Questions & Answers

• What makes you different from other local wedding officiants? Why should someone hire you? As someone who has personally experienced and recognizes that we do live in a world driven by change, It was very discouraging to me that even amongst the reform and re-constructionist movements there still exist in today’s world only but a handful of Rabbis who would even entertain a conversation about an inter-faith service when i was planning my wedding. In the end despite living in a world where there’s been an position on controversial views such as woman’s roles in the Jewish lifecycle, divorce et al., my wedding officiate wound up being a non-denominational licensed minister who was familiar enough with the customs of our traditions to have a Jewish wedding ceremony. It is my hope that through my ordination and continued education, that I be able to help others like myself who may in such cases be faced with such a discouraging search which only leaves one feeling as if marrying the person you love is wrong because of some customs which have yet to come full circle in line with how to best approach the changing world around us..

• What are your standard payment terms? It is my goal and objective that your wedding day go as smoothly as possible and that on that day you be able to enjoy and live each moment. As far as my services so, in order to help reduce any interruptions and/or distractions for you on that day, I ask that all agreed upon fees/honorariums be paid up in full no later thank a week prior to the wedding..

• What is your event cancellation policy? Once we agree to move ahead and confirm the date, I will ask for a deposit of 25% of our agreed upon fee/honorarium which is non-refundable to secure and lock the date in my calendar..

• How far are you willing to travel? Is there a travel fee? Within reasonable distances there is no additional travel fees. This is open to discussion..

• How long after the ceremony do you file for the official marriage license? I will sign your marriage license immediately following your main ceremony and it will be immediately sealed and sent via United States Postal Service for filing at your local clerks office where the license was initially obtained..

• What documents do I need to bring to our first meeting? I will provide you via email a Wedding Ceremony Orientation Document that I will ask you to complete which will allow me to become better acquainted with each of you and will also serve as a tool for us to help craft the perfect service for you..

• Will you marry couples of different faiths or previous divorce? Yes. I had sought out to peruse my ordination after having been faced with the difficult journey of trying to find a Rabbi who would officiate at my wedding. The difficult steamed from the fact that although there was a strong presence of Jewish customs and ties in our home, my partner was a non-Jew of the Christian faith..

• How long does the ceremony usually last? Depending on the complexity, religious components anywhere from 20-minutes to 45-minutes. We will work through which elements you wish to include during our second meeting..

• Do you normally attend the reception? Unless there is a specific role you wish me to play during your reception, this is a time i encourage you to celebrate with your family and friends..

• Do you have a back up officiant on call, in case of an emergency? Yes, I am networked through several colleagues and friends for who I either have co-officiated and/or would endorse.

• Will you allow us to write our own vows? This is left entirely up to you. I strongly encourage you both to work toward this as your primary goal in order to personalize and strengthen the meaning behind the promises you will make to one another..

• Can we read or hear your ceremony before our wedding day? Our pre-wedding preparation together will including 1 hour introductory meeting 1 hour ceremonial planning meeting 1 hour ceremonial review 30-minute phone confirmation and final review week of the wedding.

• In which states and communities are you licensed to officiate ceremonies? New York State and New York City.

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