Kochi: Kerala witnessed a Jewish wedding after a gap of 15 years when Rachel Malakhi married Richard Zachary Rowe on Sunday. Rachel, a data scientist in the US and the daughter of the former Crime Branch SP Benoy Malakhi tied the knot with Richard, a US citizen and a NASA engineer.
The wedding ceremony was held at a resort in Kochi. It is also the first Jewish marriage in Kerala that took place outside a Jewish Synagogue (Jewish place of worship). The synagogues in Kerala are designated as protected heritage sites.
Rabbi Ariel Tyson from Israel conducted the rituals held under a tent known as ‘chuppah’ (a canopy). The bride’s parents said that the wedding was conducted in a resort so that all their guests could watch the rituals.
The rabbi read out ‘ketubah’, the standard marriage contract, to the bride and groom. After that, the bride and groom exchanged rings. The couple stepped into married life with the groom breaking a glass by stomping on it. The groom wore a traditional prayer shawl called ‘tallit’ during the ritual while the bride was clad.
The Jewish community in Kochi that has 25 members, had hosted a wedding in 2008.
News agency ANI has tweeted the video of the Jewish wedding.
#WATCH | Kerala: Kochi witnessed its first Jewish wedding in 15 years on 21st May, when Rachel and Richard tied the knot at a resort. The marriage was officiated by a Rabbi from Israel.
Rachel is the daughter of former Crime Branch Superintendent Binoy Malakhai while Richard is… pic.twitter.com/UNEroILNOb
— ANI (@ANI) May 22, 2023
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