By Devorah Caytak
On the morning of our daughter Esther’s wedding, to Ruvy Litzman, we got an emergency phone call from a friend.
“Your wedding is tonight, it is going to be -40 degrees, you need to rent heaters for the outdoor Chuppah ceremony.”
We immediately called all the party rentals in Ottawa, Canada, but to no avail. Nobody had any. But, we realized that it was so cold that it would not have made any difference.
We received many more phone calls from our friends….”You are not having the Chuppah outside, are you?”
“We sure are…rain, snow, sleet or hail…just like the Post Office. And we have a Chassidic tradition to have the ceremony under the stars.”
People were incredulous that we were going to do the ceremony outside.
Over 300 guests came from all over the world, including Sydney, Australia, Florida, Minnesota, Monsey, Phoenix, Toronto, Montreal,
Edmonton, St. Louis, Missouri, Chicago, Jerusalem and more.
The brave ones donned hats, scarves, mitts and boots for the Chuppah ceremony. And the most miraculous thing happened, most everyone was warm!
Rabbi Lesches, Rav of the Lubavitch community in Monsey was the Mesader Kiddushin. Rabbi Markowitz (from Monsey) read the Kesubah. Cantor Moshe Kraus (Ottawa) sang Mi Adir. The simcha and the Chassidic warmth of the people warmed the crowd.
The wedding was extremely freilach, and it certainly helped that the Freilach Band from NYC came in to play. They wowed the crowd, and especially the Ottawans.The musicians and singer are exceptionally talented, having played at the HASC concert in NY recently. The music was amazing and kept everyone dancing till late into the evening.
Yudi Chein, the Ottawa caterer did an exceptional job in keeping everyone warm with soup during the kabbalas panim and a delicious meal during the wedding.
Many commented what a wonderful, simchadik, fabulous wedding this was, especially in cold, little Ottawa, Canada. An true treat for all those who attended and celebrated with Mordechai and Malka Litzman and family and Dr. Yosef and Devora Caytak and family. Mazel tov…and all the brachos…binyan adei ad.
Special thanks to Rabbi Markowitz, Educational Consultant for Merkos and Mashpia and Shadchan, par excellence for making this Shidduch happen!
a friend of both families…
to all the brochos for both beautiful families. truly beautiful. so should be their life. your old neighbors. of both families.
There is no weather to cold for the Caytak family their warmth is tremendous no matter how cold it is in Ottawa. They are the nicest family I’ve ever known. Wishing you many more simchos
Mazal Tov!!! I’m so happy for you. You look stunning. To many happy years!
Dovid caytak!! U rocked the walls with ur singing!! )
Dovid Caytak and Yoni Z fan. You guys are both great!
U look STUNNING!!!!! <3 camp friend!!!!!
ruvy that was the one of the best weddings i have been to.
mazel tov!
keep changing the world one good deed at a time!
Beautiful!! Mazel Tov!
I’m wondering the same thing…he looks so familiar!
yoni rocks!!!!! keep it up.
yoni fan.
Rabbi Markowitz from Monsey. old principle of Morristown cheder.
Since the Litzman family is definiely one of the WARMEST MISHPOCHAS on the face of the eath, I’m certain this didn’t cramp their style !!! Mazel Tov & all the brochos – and old Crown Heights friend
Great to see you – it’s been too long!
YOU LOOK AMAZING!!!
at that temperature, it would be dangerous to have any skin exposed for more than a couple minutes, i assume the chuppah was more than a few minutes long! and not too many people even have gloves or earmuffs!
who is the chasisish rabbi i have seen him around?
Like a king, Ruvi!! All the brachos!! Beautiful…Mazel tov!!
I spy Yitzi Heisler
Mazdltove – a Binyan aday ad! Why don’t the men wear ear muffins in this kind of weather?
What a fabulous wedding it was…so happy for the Caytak and Litzman families. Wishing both families much Chassidishe nachas!
your cousins in …..