When it comes to couples of different faiths whom wish to marry, it has long been a taboo among religious leaders. While this is the case, couples can now request a jewish and interfaith rabbi to lead these and other ceremonies. For, these non-traditional services are now becoming more popular, especially in more liberal areas of the United States. At the same time, it can still be difficult to find the right officiant or co-officiants to provide this service.
While a rarity in the past, a number of Jewish rabbis are now performing interfaith weddings. Most common in the California Bay Area, rabbis are officiating interfaith marriages where others only co-officiate along side priests, ministers and pastors. In fact a recent survey which included 881 rabbis in America on such practices showed that the interfaith weddings are become more common.
More liberal rabbis whom offer these services still come from a place where no aspect of Judaism recognizes co-officiating as being of any tradition in the faith. Although, movements such as the reconstruction and reformation provide anonymity to rabbis whom do provide these services. Whereas, more conservative rabbis are not allowed to officiate or co-officiate any event which includes aspects outside of the Orthodox Jewish faith.
A large number of rabbis were surveyed to determine how many would or would not officiate at these non-traditional weddings. The results were mixed with twenty percent saying yes to officiating though only twenty percent of the individuals suggested co-officiating was the only option. As such, couples must then find two officiants which are willing to work along side one another with differing beliefs.
One Rabbi in California whom also directs InterfaithFamily, an non-profit organization in the Bay Area said that the findings are not surprising, especially for Northern California. Whereas, these services, though now becoming more common throughout the United States might be more of a shock in the Bible Belt states of South.
Some rabbis have noted that when officiating these non-traditional weddings, it can often be easier to connect with the couple for counseling when and where necessary. For, there are a number of uncharted areas when it comes to mixed-faith households. In most cases, these areas relate to how to honor each faith, raise children and how to become involved in events being held at a church, synagogue or temple.
As becoming ordained is as easy as getting online and filling out a form, a number of Jewish rabbis suggest that it is a good thing couples are requesting religious leaders of all faiths to officiate or co-officiate at these non-traditional ceremonies. For, it shows that the couple are attempting as best as possible to follow Biblical law according to the faith of each party.
All in all, interfaith officiants and ceremonies seem to occur mostly in the liberal areas of the United States. While this is the case, rabbis providing these services hold on tight to Jewish traditions when doing so. For example, one Jewish chaplain and rabbi whom works at a hospital and nursing home in California will co-officiate as long as the ceremony does not include any mention of Jesus Christ. As such, couples often still find difficulty in selecting the right officiants for these non-traditional weddings.
While a rarity in the past, a number of Jewish rabbis are now performing interfaith weddings. Most common in the California Bay Area, rabbis are officiating interfaith marriages where others only co-officiate along side priests, ministers and pastors. In fact a recent survey which included 881 rabbis in America on such practices showed that the interfaith weddings are become more common.
More liberal rabbis whom offer these services still come from a place where no aspect of Judaism recognizes co-officiating as being of any tradition in the faith. Although, movements such as the reconstruction and reformation provide anonymity to rabbis whom do provide these services. Whereas, more conservative rabbis are not allowed to officiate or co-officiate any event which includes aspects outside of the Orthodox Jewish faith.
A large number of rabbis were surveyed to determine how many would or would not officiate at these non-traditional weddings. The results were mixed with twenty percent saying yes to officiating though only twenty percent of the individuals suggested co-officiating was the only option. As such, couples must then find two officiants which are willing to work along side one another with differing beliefs.
One Rabbi in California whom also directs InterfaithFamily, an non-profit organization in the Bay Area said that the findings are not surprising, especially for Northern California. Whereas, these services, though now becoming more common throughout the United States might be more of a shock in the Bible Belt states of South.
Some rabbis have noted that when officiating these non-traditional weddings, it can often be easier to connect with the couple for counseling when and where necessary. For, there are a number of uncharted areas when it comes to mixed-faith households. In most cases, these areas relate to how to honor each faith, raise children and how to become involved in events being held at a church, synagogue or temple.
As becoming ordained is as easy as getting online and filling out a form, a number of Jewish rabbis suggest that it is a good thing couples are requesting religious leaders of all faiths to officiate or co-officiate at these non-traditional ceremonies. For, it shows that the couple are attempting as best as possible to follow Biblical law according to the faith of each party.
All in all, interfaith officiants and ceremonies seem to occur mostly in the liberal areas of the United States. While this is the case, rabbis providing these services hold on tight to Jewish traditions when doing so. For example, one Jewish chaplain and rabbi whom works at a hospital and nursing home in California will co-officiate as long as the ceremony does not include any mention of Jesus Christ. As such, couples often still find difficulty in selecting the right officiants for these non-traditional weddings.
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Get details about the factors to keep in mind when picking a wedding officiant and more information about an experienced Jewish and interfaith rabbi at http://www.californiarabbi.com/services.html now.
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