A Reform rabbi is a Jewish rabbi ordained within the framework of Reform Judaism (also known as “Progressive” or “Liberal” Judaism), one of the largest movements in world Jewry. The Reform movement sees Jewish tradition as a living and evolving heritage, promoting a liberal, egalitarian, and pluralistic approach to Judaism.

In practice, I officiate complete Jewish wedding ceremonies — with a chuppah (wedding canopy), kiddushin (betrothal), ketubah (marriage contract), Sheva Brachot (Seven Blessings), and the breaking of the glass — but from a place of absolute equality between partners, openness to diversity, and personalizing the ceremony to the couple’s values. Unlike an Orthodox rabbi, I also officiate for same-sex couples, and both partners are fully active participants throughout the ceremony.

Not at all. Couples come to me from a wide range of backgrounds: completely secular, traditional, Reform, Conservative, and even Orthodox individuals seeking a more egalitarian ceremony. There is no religious or denominational requirement. What all the couples who choose me have in common is the desire for a ceremony that authentically reflects their values — not a template imposed upon them.

I officiate weddings throughout Israel — from Eilat to Metula, at event venues, in nature, on beaches, at private gardens, hotels, and private homes. I also travel abroad for Destination Weddings — whether Israeli couples marrying in Europe, the Greek Islands, or the US, or couples from abroad who want to marry in Israel.

For all weddings outside the central region of Israel, I charge additional travel fees — and I will state this clearly upfront in the price quote.

The preparation meetings are of central importance to me. I do not come on the wedding day simply to “read the text” — I meet with the couple in advance for several sessions (usually 2–4, depending on the couple), getting to know them, learning their story, hearing about their values, and designing the ceremony together so that it truly reflects who they are.

In these sessions we discuss the structure, choose blessings, work on the ketubah text, decide who will participate actively, and plan the dynamics of the day. Meetings can be in person, by video, or a combination — whatever is most convenient for the couple.

A Reform wedding ceremony includes all the elements of a traditional Jewish ceremony, adapted to a spirit of equality and individuality:

• Chuppah (wedding canopy) — the classic symbol of the shared home you are building together.
• Betrothal blessings — blessings over wine and kiddushin.
• Exchange of rings — both of you give a ring to each other and both recite the kiddushin formula.
• Ketubah reading — usually an egalitarian ketubah written together with me.
• Personal vows — a particularly meaningful moment in which you speak words of commitment to each other.
• Sheva Brachot (Seven Blessings) — recited by close family and friends you choose.
• Breaking of the glass — a moving conclusion with a resounding “Mazal Tov!”

In addition, you can incorporate songs, readings, blessings from family and friends, and personal customs that matter to you. Every ceremony is built in a unique way.

A typical Reform wedding ceremony lasts between 15 and 20 minutes — enough to convey all the meaning and depth without losing the guests’ attention. Couples who incorporate many personal elements sometimes reach 45 minutes, and that is perfectly fine. We will calibrate the timing together during our preparation sessions.

The traditional portions (betrothal blessings, the kiddushin formula, the Sheva Brachot) are recited in Hebrew and Aramaic, following Jewish tradition. However, the explanations, personal blessings, vows, and everything else you choose to include can be in Hebrew, English, Russian, French, Spanish, or any combination of languages.

For bilingual or multicultural couples, I build a bilingual ceremony in which every guest understands and feels included. This is one of the main reasons couples from abroad choose me.

There is a basic Jewish ceremony structure — which you can maintain in general terms as part of 3,000 years of tradition. But from my perspective there is enormous flexibility: you can add, remove, expand, and shorten parts, incorporate personal elements, choose which blessings are recited and by whom, write a personal ketubah, and include songs and readings that are meaningful to you.

My approach is versatility — building the ceremony in a way that fits the couple and meets their needs.

Absolutely, and with great joy. The global Reform movement has supported same-sex weddings for many years, and I see this as an important expression of the values of equality and the sanctity of love. The ceremony for a same-sex couple includes all the traditional Jewish elements, with natural linguistic adaptations.

Important note: in the State of Israel, the Chief Rabbinate does not marry same-sex couples, so these couples can only marry through me in a Reform ceremony — without automatic registration at the Ministry of Interior. Many couples combine their Reform chuppah with a civil marriage abroad or through a Utah marriage for full legal recognition in Israel.

From my perspective this is possible, and there are several approaches:

• Liberal conversion: The non-Jewish partner can undergo Reform conversion — a welcoming, liberal, and respectful process that includes study and engagement with the Jewish community.
• Egalitarian secular-Jewish ceremony: Without formal kiddushin, but a personal ceremony connecting the traditions of both partners, with a chuppah, rings, vows, and breaking of the glass — in a cultural rather than formally religious approach.
• Combined ceremony: A ceremony incorporating elements from both partners’ backgrounds — turning the wedding into a celebration of your meeting.

This is an important question that deserves an honest answer. A Reform ceremony performed in Israel is not recognized by the Ministry of Interior for registration in the Population Registry, because the Israeli state has granted the Chief Orthodox Rabbinate a monopoly on registering Jewish marriages. A couple married only in a Reform ceremony in Israel will not automatically be registered as married.

But there are excellent solutions. The most common is the “dual track”: performing a civil marriage abroad or through an online Utah marriage, and in addition — holding the Reform chuppah as the spiritual and social ceremony. This gives you both full state recognition and a meaningful Jewish ceremony.

It is also worth noting that the Reform movement issues every couple an official “Certificate of Marriage and Partnership,” which family courts recognize as significant evidence of the spousal relationship — strengthening your status as common-law partners (yadua ba’tzibur) and granting you most of the rights of married couples.

The Utah marriage is a wonderful innovation born during the COVID-19 pandemic. The state of Utah in the US opened the possibility of a civil marriage via video call (Zoom), with the couple sitting at home in Israel while a licensed Utah officiant conducts a brief ceremony. Within a few days they receive an official Utah marriage certificate, and with this certificate they register at the Israeli Ministry of Interior as married.

It is a fast, affordable solution (just a few hundred shekels), open to all couples — including same-sex couples, interfaith couples, and those who cannot or do not wish to marry through the Rabbinate. The Israeli Supreme Court upheld this path in a landmark ruling, and since then it has become very popular. Many of my couples combine a Utah marriage with a Reform chuppah.

Even without formal registration, a Reform marriage certificate together with cohabitation grants you common-law partner status (yadua ba’tzibur) — a legally recognized status in Israel granting nearly all the rights of married couples:

• National Insurance — survivor benefits, dependent allowances.
• Income tax — tax credits equivalent to married couples.
• Inheritance — inheritance rights (under certain conditions).
• Banks and mortgages — recognition as a couple for credit and joint accounts.
• Employers — survivor pension and spousal life insurance benefits.
• Medical institutions — status as “next of kin” for medical decisions.

The main limitations: common-law status is not automatically recognized abroad, and it may sometimes be necessary to prove the relationship. It is therefore recommended to also draw up a property agreement and a cohabitation agreement.

Not necessarily for the ceremony itself, but it is strongly recommended to consult a lawyer regarding:

• Property agreement (prenuptial) — protects both partners in the event of separation. Especially important if there are differences in assets, children from a previous relationship, or self-owned businesses.
• Cohabitation agreement — establishes your common-law status and defines mutual rights and obligations.
• Immigration status for a foreign partner — if one partner is not an Israeli citizen, it is essential to consult an immigration lawyer.

I am happy to refer you to excellent family law attorneys who work with me regularly and are familiar with the reality of couples married through alternative ceremonies.

The earlier, the better — during wedding season (spring and autumn) my calendar fills up quickly. As a rule of thumb, 6–12 months in advance is ideal, especially for popular dates (weekends, round-number dates, Tu B’Av — the Jewish day of love). Couples who reach out 3–4 months in advance can usually still find an available date. Couples who come in the last month — I make every effort to help, but sometimes I may need to refer them to a colleague.

My price includes: an initial consultation; planning and designing the ceremony together with the couple; writing the ketubah (if you wish my assistance); officiating the ceremony on the wedding day; and Jewish-legal guidance on all questions that arise.

The price does not include: travel outside the central region (calculated separately), attorney fees (if you choose to involve one), and costs of document issuance if combining with a civil marriage. I offer a clear, detailed price quote at the first meeting — no surprises.

The first consultation is without obligation and free of charge. It can take place in person, by video, or by phone — at your convenience. The meeting lasts between 45 minutes and an hour. We get to know each other, I ask about your story and vision for the wedding, explain my approach, answer questions, and present the various ceremony options. Afterwards I send a detailed price quote and give you time to decide without any pressure.

Absolutely — this is one of the most beautiful parts of the process. I offer several options:

• Updated traditional ketubah — the classic text in Hebrew and Aramaic, with minor adjustments for egalitarian language.
• Modern Reform ketubah — a beautiful Hebrew text written in fully egalitarian language.
• Personal ketubah — we write together, from scratch, a text expressing your values, commitments, and dreams as a couple.
• Multilingual ketubah — Hebrew alongside English, Russian, French, or any other language meaningful to you.

Many couples also choose to have the ketubah designed artistically by a calligrapher — so that it can be displayed at home after the wedding.

The Seven Blessings are recited by close people you choose — usually parents, grandparents, siblings, and close friends. In the Reform approach there is no gender restriction: both women and men can recite blessings, which is wonderful for honoring a grandmother, mother, sister, or female friend — not only the men in the family.

If a guest is not familiar with Hebrew, they can use transliteration or read a beautiful translation. I guide all the speakers in advance so they feel confident. Many couples also add “personal blessings” — where each speaker shares a few warm words from the heart before the formal text.

This is one of the most frequently asked questions, and my professional answer is: we can conduct a fully traditional ceremony, and in the vast majority of cases parents accept the ceremony very positively. My Reform ceremony preserves all the traditional Jewish components — chuppah, blessings, kiddushin with a ring, ketubah, Sheva Brachot, breaking of the glass — and traditionally observant parents in the audience are usually moved to tears, because it looks, sounds, and feels to them like a Jewish wedding.

The differences are subtle — the equality between partners, modern Hebrew explanations, the active presence of women in key roles. In most cases parents are genuinely impressed by the depth and meaning of the ceremony. If there is a particular concern, I am happy to meet the parents in advance to explain the ceremony — many have found this completely reassuring.

Interfaith couples form an important and cherished part of my work. There are several ways to honor both families:

• Incorporating symbols from both traditions: blessings, songs, and readings from both faith backgrounds.
• Speakers from both families: one grandmother blesses in Hebrew, another in English. A sibling from one side reads a poem, a sibling from the other says a blessing.
• Bilingual ceremony: every important part is translated, so that family members from abroad understand every word.
• Personal cultural elements: small customs from each family can be woven into the ceremony — music, a special ritual, a traditional garment.

The ceremony becomes a celebration of the meeting between you — not a conflict between cultures, but a beautiful new connection.

Absolutely — and small weddings are often the most emotionally powerful experience. I have officiated ceremonies on private terraces, in home gardens, on a cliff overlooking the sea, with just a handful of guests. These couples connect with every moment of the ceremony, see every tear-filled gaze, and experience the day at a slow, meaningful pace.

On the other hand, large weddings (200–400 guests) are also beautiful and moving in their own way. My approach adapts to every size.

An important and often confusing question. Here is a brief answer:

• Reform (Progressive) wedding: what I officiate. A liberal, egalitarian approach, open to all couples, with great flexibility. Not recognized for registration at the Israeli Ministry of Interior.
• Conservative (Masorti) wedding: more traditional than Reform but more liberal than Orthodox. Requires both partners to be Jewish. Also not recognized for registration in Israel.
• “Chuppot” organization: provides private Orthodox rabbis who officiate outside the official Rabbinate. Intended for Jewish (by matrilineal descent), heterosexual couples seeking a halachic wedding. Not recognized for registration in Israel.
• Secular-Jewish ceremony: not religious at all. The officiant is not a rabbi. Incorporates elements of Jewish culture without a religious framework.

I myself can officiate in various styles if that is what is right for the couple — I am not limited to the Reform style alone.

From a halachic perspective, the ceremony is essentially the same. The differences are subtle and relate more to the emotional tone — some couples want to emphasize this is a new chapter, others prefer simplicity. I listen and design accordingly.

Important note: if you were previously married in a Jewish ceremony and later divorced, please ensure you have received a get (a rabbinical Jewish divorce document). Without it there are halachic complications which we can navigate through the flexibility of the Reform approach — but it is good to be aware of this.

Couples with children create particularly beautiful weddings. There are many ways to involve the children:

• The children accompany the couple as they walk to the chuppah.
• They recite a short blessing or read a poem.
• They stand under the chuppah together with their parents — a symbol of the expanded family.
• A “Family Blessing” ceremony — a personal moment where the parents bless the children as one new family.

I prepare the children in advance in an age-appropriate way so they feel like an important and secure part of the ceremony.

As far as the ceremony itself is concerned — no, we can proceed in exactly the same way. In terms of legal implications, there are significant considerations, which is why these couples almost always combine the Reform ceremony with official civil marriage (most often a Utah marriage, which saves the need to travel abroad).

This combination can significantly shorten the process of regularizing the foreign partner’s status with the Israeli Population Authority. In such cases I always recommend consulting an immigration lawyer before the ceremony.

Symbolic dates carry special significance, but those very dates fill up early. My recommendation — contact me as soon as possible. Usually in our first conversation I can tell you whether I am available.

Even if a specific day does not work with my schedule, I am happy to help you find an excellent Reform rabbi who can accommodate your date — there are outstanding rabbis in the Reform movement in Israel, and I work with all of them as respected colleagues.