Custom Jewish Lifecycle Rituals
for Weddings, Transitions, & Milestones
Rituals are powerful because they create space to pause and reflect while taking an active role of marking a moment.
I walk people through these lifecycles and important moments utilizing the tool of ritual.
Sometimes this is incorporating the ancient Jewish tool of Mikveh, and other times it is finding a unique action for the individual.
Whether you're hoping for a traditional or creative approach, we can co-create something that matches your values.
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Here are some examples of rituals that I facilitate:
Marriage & Family
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Weddings & Anniversaries
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Baby Naming & Brit Ceremonies
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Postpartum & Early Parenthood Rituals
Spiritual Growth
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Conversions & Affirmations
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B-Mitzvahs
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Graduations
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Recovery
Grief & Loss
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Miscarriages
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Funerals, Mourning RItuals & Yahrzeit
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Divorce or Break-up
Transitions
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Moving
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Addiction Recovery
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Gender Affirmation
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Coming out/Sexual Orientation
...and many more
Hi, I’m Rabbi Tova.
An Independent Rabbi for Your Special Ritual in Los Angeles and the surrounding Southern California area
I am here to use my expertise to help you create the ritual of your dreams.
My mission is to inspire and empower YOU to THRIVE through life’s most important moments and transitions. We'll work together to blend ancient practices with modern elements to reflect your story and align with your values.
My Training & Background
MA from Ziegler School for Rabbinic Studies with a focus on Jewish Philosophy and God
BA in Jewish Gender Studies from the Jewish Theological Seminary; BA in Art History from Columbia University
Trained in pastoral care at Cedars Sinai Medical Hospital in Los Angeles; Trained in Spiritual Counseling at Beit T'shuvah
Certified in Reiki, Levels 1 & 2; Studied dowsing and Kabbalastic Energy Healing
I've worked with & created programs at the following insitutions:
New Ground
I'm an alum of these
fellowship programs:
Every Rabbi is different.
What to Expect:
1 / Initial Meeting
Book a free virtual consultation with me to see if we're a good match for your lifecycle ritual needs.
2 / Relationship Building
When we start working together, I will learn about your goals and visions for this ritual, and answer any questions that you may have.
3 / Customizing Traditions & Planning
I'll share my expertise to help you understand the typical flow of the ritual, and will showcase different options for personalization along the way.
For example, we can co-create the ritual with customized blessings, music, items and symbols of significance, incorporation ofo the Torah, organization of ritual elements, and other theological frameworks.
4 / Educational Guidance
I'll mentor you to help you make decisions that weave ancient Jewish rituals with contemporary meaning. I'll advise you of halacha where relevant to ensure authenticity if necessary.
5 / Preparation
We'll reherse and clarify key moments and solidify logistics.
6 / The Ritual Day
We'll mark the moment with meaning.
Custom Jewish Weddings
Huppah, vows, seven blessings, glass-breaking, ketubah, and rings
“We could not recommend Rabbi Tova more highly as a Jewish wedding officiant. She is warm, creative, thoughtful, and wants nothing more than to craft the perfect ceremony, tailored to the individual couple. She helped us achieve an egalitarian, progressive and beautiful ceremony that incorporated our values and included the participation of family members. The ceremony was the highlight of our special day because of Rabbi Tova. We are forever grateful.”
- Lena & Aaron
Imagine...
standing under the Huppah (a wedding canopy), declariing your love in a bespoke Jewish ceremony, crafted to be authentically yours.
Spiritual Counseling
In addition to being a Jewish wedding officiant as a Rabbi, I also provide spiritual counseling to couples before their wedding date. Informed by my rabbinic training and my spiritual counseling traning, we really go deep in these sessions to explore topics that are meaningful to the couple. This can include explorations on commitment, communication, family, the marital home, and other goals that you have as a couple.
Unique Approach
In our work together, I see you and your partner as individuals. We will meet between 4-6 times, mainly on zoom. We'll collaborate to create a meaningful, spiritual, and truly joyful wedding ceremony. Creativity is always a welcomed part of the process.
Safe & Courageous Space
I make sure to create a safe and courageous space for all couples.
“Very quickly, Tova became so much more than our wedding officiant - she showed up seamlessly as our trusted mentor, our spiritual counselor, and friend. Tova has an amazing ability to see and understand different parts of your lives and help you bring them together in a meaningful, nuanced and authentic way under your chuppah.
Tova led us with grace through the most beautiful ceremony. Oh man, we love her!!”
- Dani & Nathan
"Working with Rabbi Tova to officiate our wedding was one of the best decisions we made throughout the entire planning process. She took genuine time to get to know who we are today, not just as a couple, but as individuals, and that care was woven into every single element of our ceremony.
What stood out most was how deeply she met us where we were in our Jewish journey. She never made us feel like we needed to be something we weren't. Instead, she helped us identify the traditions that felt most meaningful to us and built our celebration around those. The result was a Ketubah signing and ceremony that felt authentically ours.
Beyond officiating, Rabbi Tova served as a true spiritual counselor in the months leading up to our wedding. The exercises and reflections she guided us through helped us arrive at our wedding day with a sense of intention and depth that we hadn't anticipated and that we will carry with us always.
Her demeanor is calm, warm, and deeply empathetic, which made the process feel grounding and joyful. We couldn't recommend her more highly to any couple looking to begin their marriage rooted in meaning." ~ Jessie and Max
Baby Naming & Brit Rituals
Community welcome, convental ritual, naming, blessings, Dvar Torah
A Joyful Ceremony
A ceremony that welcome a baby into the Jewish people is one of the most joyful moments there is in Judaism! I work together with the parents to create a memory that they will cherish.
My role as a rabbi is to be a facilitator and guide so that this experience reflects what you need. Some parents love to create new rituals within the framework; others prefer that I make executive decisions, and most are somewhere in between.
We'll meet one time before the day of the ritual to make sure I have a sense of what you hope to create.
Yahrzeit
Kaddish, candle-lighting, tzedakah, halachot, memoir, rituals
A Memorial for Your Loved One
A yahrzeit is a way to honor our ancestors and loved ones on the anniversary of their death in the Hebrew calendar. On this day, we participate in rituals that strengthen their souls, bring them merit, and provide them with a sense of joy. Yahrzeit is a beautiful way to connect with your lineage and ensure the memory of your loved one is carried on.
My role as a rabbi is to be a facilitator and guide so that this experience reflects what you need. I can lead in the Mourner's Kiddish, and offer support around tzedakah and other positive actions.
We'll meet one time before the day of the ritual to make sure I have a sense of what you hope to create.
