Your simcha, in Jerusalem!
Bar and bat mitzvah ceremonies and weddings in Israel with Jerusalem Rabbi Steven Schwarzman. Warm, egalitarian, and built around your needs. Come celebrate in Israel!
Rabbi Steven Schwarzman
Your rabbi in Jerusalem
There is no place like Jerusalem for a wedding or bar/bat mitzvah – according to the Talmud, ten measures of beauty descended to the world, and Jerusalem was given nine of them. Bringing your simcha to Jerusalem, or anywhere in Israel, will make it unforgettable. As an American-Israeli rabbi, trained in the US at the Jewish Theological Seminary of America, I’ll help you craft a ceremony that is authentic, joyful, and personal for you.
I’m a Conservative (Masorti) rabbi living in Jerusalem. I served congregations in the United States and Canada before returning to Israel, and I’ve been guiding bar and bat mitzvah families, and wedding couples, since 2008.
As a rabbi, I love helping bar and bat mitzvah kids be ready and feel ready to mark their path to Jewish adulthood, and I love helping couples celebrate their wedding in a ceremony that is timeless and unique to them.
I work with families who are members of synagogues and with families who aren’t. I will get to know you, answer all your questions, guide you through the process of getting ready for your big day, and delight in serving as your rabbi at your simcha in Jerusalem or anywhere in Israel. I’ll also gladly help you with recommendations for everything from photographers to travel arrangements.
Come to Jerusalem for your wedding or bar/bat mitzvah!
Bar & Bat Mitzvah in Israel
Celebrating a Bar or Bat Mitzvah in Jerusalem is a wonderful family experience. Things are less formal here, and your child can participate comfortably, without pressure or anxiety, together with family and friends – surrounded by the people who love them most. I take care of the rest.
- Online meetings before you travel, so your child arrives prepared and we meet as friends
- A ceremony at the egalitarian section of the Western Wall, at Masada, or at another site that fits your family
- Roles for parents, grandparents, and siblings
- Torah scroll, prayer booklets, and site arrangements handled for you
Need a tutor?
Many families prepare with Jewtor, an online tutoring service I co-own. You’re equally welcome to work with your own rabbi or tutor.
Ask about a bar or bat mitzvah
Tell me your dates and what you have in mind.
Weddings in Israel
A Jewish wedding shaped with the two of you, from the chuppah to the breaking of the glass.
- Planning meetings online before you arrive
- A ceremony that reflects your story, with a place for family and friends
- Help with the ketubah and every part of the ceremony
Coming from abroad?
Couples from outside Israel marry civilly at home, and we celebrate the Jewish wedding here.
Ask about a wedding
Tell me your date, where you’re thinking of holding it, and a little about the two of you.
Questions families ask
Do we need to belong to a synagogue?
Not at all. I work with synagogue members and with families who aren’t affiliated, from traditional to Reform to secular, and with interfaith families. (The bar/bat mitzvah child needs to be Jewish, and the same with the bride and groom for weddings.) We shape the ceremony around who you are as a family.
Where can the ceremony take place?
For a Bar or Bat Mitzvah in Jerusalem, most families choose the egalitarian section of the Western Wall, at Robinson’s Arch, where everyone stands together and girls and boys alike read from the Torah. Masada is a dramatic alternative, and we can also hold the ceremony in a synagogue, a hotel, or another meaningful site.
Can a girl read from the Torah at the Western Wall?
Yes. At the egalitarian section, a bat mitzvah girl reads from the Torah just as a boy does, with her whole family around her. And female family members can take part in the service just like male members.
How does our child prepare?
Your child can prepare with your own rabbi or tutor, or with Jewtor, the online tutoring service I co-own. Jewtor has been tutoring Bar and Bat Mitzvah students since 2011. Before you travel, we meet online so that your child knows exactly what to expect, we track learning progress, and we meet as friends.
Which day should we choose?
The Torah is traditionally read for Bar/Bat Mitzvahs on Monday and Thursday mornings and on Rosh Chodesh (the New Moon). Tell me your travel dates and we’ll find the best fit.
How far ahead should we book?
Six to twelve months ahead is ideal, especially for spring and summer and around Jewish holidays. If your trip is sooner, ask anyway; I can often help.
What if there’s a security situation or our flight is cancelled?
If events beyond anyone’s control prevent your ceremony, we reschedule at no extra charge. I also recommend travel insurance that covers cancellation. My Terms of Service explain the details.
Is a wedding in Israel legally recognized?
A Jewish wedding I officiate in Israel is a religious ceremony, so couples from abroad marry civilly at home, before coming to Israel. Then we do the chuppah, the ketubah, and all the rest here in Jerusalem. I’m happy to explain how it works.
How it works
- Tell me your dates and what you have in mind.
- We meet online and plan the ceremony together.
- We meet in Jerusalem and celebrate.