What is a Mezinka?

by Wendy
(North Carolina)

Hi,

What is the Mezinka tradition? Is it during the Jewish wedding ceremony under the Chuppah? Is it during the wedding reception party? Do I need anything specific for this tradition?

Thank you,

Dear Wendy,

The Mezinka (Mezinke) tradition during a Jewish wedding reception is honoring the parents who have just married off their last child.

It consists of a different type of circle dance where the parents are seated on chairs in the middle of the dance floor. The bride and groom stand by their side and present their parents by crowning them with flower crowns*.

The guests create a circle and dance around them. They first start a line and kiss each of the parents saying "Mazel Tov" and the circle formation begins.

There is specific music written for the Mezinka (Mezinke) and it usually starts out slow then the tempo speeds up in a joyful celebration.

*Flower crowns are similar to Flower girl headpieces. A circle of flowers attached with different lengths of ribbon hang down in the back. Mother and father are both crowned.

Rabbi Andrea is seriously considering to offer her semi-handmade silk flower crowns on her web site , because it has become difficult to find them.

It is not important that the crowns be of fresh flowers or silk. What’s important is the tradition and the custom of honoring our parents as in our Ten Commandments. That commandment can be defined in many ways, and this is one them.
Honor Thy Parents with the Mezinka (Mezinke).

Enjoy!

Rabbi Andrea