Introductions and Intentions

Greetings, gentle reader! I want to use this space to tell you a bit more about myself as well as why I wanted to create this page in the first place.

While I am merely ordained by the powers of the internet via the Universal Life Church, I do have a background in religious studies. I was raised as a Reform Jew, attending Hebrew school as well as a secular Jewish 6th-12th grade school. My parents were not traditional by any means, but they encouraged us to question everything and do good for others without expectation of a reward. In my opinion, those are the two most basic tenants of Judaism, and I do my best to live up to them daily.

I earned my Bachelors degree from Mount Holyoke College in Religion and Gender Studies, which was so much fun. I mean it! I took some fascinating classes with brilliant professors, and look back fondly on much of the research I was able to do as a student. I especially loved when my major and minor collided, such as in the Feminist Theologies class I took junior year, where we delved into the writings of Judith Plaskow, Mary Daly, Alice Walker, and more.

My experiences as a Reform Jew and as a student of a variety of faiths pushed me to embrace all sorts of spiritual possibilities. While my primary expertise is in Judaism, I’ve also studied Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, and much more. I’m fascinated by pagan and Wiccan traditions, and I often find myself feeling particularly “spiritual” (whatever that means!) whenever I spend time in nature.

My spouse no longer identifies with the religion she grew up in, so I was mostly inspired by Judaism to craft our wedding ceremony, as well as some of our favorite writers and poets. I also wanted everyone in attendance to feel they were a part of the ceremony, and not just witnesses. I was very much inspired by Quaker traditions, where there is no one leader at the service.

All of this to say, if you’re looking for an officiant who is openminded, thoughtful, and curious, I might be exactly who you’re looking for! If you have a religious background of any sort, but no real relationship with a religious figure like a priest or rabbi, I’d be happy to help you infuse your heritage into your ceremony. If you have absolutely no connection to spirituality or faith, let me guide you through some possibilities for a wedding ceremony that will feel personal and meaningful. I can’t wait to hear from you!