“I woke up Saturday morning to the sirens and screamed, ‘I’m getting married tomorrow, no matter what.’ It was clear to me that no Iranian terrorist would change my plans,” said Kayla Friedman, 25, originally from New York and an Israeli resident for the past seven years who lives in Ariel.
When Friedman makes a decision, she is not easily swayed. Her groom, Evyatar Polster, 27, knew that well. On Sunday, the couple married according to Jewish law in a ceremony that began on a lawn adjacent to a bomb shelter at Kibbutz Shluchot, where Polster was born. The dancing and meal were later held inside the fortified compound.
The wedding at Kibbutz Shluchot
( Video: Avia Cohen)
The couple met about a year ago on the “Shlish Gan Eden” dating app, popular among the national religious community, said Shahar Valech, one of Polster’s closest friends.
“I’ve known Evyatar for more than 20 years from Kibbutz Shluchot. We grew up together, attended pre-military academy together and enlisted together in the Armored Corps’ 188th Brigade, and we are proud of our brigade to this day,” Valech said.
“Over the past year Evyatar has been extremely happy. He has been serving extensive reserve duty while also working as an instructor at a boarding school for at-risk youth. Today he is the perfect groom.”
According to Valech, the wedding had originally been planned months ago as a large celebration for 500 guests at a hall in Hadera. “On Saturday, I was with Evyatar in Shluchot, and as soon as the first siren sounded, we realized we were facing an emergency. Fortunately, we were not called up for reserve,” he said.
“They are both religious, and it was hard for him not to speak with his bride until after Shabbat. He considered different possible scenarios, and they decided to uphold the Jewish custom of not postponing a wedding.”
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“The rabbi said it was miracle”. Evyatar and Kayla at the wedding
(Photo: Yariv Kristal)
As Home Front Command regulations led to the cancellation of events nationwide, the determined couple sought an alternative.“During Shabbat it became clear everything was canceled under the guidelines,” Valech said. “Evyatar is a kibbutz member and has many friends here. Within a few hours it was decided to hold the wedding at the kibbutz.
"At 1 a.m., the local emergency team approved a very limited format of 50 guests. We held it on the lawn next to a large shelter, all under the supervision of the kibbutz security coordinator and security personnel.”
The officiating rabbi told the couple it was “a miracle” that no further sirens sounded from the beginning of the ceremony until the wedding concluded, Valech said. “I’m truly happy that my good friend got married,” he added.