Number 118: Ilana and David have been together since 2016. They met through mutual friends and hit it off immediately.

Together they travelled to Japan twice (once by themselves and once with Aaron and Maya, David’s two youngest children). David has a deep love and appreciation for Japan, has journeyed there numerous times and been caring for his bonsai collection for over twenty years.

In 2018 Ilana and David joined the extended Edelstein family in Israel to celebrate Jesse’s Barmitzvah and Leila’s Batmitzvah, where he met Ilana’s family and Ilana met David’s sister and her family who made Aliyah many years ago.

They decided to formalise their relationship and get married on 30 April 2021. On Freedom Day (27 April), some of Ilana’s close woman friends arranged a pre Mikvah tea party and ceremony where we all including Margo who was on zoom were able to bless Ilana on her life going forward and continued journey with David.

Because the wedding was during the midst of Covid, it was only the immediate family at the Tintswalo Atlantic in Hout Bay. A sunny April day, in absolutely spectacular setting, a true celebration of Tu Bishvat (Festival of the Trees and symbolically the natural environment), and a meaningful, special ceremony conducted by Rabbi Greg Alexander. 

Ray’s tallis was used as the Chuppah and they used the silver Kiddush becher we gave them in lieu of their marriage, in the ceremony.

They arranged for each one of the family present to play a distinctive role in the ceremony and Margo and Tanya (David’s daughter,) remotely toasted them.   Both Ilana and David lit candles for their deceased parents – a moving moment. They each circled each other, a Jewish symbol of coming together. Ilana looked particularly radiant. The tapas from Chefs Warehouse were exceptional. A deeply meaningful day and a wish for it to be the start of a long, healthy and happy marriage.

It is wonderful to experience Ilana’s joy at finding her Life Partner!