The Marietta Times, March 9, 1898
The first orthodox Hebrew wedding ever solemnized in Marietta was that of Mr. Israel Evin and Miss Jetes Feika which took place at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. Nathan Newman on Butler Street Friday evening, the bride, who has not been long in this country, being a sister of Mrs. Newman's and a cousin to Mr. A. Feika the tobacco and cigar merchant. Mr. Evin came here recently and is in business on Greene Street. A good sized company had been invited most of them Hebrews but a few Gentiles were present.
It is not our purpose to dwell on the manliness of the groom or the loveliness of the bride as these qualities are always taken for granted, but to briefly describe the spectacular part of the ceremony We cannot tell the pledges Rabbi Terscheid required them to make as, to us, Hebrew is one of the dead languages and we cannot resurrect it at will.
When the hour had come a canopy was erected which was made of embroidered cloth supported by poles which were held up by a man at each of the four corners. The broom was brought forward by an attendant and stationed under the canopy facing the Rabbi; then the bride with two attendants came forth and marched a number of times around the groom, finally taking a position to his left. All of those present had been supplied with wax tapers which they lighted and held in their uplifted hands all standing and the Rabbi, groom and other gentlemen with their hats on.
All was now ready and the Rabbi began chanting the ceremony, which has come down through the ages from the time of Aaron, in a musical and melodious voice. As we listened we could not help thinking of the wonderful preservation of the ceremonies, the religion and the individuality of this people through all the vicissitudes of time for thousands of years.
A ring was placed upon the finger of the bride by the groom and near the close a wine glass was crushed under foot by the latter. A contract written in Hebrew which was signed by both parties was read and given into the custody of the bride. With singing, also in Hebrew, the marriage was over and two souls had been made one. The ceremonies were pretty and impressive and brought tears to the eyes of some of those who understood them.
After the wedding refreshments were served, the seats at the long tables were filled and full justice was done to the ample repast. As the newly married ones had not been permitted to partake of food from sundown to the evening before, they were no doubt ready to break their fast of more than twenty-four hours.
When all, except Mr. Fragner, had been fully satisfied, Mr. M. S. Luchs took charge as toast master and responses were in order. The first call was upon the representative of the Times and the company soon had all of his speechmaking they wanted and were delighted to applaud him for stopping so soon. Appropriate responses which were well received were made by Messrs. E. S. Alderman, Marcus Unger, Peter Unger, Rabbi Terscheid and others. Mr. P. Fragner made at least sixteen speeches and was always applauded - when he sat down.
One of the very pleasant features of the evening was the singing in Hebrew, German and English which was led by Mr. Miller who is certainly an artist. We thoroughly enjoyed the occasion. The festivities were closed with dancing. There was no Miriam with a timbrel but some Sons of Ham, with more modern instruments, made the music. We are notified that there will soon be another Hebrew wedding and are sure it will mean another "hot time in the old town."
