The Wedding of Stephen A. Wood and Eileen Chadis Wood
February
13, 1999
On the 12th anniversary of the marriage of Stephen Andrew Wood to Eileen Dianne
Chadis, we were remarried. Our first marriage was small and lovely with our
immediate family and a couple of friends. We were married by Rabbi Axelard, the
chaplain of Brandeis University at the Chapel of MIT in Boston, Mass in what was
considered a civil ceremony with a Jewish theme. It was on a very
cold Friday the 13th. (Lucky for Jews.) On our 12th anniversity, we were remarried by Rabbi David
Booth of Rodef Sholom Temple, Hampton Virginia. This Conservative ceremony was
witnessed by a few close friends and our children. It was in recognition of Steve's conversion to
Judiasm.
Immediately after the wedding, there was a dessert reception at the home of
James and Janice Segall in Newport News, Virginia.
New picture
This beautiful and handmade chuppah was loaned to me by a very special friend,
Sarah Barnett. Actually the chuppah was made for her sister's wedding. We were
the 13th couple to use this chuppah. The Breslau family has the names of
all of the couples that have used this chuppah sewn onto the chuppah. This beautiful
chuppah has Hebrew from the Song of Songs on it. It was incredible! It was also
very special to us. On our first wedding, considered a mix marriage, we were
not allowed to use a chuppah. (Although we did other Jewish prayers and
symbols.)
Eileen really missed this. So it was extra special this time. The chuppah was
held by William Vulcan, Fred Anthes, Sarah Barnett and Joan Marks. Janice Segall
was Eileen's matron of honor. ( and really orgainized the whole reception!)
Micah was our ring bearer. Ronin held the glass(bulb) for Steve to break.
Cantorial Student Shayna Smith sang the prayers. (beautifully!) Our witnesses
were Tzvi Katz-Hyman and James Segall. (we will be adding pictures of our
Ketubah, the marriage contract, later.)
Micah age 7 and Ronin age 10, with Steve
and Eileen.
We had a very traditional ceremony. It included the veil ceremony. Eileen walked around Steve 7
times. We used Eileen's Great Grandfather Shapere's silver wine cup. Steve
broke the traditional glass (light bulb...HA!)and we had a beautiful Kattubah
signing ..
It was a very moving evening ceremony by Rabbi Booth. It was also special
that it followed
the Shabbat morning ceremony. We were honored with special prayers for the bride and groom.
We were especially proud of Steve, who chanted from the Torah during the morning
service. A very special skill and honor.
We hope all of our friends and relatives will enjoy this web page.
If you were not there, we missed you. You were with us in spirit. Shalom Y'ALL!
UPDATED PHOTOS: (MORE COMING)
Finally have some of the pictures I promised you. Here are the pictures of the
special wedding veil I made. The veil is crocheted all around the edge and is
removeable from the top/kippah. The veil then turns into a scarf/veil that can
be worn seperatedly for Shabbat Candle Prayers. When they are joined the edge is scalloped but
when the veil is removed it has a lace edge. Took for ever to crochet. But was
worth it! Steve really wanted the tradition of the veil ceremony. (Where you
check to make sure you got the right bride.) I had already planned on a
hat/kippah in white when I found this unusual dress. So I made the kippah to go
with the dress. 
Kettuba
designed by artist © Micki CaspiI
finally found a picture of our ketuba on the web. We framed it in a huge gold
leaf frame that was similiar to our other antique looking ones.. With the frame and the flowers
it was very "Eileen" --- 1930's like her favorite glass/furniture.. Thanks to Moshe
and Caryl Shirki for the Kettuba.. Special friends.
To go to the Wood Family Home Page.
Stephen Wood: sawecw@bigfoot.com
Last modified: 12 May 2000
©1999, 2000 Stephen A. Wood