Ask GOLDA: What’s a Chic, Jewish Wedding Gift?

One of my main inspirations for starting GOLDA was all the questions people asked me.

After nearly a decade hosting the #1 Jewish podcast, writing about Jewish life, and speaking to Jewish communities around the country, I had become a lot of people’s go-to source for accessible, relatable Jewish recommendations. Friends texted me, podcast listeners slid into my DMs, my mom’s friends used her as a go-between, all with questions about how to find Jewish gifts to buy, books to read, recipes to make, or rituals to dip into.  

I loved answering all these questions, and now with GOLDA I can bring a world of recommendations straight to your inboxes. 

So far we’ve brought you Israeli artists to know, our favorite Jewish jewelry trend, books we’re excited about, and the star-studded Hanukkah gift guide that started it all. We’ve published interviews with some of our favorite designers and journalists, and opened a Passover Hotline so popular we brought in five different experts to help us handle it all.  

Today, we’re debuting our advice column.  

Ask GOLDA is a shoppable series that tackles all your Jewish lifestyle and life cycle questions. Judging by my incoming text messages, we’ll be running these pretty regularly. Send your questions to [email protected]. As always, there’s no question too small or too silly.

We’re kicking off the series with a question about the impending arrival of wedding season. 

I’m looking for a Judaica wedding gift, around $250, for friends who are Jewish and have the background, but don’t practice that much. I love the Jewish Museum Seder plate you featured, but worry they will end up using it for dips because it doesn’t have any Hebrew or explicitly Passover stuff on it, which to be honest would drive me nuts. But that’s the exact right modern vibe otherwise. Anything come to mind?

First of all, I love this question so much. It shows us that the gifts we give are more than just objects. They’re worlds meant to be conjured. A serving bowl isn’t just a piece of tableware—it’s a future full of lively dinner parties. A vase isn’t just a vessel—it’s a home filled with fresh flowers. 

But sometimes we need more of a nudge. 

I happen to use the pinch pots from my Isabel Halley Seder Plate for year-round trinket storage/display, and come Passover they find their way back to their rightful place on the Seder table. But I get your point. You want to give them something so beautiful—and so obviously Jewish—that they want to use it for its intended purpose. 

Also: The framing of your question makes me think there isn’t any Judaica on their registry, which is why you’re daring to go off-registry. I respect that, but firmly believe that if you’re going to go off-reg, it better be worth it. The options below definitely are.  

Crystal Candlesticks

These candlesticks are from Happy Kangaroo, one of my favorite stores on the Upper West Side. They are chic enough to be displayed all the time, but will very clearly telegraph “Shabbat candlesticks” to the happy couple.

Via Maris Glass Chanukiah

Via Maris is one of the most exciting new Judaica companies around, and all of their products are thoughtfully—and beautifully—designed. This Hanukkah menorah calls for oil instead of wax candles, which will inspire the couple to step up their lighting game.

Louvre Kiddush Cup by Bernardaud

This is a classic registry item, part of a collaboration between Barnardaud and the Jewish Museum. It’s sophisticated, chic, and will never be mistaken for a regular wine glass.

Tchotchke Mushroom Candlesticks

For something a bit funkier, try these candlesticks from the very cool Judaica company Tchotcke. Throw in a few extra sets of candles to make it a habit.

The Nosh Table Placemat & Napkin Bundle

I love The Nosh Table, a new tableware brand inspired by founder Remi’s Jewish and Italian food-loving family. It’s fun and fresh, and a new way to include Jewish objects in your home. There are a lot of great options that can be combined to hit your price point, like the Shabbat Challah Cover and the Swirl Seder Plate.

Write to us at [email protected] with all of your Ask GOLDA questions!

Would love to see you at these upcoming NYC-area events.

On Wednesday, May 7, I’ll be at The Altneu in conversation with Kelsey Osgood about her new book, Godstruck, at 7:30 p.m. More info here. 

On Thursday, May 8, I’ll be back at The Jewish Museum for the final Unpacking the Book event of the season, with authors Stuart Nadler and Iddo Gefen, at 7 p.m. GOLDA is the media sponsor of this series, in partnership with the Jewish Book Council and The Jewish Museum. Register here. 

On Tuesday, May 13, I’ll be at the Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan with Myriam Sandler of MotherCould to discuss her new book, Playful By Design, at 6:30 p.m. Get your tickets here.  

And on Monday, May 19, I’m heading to Long Island for a fun talk at the Port Washington Public Library about my book, The Newish Jewish Encyclopedia, at 7 p.m. Register here.  

If you’d like me to do an event for your community, get in touch here. And if you like what you read on GOLDA, tell a friend to subscribe. You can send them this easy link: goldaguide.com/subscribe.

Stay GOLDA, 

Stephanie