My Personal Cantor

Wedding Officiant -Debbi Ballard

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About Me

All About Cantor Debbi

I have a rich and varied background that brings me to where I am today.

Cantor Debbi preparing for a Jewish Interfaith wedding
Cantor Debbi preparing for a Jewish Interfaith wedding

As a child growing up in a Conservative Jewish community, I was mesmerized and transformed by the musical experience of singing in synagogue with my family. Our Jewish holiday celebrations and lifecycle events became the most special moments in my life. Brought up in a musical home, I followed my passion to sing while growing up, however, never realized how I could combine my love for music with work that would inspire and transform me.

In 1987, I met and married the man I fell in love with, however, much to the chagrin of my family, he was not Jewish. I had no idea how I was going to raise a family, much less an Interfaith family, but I had faith that I knew would carry us through. As our family grew, so did our need for spiritual worship, and as a parent – a JEWISH parent, I felt drawn to the worship experience I grew up with. I was immediately faced with the harsh reality that Interfaith couples and families are not welcomed with open arms by the traditional houses of worship that exist today. Sure, even the most liberal synagogues open their arms in terms of membership, but when asked to actually facilitate the lifecycle events of the Interfaith family – now THAT was a different story…

I raised my children in our Reform synagogue in Weston, Florida, and served as a faithful congregant for years, as an active congregant, board member, and lay leader. My relationship with my synagogue was rewarding and fulfilling. But over the years, I found that almost 80% of South Florida’s Jewish community is unaffiliated , and therefore unable to participate in a Jewish communal experience. They have little or no access to warm, meaningful Jewish lifecycle events. One cannot be Jewish alone, and while many people believe that synagogue life is the best way to be part of a Jewish community, not everyone feels the same way.  I felt drawn to this community, and realized my dream was to serve as a connection for unaffiliated families to their Jewish roots and community. In 2004, I met Rabbi Joseph Gelberman, the founder of the All Faith Seminary in New York. Rabbi Gelberman is the most amazing man, almost 98 years old, and sharp as a tack. My friend, my mentor, and my inspiration, Jerry Cohn introduced me to Rabbi G. That day, having lunch, in a Chinese Restaurant in Tamarac, Florida, he asked me to chant Debbie Friedman’s “Mishebeirach”. That moment was the most transforming moment of my life, as he asked me to found a Cantorial program with his seminary, and of course, through years of study with him and his staff, I became the first student to achieve a Cantorial S’micha, through the New Seminary.

Now, remember – I have loved my connections to past synagogues, but today’s social environment has created challenges that the Jewish community is unable to provide solutions to. For whatever reasons, 80% of our Jewish population does not, nor will ever, belong to a synagogue. And because of that, it’s possible that unlimited future Jewish generations could be lost forever, unless someone works to help these families maintain their Jewish connection. So in 2004, I chose to become – Your Personal Cantor. A spiritual leader, a coach, a singer, a cheerleader, and a teacher. All in one. Yes, I believe that to be Jewish, you must be part of a Jewish community, but as our society expands, so does that Jewish community, and if I help you connect to your Jewish roots, then the likelihood of your future connection remains strong.

Over the last 10 years, I have served hundreds of families in reaching their Jewish goals – their way.  Today I am committed to continue helping families, couples, and individuals remain connected to Judaism, in any way possible, and making a positive difference in the way people engage, Jewishly. Call me today to find out how I can help you.. B’Shalom. Debbi Email: debbi@mypersonalcantor.com or call   954-646-1326.

References

References

“For my family, working with Debbi was an incredible experience. Her weekly tutoring sessions to our home were so positive and productive. The relationship that we all had with her was truly amazing…

See Praise!

 

FAQ

FAQ’s

  1. Will you co-officiate?
  2. Do I need a Rabbi to perform my marriage?
  3. Can we create our own ceremony?
  4. Do I need solid gold wedding bands?

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Contact

Edjewcation Station

After spending years as a layleader and educator in a popular West Broward synagogue, I began to see how ineffective today’s synagogue programs…

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Contact

Contact

954-646-1326
debbi@mypersonalcantor.com
Skype: debbi.ballard
Aim: cantorballard

Free Consultation!

Watch an Interview with Debbi

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Contact Me

717 Shotgun Road,
Sunrise, FL 33326
954-646-1326



~ Officiating Jewish & Interfaith Weddings, Bar & Bat Mitzvahs, Funerals, and any other Jewish Lifecycle Services in Florida, USA – Destination Weddings in North America, Mexico, Caribbean & Worldwide ~

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What They Say

"Working with Cantor Debbi
made our event more amazing
than we hoped for! She is warm
and wonderful!"

Events Calendar

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27February 27, 2023 28February 28, 2023 1March 1, 2023 2March 2, 2023 3March 3, 2023 4March 4, 2023

6:00 pm: Ava's Bat Mitzvah, Wellington, FL

March 4, 2023 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Read more

5March 5, 2023

Upcoming Events

  • 10:00 am – 11:15 am, September 19, 2020 – High Holy Days with Cantor Debbi Ballard on ZOOM
  • 7:00 pm – 8:15 pm, September 27, 2020 – High Holy Days with Cantor Debbi Ballard on ZOOM
  • 10:00 am – 11:15 am, September 28, 2020 – High Holy Days with Cantor Debbi Ballard on ZOOM
  • 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm, March 4, 2023 – Ava's Bat Mitzvah, Wellington, FL

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