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Chuppah (Jewish Wedding Canopy)
Chuppah rental description: Afikomen offers chuppot for rental (canopy, poles and bases). The canopies rent for $60 to $150 and come with four poles. For a free-standing chuppah, you may rent bases to hold the poles for an additional $45. If you have your own canopy, you may rent the poles ($35) and/or the bases ($45) by themselves. To consult on how to attach your own canopy to the poles effectively, contact Alexis at 510.655.1977.
Rental procedures: Reservations may be made by coming into the shop, by phone (510.655.1977), or by downloading the reservation form and faxing or mailing it to us. For busy weekends, reservations are recommended at least 2 months ahead.
Chuppah Gallery (rental)
The poles are smooth stained wood 1 3/8 inch diameter, 8 feet tall with eye hooks on the top to which the canopy can be affixed with ties, loops or through a hole (e.g., the tzizit hole in the corner of a tallis). Some poles are walnut color and others are more like mahogany.
The bases are heavy metal, coated black, and consist of a ½ inch thick disc that is 1 foot in diameter to which a pipe 8 inches tall is affixed at the center perpendicular to the disc. They are heavy and provide the “free standing chuppah” option with a low profile. Under very windy, particularly gusty, conditions, a person should stand at each pole to keep a hand on for security, or additional weight should be added to the bases in some way. Under most conditions, the freestanding chuppah is completely stable.
The Tradition of the Chuppah
In ancient Israel, at the end of the betrothal period, a new bride was escorted in a festive procession to the groom's room or tent - the huppah - where the marriage was consummated. The term "huppah" referred to the chamber, to the bridal canopy, or to the marriage ceremony itself; today only the latter two meanings survive.
The huppah symbolizes the couple's first home. It's frailness suggests the fragility of shalom bayit, peace within the household. It also symbolizes the shelter of their new home and an emotional, physical, and spiritual transition in their lives. (from the Encyclopedia of Jewish Symbols, Frankel & Teutsch)
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