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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

Interfaith Holiday Celebrations – My Thoughts

I turned the calendar page.  It’s December and that can only mean one thing. It’s holiday time. Personally, I love this time of year. Look around, people are smiling and making plans to spend time with their family and friends. I am no exception.  That said, interfaith holiday celebrations, something many members of my community have, … Read more

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

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

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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It’s Official! Shema Koleinu announces High Holiday Worship Services 5772!

 High Holiday Worship Services with Cantor Debbi Ballard Begin for the first time 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 … Read more

Danielle and Garrett’s Jewish Interfaith Wedding Ceremony – Why I do what I do

Danielle and Garrett’s Jewish Interfaith wedding ceremony is the perfect reason why I do what I do. Jewish Interfaith wedding ceremonies are absolutely what I do best, but being a positive resource to my couples is just as important. Many colleagues ask me why I invest so much time in my individual Interfaith couples. They … Read more

Cheryl and Prav’s Jewish Hindu Islamorada Wedding Weekend

People always ask me.. “What is the most unique Interfaith wedding ceremony you have ever performed?”  I’m assuming they want to know about exotic locations I’ve been to, but unique weddings mean something very different to me. This month, I added a new type of unique – a Jewish Hindu wedding ceremony which turned out … 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

What to Expect at an Interfaith Wedding

This is a copy of the Interfaith wedding article I wrote that was recently published on www.surviveweddingseason.com – Enjoy! Attending an Interfaith wedding can be a major source of anxiety for many wedding guests, these days. Many of us have attended weddings in our own house of worship. But when your family friend or relative … Read more

Jersey begins – Max’s Destination Bar Mitzvah in Montvale, New Jersey

I’m so excited.  This is a divine weekend, for sure, and I have been so looking forward to its arrival.  There is such an amazing story about how I got here, which I will tell later, but, for now, the beauty of the fact that I am here is enough. So, tonight begins Max’s Bar … Read more