<p>“Benchers” of course! I hope that was it. </p>
<p>For those of us not in the know, are all men (including non-Jews) expected to wear a kippah at a Jewish wedding? I thought it was only for Jews.</p>
<p>^^^^I would also like to know the answer to that. I’ve been to some Christian churches where Communion was limited to people of that denomination; other times, all are invited, and it gets tricky trying to figure out the expectation.</p>
<p>Catholic churches only give communion to Catholics who are in good standing. In the Episcopal and Lutheran churches any baptized Christian is welcome to take communion. I don’t know about the others.</p>
<p>In the Episcopal and Lutheran churches anyone can go up for a blessing in lieu of communion</p>
<p>In Catholic churches, only Catholics, and only Catholics who are “in a state of grace” (that is, Catholics who have been to confession recently), are to receive communion. Other Christians are not to receive communion.
<a href=“http://www.catholic.com/tracts/who-can-receive-communion”>http://www.catholic.com/tracts/who-can-receive-communion</a></p>
<p>I was thinking benchers too.
To answer the kippa question - it is custom for men to wear them and in more liberal synagogues sometimes women choose to wear them as well. You do not need to be Jewish to wear one - Many non Jewish guests (as far as I have seen it has only been men ) choose to wear one as a sign of respect in a Jewish ceremony. There are pictures of US presidents in them when attending them in diplomatic situations. I think it is appreciated when non Jewish guest choose to wear one at a ceremony but it is also voluntary.
Another question I have heard is about the Kiddush where guests are invited to share the blessing over bread and wine ( grape juice is available too ). It is not a communion as practiced in some churches. The blessings are giving thanks for bread and wine and all are welcome to share and eat if a meal or snacks are served afterwards.</p>
<p>^^^^Got me thinking. So says Google and Wikipedia:</p>
<p><a href=“Open communion - Wikipedia”>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_communion</a></p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Can you tell us what you are serving? What are the “non-kosher” elements? I confess to total ignorance re:kosher diet.</p>
<p>And mazel tov to the bride and groom and family ! Enjoy !</p>
<p>At the Bar Mitzvah’s I attended all the boys wore the kippahs whether they were Jewish or not, but no one made you wear them either. (All pretty Reform folk.)</p>
<p>Presbyterians invite all who believe to take communion including children.</p>
<p>Yes, someone chimed in about the “benchers.” Little prayer books for blessings after the meal. And yes, kippot a/k/a yarmulkes, a/k/a skullcaps might well be present at Jewish weddings right outside where the ceremony is to take place. For example, we ordered them in the same color as the bridesmaids dresses for our son’s recent wedding. They are inscribed with the bride and groom’s name and the date of the wedding. Many people do keep them sort of as “party favors.” We have some which go back 40 years to Bar Mitzvahs or weddings of relatives who are now “all grown up.” 
</p>
<p>So what you guys are saying is that if a non-Jewish man comes to a Jewish wedding or bar mitzvah, he should probably put on a kippah, to show respect? From what you’re saying, I can’t see the justification not to put on one, if there are loaners available.</p>
<p>It isn’t a communion in the Christian spiritual sense where the bread and wine are transformed. Nor is it an act of declaration of religion- so for instance if a person who isn’t Jewish consumes the bread or wine it isn’t an indication that they are Jewish. The bread and wine are just that and the guest is whatever religion he or she is ( or no religion if that is their choice )</p>
<p>An episcopalian friend was shocked when after a Kiddush I put some excess wine that was in someone’s glass down the sink. Of course that isn’t done in his church. I reassured him that it was just wine- and that this was ok. </p>
<p>^^^My church (Protestant) considered this as symbolic and wouldn’t have had a problem. In fact, wine wasn’t even offered-grape juice. </p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Actually, perhaps the major theological difference between the Anglican and Catholic churches back in the day when people were being burned at the stake for these things was that Church of England denied transubstantiation. So presumably Episcopalians don’t believe it either. </p>
<p>Good afternoon!! Just have a few minutes but:</p>
<p>Yes, benches (which I thought was furniture…isn’t. If is a pray book. Only the Orthodox tables will get it.</p>
<p>Dinner: Guacamole and chips…veggies…and other stuff.</p>
<p>Dinner: Texas barbque…chicken, tri ip, beef ribs and pork ribs. Creamy cheese grits, steamed vegetables, mac and cheese, mashed potatoes (garlic), regular salad, diddy reese cookies, fresh peach cobbler…beer/wine</p>
<p>And yes…you read correctly…</p>
<p>The more thorough religious explanation - I don’t want to overstep the boundaries of religious discussion on this board but for historical perspective is this .</p>
<p>The concept of Christian communion began in the time of Jesus but Jews were practicing the blessings over wine and bread before that time. </p>
<p>During Passover bread is substituted with matzah but the blessings - a similar version - are said during that time and at the Passover Seder.</p>
<p>The concept of communion originated in the last supper which was a Passover Seder. This was adopted by the Christian church. The Jews did not adopt this custom but retained the one they had been practicing. </p>
<p>So while the two customs can resemble each other, they are theologically different . Jews do not have a communion and guests are welcome to join in, give thanks for the blessing of wine, bread, and food- and of course- eat !</p>
<p>^^^^Sounds fabulous. DH would be all OVER those ribs.</p>
<p>oh bevhills, what a menu, You can’t get more “traif” than that, LOL! I trust the pork won’t be served to the in-laws!</p>