SEPARATE WAYS

"Separate Ways" was the original title to this article, my latest Jewish Week column, about how it feels for a single person to attend weddings where there is or isn't separate seating*. The new title is "Separation Anxiety," which is better in some ways. But it is not in any way evocative of the classic Journey video of the same name (in which Steve Perry's hair is all feathery, and the band's instruments are constantly disappearing and reappearing...good times...).



*For those who have not been to many religious Jewish weddings, I append this explanation: In Orthodox circles, seating in the synagogue is separate, with a men's section and a women's section that is sectioned off by a divider, called a mechitzah. Some Orthodox weddings insist that the men and women also sit apart for the ceremony, even though it is not, strictly speaking, a prayer service and often does not take place in a synagogue. (That is all. You may read the article now...)

SEPARATE WAYS

"Separate Ways" was the original title to this article, my latest Jewish Week column, about how it feels for a single person to attend weddings where there is or isn't separate seating*. The new title is "Separation Anxiety," which is better in some ways. But it is not in any way evocative of the classic Journey video of the same name (in which Steve Perry's hair is all feathery, and the band's instruments are constantly disappearing and reappearing...good times...).



*For those who have not been to many religious Jewish weddings, I append this explanation: In Orthodox circles, seating in the synagogue is separate, with a men's section and a women's section that is sectioned off by a divider, called a mechitzah. Some Orthodox weddings insist that the men and women also sit apart for the ceremony, even though it is not, strictly speaking, a prayer service and often does not take place in a synagogue. (That is all. You may read the article now...)