Alternative Officiants

For suggestions and ideas for alternative ceremonies, see here.

Independent (Non-Rabbinute) Rabbi

If you’d like to have a rabbi officiate your wedding, but can’t or don’t want to get married through the Rabbinute, there are options available.

It is possible to have a Reform, Conservative, or independent (non-Rabbinute) Orthodox rabbi officiate at your wedding in Israel. Just keep in mind that such a wedding will not officially “count” in the eyes of the Israeli government.

Chuppot is an excellent resource for those who want to get married Halachically without using the Rabbinute. They also take care of the bureaucratic matters (via a marriage ceremony conducted over Zoom, by an officiant in Utah) so you can legally register your marriage afterwards.

Another good place to find rabbinical officiants who work outside of the Rabbinute is this list of independent rabbis on Mit4Mit.

You can also check out the local Reform or Conservative synagogue in your municipality. Get in touch with the contact listed on the site and I’m certain that they have a rabbi who performs weddings in your area.

Secular Officiant – Orech Tekes עורך טקס

This term refers to someone officiating a wedding ceremony – usually means a secular officiant.

This could be anything from a comedian who includes jokes about the couple within the ceremony to an acoustic guitar-playing Shaman type. Orech Tekes typically does not refer to a rabbi (Rabbinute-recognized or independent.)

Havaya is an organization that can help you find the right secular officiant for your ceremony.

The biggest advantage of choosing a secular officiant is that there are no rules – together with the Orech Tekes, you can craft exactly the ceremony you want, in exactly the spirit that best suits you for your special day.

Some officiants may be funny, some may be more spiritual, and during your pre-wedding meeting with your officiant, you can make your wishes clear and work together to make them a reality.

Loved One

Do you have a trusted friend or family member that you’d like to be an integral part of your wedding? You can ask a loved one to perform the ceremony. This option is a great way to honor someone important in your life, and there’s beauty in having someone who knows you well guide you into this next phase of your life’s journey.