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Wedding Officiant -Debbi Ballard

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Home » Jewish, Interfaith, LGBTQ Weddings » Page 2

Brit Milah and Brit Bat: Welcoming Babies … Another Interfaith Family Embraces Jewish Tradition

March 16, 2017 by Debbi Ballard Leave a Comment

Once upon a time there were two very special people, David and Katie.   Meeting David and Katie was a pivotal moment, not only in my career, but also in my life. I love sharing the most special moments of my career with people, so below is our story….and when you read it, you’ll know why this Interfaith family is so special!

baby naming, a Jewish-Interfaith family embraces Jewish traditionIn November of 2008, David and Katie contacted me to discuss their upcoming Jewish – Interfaith wedding. David was Jewish; Katie was not. They loved each other unconditionally; and they both also had great love and respect for their families. Because of this, they were concerned about their upcoming wedding and wanted to ensure that at the ceremony, both families would be comfortable.

I appreciated their concern as well as the fact that they were so straightforward in communicating it. It was just as important for their families to enjoy this special day as it was for them. So, we talked….and talked ….. and talked some more. In fact, we spent an entire year getting to know each other. While Katie was not planning on converting, she did want to raise a Jewish family. Throughout the course of the year I was able to serve as advisor for her. We discussed Jewish lifestyles, I helped her understand many of the things she could expect her future to hold.

Finally, their wedding weekend arrived. Their family and friends gathered in St. Petersburg, Florida; and they invited me to share their wedding weekend with them! I stayed overnight at the same location as their families and had the chance to not only meet everyone, but also see, see first hand, the joy everyone had for David and Katie. Needless to say, the wedding was filled with emotion and love. Before I left, David and Katie made it clear to me that they wanted to continue our relationship; and we did.

You can imagine my reaction when I received an excited phone call in 2014 – David and Katie were having a baby!! We had been in regular contact since the wedding; but this moment was so special. They shared that they would love for me to perform their baby naming ceremony in St. Petersburg, and naturally I was thrilled! The car ride to the service flew by, probably because I was so excited to meet baby M and catch up, in-person, with this very special couple. Honestly, I truly don’t have words to describe my excitement; you may have thought this baby was MY family!! After a meaningful ceremony and celebration, we parted ways with promises to keep in touch and plans to see each other again.

In August of 2016 my phone again rang with happy news; their family was continuing to grow!   The joy I felt was immeasurable. You know the feeling, when good things happen to good people – good people that you love! And so just recently, on December 4th, I hit the road on a highly anticipated trip” to St. Petersburg to celebrate their beautiful new addition, Baby R, and their very special family.

It is an experience like this that helps define who I am and what I do. My job is so much more than simply performing a ceremony for Jewish and Interfaith couples, and it is more than offering advice and counsel. What lights me up is watching people grow and develop, helping people clearly see their futures, it’s building relationships and helping make life a little bit better for everyone I serve.

Filed Under: Baby Namings, Jewish, Interfaith, LGBTQ Weddings

The Lord’s Prayer and my favorite Catholic Priest – Jewish-Catholic Wedding

September 2, 2013 by Debbi Ballard 2 Comments

Meet the “Jewish-Catholic Wedding Officiant Dream Team!”

Last night, I drove 13 hours round trip up and back in the same day, just to co-officiate the wedding of Alex and Blake, an adorable couple from Gainesville, FL, in St. Augustine.  Now normally, I would never accept a wedding two days before Rosh Hashanah, most especially out of town – and most definitely not with an up and back in one day! But this wedding ceremony was different.  See, I would go to the ends of the earth to share an altar with Father Tim Lozier, my most incredibly favorite Catholic Priest in this world.  Father Tim and I co-officiated our first Jewish-Catholic wedding a few years ago for Dan and Bethann, and then for Michelle and Brian last year.  Last night was the third time, for Alex and Blake.

My favorite Catholic Priest, Father Tim, at Alex and Blake's Jewish-Catholic wedding
Father Tim and I – the Dream Team of Jewish Catholic Wedding Officiants!
Father Tim and Cantor Debbi Ballard
Father Tim and I – The DREAM TEAM of Jewish Catholic Wedding Officiants – I just love performing Interfaith weddings with him!

It’s been hard to put into words what makes Father Tim my favorite.

 

First, his incredible willingness and ease in sharing the wedding officiant roles and equally including both of us in the most special, wonderful ways in the wedding ceremony makes him so easy to work with.  His wonderful, loving, caring soul makes him so easy to love and get along with.  And I really get a kick that he grabs my arm and leads me right up to the bar to get us a cocktail to celebrate!  What a guy! But last night, I understood what makes Father Tim really so special.  In any other co-officiated wedding, I would be deeply concerned over the inclusion of the “J-word” in a wedding ceremony, but with Father Tim, he makes special points to mention “Rabbi Jesus”, and he takes all of the discomfort out of the obvious elephant in the room.  And as I stand there next to him, reciting The Lord’s Prayer word for word along with him, I can feel the palpable energy of unity flowing through the room. It is the ultimate point in what I do that makes me so happy to work with Father Tim.

“What unites us, not what divides us”

Focusing on what unites us – the values of love and caring, we can dissolve the concepts of what divides us.  In that space, in his white robes and in my tallit, with the words of Jesus on his lips and the Sheva Brachot on mine, we are one.  We are brother and sister in G0d’s eyes, and we share the same source.  In this moment and time, there are no differences.  The Lord’s Prayer is as much mine as it is his, and the power of that thought has been what has transformed the three wedding ceremonies we have performed together, and will continue to do so every time in the future. I adore Father Tim, and I adore my couples who I marry.  I adore my family, my loved ones, and human kind.  And oh, I adore the thought of all of us living and sharing this planet, loving and caring for each other, as brothers and sisters in God’s eyes.  I have a dream…

Want to create your own “dream come true wedding”?  Contact Cantor Debbi today to see how you can co-create the event of your dreams.

Filed Under: Debbi's Deep Thoughts and Musings, Featured Content, Jewish, Interfaith, LGBTQ Weddings, Weddings

Jewish Interfaith Wedding in Naples, Florida: Some Things Were Just Meant to Be …

March 4, 2010 by Debbi Ballard 6 Comments

It’s been a busy year.  Incredibly busy.  And, fortunately for me, almost every weekend during the year has been booked, sometimes with one, but often with even two or three  events in one weekend.  There hasn’t been much room for anything spontaneous (let alone blog writing), but, last Saturday was just – different.

It was a day that for whatever reason remained open in my calendar.  A Saturday?  Not a single event, from morning to night.  Sure, I had something on Sunday, but I kept wondering to myself, for months why that particular Saturday was just sitting there…alone and empty.  But now I know, it was meant to be that way.

At 7 am last Saturday, I was just waking up, figuring I would take advantage of the down time and do some office work, some blog writing, maybe even writing some music.  Before I finished my first cup of coffee, the phone rang.  WHO would be calling me this early, I wondered?  It was a Boca area code, but I didn’t recognize the number.  The gentleman on the other end of the phone said “Cantor Debbi, I found you online, and at the same time you were recommended to us by another source so I’m hoping you can help my friend”….He continued on saying…”They are getting married TONIGHT in Naples, Florida, and at 10:30 last night, they found out their Rabbi had been hospitalized, and was unable to perform the wedding ceremony!”

OMG, I thought – what a horrible thing to happen!  He asked me if there was any way I could help and immediately the answer came to me, the reason all along this date was sitting open – it was just waiting for this phone call to happen, I suppose.  “Yes”, I replied, “In fact, I happen to be available all day and night, and can be in Naples in less than 2 hours.  How can I help?”

He told me that in just a moment, Brett, the groom would call me, and he did, and we chatted briefly, and in less than 20 minutes. we walked through a Jewish Interfaith wedding ceremony, planned how all this would play out, and I assured him I would be there a few hours before the wedding ceremony began.  We planned a Ketubah signing, the whole wedding ceremony from beginning to end, and we were on our way.  Within a couple of hours, I was in my car headed west, to The Naples Beach and Golf Resort, a magnificent location for a wedding, (and strangely enough, one of the first places my husband and I spent the weekend at together, almost 25 years ago!)

As a side note – it struck me that amid some of the worst winter weather we had been having, as I was driving across Alligator Alley, I was amazed at what a beautiful day it was, cool, crisp, and incredibly sunny.  I was certain there was something divine going on here, but just not quite sure what.

Cantor Debbi Ballard with Brett and Andrea at their Jewish Interfaith wedding ceremony

Sure enough, I arrived at the resort, found the coordinator, checked in, made sure everything was in order, and before I knew it – it was time for the Ketubah signing.  I met both Brett and Andrea just before, and they were one of the cutest, sweetest Interfaith couples I had ever met.  Their friends in the bridal party were so excited that I was there, and so grateful that I had arrived, and I just knew that I was right where I was supposed to be.

The setting for their Jewish Interfaith wedding was amazing, the weather was perfect, and the family was ecstatic.  And there I stood, waiting for Brett and Andrea to arrive at the chuppah, and took a moment and looked up at the sky, and offered a special moment of thanks, for leaving this day open, for leading me here, and for being able to make a very special couple’s Jewish Interfaith wedding dream come true.

Chuppah for Jewish Interfaith Wedding in Naples, FL

We don’t always know why things happen, and we don’t always know what is in store, but I learn more and more, that every day, we are exactly where we are meant to be.

I’m so grateful that I had the opportunity to marry Brett and Andrea, for meeting their parents, who were also so grateful for the Jewish Interfaith wedding ceremony and for the way things worked out, and for the new friends I have made as a result of it all.  I’m so grateful to G-d, for allowing me to be right where He wanted me to be.

Jewish Interfaith Wedding Couple in Naples, FL

 

 

 

 

 

 

Want to create your own “dream come true wedding”?  Contact Cantor Debbi today to see how you can co-create the event of your dreams.

Filed Under: Featured Content, Jewish, Interfaith, LGBTQ Weddings, Slider, Weddings

Mickey and Jennifer’s Jewish Chinese Wedding Ceremony in Key West, Florida

December 1, 2009 by Debbi Ballard Leave a Comment

On Sunday, November 8th, I had the honor of performing Mickey & Jennifer’s wedding, at The Hemingway House, in Key West, Florida.

Jennifer & Mickey's Jewish Chinese wedding location at Hemingway House in Key West
Jennifer & Mickey’s Interfaith wedding location at Hemingway House in Key West
Chuppah at The Hemingway House, Mickey & Jennifer's Interfaith wedding
Chuppah at The Hemingway House, Mickey & Jennifer’s Interfaith wedding

Mickey and Jennifer are the sweetest couple, incredibly kind, loving, and so wonderful to work with!  Mickey is Jewish, and Jennifer is Chinese, and together we created a beautifully blended ceremony, including a chuppah, breaking of the glass, and ending in a beautiful Chinese Tea Ceremony, where both Mickey and Jennifer honored their parents.

Tea Cups for Chinese Tea Ceremony
Tea Cups for Chinese Tea Ceremony
Mickey and Jennifer honor Jennifer's parents in the Chinese Tea Ceremony
Mickey and Jennifer honor Jennifer’s parents in the Chinese Tea Ceremony

Mickey and Jennifer’s families were wonderful, and so much fun to celebrate with!  (Especially Mickey’s sister!)

I co-officiated the ceremony with Pastor Dave from The Hemingway House, and the setting, the food, and the whole party experience was incredible!

Best of luck to you, Mickey and Jennifer!  Wishing you all the love in the world!

MickeyJennifer, beautiful Chinese bride

B’Shalom!

debbisig

Filed Under: Debbi's Deep Thoughts and Musings, Jewish, Interfaith, LGBTQ Weddings Tagged With: Chinese Tea Ceremony, Chinese wedding, Intercultural, Interfaith, Interfaith wedding, Tea Ceremony, wedding

My Chicago weekend – Matthew’s day is here!

November 14, 2009 by Debbi Ballard 1 Comment

I’m so excited for this morning, and for being in Chicago this weekend.  I’ve had sooo much fun since I got off the plane yesterday!

As soon as I arrived for Matthew’s Bar Mitzvah in Chicago, we went to Mike and Sharon’s house, and Matthew and I prepared the Torah and practiced our singing together.  I love that Matthew is a performing pro, so there is NO tension about him getting up in front of 200 people today and chanting Torah!  Before we left for the hotel, Mike and Sharon treated me to the perfect Chicago lunch at Stadium Dogs, and we had the BEST Chicago hot dogs EVER!  (Well, they’re the only ones I’ve ever had – in Chicago, so who am I to boast?)

Just arrived in Chicago - Time for a Hot Dog!
Just arrived in Chicago – Time for a Hot Dog!

Last night, Sharon’s dad had all the family (lots of them) over to their magnificent home for dinner.  It was such a wonderful evening.  Matthew and I sang lots of Shabbat songs, and all the kids helped lead the Shabbat blessings.  There are 4 children under 1 year old, so it was an amazing evening!  Elana, Jacey’s daughter, covered her eyes during the lighting of the candles, and is only SO excited that her Aunt Leiba brought her a Havdalah set and we are going to have Havdalah tonight – after a swim in the water park.

Singing Shabbat Songs on Friday night
Singing Shabbat Songs on Friday night
Indoor Water Park at Key Lime Cove, the Bar Mitzvah location
Indoor Water Park at Key Lime Cove, the Bar Mitzvah location

Yes, life is colorful, and full adventure.  But this weekend, it is also full of love.  I’m so happy to be here.

Go Matthew!  Bring it on!

Want to create your own Bar Mitzvah “dream come true”?  Contact Cantor Debbi today to see how you can co-create the event of your dreams.

B’Shalom!

signaturedebbiblack

Filed Under: Bar/Bat Mitzvah Adventures, Jewish, Interfaith, LGBTQ Weddings Tagged With: Bar Mitzvah, Chicago, Family

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

March 4, 2023 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

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

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