co-officiation Archives – Page 2 of 2

I love to see my brides and grooms having children!

I officiated at the interfaith wedding, two years ago, of two lawyers. One was brought up Catholic, the other one Jewish. I co-officiated with a wonderful Catholic priest, Father Tom who had been the family priest. We worked on the service with the bride and groom and it was warm, witty and personal. Even the day’s weather cooperated at sunset on a rooftop in Tribeca. I got to know both sets of parents and felt that the families welcomed me into the event.

How amazing it was when I received the email from the bride that she had a little girl some months back and wanted me to do a baby-naming ceremony with the priest. It was Father Tom and I again at a historic building in Park Slope this winter. We had the opportunity to plan an interfaith baby-naming and it was my first one. I visited the couple who lived in a former church converted into a condo in Brooklyn. The sun through the stain glass windows and the soaring ceilings made it a magical place. They had much input deciding to do blessings themselves and give honors to their parents and grandparents. Tom and I filled in the blanks with prayers and blessings ourselves. The ceremony was enjoyed by Emily their daughter of seven months. She didn’t cry through the whole thing, so I guess we did something right.

I find myself fortunate to connect with my past brides and grooms and be at these wonderful events of the next generation they have produced. The fact that another officiant can work with me to produce a spiritual inclusive service is something I am proud of.

As a Rabbi I was asked by the bride to officiate at her affirmation of vows almost a year ago. She had already been married civilly and was living with her now husband in Long Island. They took it upon themselves to get married and be independent of family but were ready now for a larger, more public ceremony. The bride had been raised in a Jewish home and was looking to get in touch with her roots. The groom (shown here) was of Christian background. Indeed the other officiant was a minister who had a parish in Long Island.

The couple came to my apartment a few times and we spoke about the ceremony and Judaism. I ended up giving her a menorah and Kiddish cup to help them celebrate the holidays. They were most appreciative and were counting the days to the big event. I arrived and met with the other officiant. He had done very few interfaith ceremonies and was very warm and accepting of my taking the lead. He was going to do a reading, blessing of the rings, and a benediction. But his manner was open and I felt that we were of the same mind and had much commonality of purpose and spirit. Indeed as the ceremony continued he and I were helping one another and people later remarked it seemed as if we had worked together before

As a rabbi that frequently co-officiates, this wedding embodied the best of both faiths with a minister who was reaching out to make all involved feel comfortable. He didn’t view this as a competition but as a sign of love and commitment to the couple and to me. That is how I felt it was truly magical.

Peace and Blessings to you Rabbi Gloria

A Baby Naming Ceremony! My Brides and Grooms Having Children.

A Rabbi and a Minister share an Interfaith Ceremony- How Magical