How did you meet?
We met 10 years ago on the Onward summer internship program in Tel Aviv. It was in 2014, during Operation Protective Edge, the last time Israel Defense Forces troops were in Gaza. However, we recently discovered we actually met 15 years before that – we were in the same (Mandel) JCC Playland camp group at 6 years old. You can see us standing right next to each other in the 1999 camp photo.
On our first date, we ended up talking a lot about our families. It turns out, both of our families originally came from Prague, Czechoslovakia, and both ended up in Cleveland after escaping the Holocaust. We recently found out my (Mara’s) great-grandmother and Joe’s grandfather were at Charles University Law School (in Prague) at the same time, just before World War II started.
Do you have any interesting stories to share about getting to know one another?
After Onward, we kept dating during senior year in college. Then, we made aliyah together. Joe joined the IDF Paratroopers as a sniper, and I pursued my interests in high-tech and medical technology. We both became Israeli citizens, enjoying Tel Aviv and taking trips across Europe.
When did you know you wanted to marry your partner?
Joe: After our first summer together on the Onward program, Mara doubted long distance would work and asked me if I thought we would stay together. I thought to myself, what an absurd question, how could I even consider living without this girl? At that moment, everything crystallized – I’d drive, fly or go any distance to be together. I knew from thereon I wanted to marry her.
Mara: There were many moments – one that sticks with me is when I saw Joe trying out for combat IDF units even though he wasn’t fluent in the language. I admired how much he tried to improve himself in all aspects of his life, is constantly evolving and never gives up.
Another moment that stuck with me was during our Onward internship program. Joe was always the one helping the elderly bus driver, loading and unloading 40 suitcases every time we hit the road. I knew even then he would be an amazing and caring partner.
Tell us about planning the wedding.
Our wedding was set for Oct. 15, 2023, in Jaffa, Israel with 130 guests expected, including 80 flying in from the United States. We were on our way to Israel on Oct. 7, when the Hamas attack started. All our friends, venue staff and family were called up to the army, and Joe’s Israeli host family’s nephews were kidnapped (and later released).
Joe wavered on the hard decision about whether he was going to stay and get married, or go join his unit. I said I supported him either way and encouraged him to go. Joe felt it wasn’t right (or the Jewish thing to do) to postpone something as important as our wedding. We decided we wanted to still get married despite the war and not let terror win.
We did things a little backward and went on our planned honeymoon first in Europe. During that time, Joe’s unit was in need of supplies, so we started raising funds. Instead of wedding gifts, we encouraged our guests to donate. Joe and his veteran IDF friends raised nearly $100,000.
Then, we scrambled to put a quick wedding together in Cleveland that still honored our friends and family in Israel. Set on New Year’s Eve, the event was intimate with only about 35 guests. The ceremony was at Crimson & Clover Events, dinner at Zhug restaurant – the place that reminds us most of our Tel Aviv home here in Cleveland.
We planned everything in just three weeks, and we couldn’t believe how supportive and accommodating all the vendors were – especially considering that most of them don’t usually work on New Year’s Eve. Their flexibility and willingness to make it happen for us was truly incredible.
Was there any spot-on advice you received prior to the big day, either in terms of the wedding or lasting relationship?
Best advice from a friend: Think of the things you always thought would just happen on your wedding day, and then make sure to communicate that to your vendors – like to queue the music after you break the glass.
Planning
Engagement: March 28, 2022
Officiant: Rabbi Yossi Freedman of Downtown Chabad
Wedding colors: Magenta, orange
Dress: BHLDN
Wedding rings: Alson Jewelers, Tiffany & Co.
Jewelry: Family pearl bracelet and earrings
Veil: Handmade in Israel
Hair/makeup: Kellie Thomson
Groom’s formalwear: Cuffs Clothing
Bouquet/flowers/chuppah: Willows and Sage Flowers, Anna Bolman
Ketubah: Ketubata (in Israel)
Photographer: Lindsey Beckwith Photography
Cocktail hour/ceremony: Crimson & Clover Events
Dinner/reception: Zhug
Cake/sweets: Mitchell’s Ice Cream and homemade cookies
Invitations/stationery: Zola and Amnon Carmi Design
Music/entertainment: Marc Paige (saxophone)
Registry: Zola
Honeymoon: Saint-Paul de Vence, France and Amsterdam, Netherlands