When it comes to individuals whom believe in the tenets of more than one faith, non-traditional officiants are often chosen to perform these services. In the case of a mixed-faith couple such as where one is Jewish and the other of a different faith, a jewish and interfaith rabbi often performs the ceremony. For, there are different aspects to each faith which are often requirements of Biblical law when it comes to marriage.
While still a rarity, a number of Jewish rabbis have now agreed to officiate at these non-traditional weddings. Most common in San Francisco, these couples request that a rabbi officiate or co-officiates a ceremony recognizing the Jewish along with a secondary faith. When co-officiating, most Rabbis work along side pastors, ministers and priests from other faiths. While this is the case, most will not allow any use of the terms Jesus Christ, Lord or Savior so while a rabbi might be willing to co-officiate, most weddings are still more Jewish than otherwise.
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 respondents from each of these two groups suggested they would officiate at mixed-faith weddings on an ongoing basis. Whereas twenty five percent answered yes as to the question of whether or not the officiant would provide these services. While twenty percent said they would only co-officiate along side an officiant from another faith as long as the readings contained no relation to theological references with regards to faiths other than Judaism.
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.
In some cases, rabbis have noted that by officiating these non-traditional weddings, it is easier to establish relationships with couples in order to provide counseling when it comes to living an mixed-faith lifestyle. Whereas, if and when a mixed-faith couple decides to have or adopt children, it would be easier to provide advice on how to raise a family on what is clearly a non-charted religious path.
In a day and age when individuals can become ordained ministers online, one Jewish officiant suggest that it is a good sign when a couple requests the services of a rabbi. For, it shows that faith is an important aspect of the relationship. While a member of the more conservative movement that does not allow rabbis to co-officiate, the officiant also said it would be something to consider if there changes to this rule in the future.
While currently most of these ceremonies are taking place in liberal areas with rabbis whom are reformists or reconstructionists, it is expected that this will change in the future. At the same time, it should be noted that even those whom will officiate at these mixed-faith weddings still focus mostly on the Jewish tradition. As such, a number of brides and grooms and associated family members often feel overlooked during these mixed-faith ceremonies.
While still a rarity, a number of Jewish rabbis have now agreed to officiate at these non-traditional weddings. Most common in San Francisco, these couples request that a rabbi officiate or co-officiates a ceremony recognizing the Jewish along with a secondary faith. When co-officiating, most Rabbis work along side pastors, ministers and priests from other faiths. While this is the case, most will not allow any use of the terms Jesus Christ, Lord or Savior so while a rabbi might be willing to co-officiate, most weddings are still more Jewish than otherwise.
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 respondents from each of these two groups suggested they would officiate at mixed-faith weddings on an ongoing basis. Whereas twenty five percent answered yes as to the question of whether or not the officiant would provide these services. While twenty percent said they would only co-officiate along side an officiant from another faith as long as the readings contained no relation to theological references with regards to faiths other than Judaism.
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.
In some cases, rabbis have noted that by officiating these non-traditional weddings, it is easier to establish relationships with couples in order to provide counseling when it comes to living an mixed-faith lifestyle. Whereas, if and when a mixed-faith couple decides to have or adopt children, it would be easier to provide advice on how to raise a family on what is clearly a non-charted religious path.
In a day and age when individuals can become ordained ministers online, one Jewish officiant suggest that it is a good sign when a couple requests the services of a rabbi. For, it shows that faith is an important aspect of the relationship. While a member of the more conservative movement that does not allow rabbis to co-officiate, the officiant also said it would be something to consider if there changes to this rule in the future.
While currently most of these ceremonies are taking place in liberal areas with rabbis whom are reformists or reconstructionists, it is expected that this will change in the future. At the same time, it should be noted that even those whom will officiate at these mixed-faith weddings still focus mostly on the Jewish tradition. As such, a number of brides and grooms and associated family members often feel overlooked during these mixed-faith ceremonies.
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