Sephardic Temple of Cedarhurst

I had my wedding at the Sephardic Temple on February 9, 2014. The venue is astonishingly gorgeous. It is elegant and well maintained, and has magnificent skylights for the chuppah. The exclusive caterers, Genadeen Catering, served exquisite gourmet food praised by all guests as top notch. The food was delicious and plentiful and memorable in high quality. And working with Mr. Avi Abikzer was frankly a high honor. The man carries himself with utmost professionalism.
Highly recommended.

Beautiful Temple. I attended a wedding here last Saturday with my husband. Jewish weddings are very meaningful and special… and the music chosen are often traditional, This was the 3^rd time I attended a Jewish wedding, and so far the most lavish. All the preparations were carefully thought of from the invitations to the attires, the color theme, the food tasting, the Hor d’Oeuves, the flowers, the music, the dinner menu. The ceremony was at 8:30 pm and were there around 8:00…but the ceremony did not start until after 9:00pm. I knew then that were probably be home in the morning. People were gathered near the entrance when we arrived… having light cocktails, wine, Syrian chips with hummus etc before the ceremony… saw familiar faces, chit chat for a minute then…
the door opened to a huge amphitheater like auditorium, carpeted in red, somber music playing in the background, Huge vases on Pedestal arrangements with shades of white, cream & ivory, fresh flowers like roses, stephanotis, hydrangea, lilly of the valley, sweet pea arranged nicely lined up the stairs going down the «chupah» where the wedding ceremony took place. The chupah is a canopy held up by 4 poles, symbolic of their dwelling together. cameras strategically placed on the entrance where the entourage will be coming from as guest filled all over the seats around it. We sat right on the entrance so we can clearly see everything.
The wedding ceremony was beautiful. The cantor chant the «Sheva Bracho’t» (traditional seven blessings) The seven blessings are a key part of a Traditional Jewish wedding ceremony. the prayers were all read and chanted in Hebrew and English. After the seven blessings were recited the couple drinks from the glass and the groom smashed the glass with his right foot (to symbolize that even the most blessed moment is tempered with sorrow as long as the temple in Jerusalem has not been rebuilt} At this point the witnesses shouted «Mazal Tov» which means Good luck!!!
Drinks, Hor d’ Oeuves and Dinner followed provided by the High End Caterers
Genadeen which provides exclusive Glatt Kosher catering…(I’ll be writing a separate review) Music non stop was provided by a 12 man band (one woman) which rocked the place up to 3:00 in the morning. Can’t believe I danced to the beat with my bionic right leg… Klezmer music was also provided… a style of traditional Jewish music that includes instruments like, clarinet, violin, guitars… Absolutely a wedding to remember… The groom was my boss only son…