The Jewish wedding ceremony is filled with beautiful songs, meaningful liturgy, and potent symbols such as blessing the wine and breaking the glass.
Our rich Jewish traditions link your marriage to the generations that came before you and to those who will follow.
We have four rabbis on our staff who perform weddings: Rabbi Lynne Goldsmith, Rabbi Evon Yakar, Rabbi Alan Shavit-Lonstein, and Rabbi Jamie Korngold.
The Rabbi will help you understand the elements of a Jewish wedding while allowing you to personalize the ceremony to reflect your unique relationship. Would you like to add readings or have a guest sing a song? Perhaps you want to write your vows or paint your ketubah?
Our Jewish wedding ceremonies are best described as warm, welcoming, inclusive, and personalized. They are never cookie-cutter ceremonies and will not be long and boring!
Many ceremonies include the Colorado Wedding Prayer, created by Rabbi Shavit-Lonstein:
May you always have fresh powder,
clear skies, and a cold, local beer.
May the days have just the right amount of nourishing rain.
May the altitude lift you closer to your shared goals and dream
May you always be attentive so you can hear when the mountains call,
and may you have the strength to answer.
Most importantly,
you should always have your partner by your side.
We can’t wait to help you create the wedding of your dreams!
Q: Do you work with interfaith couples?
A: We all work with interfaith couples who wish to have a Jewish ceremony. Rabbi Alan Shavit-Lonstein will co-officiate with non-Jewish clergy and create an interfaith-wedding ceremony representing your dual heritages.
Q: How will we get to know the rabbi?
A: The Rabbi meets you for two sessions before your wedding ceremony.
Q: What if we live out of town or don’t have time for meetings?
A: Many of our clients live out of town and even overseas. You might fly in one extended meeting or do the work by phone. Sometimes, the Rabbi and the couple meet in person for the first time at the wedding, although it always feels like we have known each other for ages. The most important work can be done over the phone in two sessions.
Q: Do the Rabbis co-officiate with non-Jewish clergy?
A: Rabbi Alan Shavit-Lonstein will co-officiate with non-Jewish clergy.
Q: Will the rabbis perform ceremonies on Shabbat?
A: Rabbi Alan Shavit-Lonstein and Rabbi Jamie Korngold will perform a ceremony on Shabbat. Rabbi Lynne Goldstein and Rabbi Evon Yakar will perform a ceremony at 6 p.m. or later.
Q: Do you offer premarital counseling?
Yes! Rabbi Alan Shavit-Lonstein does all of our pre-marital counseling using the Prepare and Enrich System.
Q: How do I pick which rabbi to hire?
A. Rabbi Alan is our wedding specialist and does most of our ceremonies. He is based in Longmont, Colorado, and will travel to your location for your wedding. Rabbi Korngold and Rabbi Goldsmith are based in and around Boulder, Colorado, and will travel. Rabbi Yakar is based in South Lake Tahoe and will only do weddings in that area.
Our rabbis are wedding specialists and can focus intensely on each couple they work with. We are known for creating wedding ceremonies that meet the couples’ needs rather than intruding with our menu of what “should” happen. Our rabbis will work with you to create a personalized and unique wedding.
Q: What are the Fees?
A: Our wedding ceremony fees represent the time and attention we give to each wedding couple. The Rabbis spend approximately ten hours preparing for each wedding. This includes meetings with the couples, writing a personalized ceremony, and officiating at the ceremony. You can see our fee schedule here>>>
Q: Will the Rabbis travel out of State or to other Countries?
Rabbi Korngold, Rabbi Alan Shavit-Lonstein, and Rabbi Goldsmith are willing to travel to perform weddings. However, the fee does increase to account for the additional time away from the office required for travel.
Q: How does the payment process work?
A: We accept all major credit cards or use ACH to avoid credit card fees. Dates are not held until the payment is received. Check out our fees or hold your date with a Contract>>
Wedding Logistics
Q: Where Do We Start?
A: Check out our fee schedule and see if we are within your budget. Our fees are on the higher side, but so is our quality! We know you work hard for your dollars, and you will find that we work hard for you.
If you have already chosen a date, email to see which Rabbi is available on that date.
Arrange a complimentary phone meeting to determine whether working with us is a good fit for you. You need to really “click” with your officiate.
Once you have decided you would like to work with Rabbi, let us know. Click on the link for the contract, submit it with payment, and the date and time will be held for you. At this point, you’ll schedule your additional meetings or phone conversations.
Enjoy the process!
About Rabbi Alan Shavit-Lonstein, Educator and Wedding Specialist, Boulder, CO
Rabbi Alan Shavit-Lonstein lives in Longmont and loves hiking, biking, and mountain air. He is a teacher who strives to make learning accessible to people of all ages and backgrounds and an officiant who works to build meaningful, authentic ceremonies.
He moved here from St Paul, MN, where he was the founding director of By The Rivers: A Multi-Faith Learning and Lifecycle Center, a staff member at Hineni: A Center for Adult Jewish Learning and Contemplative Practices, and a member of the Interfaith Family Network.
He was the rabbi of the Jewish Center in the Quad Cities of Illinois and Iowa for two years and at Temple Aaron, St. Paul, MN, from 2002 to 2014.
Rabbi Alan manages the Genius team at the Apple Store in the Twenty Ninth Street Mall, repairing relationships, iPhones, and computers.
He and his wife Rebecca are blessed with three children: Noa, Naveh, and Naomi.
About Rabbi Lynne Goldsmith, Wedding Specialist, Boulder, CO
Rabbi Lynne Goldsmith moved to Colorado from Alabama. She is thrilled to be in Colorado. She recently retired from ten years of service as a pulpit rabbi, and there were some aspects of the rabbinate she wanted to continue. One of those is working with couples as they prepare for their wedding. “What a joy,” she explains, “To partner with couples beginning a lifetime together to create a meaningful wedding celebration.”
Rabbi Goldsmith served Temple Emanu-el in Dothan as a solo rabbi from her Ordination at HUC-JIR/Cincinnati in June 2007 until her retirement in June 2017. Lynne passionately believes in Jewish education for all ages. She was also active in the community, especially in interfaith relations. She served on the boards of the local women’s shelter, the board of Catholic social services, and the Ecumenical Council, a multi-faith organization dedicated to erasing poverty in the Dothan area.
Rabbi Goldsmith is married to Rob Goldsmith, and they live in Broomfield, CO. She is involved in the Boulder Jewish community and spends time with her granddaughter, son, and daughter-in-law, who also live in Colorado.