Who Can Officiate A Jewish Wedding Ceremony?

In Jewish weddings, the role of an officiant is not technically required. According to Jewish law, a wedding ceremony only requires a pair of witnesses to observe a ritual exchange between the couple. However, state law may be stricter and vary from place to place. While some states require a licensed member of the clergy to perform the wedding, others allow anyone with the eligibility to sign a civil license to officiate.

Jewish law vs. state law requirements

According to Jewish law, a wedding requires only a pair of witnesses to observe a ritual exchange: one partner (traditionally, the bride) receives something of value from the other partner (traditionally, the groom). The witnesses will also want to see the couple enter a room for a period of seclusion after the ceremony. As for "officiating," overseeing the foregoing and reciting the customary blessings, any knowledgeable Jewish person can do that.

However, state law is stricter and varies considerably from state to state. Most states require that a licensed member of the clergy perform the wedding. Some municipalities, like New York City, insist that clergy performing weddings be registered with the city. In such cases, a couple can use the services of a friend or relative and also engage a rabbi or other licensed individual to sign the appropriate documents.

In addition, there are certain days on which most rabbis and cantors will not officiate. These include Shabbat, Jewish festivals, High Holy Days, and days of mourning such as Tishah B'Av and Yom HaShoah.

Who can be a witness

Jewish law requires a pair of kosher witnesses to observe the wedding ritual exchange. Traditionally, the bride receives something of value from the groom, such as a ring. The witnesses must be observant of Orthodox standards to be considered kosher. The witnesses will also want to see the couple enter a room for a period of seclusion after the ceremony.

In addition to rabbis, witness options can include a cantor, a relative, a friend, or a "non-denominational officiant". Witnesses must be Jewish, but they do not have to be rabbis.

While Jewish weddings often take place in a synagogue, a chuppah, or marriage canopy, can be raised anywhere. So, it is not surprising that many couples choose to marry in other types of settings, including outdoors.

The role of the officiant

However, it is important to note that the requirements for a wedding officiant may vary depending on the location and the specific religious traditions being followed. For example, some states in the US may have additional requirements for wedding ministers, and Orthodox Jewish weddings may have different requirements than Reform or Conservative Jewish weddings.

In general, the officiant is responsible for guiding the couple through the wedding ceremony and ensuring that all the necessary rituals are performed correctly. This includes reciting the customary blessings and facilitating the exchange of rings or other gifts of value between the couple. The officiant may also be involved in pre-marital meetings with the couple to discuss their expectations and preferences for the ceremony, as well as to explore issues related to sustaining a long-term committed relationship.

It is worth noting that while some sources suggest that any knowledgeable Jewish person can officiate a wedding, others recommend seeking out a rabbi or cantor due to their expertise and experience in guiding people through Jewish rituals. Ultimately, the role of the officiant is to ensure that the wedding ceremony is performed in accordance with the couple's religious and personal beliefs, and to create a meaningful and memorable experience for the couple and their guests.

Finding an officiant

According to Jewish law, a rabbi is not required to perform a wedding ceremony. However, the person officiating the wedding must be sufficiently knowledgeable about the religious requirements and procedures. They should also be able to guide the couple and guests through the various rituals and customs.

Options for Officiants

• Rabbis – They can add a meaningful Jewish frame to your wedding day. If you are already connected to a rabbi, reach out to them. If unavailable, they may recommend other rabbis or cantors.
• Cantors – They can bring Hebrew literacy to the chuppah and are experienced in guiding people through Jewish rituals. They may also be able to recommend local musicians for the ceremony or reception.
• Relative or Friend – A close relative or friend can be ordained by submitting an online application to the Universal Life Church. While this option offers intimacy, they may lack experience in wedding proceedings.
• Non-denominational ministers – They are trained and experienced in the art of ceremonies and can be found through organizations such as Journeys of the Heart.
• Civil officiants – In some states, it is possible to obtain a one-day marriage officiant license, allowing a friend or relative to legally officiate the wedding.

Finding the Right Officiant

• Ask for referrals – Seek advice from friends or check online listings on websites such as InterfaithFamily or The Knot, which offer reviews and allow searches for officiants with Jewish affiliations or those who perform interfaith marriages.
• Observe them in action – Whenever possible, watch your prospective officiant in action, either at their synagogue or at a wedding, to get a sense of their style and expertise.
• Interview candidates – Meet with potential officiants to discuss their religious requirements, areas of flexibility, pre-nuptial sessions, and their general philosophy about weddings.
• Consider chemistry and personality – Trust your instincts and go with an officiant with whom you feel a connection and who understands your perspectives and preferences.
• Discuss fees – Costs for officiants vary widely and tend to be higher in large cities. However, most officiants are open to reducing their fees if it stretches the couple's budget.
• Start your search early – Some officiants get booked up months in advance, especially for weddings during the warmer months.

Interfaith marriages

The likelihood of finding a rabbi or cantor to officiate an interfaith wedding depends on the movement they belong to. All branches of Orthodox Judaism refuse to accept the validity or legitimacy of intermarriages and strictly forbid sexual intercourse with a member of a different faith. Orthodox rabbis will not officiate at interfaith weddings and will also try to avoid assisting them in other ways. Secular intermarriage is seen as a deliberate rejection of Judaism, and those who marry outside the faith are effectively cut off from most of the Orthodox community.

The Conservative Movement in Judaism does not sanction or recognise the Jewish legal validity of intermarriage but encourages the acceptance of the non-Jewish spouse within the family. The Rabbinical Assembly Standards of Rabbinic Practice prohibits Conservative rabbis from officiating at intermarriages.

The Reform movement discourages its members from officiating at interfaith weddings but does not forbid them from doing so. Many Reform rabbis and cantors will officiate at interfaith weddings, and a few will co-officiate with clergy of another faith.

The Secular Humanistic Jewish movement sees intermarriage as a positive consequence of a free and open society. Nearly all Secular Humanistic rabbis and cantors will officiate at interfaith weddings, and many will co-officiate with clergy of another faith. Their tradition, however, is to offer a ceremony that has limited or no reference to God.

Jewish Renewal has no formal policy on interfaith officiating, but many rabbis in the movement will perform interfaith weddings, and some will co-officiate with non-Jewish clergy.

Couples seeking a Jewish officiant for their interfaith wedding can use resources such as InterfaithFamily, which provides curated lists of rabbis and cantors in their area who are a good fit for the type of wedding they are planning.

Frequently asked questions