Do Reform Jews follow any betrothal rituals?Would this apply to engagement to non-Jewish male?

Question

I am non-Jewish mother wonderig if today's Jewish cmmunities follow any of the old betrothal rituals as are mentioned in the Old Testament. Is there such a thing as a symbolic "bride price" or anything a non-Jewish male should know before he proposes?

Answer 1

According to our Rabbi once you enter into the engagement, by Jewish law you are technically married and and must go through a Biet Den to separate.
Side note to a non Jew: usually the Kattubah is signed just before the ceremony in front of guests. The couple is married formally at that point. The mother of the groom is supposed to check under the veil of the bride to be sure the brides family isn't trying to marry off the wrong daughter.
Find a Reform Rabbi, preferably the one your son will be married by, and make an appointment. Most are happy to help, especially before everyone begins making plans.
You may also want to ask about the religious status of your grandchildren. In Judaism the children are viewed as the religion of the mother not the father unless they are formally converted through mikveh.

Answer 2

There is the "Ktubbah" (Jewish marriage contract ) which is a traditional agreement that the husband gives to his wife at the wedding. The Ktubbah protects the wife and ensues her her rights in case that she and her husband will get divorced; it is also a way for the husband to declare his love and intents.

Today, the Ktubbah is no longer a legal document (in most of the Jewish communities), but more of a declaration of intents between the spouses.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ketubah

Answer 3

There are rituals, but they might not be observed, unless your son is converting to Judaism. "Bride price" sounds like the equivalent of a dowry, and I don't know of modern Jews in the western world practicing that anymore.

A lot of this depends on whether or not your son is converting, the wishes of the bride, and whether the ceremony will be civil or religious.