prepared for large bookings
and can provide private space, vodka tastings to educate your guests and live instrumentalists. They also offer dinner, bottle
service and caviar tastings. Spend a night
being treated like a czar. 416-366-0303
Elmwood Spa
This 30-year-old spa at Yonge and Dundas has enough room to host a big bachelorette party and a has second boutique
location in the Church-Wellesley Village
for more intimate events. Spend all day
lounging around in comfy robes and gossiping with your girlfriends. Sweat out
any nerves about the big day in the steam
room or sauna and pamper yourself with
their extensive menu of spa services. Order lunch from their menu or from the attached Bangkok Garden restaurant.
416-977-6751 n
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The pre-wedding jitters
STEPHEN SWEET
Special to the CJN
I
was moments away from one of the
biggest events of my life.
And yet, I wasn’t nervous. I wasn’t excited. I wasn’t really feeling much of anything.
It had been that way for practically the
entire 24 hours before my wedding.
I had planned to play in my baseball
game the night before my wife, Cassie,
and I were to get married, which I figured
would be a natural distraction to keep me
from getting anxious about my wedding
day. But the game got rained out, which
seemed like it would give me way too
much time to over-think and worry about
things, which is what I usually do in those
situations.
I didn’t do either, though. I went through
my normal routine as though the next day
wasn’t going to be the biggest day of my
life, and that was how I felt.
That’s all right, I figured. I would feel it in
the morning for sure.
I woke up at 7:45 a.m. on my wedding
day and my heart started racing briefly.
Surely now I would be excited for the moment just hours away.
But I calmed down, slept for another
hour or so, and when I woke up the next
time, I was unruffled once again.
I did what I had planned to do that day,
figuring that something would trigger it.
Would it be when I prayed? When I got
dressed? When we reached the hall?
Something had to be wrong.
I grabbed everything I needed to bring
in from the car and went into the banquet
hall, still a good 90 minutes before the tish
and kabalat panim were set to start.
Some of Cassie’s and my friends were
keeping an eye on us to make sure that
our paths didn’t cross, as [we followed
tradition] and we weren’t seeing each
other for a week before our wedding.
I went in and did pictures with my half
of the family, occasionally popping out
into the main foyer, which had a mechitzah (divider) down the middle to keep our
sides separate.
At that point, Cassie’s friend let me know
that I was being too loud (which is something I’ve only heard about 20 times or so
since getting married) and it was making
Cassie miss me.
I got a small flare of adrenaline. Finally, a
bit of something.
But it wouldn’t last, and even when the
tish and kabalat panim began, and family
and friends began to stream in, it still
didn’t hit me that I would be married in
about an hour. I still wasn’t feeling it.
Finally, the rabbi called me over and
asked if I was ready. I began to have some
nerves and feel that rush. The music
began and I was led over to the other side
of the divider to see my kallah.
The magnitude of the moment hit me,
and I just couldn’t wait to see her. I’d
missed her for a week and I was seconds
away from getting to be around Cassie.
She was sitting there with a smile on
her face. In that moment, she was the
most beautiful person I had ever seen.
The rabbi spoke and explained the significance of a few things that were happening, but he had told me beforehand
that while he was doing that, I was just to
take the moment and gaze upon my kallah, and I was more than happy to oblige.
I hadn’t felt the nerves for the upcoming
wedding, or excitement, or anything really, before those moments.
It was because without the woman that
I wanted to spend the rest of my life with,
none of it seemed real.
Once I saw her, I knew it was real. It was
right. n
Mitzuyan
Kosher Catering
UNDER SUPERVISION
Kosher at it’s best!
Now Offering
AN ALL INCLUSIVE
CATERING PACKAGE
STARTING AT $59
Mitzuyan understands how difficult and frustrating it can be to
plan a simcha for your family, friends or corporate gathering.
Mitzuyan Kosher Caterers combines their talents to find you
the perfect venue and design a menu package that will exceed
all of your expectations for your upcoming event.
Our mobile kosher kitchen allows us to prepare the freshest
and finest cuisine on site on the day of your function.
We are the exclusive kosher caterer for Beth Radom
Congregation, The Avenue Banquet Hall, The Boulevard. We
are the preferred kosher caterer at Angus Glen Country Club,
Paramount and Bellagio, The Manor, Spirale, Hazelton Manor.
Contact us at 416-419-5260 or email
[email protected]
to find out about our all inclusive promotions starting at $59
Cassie and Stephen on their wedding day
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FEBRUARY 19, 2015
Travel bug leads to nuptials
Gillian Hess
Special to The CJN
I
get restless when I sense complacency. I was 21 years old and it took a
seven-week European trip to help me
genuinely understand how much more
there was to experience outside of the
world I knew. I thought then, I had cured
this itchy feeling to leave but found myself
constantly searching for reasons to travel. Without this itch prior to graduating
university, I wouldn’t have met the man I
married four months ago.
After a 15-hour flight I was dreading another four-hour bus ride from Incheon airport to Gwangju, a city 250 miles south of
Seoul where I was heading back to teach.
Just like last year I imagined the tedious
bus ride to be full of Korean nationals and
me, being the solo foreigner, which meant
a bus ride of more playlists on repeat.
As I was dragging my luggage to the
bus, I felt a light tap on my shoulder that
prompted me to remove my headphones
and see who required my attention. At the
other end of the friendly tap was a tall,
masculine, slim, young Brit, who kindly
offered to place my suitcases in the bot-
tom storage compartment of the bus. As
we were the only two non-Koreans about
to board, we decided to sit together and
chat about what brought us to the South.
Four hours of conversation felt like four
minutes of getting to know each other and
we had only just touched on our university years in both England and Canada
before the bus pulled up to the terminal.
We soon came to realize how much we
actually had in common. We were both
raised in non-traditional Jewish households, had bar/bat mitzvahs, admitted
our love for forbidden, un-kosher foods
and were passionate about travelling. We
both seemed be in the same stage of our
lives – single, holding university degrees
with no real, tangible plan.
I had dated Jewish guys in the past but
thought the last place on Earth I’d find a
Jewish boyfriend would be South Korea.
So did my parents who were probably a
bit more worried about it than I was.
It was March 2, 2011 when I met my future husband, and together we enjoyed a
year of travelling Korea, visiting Taiwan for
New Year’s and experiencing a new set of
norms and culture as a couple.
After our year was up we decided to move
Eva Goldfinger
Rabbi & Psychotherapist
Meaningful Personal Ceremonies
Jewish, Interfaith, Secular Humanistic
and Same Sex
Baby Namings, Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, Weddings,
Funerals/Memorials, Unveilings, Conversions
to England so Adam could complete his
teaching qualification while I found a job
at an international IT company. As a Canadian, I was granted a two- year working
visa, and we made the best out of the time
we had on this small, overpopulated island.
In October 2013 we decided to travel to
Iceland for one week. It was winter, I was
missing the snow and Adam was craving
an adventure. We rented a car in Reykjavik and drove up the east coast, passing
massive waterfalls, frozen lagoons and
spotting about five vehicles in five hours.
The breathtaking landscape, snowcapped volcanos and bubbling geysers
made for a visual explosion of beauty and
remoteness. Selfishly, it felt like we had
the world to ourselves.
On our last day Adam planned a short
sunset hike up a mountain just behind
our hotel. We’re both not big trekkers but
thought the view would be too wonderful to pass up. After about 90 minutes,
we arrived at the top of the foothill as
the sky turned lovely shades of pastels.
Just as I gently collapsed on the peak trying to absorb this breathtaking view, the
sight in front of me became even more
unbelievable. Adam was kneeling down,
holding out a
glistening diamond ring, shining as bright as the
setting sun. Life, at
that moment, was
beautiful.
When you decide to move
away, turning
life into a journey
filled with uncertainty then it’s the
unexpected which
enables you to learn,
adapt and grow. Lots of people have told
me how brave I am – that they too would
move abroad if they weren’t so scared. Of
course I was scared, but I now know that
courage makes up only about 15 per cent
of life-changing decisions. The other 85
per cent is simply about wanting it with
all your heart. In my case it was my fear
of complacency, the sure knowledge in
my head that there was more to this world
than my small circle that drove me forward. I’m so glad I followed both my heart
and my head. n
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B9
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Honeymoon adventure in South America
Gillian Hess
Special to The CJN
G
r ow i n g u p i n
Thornhill one
might understand
why moving to South Korea
for two years might challenge
almost everything I knew as
familiar. But they say everything happens for a reason and if
I hadn’t decided to pack my bags
after I graduated university, I wouldn’t
have met my husband, Adam.
It’s still bizarre using the “H” word since
our wedding was only four months ago,
and it’s even stranger using my new last
name at the office but all of these things
will soon become mundane, I’m sure. My
life on the other hand, has been anything
but.
Adam and I are avid travellers, which is
one of the many commonalities we share.
We met teaching English in South Korea,
moved to England together (Adam’s birthplace) for two years, became engaged in
Iceland and got married in Toronto. Our
wedding was Sept. 21, 2014, and shortly after we left on an epic three-month
backpacking trip/extended honeymoon
all around South America.
Our first stop was the beach in Montanita, Ecuador. We decided to stay in a
“pricier” hotel to relax and finally enjoy
each other’s company after all the wedding dramas and entertaining of family
and friends. Being escorted to our first
bungalow by a friendly Ecuadorian man,
I remember him describing our room’s
amenities and explaining how lucky we
are since we got the last big suite with a
balcony. “It even comes with hot water,”
he proclaimed.
My initial North American mind set was
a bit confused thinking, ‘Well obviously it
comes with hot water – how else would
we be able to shower?’ My expectations of
this trip suddenly dropped. Not necessarily in a bad way but in a way that would
help me better appreciate this beautiful
continent and all it had to offer... even if
that didn’t include hot water!
After Ecuador we made our way through
Peru visiting smaller Inca ruins and villages, observing the locals in their traditional dress and touring around the Sacred
Valley which eventually lead us to that
legendary green mountain better known
as, Machu Picchu. Adam and I aren’t big
hikers so we casually boarded the air conditioned train which took us as close to the
mountain as possible before joining the
5:30 a.m. bus destined to the base of the
peak. When we arrived at Machu Picchu,
it was early and the fog hadn’t yet evaporated. As the day went on and we climbed
our way to the top, the clouds began to
separate, revealing the most breathtaking,
iconic image of vast, never ending green
highlands, so grand and overwhelmingly
captivating. It was magical.
We travelled mostly by buses down
South America and really embraced each
country, its food and culture. Bolivia
though quite challenging was ultimately
a fascinating country. Surrounded by the
tranquil Lake Titicaca, this unique country
exudes magnificence. The Salt Flats (Salar
de Uyuni) were unlike anything I had ever
seen – driving for days through flat desert
salt grounds with an epic background of
clear mirrored sky and endless white.
Chile was also a highlight for both Adam
and I, touring around Valle Elquie- Pisco
county, floating in a highly salted lagoon
similar to the Dead Sea and exploring the
colourful, artistic streets of Valpariso.
We took tango lessons in Argentina,
tried zip lining and horseback riding in
Ecuador, trekked to a canyon in Peru spotting 6-feet tall condors, sailed by humpback whales near the Galapagos, hitchhiked with strangers and even spent our
last few days on a secluded beach in Uruguay with no electricity. From the snowcapped peaks of the Andes to the rippling
Amazon, South America seemed to have
it all. We ate shark, cow’s heart and other
foreign delicacies while also embracing
our own background by joining a Shabbat
dinner at the Chabad in La Paz.
Naturally, three months of travelling
came with some highs and lows (literally,
in La Paz we were elevated to as high as
4,100 meters above sea level). This honeymoon was really an adventure of a lifetime
but it also tested us to the limit. We saw
unimaginable poverty, we learned that toilet seats are not a necessity and both agree
we will never take hot water for granted
again. So thank you South America for
showing us a chaotic and harsh reality
but simultaneously throwing us into the
heart of an amazing range of unexpected
experiences, heavenly landscapes and a
wealth of treasured history. n
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B10
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FEBRUARY 19, 2015
Wedding speeches and toasts documented for posterity
ELAINE COHEN
Supplements Co-ordinator
W
edding photographs and bridal
toasts date back centuries and
the toasting tradition is practiced throughout the world.
Today, however, no one has to dig
through wedding scrapbooks or albums
to track down toasters’ goodwill wishes.
Words and gestures are not only recorded and stored on video and websites but
every move can be retrieved on tablets,
laptops, smart phones, and personal computers. Caroline Tiger author of Wedding
Speeches and Toasts and Other Words for
Family and Friends, notes the history of
the term “toasts” stems from the early decanting process, whereby scorched toast
was placed at the bottom of the wine bottle to absorb sediment.
Toasts usually begin after cocktails, once
everybody has been seated for the meal.
Wedding speeches and toasts may be
interspersed so that a few are reserved for
the end of the dinner.
The best man often acts as master of
ceremonies and the maid of honour may
Groom toasts bride.
co-host. If the latter is the case, co-hosts
should compare notes in advance to avoid
repetition as well as to confirm the order
of speakers.
The father or mother of the bride usually welcomes guests and thanks them for
coming. Other family members or close
friends follow. The bride and groom conclude the toasts. Every toast should end
with compliments to the couple as well as
l’chaim and best wishes.
Everyone appreciates a dash of humour,
provided jokes and anecdotes are in good
taste and refrain from embarrassing or
hurting celebrants’ feelings. Avoid private
jokes or stories that allude to something
familiar to only a select few. When writing a speech or toast, start
with a rough draft. Spill out what comes
to mind and don’t worry about grammar
until the editing stage. Jog your memory
with the following queries: How long have
you known the bride and groom? How did
you meet them? Do you have an inspirational or humorous story related to them?
How are they similar? How do they differ?
What are your wishes for their future?
Tiger offers numerous tips for writing
a toast. Divide it into three parts: introduction, tribute and toast. As soon as you
mount the podium take a deep breath,
look around you, make eye contact with
the guests and address the bride and
groom. Introduce yourself to the guests
by announcing your full name, and connection to the couple. Speak slowly and
distinctly. To conclude, raise a glass and
propose a toast.
If planning to read the
speech, make sure the print
is a decent point size and the
type is double spaced. If you’re not reading it, jot major points on an index card
and memorize the first and last lines.
Anyone hesitant to give speech writing
a try, should heed the advice of Angela
Lansbury, author of Wedding Speeches
and Toasts (Family Matters). “Don’t worry
too much about giving a [great] speech,”
she said. “This is a happy occasion and
people aren’t going to mind.”
Tiger offers similar advice.
“Don’t try to style yourself into a modern day
Shakespeare, just be
natural but respectful.”
Speechwr iting
shouldn’t be left
to the last minute.
Mark Twain once
quipped, “It takes three
weeks to prepare a
good impromptu
speech.”n
Heidi Gruenspan
& Associates
Wedding & Party Planner
Specializing in Weddings, Bar/Bat Mitzvahs
20 years of experience / Very competitive rates
Full Service & Day of Event packages available. For a Free consultation please call:
905-738-5030
 www.heidig.ca
Leanne Hazon
Writer
Write Words For Me
Speeches for Simchas
Weddings and Parties
Bar and Bat Mitzvahs
416-489-4002
[email protected]
www.writewordsforme.com
Take the stress out of planning
For All
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happy moments
upload your photo to
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B11
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T
Leave the details to your wedding planner
T
he following wedding planners tell
you how they can help make your
simchah elegant and stress-free.
Heidi Gruenspan
A planner takes the worry away from the
client. During the big day, a planner acts
as the client’s eyes and ears. We doublecheck floor plans, and ensure deliveries
occur and end up where they’re supposed to. In case of emergency, like illness or
flood, we handle things.
Gayle Kertzman
We recommend suppliers tailored to your
needs and budget, we ensure all the vendors are adhering to the timeline on the day
of the event, and we deal with any issues
that may arise from guests or suppliers.
We allow you to be a guest at your own
event.
Karen Garscadden
Where do I set up? When will the bar
open? What should I do with gifts? How do
I control the lights? Will my mother-in-law
get her gluten-free dinner? What should I
do, my kid lost his jacket button in the car!
Having an experienced event planner
instills confidence and has an immediate calming effect. You seldom have to
ask a question, as details have been well
planned . Judy Stein
Consultants are saviours on the night of
the event in case anything at all should go
wrong.
However, this is all in preparation that is
done prior to the day. When planned well,
there should be very few, if any, hitches
that happen on that day. But if something
should come up that is unexpected, consultants are there to handle the situation.
planner is that the client can sit back and
enjoy a stress-free simchah. Gloria Benaim
Consultants help in a multitude of ways,
most especially on the actual day. Hosts
need someone to keep the photography schedule moving along so it doesn’t
run late, someone to make sure the room
looks exactly how the couple has imagined, and someone to liaise between
the kitchen and the band so that food
gets served hot. These are just a couple of
things a consultant does on the day of your
wedding – so many little details that need
attending and little fires to be put out. Patricia Wald
A good bridal consultant performs a crucial role. One can plan a wedding without
a consultant, but when this happens,
someone from the bridal party is left with
the huge responsibility of making certain
that the hairdresser, the makeup artist, the
musicians, the florist, the caterer, etc. are
all where they should be on the day of the
wedding. In the event that something goes
wrong, there is no one to call on. n Tamara Temes
I help clients create a vision for their simchah. I look after every detail so that the
client can enjoy their party. I recommend
reputable vendors, organize a detailed
event itinerary, attend meetings at the
request of the client, and help with the
overall budget for the event. I also act as
an intermediary between all of the vendors on the day of the event. The most important benefit of hiring a
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B12
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FEBRUARY 19, 2015
CELEBRATING 9 GREAT YEARS OF SAVINGS!!
ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
HUGE SALE - ONE DAY ONLY!
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 22 · 10AM - 5PM
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