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My Personal Cantor

Ezra & Joe’s Eco-Friendly Queer Jewish Interfaith Wedding

Ezra had been working for me for a few weeks, and we had already developed such an amazing relationship.  Ezra is wise, spunky, intelligent and driven, and they made an incredible employee when I needed one the most.  Ezra was a team player, and supported me unconditionally in all of my business ideas and goals. … Read more

Allie and Ben and Their Beautiful Wedding at The Addison – Meet my Interfaith Couple

Interfaith couple Allie and Ben at their Jewish Interfaith Wedding celebration at The Addison in Boca Raton

Meet Ben and Allie – a recent favorite Interfaith Couple Have you ever met someone and just fallen in love — I did, and it’s probably not the story you’re expecting to hear.  For me, it was Allie — and then Ben, and what led to an amazing relationship with this Interfaith Couple, as their … Read more

The Most Personal of Interfaith Wedding Ceremonies

Interfaith Coofficiant Wedding

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

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

Jewish Interfaith Wedding Officiant

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?”

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

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

The Lord’s Prayer and my favorite Catholic Priest – Jewish-Catholic Wedding

Meet the “Jewish-Catholic Wedding Officiant Dream Team!” Last night, I drove 13 hours round trip up and back in the same day, just to co-officiate the wedding of Alex and Blake, an adorable couple from Gainesville, FL, in St. Augustine.  Now normally, I would never accept a wedding two days before Rosh Hashanah, most especially … Read more

Jewish Interfaith Wedding in Naples, Florida: Some Things Were Just Meant to Be …

Cantor Debbi Ballard with Brett and Andrea

It’s been a busy year.  Incredibly busy.  And, fortunately for me, almost every weekend during the year has been booked, sometimes with one, but often with even two or three  events in one weekend.  There hasn’t been much room for anything spontaneous (let alone blog writing), but, last Saturday was just – different. It was … Read more

Mickey and Jennifer’s Jewish Chinese Wedding Ceremony in Key West, Florida

On Sunday, November 8th, I had the honor of performing Mickey & Jennifer’s wedding, at The Hemingway House, in Key West, Florida. Mickey and Jennifer are the sweetest couple, incredibly kind, loving, and so wonderful to work with!  Mickey is Jewish, and Jennifer is Chinese, and together we created a beautifully blended ceremony, including a … Read more

My Chicago weekend – Matthew’s day is here!

I’m so excited for this morning, and for being in Chicago this weekend.  I’ve had sooo much fun since I got off the plane yesterday! As soon as I arrived for Matthew’s Bar Mitzvah in Chicago, we went to Mike and Sharon’s house, and Matthew and I prepared the Torah and practiced our singing together.  … Read more

Serin and Greg’s Interfaith Wedding Ceremony at the Hilton in Clearwater Beach, Florida

Greg and Serin were married last weekend, on Clearwater Beach, FL.  A beautiful west coast sunset, and beautiful cool weather were on hand for a magnificent Interfaith wedding ceremony and family gathering.  I really enjoyed working with The Hilton hotel, and Joanie, the Wedding coordinator was amazingly helpful!  The coming together of Greg and Serin’s … Read more