The chemistry between the Yavneh Family and its chemistry teacher, Donna Memran, was clear on Tuesday, January 15 as Ms. Memran and her fiancé, Meir Miyara walked down the aisle of Yavneh's Beit Midrash to become man and wife.

Both of small families, the bride and groom were welcomed into the campus by a cadre of students, parents, and faculty members - all there to support, honor, and bless the happy couple. "Donna has brought gifts to our school since the day she came here," said Head of School, Dr. David Portnoy, "and today, even in receiving the gifts of this community, she has gifted all of us."

Tali Marchefka, sister of the bride, and Eti Chalak, sister of the groom, and close friends Marlene Cool and Sherrille and Jimmy Snyder representing the families, were impressed beyond words at the connection Ms. Memran has with her "Yavneh family." "We've heard about what an incredible place this was but who would think that people could, or would, come together to make this happen," said Tali, visiting from Southern California. "I really can't believe how very special this is and I couldn't be happier for my sister and Meir."

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The couple, both born in Israel, shared a childhood friendship until Ms. Memran's family moved to the United States while she was a teen. "I remember Meir was cute, he had dimples, and I was sorry to lose him and the rest of my friends," said Ms. Memran who long kept a photo calendar her father had made with Meir's picture included.  

In the age of facebook, text, and email, the two reconnected a few years ago. Ms. Memran ultimately moved from Florida, to Dallas, where Meir is a cloud operations engineer and music songwriter and producer and the rest ... is the rest of the story. "We had so much in common, living alone in the U.S. with very similar circumstances - we'd both lost our parents in the same short period of time, and in our similarities we were drawn back in to each other's lives."  

Bringing the day together was truly a feat of love and honor, and too of much effort. Once said "it takes a village," Donna and Meir's village includes Yavneh's Maintenance Crew, its Judaic and General Studies faculty, and many in the community.

When Yavneh art teacher Monica Ribald heard of Ms. Memran's engagement, somewhat open-ended, she would have none of it. "Why not get married here and let us all kvell in the moment," said Mrs. Ribald. "We took her by the hand and we held her tight. Here we are and it was just an incredible day."

Rabbi Howard Wolk, a former faculty member and now Jewish Family Service Community Chaplain, who used to share a classroom with Ms. Memran, met with the couple a number of times before the ceremony that he performed.  

"This was the first wedding on the Schultz Rosenberg Campus and definitely a first for me," said Rabbi Wolk. "We met a number of times to talk about the meaning of a Jewish wedding, and marriage, beyond the norm, beyond the typical, but to the depth and strength that their coming together means. Bringing this couple together under the chuppah is something I will never forget, something that no one who was present can ever forget."  

Rabbi Wolk's wife Annette also met with the bride who was interested in learning the formal more observant role of bride and wife. "This really was an incredibly emotional time, a beautiful learning experience, and a precious opportunity," said Mrs. Wolk who studied with Ms. Memran and supervised her visit to the mikvah before the marriage. "Together with her sister, sister-in-law, and dear friend, Donna really took to heart the meaning and spirituality of becoming a Jewish bride."

"I can't find the words really to express how I feel," said the now Mrs. Miyara. "Yavneh has shown its true colors. In my mind I was planning a happy occasion but I never imagined just how much joy this community carried in their hearts."

All of the guests danced, sang, and filled the halls with joy from the very beginning.   Guests decorated Yavneh's Pollman Hall such that many rivaled it to the most elegant of ballrooms. With candles on the tables, tablecloths and chair covers, flowers and more décor at every turn.

"Everyone was happy, celebrating, singing, dancing, laughing," said Mrs. Miyara.  "Before, during, and after the wedding there was constant singing. The rabbis led everyone on and on with such energy that it was contagious."

Prior to the wedding, the men upstairs in the library, signing pre-marital documents and certificates - including the civil license as signed by Yavneh's own Associate Principal, Dr. Tim Cloward who is an authorized Minister of Marriage, and the tenaim, pre-wedding contract signed by Itai Guttman '14 and Jonah Taurog '14 and the ketubah, the Jewish marriage certificate, authenticated by Rabbi Wolk, and Yavneh's Rabbi Michael Friedman, and Rabbi Meir Tannenbaum.  

All of the guests then gathered as the women each gave Ms. Memran a blessing of their own and the groom then joined for the bedekin, the veiling of the bride.  

"This is hands-on learning defined," said Rabbi Meir Tannenbaum, Yavneh's Assistant Principal/Judaic Curriculum, who teaches the school's Jewish Thought and Law course that includes, for its Junior students, life cycle lessons. "What a memorable way to incorporate the lessons and for many, this was the first wedding to attend. Few 'just' attended as so many were involved in the planning, setting up, and actual participation of the ceremony and celebration.  

Seeing this come alive really is a true education."

During the ceremony, Ethan Fisher '16, Jacob Herstein '15, Mira Roosth '16, and Leetal Winick '16 carried the chuppah, Daniel Granat '14 served as emcee, and Elimelekh Perl '16 and Benji Zoller '16 joined Rabbi Michael Friedman in singing during the service. Yavneh Music Ensemble members Kayley '13 and Zachary '15 Romick and Karen Folz '13 provided musical beauty.

Rabbi Wolk performed the ceremony with the wedding blessings offered by faculty members Avi Bracha, Dr. Steven Goldfine, Rabbi Michael Lomner, Dr. David Portnoy, Dr. Max Ribald, Rabbi Sandor Shulkes, Rabbi Meir Tannenbaum, Rabbi Yaakov Tannenbaum, and Coach David Zimmerman.

The event was captured by Yavneh's Sandy Hall-Chiles and Deb Silverthorn and students Taylor Blue '15, Dalya Romaner '14, Erin Smith '14, and Valerie Lopez '14 as well as visiting photographer Kyle Coburn, with video memories created by Valerie Lopez '14 and Natasha Guaqueta '14.

Hadas '15 and Tamar '13 Cohen and family, Sophie '15, Josh '13, and Holly Lynn, Stephanie Medina, keyed much of the decorations and preparations, Sarit Sabo provided soulful inspiration, Naomi Vaknin helped "doll up the bride," and Yavneh's caterers, A Taste of the World, left great tastes in the ice cream and snack reception for all and the dinner celebration for the couple's close friends.

A special guest in the audience was former Head of School, Don O'Quinn who hired the former Ms. Memran two years ago. "This is a special day," said Mr. O'Quinn who gifted the bride with her wedding dress. "Everyone in this room is smiling across the board and it's impossible to be anything but filled with joy for them. I wish them the very best always and I wish for all the kids in this room to feel this love, and the respect for their tradition, in their own time."

This year we again dedicate our drive to eight year-old Zach Guillot, whose family belongs to Temple Emanu-El, and who happens to be a schoolmate of our friend, Maddie.  Zach's fight against AML Leukemia has been an example of living each day, for hanging on in belief, and for appreciating every moment!  

Carter BloodCare will lead our blood drive and we will, for the first time, register prospective bone marrow donors in partnership with Delete Blood Cancer.   

Minutes of your time may save lives!