Why a Cantor?

The main reason is song! 

From the opening song of welcome to the final offering of blessing, my singing adds a dimension of warmth, connection, and inspiration that can not be felt through words alone. I'm also an excellent guitarist with a large repertoire of songs in English, Hebrew, and Yiddish and with enough lead time I can prepare your favorite song, as well. Please contact me if you would like me to send you a sample of my singing voice and style.

In case you didn't know, invested cantors are fully authorized to officiate religious and civic wedding ceremonies. 

Getting to Know You- Lead up to the Ceremony

After you've chosen to work with me, we will meet a minimum of three times. Our first meeting is for you to share the story of your love: who you are and how you found one another. I will learn about your families, your commitments as individuals and as a couple, and about your faith. And I will learn about your vision for the ceremony of your dreams. Our second meeting focuses on the details of the ceremony itself. We review the basic structure of a Jewish ceremony, further explore your vision, and work together to construct a format that satisfies your needs and desires. If it is an interfaith wedding, we fashion a plan that celebrates you or your partner's religious faith and/or family-specific traditions. Our final meeting takes place at the wedding site itself and will most likely coincide with your dress rehearsal. We review the details of the ceremony, of course, and I will support you in relaxing. Throughout the process, we communicate by phone or e-mail to review details and for you to express any concerns. My pleasure!

Gay and Lesbian Jewish Weddings

It's a remarkable time in human history and one that presents a precious opportunity for gay and lesbian couples to legally express their love for, and commitment to one another. As a cantor who has officiated at so many beautiful and meaningful ceremonies for the past 20 years, I would be honored to bring spirituality and joy to your upcoming celebration. My intention is to meet at least three times with couples: first to get to know you; second, to review the details of the ceremony itself; third, to finalize the details and/or rehearse the ceremony. Please call or write to me to learn more. Standing beneath the Huppah is often the most holy and joyous moment in a person's life. My overriding objective is to help you both feel calm and connected to one another throughout the process so that you can be present to the experience of holiness and joy. Feel free to drop me a line at R.J.Schwartz@sbcglobal.net or call at 310-838-8338