Bethlehem Wedding in Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Here in Pennsylvania, when one says ‘I was born in Bethlehem’, people assume you mean Bethlehem, Pa.  However, we do have families from the “real Bethlehem” living here and remaining loyal to the traditions and customs of Bethlehem.   

Last July 5^th, 2025, the day after Independence Day, Mireille Hazboun married Angel Sanchez.     The Thursday before we were invited to come to a Henna party dressed in Palestinian traditional attire.  I wore a dress from Deir El Balah, Gaza (such a contrast to the current misery there).  The tables were laid with Palestinian decorations and favors.  The Arabic food had been lovingly prepared by Mireille’s mother Marinette, Suha, and her many friends.  Women danced in with a pitcher of water and the henna leaves and the bride and groom pounded and mixed them in a large bowl surrounded by an encouraging crowd.  They rubbed some of it on the palm of their hand and tied it with a little cloth to allow it be absorbed.   Of course, there was music and dancing and we were proud to remind ourselves of Bethlehem and its customs. 

Suha Saca Hazboun mother of the bride holds the bowl.

The actual wedding took place two days later at St. Philip the Apostle’s Catholic Church.  Mireille was given away by her father Fuad Anton Hazboun.

Mireille and Angel mix the henna

The men were given canes and tarboushes to accompany the groom while the women guests and bride danced with candles. 

As an indication of how ubiquitous the Palestinian worldwide diaspora has become, 162 guests and relatives came from Italy, Germany, Jordan, Panama, Honduras, Canada, and Bethlehem as well as other parts of the USA.   Lively dancing to Arabic music needed some acrobatic lifting of bride, groom and guests!  It was a great party and a tribute to Bethlehem hospitality from Suha and her Bethlehem connections.   

In Palestinian weddings, the Shamadan (candle dance) symbolizes spiritual light, joy, and guidance for the couple's new life, performed by the bride and women in the Tajliya ceremony, while canes/staffs in the groom's Zaffa (procession) signify strength, lineage, and honor; though the fez (Tarboush) isn't a primary modern symbol, the core focus remains on rich traditions like the candle dance and Zaffa, representing community, heritage, and shared blessings, with music, dance (like Dabke), and food central to the vibrant celebrations.