Debbi Ballard, Author at My Personal Cantor

What’s New at the Zoo? Eli’s Bar Mitzvah!!

February 23, 2023December 4, 2017 by Debbi Ballard

I love working with young people. Helping to prepare them for their Bar Mitzvah or Bat Mitzvah service is one of my greatest joys. The opportunity to share what I know and teach not only the history of our religion, but also how this history affects them and their families, is special. Every once in … Read more

High Holidays 5778 – Looking Back

February 23, 2023November 30, 2017 by Debbi Ballard

Cantor Debbi High Holy Days South Florida 2017

Wow, has more than a month already gone by since we gathered as a community in the beautiful Miramar Cultural Center to celebrate the High Holidays 5778? I can’t believe it; but, it has. To be honest, September and October have flown by and, in my mind, are a combination of a blur of activity … Read more

The Most Personal of Interfaith Wedding Ceremonies

February 23, 2023November 27, 2017 by Debbi Ballard

Officiating an interfaith wedding ceremony requires a particular mindset, one that encompasses respect for multiple faiths, attention to important traditions and a true belief in the ability of a couple to move forward together despite what may have been vastly different upbringings. For years I have officiated Jewish interfaith ceremonies. I do so because I … Read more

Celebrating 7 Years

February 23, 2023September 20, 2017 by Debbi Ballard

Shema Koleinu – 7 Magical Years 7. The number 7 carries tremendous significance in both the Bible and in numerology. 7 represents completion, rest, and an opportunity to review that which we created. Today, my heart soars as I celebrate #7 with my Shema Koleinu unaffiliated Jewish community in South Florida, with my father, Rabbi Steve, … Read more

Shavuot – My Personal Observance

February 23, 2023May 19, 2017 by Debbi Ballard

I am a teacher, a spiritual leader and steadfast believer in the values of faith. Maybe that is why Shavuot has always been special to me. Much less celebrated than the “big” holidays (Passover, Hanukkah, Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur), Shavuot falls at a time of year where, in America (and specifically South Florida) it seems to get over looked.

Your Brother is not a Wedding Officiant…Why You Should Always Hire a Professional

February 23, 2023April 8, 2017 by Debbi Ballard

I received an email from someone in Philadelphia this morning who was considering using her brother as a wedding officiant.

“My daughter is getting married on July 22 (her fiancee is not Jewish). She and her fiancee have asked my brother to marry them. My brother is going to get certified on line, but we want to be sure the marriage is legal. Could you recommend a cantor in the Philadelphia area, that would be willing to come to our venue, before the wedding ceremony, to sign the marriage license (and maybe Ketubah) so the marriage would be legal?”

Facing your fears and the hero of Passover

February 23, 2023March 28, 2017 by Debbi Ballard

Who do you think was the hero of Passover? I bet you anything you’ll say Moses, right off the bat, right? Well, it’s important to know the story of Passover and dig a little deeper, so I’m going to share my personal thoughts on a great Passover hero, Nachshon. I’m not saying Moses wasn’t a … Read more

On Losing Life Before It’s Time

February 23, 2023March 21, 2017 by Debbi Ballard

It’s so hard to comprehend death.. The hardest part about my job is when a young person asks me why G-d had to “take” someone so young, when it clearly wasn’t “time” for them to go yet. Today, I’m stricken with grief over 2 young FSU students who lost their lives heading back to school … Read more

Getting Ready For Passover….Preparing (and understanding) Your Seder Plate

February 23, 2023March 18, 2017 by Debbi Ballard

Getting Ready for Passover – Preparing Your Seder Plate

Passover is one of the most symbolic of the Jewish holidays and the Seder plate is the centerpiece of our table. The Seder features the story of Exodus and at the heart of the Seder table is the Seder Plate.

Brit Milah and Brit Bat: Welcoming Babies … Another Interfaith Family Embraces Jewish Tradition

February 23, 2023March 16, 2017 by Debbi Ballard

Once upon a time there were two very special people, David and Katie. Meeting David and Katie was a pivotal moment, not only in my career, but also in my life. I love sharing the most special moments of my career with people, so below is our story….and when you read it, you’ll know why … Read more