Early BYO picnic dinner at Meet at First Church of Jamaica Plain

Folks who'd like to gather for a bring-your-own early picnic dinner are welcome to meet at the Church entrance (on Eliot St) and walk together to the Eliot School yard (a few buildings down Eliot St from the Church). We won't have access to the church nor churchyard until 6:15.

Shabbat Services at First Church of Jamaica Plain

6 Eliot Street, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130

Join us for lively Shabbat services and/or dinner Friday evening! All are welcome for Shabbat services, whether you're Jewish or not, never been or always go. Services will be lively, full of song, mostly in Hebrew, and we'll use a book that has English translation and transliteration. Feel free to come for this special moment or arrive around 7:45 just for dinner!

Shabbat Dinner at First Church of Jamaica Plain

6 Eliot St, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130

We'll start dinner with traditional blessings over wine and bread, then dig in to a delicious mix of food provided by dear local friends and catered from Veggie Crust (veggie, vegan and g-f options, kosher). We'll have both outdoor and indoor seating options.

Saturday / Shabbat (choose your own adventure all day, all optional) at Everywhere

Enjoy a lovely day in the Boston area! We encourage out-of-town friends and family to connect over meals, hikes, and restful time.

Avodat Lev services, 9:30-10:15 at Arnold Arboretum

Meet in the linden tree grove -- a 2 min walk past the Hunnewell Visitor Center (Arborway entrance)

Some of us will gather for a songful, reflective Shabbat prayer experience -- mostly one-liners from liturgy (we'll have words) and meditation, led by friends Helen Bennett and Matt Goldfield. There's free parking along the Arborway. We'll meet in the linden grove -- a 1-2 min walk past the Hunnewell Visitor Center (Arborway entrance) on your right. Bring anything you'd like to sit comfortably outdoors. Some of us will head to Nehar Shalom (10-15 min walk) after this, in time for Torah service.

Shabbat services at Nehar Shalom, 9:30-12:15 at First Church of Jamaica Plain

6 Eliot St, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130

*Tot Shabbat at 10 am*, Shabbat services 9:30-12:15 pm. Some of us will join this after Avodat Lev in the Arboretum. Come anytime, dropping in is fine. The style is Jewishly-Conservative-politically-progressive, dress is casual (seriously, jeans are ok).

Casual Potluck Picnic Lunch by Jamaica Pond, 12:45-2:30ish at Jamaica Pond

507 Jamaicaway, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130

A group of us will head from Nehar Shalom to nearby Jamaica Pond for a casual vegetarian potluck lunch (or just bring yourself)! We'll have plates, cutlery, challah, and grape juice. We'll gather on the grassy hills near the Jamaica Pond boat house. If you're driving, park in the neighborhood and cross the very busy Jamaicaway wherever there is a crosswalk.

Pre-ceremony options! 11-11:30 tisch, or snacks, drinks by the tent at Cat Rock Field

80 Carby St, Westwood, MA 02090

Come to the tisch in the Big Yurt or chat and enjoy apps and cold drinks by the tent! 11:00-11:30 -- Laura's tisch (“table” in Yiddish) – a celebratory pre-ceremony, song and blessing gathering. All are welcome. 11:30-11:50 -- Appetizers & drinks, while we sign our wedding document. 11:45 -- Any kids who would like to be in the kids parade meet near the ceremony.

CEREMONY: 12:00-1:00ish at Cat Rock Field

80 Carby St, Westwood, MA 02090

Please arrive by 11:45 to find a seat for the ceremony. **We encourage carpooling -- parking is limited.** The wedding day is fully outdoors. Bring whatever you'll need to be comfortable -- hats, no heels, sunscreen (we'll have fans and bug spray onsite); we'll provide plenty of cold drinks for all ages. The ceremony will be about 45 minutes, officiated by our friend Rabbi Leora Abelson. The ceremony procession will kick off with a kids parade (for all who want to participate) and childcare will be available from 11:30-2:00 pm in the Kids Grove. There are bathrooms onsite and a giant tent and more woodsy groves to escape the heat.

Dancing, Meal, Toasts, and Celebration! 1:00-5:00 at Cat Rock Field

80 Carby St, Westwood, MA 02090

Following the ceremony, Laura & Joel will duck away for a bit of alone time and to take some family pics, while everyone else enjoys cold drinks, hors d'oeuvres, and schmoozing. Then, join us and the wonderful klezmer band Ezekiel's Wheel for lively circle dancing in the field! Dancing will be followed by lunch (around 1:30), more dancing (not only in circles), local ice cream and homemade pies, a special grace-after-meal blessings (4:30), and celebratory cleaning up (4:45-6).