Weddings

Weddings & Commitment Ceremonies

Whether held in our sanctuary or at your venue of choice off site, our Rabbis look forward to co-crafting with you a ceremony that reflects your unique relationship, your combined aspirations, and our beautiful tradition.  

In the weeks leading up to the ceremony, Rabbi Nicole will also guide you through the Prepare-Enrich program, which helps you recognise and build on your relationship strengths, so that you are prepared for any challenges that arise during your shared future.  We also offer you the opportunity to stand before the congregation on a Shabbat prior to your wedding to receive a special “Aufruf” blessing from the Rabbi.  

For off site weddings, you can rent a chuppah from NSTE or arrange one independently.  For out of town weddings, there are additional charges for the Rabbi to officiate.  For those who choose to marry in our NSTE sanctuary, we can accommodate up to 250 guests. The air-conditioned space will keep you and your guests comfortable, and the adjacent Valerie Jaye Hall is equipped with a commercial kitchen open to Kosher caterers, a stage for a band, and a professional quality sound system. The Valerie Jaye Hall can seat 100 guests with a small dance floor or 120 guests with no dance floor, with overflow spaces in our Givorshner Courtyard and lawn. The Sanctuary and Valerie Jaye Hall are wheelchair accessible.  We also have a smaller space, accessible by lift, in the building next door - the Frank Wolf Community Hall.  We offer on site parking, with plenty of additional parking along the quiet neighbourhood streets of Chatswood.

Our rabbis marry loving, committed Jewish couples regardless of gender.  We also conduct Renewal of Vow ceremonies, and Chuppah ceremonies for couples who never had one, e.g., if a partner converted to Judaism after their wedding. 

Is your current partner not Jewish? Please arrange a meeting with the Rabbi to talk about how we can be involved and help recognise the sacredness of your relationship with an Aufruf (pre-wedding blessing in the synagogue), “post-Ruf” (post-wedding blessing in the synagogue), or blessing on the wedding day.  We also conduct the pre-marital Prepare-Enrich program for any couple, regardless of faith, and regardless of whether we are conducting the wedding itself.  Multi-faith families are an integral part of our congregation, our Hebrew and Religion School, and our lay leadership, and it’s important to us that you feel embraced at this special juncture in your life.