What to write? About a Palestinian wedding

SO much has been happening the past few weeks... it's difficult to find the time to write, let alone choose what to write about.

A couple weeks ago I had the honor of attending a wedding in Bethlehem. The bride was the sister of a friend of mine from Seeds of Peace (a facilitator at camp last summer). I found out about it at the last minute and I hesitated a bit in deciding to go only because the wedding took place on a Friday night. I had decided in coming here to do what I could to be shomer shabbat. But I decided the wedding was an opportunity I just couldn't pass up. However, it was very weird to light the shabbos candles, then walk out dressed nice like everyone else, but instead of going to shul, I went to the bus stop to take a Palestinian bus into Bethlehem.

The event was so fancy! Lots of food, video cameras, fireworks, lights, music, more food, lots of people, fog machines and fake snow! The dancing was pretty much divided between men and women. The style of dancing was different than I'm used to. I tried to pay attention to what other women were doing so I could at least pretend to fit in. There were 4 of us (non-Palestinians) who came together and I don't think anyone would ever have thought we fit in, but at least I could try not to be offensive...

The feeling of community was so strong, everyone supporting this bride and groom as they start their lives together. Such great communal excitement and celebration! The legal and religious ceremony was very small and had taken place a couple weeks before so this was the time for everyone to gather. There was a great diversity in terms of women's dress- conservative with hijabs to sleeveless cocktail dresses. And no alcohol (because Muslims don't drink)- this was different from most American weddings.

There was a beautiful candle ceremony with all the girls. There were aspects of the wedding that were just like any other- stress to get everything to look just right, cameras everywhere, congratulating the bride and groom, cute little girls dancing with flowers in their hair... I just kept thinking, what a vibrant and lively culture!