Secular Jewish Ceremonies

for cultural Jews, their partners and their families

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Rabbi Peter Schweitzer, author of Dear Uli!, is Rabbi Emeritus of The City Congregation for Humanistic Judaism in New York City.  He is now retired and mostly refers life cycle requests to his successor, Rabbi Tzemah Yoreh to create secular Jewish and intercultural ceremonies that are inclusive, personal, meaningful, and inspiring. Rabbi Schweitzer is a recognized leader of Humanistic Judaism. He was a member of the Editorial Board of the journal Humanistic Judaism and former president of the Association of Humanistic Rabbis. He contributed the Humanistic perspective to Moment Magazine's "Ask the Rabbi" column, and wrote a column called "New Jewish Rituals" for Jewish Currents magazine.

PLANNING A WEDDING?


Looking for a Wedding Officiant who will perform
non-theistic, intercultural, interfaith,
or same sex ceremonies?

Do you want to write your own vows,
design your own ketubah,
and create your own ceremony?

Would you like to hold your event
on a Saturday before sunset?

Do you want to incorporate a beautiful
candlelighting ceremony in your service?

Are you looking for pre-marital counseling?

Rabbi Peter Schweitzer will gladly discuss
all these matters with you.

Find out about Rabbi Peter's approach
to secular weddings in his article
New Ways to Say 'I Do.'


Exchange of Rings
Wedding processional

Secular Jews choose to affirm their Jewish identity with ceremonies that make connections to our cultural heritage and also use language that is compatible with our own values and philosophy. We mark the passages of our lives with creative and innovative rituals that are consistent with our secular beliefs and principles.
A happy mother and her child
We celebrate the birth of a child or an adoption into one’s family – with a joyful baby naming ceremony that welcomes baby boys and girls equally.

We provide an exciting, challenging and meaningful way for Jewish youth to celebrate their bar or bat mitzvah and transition into adolescence.

We assist couples to personalize their own wedding or partnership ceremonies with language that expresses their unique identities and cultural background.

We celebrate the life of a loved one with a dignified memorial or funeral service that gives voice to our grief with honesty and avoids euphemisms and messages of false comfort.

We provide a secular path for joining the Jewish people for those individuals who choose to identify with our history, heritage, and hopes for the future.

Let us know how we can help you create cultural Jewish celebrations that give joy and meaning to these significant events in your life.


A bat mitzvah girl at the lectern