It’s Official! Shema Koleinu announces High Holy Days 5772!

It’s been a long time in the making!
7 years ago, I performed my first wedding.  6 years ago, I performed my first Bat Mitzvah.  Today, I am so proud to announce the official launch of “Shema Koleinu“, our non-profit synagogue-like organization that provides outreach to South Florida’s Jewish and Interfaith/Intercultural unaffiliated community.  After several years [...]

Changing lives is easy!

You would think it takes sheer genius, or a miracle, or a huge revelation, to truly cause a shift in someone’s life, right?  Not so much.  Try a simple, single act of giving, and see what that does – not only for the person receiving your gift, but for you – when you take part [...]

Unaffiliated Lifecycles? One Cantor’s view…

I just came across a well-written post by a Reform Rabbi in Washington, DC, in response to the recent NYT article that seems to be hitting a lot of nerves around the world.  While I recognize that some of my colleagues provide this as a fast track, meaningless way to substantiate a monstrous party – [...]

Thanks is for Giving

I was reminded of this by a friend and colleague of mine, who has written (and is soon to be arriving in bookstores) a book called   1000 Mitzvahs:  How Small Acts of Kindness Can Heal, Inspire, and Change your Life.  I’ve always admired Linda for realizing that sometimes it is the small things that [...]

I’ll have a double helping of upbeat spirituality – hold the dogma!

Reading back over some of my past blogs, I was reminded of one of my all time favorites.  Given that the topic is so prevalent again, today, and I have so many new readers, I wanted to bring it out of hiding, and into the forefront again.  Enjoy!
Reprinted from August 17, 2008 by cantorballard
On the heels [...]

Delia and Mitch’s weeklong wedding celebration

No rests for the weary!  Brett and Andrea’s wedding was certainly a highlight last weekend, but the rush back across the alley to be back for Sunday morning’s event was well worth the drive!
Delia called me just a few weeks ago.  Her “real” wedding was planned for March 7th, this coming Sunday, but her in-laws, [...]

My Hanukkah-Shabbat Rockin eve at TBE Boca

Last night was so much fun!  Once again, I enjoyed myself thoroughly at TBE Boca!
A couple of weeks ago, I was there to see one of my favorite Jewish music artists, Julie Silver, and the night was magic.
Last night, Dan Nichols performed and co-led services with Steve Dropkin, and the TBE staff.  I adore Dan.  [...]

Where did summer go??

My biggest challenge this year has been to maintain any consistency in my writing.  I seem to get really inspired to write, and post a ton of blogs at one time, and then I get so busy, that every time I go to write, I am wiped out clean of any inspiration to be creative, [...]

A Magnificent Chuppa gallery, from Flickr

Woke up this morning and was checking out the Jewish Wedding Network’s recent activity, as I’m really hoping their site does well!
I came across a Chuppah photo gallery, and wow – some of these are amazing.

In my opinion, Seth & Dana’s chuppah still takes the first place award of weddings I have officiated, but some [...]

Reflections on Passover

Well, with Passover behind me, I can finally breathe a bit, and settle back into writing.  I have been so fortunate to do some great events lately, but Passover was stellar, and I’m so excited to have had the honor to return to Broken Sound for the 2nd year in a row.

Once again, F&B Director [...]

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