While a friend or relative offers intimacy to the gathering, the downside here is that this person may lack experience in the proceedings - especially if they are only now getting the Universal Life ordination.Īnita Diamant, author of The New Jewish Wedding, recommends clergy over family or friends as officiants, because without professional guidance, “you often miss something.” The ordination is free, but some states may have additional requirements for wedding ministers. READ: Finding a Rabbi or Cantor to Officiate at Your Interfaith Weddingįor those willing to consider options besides clergy, an increasingly popular option is to recruit a friend or relative, who can be ordained by submitting an online application to the Universal Life Church. The Conservative movement permits officiation at same-sex weddings but does not allow its rabbis to officiate at interfaith weddings, although some members of the movement have urged it to do so. While it was once difficult for interfaith and/or LGBTQ couples to find Jewish clergy willing to officiate, today numerous Reform, Reconstructionist and Renewal rabbis will do so (though many balk at co-officiating with clergy of other faiths). In addition to rabbis, officiant options include a cantor, a relative, a friend, someone called a “non-denominational officiant” - or, theoretically at least, anyone with the eligibility to sign a civil license. According to most interpretations of Jewish law, a Jewish wedding ceremony requires only a pair of witnesses to observe a ritual exchange: one partner (traditionally, the bride) receives something of value from the other partner (traditionally, the groom). If you don’t belong to a synagogue or know a rabbi well from another venue (like a campus Hillel or other Jewish program in which you’ve participated), you may need to do a little legwork to locate the right person.Īre you planning a Jewish wedding? Let us help out! Sign up for Breaking the Glass, an email series that will help guide you to the wedding that’s right for you! Rabbis, Cantors and Other OptionsĬontrary to popular belief, the officiant for a Jewish wedding does not have to be a rabbi. This person will oversee, and in many cases, craft your wedding ceremony. My Jewish Learning is a not-for-profit and relies on your help DonateĬhoosing an officiant for a Jewish wedding can be as rewarding (and complicated) as making a decision about any other aspect of one’s nuptials.
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