Weddings

As a rabbi, I consider it a profound honor to join couples in the sacred covenant of marriage. Indeed, some of the best days of my life -- and life-long friendships! -- have come from officiating weddings.

The most meaningful ceremonies are highly personal, which builds on the meetings I have with couples well in advance of their big day. Are you looking for a highly traditional wedding? I'm happy to help you craft that.  Do you want a ceremony that honors diversity in faiths, preferences, or gender identities? That brings me great joy and honor, too.  Whatever is appropriate to who the two of you are, that's what we'll do.

Sometimes, though, there is very little time to plan.  Not to worry, because that kind of fiery urgency absolutely will not preclude a highly personal and wonderful experience.  

There's a place for everyone and everything in the wedding experience.   No matter what you are looking for, or how much time we have, I promise to create a celebration that is unique and authentic.

Naming ceremonies provide an exceptional opportunity to welcome babies into the Jewish community.

While tradition has been flexible with respect to the timing of girls’ naming ceremonies,  boys typically receive their Jewish names during the bris (ritual circumcision) on their eighth day of life. Today, however, some parents prefer to have an obstetrician circumcise their boys while still in the hospital, and others opt against circumcision altogether. 

No matter the path chosen by each family, the time is always right for children to be welcomed into the faith. Whether in your home, a park, a restaurant, or any other special location, these occasions can be wonderfully tailored to create an entirely personal celebration that gives full honor to your little one.

 Marking the symbolic entry into adulthood, b'nei mitzvah ceremonies are among the most joyous for me to officiate. But the work starts long before we stand before the community reciting a Torah portion.

Some of the individuals with whom I work – those at the traditional age of 13, and even those who celebrate becoming b’nai mitzvah as adults! – enter the experience with no previous Jewish education whatsoever, while others have been students or graduates of Jewish day school.  No matter your background, after speaking with you about your goals, I will craft a course of study that addresses your greatest Jewish interests.

When it comes to the ceremony itself, there is no single way to do it.  We can perform the service in a synagogue, a home, a restaurant, a lovely setting outside, or anywhere that is meaningful to you.  I am happy to travel for the ceremony and have even officiated ceremonies in Israel!

As a rabbi, my focus is to build a bridge for the b’nei mitzvah to Jewish life, Jewish teachings, and Jewish values. What that looks like depends on the individual's unique interests.

Ushering families through their darkest days is one of the most sacred aspects of my work as a rabbi.  

The time I spend with families preparing for a funeral -- hearing stories of their loved ones' histories and passions and experiences -- is deeply moving and provides a context for us to build an intimate and authentic commemoration.

I officiate funerals and unveilings for families across the tri-state area and tailor ceremonies to their individual traditions.

I make myself entirely available for families' at a moment's notice and will respond as quickly as possible to outreach from the "contact us" button.