Soulful Services
Baby Namings/Welcome Ceremonies
"Each child brings their own blessing into the world."
— Yiddish Proverb
There are many ways to welcome newborns and young children into the Jewish tradition. Boys are welcomed with a brit milah on the eighth day, and I am happy to work alongside a mohel to bring your son into the covenant of the Jewish people.
While there is no prescribed day to welcome a baby girl, we can work together to decide when the time is right to bring your daughter into the covenant of the Jewish people. Together, we will create a ritual that reflects the deep wisdom of Jewish tradition, alongside your hopes and dreams for your newborn. Your customized ceremony will be meaningful, participatory, and memorable.
Part of welcoming your child into the Jewish community includes selecting a Hebrew name. I will help you find the name that most aptly honors your ancestors or expresses your wish for them to embody specific traits or characteristics.
For each baby’s arrival, I will create a personalized experience that incorporates your family’s traditions, in conjunction with Jewish traditions and customs. Through blessing, ritual, story and song, your new arrival will be surrounded by love, caring, and sharing, as they are warmly welcomed into the Jewish community.
Weddings
Rooted in ancient tradition and rich with spiritual significance, Jewish weddings are a sacred celebration of love, partnership, and community. The ceremony itself holds centuries of meaning — from the signing of the ketubah to the circling, the blessings under the chuppah, and the joyful breaking of the glass. These timeless rituals connect you to generations past while marking the sacred moment when two lives become one.
Together, we’ll create a ceremony that honors these cherished traditions while reflecting your personal story, values, and vision for the future. Whether you are seeking a traditional service, a contemporary interpretation, an interfaith celebration, or something entirely your own, I will work closely with you to ensure every element feels authentic and heartfelt. It’s my privilege to stand with you — and with your loved ones — as we craft a meaningful, inclusive experience that celebrates your unique journey.
Commemorating Loss
“A season is set for everything, a time for every experience under heaven…
a time to be born and a time to die.”
— Ecclesiastes 3:1
Losing a loved one is never easy. Depending on the circumstances, many emotions may emerge: sadness, grief, relief, confusion, anger, love, or overwhelm. Thankfully, Judaism is filled with wisdom gleaned from over the ages, wisdom that can bolster us during this difficult time. Jewish rituals allow the mourner to feel less alone and surrounded by community. Having an experienced rabbi to help navigate these trying times can be helpful and supportive. Rabbi Amy will craft a ceremony for you that will be compassionate and empathetic, providing a befitting farewell to your beloved.
Rabbi Amy Pessah was recommended to me when I was looking for someone to officiate at my brother’s memorial, and I am very grateful for that. In addition to creating a beautiful ceremony that was both moving and meaningful, she generously offered up her support in any way that was needed. This type of assistance during such a difficult time in one’s life is priceless. I truly cannot recommend Rabbi Amy highly enough.
— Suzy Z
Marking Sacred Transitions through Ritual
If you’re like most of us, you probably spend a good portion of your life rushing…or waiting…
…rushing to work
…rushing to the grocery store
…rushing to your child’s school play
OR
…waiting for your child to talk
…waiting for your next promotion
…waiting for your garden to grow
Most of us lead busy, hectic lives. We rush…and we wait…for things to happen. We might even envision life unfolding in a certain way. Sometimes it does and sometimes it doesn’t. Sometimes it happens too fast and sometimes not fast enough. Often times we wish we could be more focused, less distracted, more present, less scattered.
Enter RITUAL. Ritual is a way to make the ordinary sacred. It marks, lifts up, and sanctifies the often times overlooked moments in our lives: first bicycle rides, losing a first tooth, moving up to middle school, arrival of menarche, going away to college, and many more precious events along life’s journey.
Rabbi Amy can help you craft a ceremony that helps to mark these special moments, allowing you to pause, reflect, and offer gratitude for these priceless memories.
Allowing us to slow down and be present in the moment.