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Lifecycle Ceremonies

Jewish and Interfaith Weddings

 

Rabbi Bridget Wynne and Rabbi Stephanie Kennedy value the opportunity to work with each couple to create and officiate at a unique ceremony that reflects who they are, individually and together.

 

They welcome Jewish, interfaith, intercultural, and LGBTQIA couples.

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Learn more about how Rabbi Bridget works with wedding couples.

To learn more about wedding officiation, contact Rabbi Bridget by email or at 510-545-9977 or Rabbi Steph by email or at 510-859-7866

 

 

Welcoming a Jewish Child

Rabbi Bridget Wynne and Rabbi Stephanie Kennedy will be honored to work with you to plan, and then to officiate at, a ceremony to welcome a baby or child to your family and to the Jewish people. 

Whether you are a parent by birth or through adoption, married or single, and/or a member of the LGBTQIA community, Rabbi Bridget or Rabbi Steph will help you to craft a ritual that reflects your values.

 

To learn more, please contact Rabbi Bridget by email or at 510-545-9977 or Rabbi Steph by email or at 510-859-7866.

Funeral or Memorial Service

 

If you would like to discuss arrangements for a funeral or memorial service, please contact Rabbi Bridget by email or at 510-545-9977 or Rabbi Steph by email or at 510-859-7866.

You may find general information on preparing for a Jewish funeral here, and a sample checklist on preparing for a Jewish funeral here. While these guides provide useful information, there are many personal considerations and options that they do not address, so please contact Rabbi Bridget or Rabbi Steph to discuss your situation and relevant questions.

Other Lifecycle Ceremonies

 

There are many other Jewish lifecycle ceremonies. Some are part of a long tradition, and others have been created recently to mark transitions, change, loss, and growth in the lives of individuals, families, and communities. These include rituals for:

 

  • Young adults moving out on their own for the first time

  • Acquiring a driver's license

  • Hanging a mezuzah and blessing a home

  • Recovery from illness or trauma

  • Mourning miscarriage, stillbirth, and neonatal death

  • Celebrating a milestone wedding anniversary or renewal of vows

  • Retirement

  • Entering "elderhood"

  • Menopause

  • Moving into a retirement or assisted living facility

  • And more

 

If you'd like explore one or more of these rituals, or to discuss another lifecycle moment that might be marked by a Jewish ceremony, please contact Rabbi Bridget by email or at 510-545-9977 or Rabbi Steph by email or at 510-859-7866.

 

Conversion to Judaism

 

If you are interested in learning more about conversion to Judaism, please contact Rabbi Bridget by email or at 510-545-9977 or Rabbi Steph by email or at 510-859-7866.

 

While every individual's experience is unique, here is some basic information about conversion.

 

The process begins with exploration. Here is one article about possible considerations.

 

Once you decide to pursue conversion, the first step is to find a rabbi who is a good match for you and will serve as your "converting rabbi." Your converting rabbi and you will make a plan for you to learn about and experience the basic teachings and practices of Judaism, usually through a combination of participation in a class, personal study and practice, and participation in Jewish community activities. 

 

The period of time this process takes varies from person to person, depending on factors such as how much you already know, your experience with Jewish life, and the amount of time you can put into the process of learning as you move towards conversion.

 

Once you have gone through the process and are ready to convert, your rabbi will guide you through rituals, usually including a ritual bath (mikvah), that will affirm and celebrate your entrance into the Jewish people.

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