Jewish Traditions: The Horah
Jewish weddings involve a series of traditions and rituals that vary slightly between different Jewish communities and are often a blend of ancient and modern elements. Key elements include the Chuppah (wedding canopy), Ketubah (marriage contract), and the breaking of glass. One of the most popular traditions is The Horah, a dance performed to the song, “Hava Nagila.”
At Jewish weddings, during the Horah, it is customary to raise the bride and groom, each in their own chair and holding a handkerchief between them. Following the bride and groom, it is often popular to also raise the parents of the bride and groom.
To start the dance, everybody forms a circle, holding hands circling together around the chair lifting in a fast and cheerful motion. Large groups allow for the creation of several concentric circles.
The Horah is a highlight during the reception—but while the dance evokes pure bliss, it is also often paired with pure chaos. To ensure the safety of those being lifted (and also those doing the chair lifting), we have kindly asked the following guests to serve as designated chair lifters, taking turns between lifts:
Designated Horah Chair Lifters
- Eric Bauer
- Nick Eagen
- Andrew Edwards
- Michael Gatti
- Doctor Ben Hooe
- Jacob Isenberg
- Ian Kirkwood
- Michael Miller
- Ryan Roller
- Will Roller
- Evan Sadler
- Jordan Schatzman
- Michael Stapleton
- Saul Tilden
- Ethan Wilke
- Zac Wilson
💪 Thank you for your help! 💪
Some fun facts about the Horah:
The Horah first appeared in North America in the early 20th century, brought directly from Eastern Europe by Jewish immigrants.
There is technically a coordinated dance associated with the actual circling (don’t worry, our expectations here are nonexistent).