THE KRENZEL/MEZINKA – DANCE OF THE LAST CHILD
The krenzel is the celebratory dance which is traditionally performed at weddings when the last child in a family is married.
It honors parents who have the privilege of having all of their children happily settled into families of their own. The parents are placed on chairs in the center of the room, and the wedding guests dance around them, sing, and offer their good wishes.
‘Krenzel’ is the Yiddish word for crown; the dance is so named because the mother being celebrated is often adorned with a wreath – or crown – of flowers on her hair.
The first photograph is from Sean & Julia’s wedding in 1996. It’s actually my grandparents and that’s 8 year old me standing to the left of my Bubby. Clearly I had no idea what was going on!
The second and third photographs are courtesy of Sarena & Yehua’s wedding this past May by Hudson Taylor Photography.