Rabbi Lev Herrnson Wedding Officiant from East Rockaway, NY

My Wedding Philosophy: Open to Innovation, Respectful of Tradition Every Jew deserves to feel the embrace of Judaism, which is to say that I am quite progressive in my approach to Judaism. I also have a great appreciation for Jewish tradition. For this reason, I work with every couple, from all walks of Jewish life, to express creativity within the traditional framework. My intention is to give voice to the tradition as well as respect the individuality and uniqueness of each couple. The performance of weddings is a significant part of my rabbinate. I see great value in helping couples find meaning in our Jewish wedding traditions. Just as it marks the start of a lifetime and a family together, your wedding also serves as a platform for your embrace of Jewish living. Helping you to find meaning—at the start of your Jewish journey as a married couple, is a humbling and thrilling opportunity, one that I regard as the principal part of my service to the Jewish community. Caring. Warm. Sensitive. Rabbi Lev Herrnson has officiated at the marriages of scores of couples, and also joined those same families for celebrations (baby naming and renewal of vows ceremonies) and on occasion, commemorations of life (funerals and unveilings), making him a part of their family networks. Casting a wide net, Rabbi Lev's rabbinate embraces Jews from all walks of life, offering a mingling of both traditional and progressive approaches. Rabbi Lev routinely serves individuals and couples from Conservative, Reform and unaffiliated families. He has great sensitivity to the challenges of being Jewish in the modern world—because of his own varied experience. Rabbi Lev's progressive attitude stems from his own diverse Jewish experience. He grew up on Long Island in a family affiliated with the Reform movement. Years later, after a largely secular life in Israel, Rabbi Lev found himself on a path of religious immersion. As his passion for Judaism grew, he returned to the United States and obtained rabbinical ordination from the Reform Movement. Later in life, Rabbi Lev worked in the Conservative Jewish world and adopted many of the practices embraced by that movement. Today, Rabbi Lev worships at a Conservative synagogue, and adopts customs and traditions from all expressions of Jewish life both personally and professionally; he merges his passion for innovation with Jewish spirituality and tradition. Currently living on Long Island, Rabbi Lev has also lived in New York City, Miami, Boston and Jerusalem. An educator for over 20 years, Rabbi Lev worked in Jewish schools as well as other informal Jewish educational settings both in the United States and abroad. Ordained as a rabbi at the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion (HUC-JIR) in New York in 2000, Rabbi Lev earned degrees from HUC-JIR (1999), Boston University (1993), and Binghamton University (1986). He's also studied at and earned professional certificates from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Columbia University and the Jewish Theological Seminary of America and he is a Wexner Graduate Fellow, Class VIII. Rabbi Lev is the founder and president of the Torah Restoration Project and is a member of the Board of Directors of the Hewlett-East Rockaway Jewish Centre. As a rabbinical student, Rabbi Lev served pulpits in western Pennsylvania and at Purdue University. He also interned as a chaplain at Beth Israel Medical Center in New York City and, in a round-about way, met his wife there. (It's a long story!) Rabbi Lev's five years in Israel and his love of Judaism launched him on a journey of service to the Jewish people. He shares his journey with his loving and brilliant wife Lisa, and his two above-average children. New York State has no specific registration requirements. However, I am registered by the City of New York as an official Marriage Officiant. Requirements in other cities, states and countries may vary. Upon request, I am happy to review the governmental requirements of your anticipated setting. My customary fee for a wedding in Nassau County is $1,000. Supplemental charges for travel outside of Nassau County, and overnight hotel stays in the case of destination weddings, are at the expense of the celebrants.