Frequently Asked Questions
Jewishly Ever After by Cantor Shira Ginsburg offers a range of services to help create meaningful and personalized Jewish lifecycle events. Some of the services provided include officiating at weddings, baby namings, bar/bat mitzvah ceremonies, renewal of vows, and other lifecycle events. Cantor Shira Ginsburg works closely with individuals and families to tailor each ceremony to their specific needs and beliefs, ensuring a memorable and spiritually enriching experience. If you are looking for a knowledgeable and compassionate officiant to help you celebrate life's milestones in a Jewish context, Jewishly Ever After is the perfect fit for your needs.
While our primary focus is serving the Jewish community, we welcome anyone who is interested in learning about Jewish traditions, values, and perspectives on relationships. We happily connect with Jewish, Jew-ish and Jew adjacent people who are interested in Jewish life and learning. Our content and resources are designed to be inclusive and informative for individuals from diverse backgrounds.
While our primary focus is serving the Jewish community, we welcome anyone who is interested in learning about Jewish traditions, values, and perspectives on relationships. We happily connect with Jewish, Jew-ish and Jew adjacent people who are interested in Jewish life and learning. Our content and resources are designed to be inclusive and informative for individuals from diverse backgrounds.
A Cantor and a Rabbi are both ordained clergy members with integral roles within Jewish religious life. Both Cantors and Rabbis study through rigorous five year seminary training and have the same core education but each have distinct responsibilities and areas of expertise. Cantors specialize in the musical and liturgical elements of Jewish life and services, while Rabbis can have various areas of focus.
Both Cantors and Rabbis are full members of Jewish clergy who are legally and halachically licensed to marry couples. Each brings unique strengths to a wedding ceremony. If the aesthetic musical component of the wedding is important to you, you will benefit more from working with a Cantor whose musical and liturgical leadership is an additional component of a Cantor’s portfolio. Ultimately, it’s important to meet with potential officiants to discuss your vision and expectations, and choose the person who best aligns with your needs and preferences.
For any further inquiries or support, please feel free to reach out to us via email at shiraginsburg@gmail.com or through the contact form on our website. Cantor Shira Ginsburg and her team are dedicated to supporting you on your journey to a fulfilling Jewish relationship and family life.
Cantor Shira Ginsburg's uniquely personalized and inclusive method of crafting ceremonies ensures that everyone feels comfortable, included and knowledgeable on their special day. Cantor Ginsburg combines her extensive knowledge of Jewish traditions with a modern, creative touch, ensuring each ceremony is meaningful and tailored to the individuals involved. Her expertise in music and storytelling enhances the emotional and spiritual experience. She is very inclusive, translating, explaining and interpreting the ceremony at each turn, making every guest feel a part of what is happening under the chuppah. Additionally, Cantor Shira is known for her ability to connect deeply with couples and families, making the planning process collaborative and enjoyable.
Cantor Shira Ginsburg works with a diverse range of clients, including Jewish and interfaith couples seeking personalized wedding ceremonies, families preparing for bar and bat mitzvahs, and those planning baby naming ceremonies and other Jewish lifecycle events. She is dedicated to creating inclusive, meaningful, and tailored experiences for each client, ensuring their unique stories and traditions are honored.
Cantor Shira Ginsburg offers both virtual and in-person sessions to accommodate the needs of her clients. This flexibility allows her to serve a wide range of people regardless of their location, making it easier for couples and families to participate in planning and ceremonies. Whether through Zoom or in-person meetings, she ensures a personalized and meaningful experience tailored to each client's unique requirements.
Cantor Shira Ginsburg is affiliated with several professional organizations and associations that enhance her extensive background and expertise. She is Cantor Emerita of East End Temple, where she served for 18 years and developed a revolutionary co-clergy model. She is a member of the American Conference of Cantors, and is actively involved with the Jewish Partisans Educational Foundation, serving on their Young Leadership Board and as a chosen soloist for their benefits. Additionally, she is an annual panelist for the Gerecht Institute for Conversion and a founding member of the 3rd Generation Holocaust Survivors program ‘We Educate’ in partnership with Facing History and Ourselves. Cantor Ginsburg has also been a guest lecturer at Hebrew Union College and Moishe House and has served on the Israel Task Force at the UJA. She mentors and coaches Cantorial students at Hebrew Union College, showcasing her dedication to education and leadership in the Jewish community.
Cantor Shira Ginsburg specializes in creating personalized and inclusive wedding ceremonies that honor Jewish traditions while embracing the uniqueness of each couple. She works with Jewish, interfaith, gay, lesbian, and transgender couples, providing ceremonies that are meaningful, joyous, and tailored to the couple's individual story and relationship. Her approach includes traditional Jewish rituals and liturgy, enhanced by her profound love of music and her award-winning voice. Cantor Ginsburg's expertise and personal touch ensure that each wedding she officiates is a sacred and beautiful event, whether it is a local or destination wedding. She is highly praised by her clients and has been recognized with the Wedding Wire and The Knot Couples Choice Awards for Wedding Officiants multiple times.
Cantor Shira Ginsburg offers premarital counseling and guidance as part of her wedding services. She works closely with couples to ensure their wedding ceremony is meaningful and personalized. This includes guiding them through the process of marriage preparation, helping them open up to each other, and addressing any specific needs or concerns they might have, especially in interfaith or less traditional contexts. Her approach is noted for its inclusivity and personalization, which is particularly valued by couples from diverse backgrounds and those seeking a ceremony that reflects their unique relationship and cultural blend
Many couples start planning their wedding around a year in advance, so contacting Cantor Shira Ginsburg as early as possible within that time frame is ideal. However, if you have a specific date in mind or if your wedding is during a peak wedding season, it’s best to reach out even earlier, possibly 12-18 months in advance, to secure her services. It's always better to book sooner rather than later to ensure you can secure Cantor Shira Ginsburg for your special day.
Cantor Shira Ginsburg has happily traveled all over the world for destination weddings and is pleased to travel for yours. Contact us directly with details about your wedding location, date, and any specific requirements you have so that she can assess whether she can accommodate your needs.
Cantor Shira Ginsburg, offers consultations before booking her services. This initial meeting allows you to discuss your wedding plans and visions with her, as well as to get to know each other better. Cantor Shira Ginsburg will give you a brief overview of how she likes to work with couples to create a beautiful, meaningful, and personalized wedding ceremony and experience. This initial consultation is an opportunity to see if there is a good fit between what you're looking for in your wedding ceremony and the services Cantor Shira Ginsburg provides. To arrange a meeting with Cantor Shira Ginsburg, please reach out to her directly and be prepared to discuss your wedding date, location, and any preferences or questions you may have about her services during the meeting.
Specific fees for Cantor Shira Ginsburg's services for a wedding vary depending on the location of the wedding, travel required, and any additional services requested. Please contact Cantor Shira Ginsburg directly for a consultation to inquire about her fees for officiating your wedding. In that initial consultation, we will provide you with detailed information about Cantor Shira Ginsburg’s pricing structure, any packages or options available, and any additional costs that may apply.
Cantor Shira Ginsburg’s packages are all inclusive. She meets with couples for a minimum of three one-hour sessions prior to the wedding. During these three plus confidential sessions you will discuss various aspects of your relationship, your vision of your marriage, and details on the wedding day itself, culminating in a tailored ceremony reflective of your relationship that weaves together Jewish wedding rituals and customs with personalized touches. Cantor Ginsburg will guide you through choosing a ketubah, provide helpful itemized lists and sample wedding programs for the day of the wedding, and will coordinate directly with your wedding planner. All packages include a final check-in before the wedding, a ketubah signing ceremony directly before the wedding ceremony, and the wedding ceremony itself.
Cantor Shira Ginsburg’s packages are all inclusive and reflect pricing that varies depending on travel and accommodation needs.
After the initial consultation you will schedule your first session with Cantor Shira Ginsburg. A 50% deposit is due at the first session. The final 50% is due 14 days before the wedding ceremony. Cantor Shira Ginsburg accepts payment via cash, check, Zelle, Venmo and PayPal.
Cantor Shira Ginsburg is fortunate to have a network of wonderful Clergy that she can call in case of an emergency. In the highly unlikely event that she is unable to perform the wedding ceremony due to unforeseeable causes, she will make every attempt to arrange for another ordained clergy licensed and qualified to perform the wedding ceremony.
As Cantor Emerita of East End Temple of Manhattan, where she developed and facilitated a uniquely successful B’nai Mitzva program, Cantor Shira Ginsburg has over twenty-five years of experience working with hundreds of B’nai Mitzva students and their families and she is thrilled to personally guide your child and family throughout every aspect of this joyous occasion. Cantor Ginsburg knows that every family’s needs are unique and works to develop a customized plan of study and create a truly memorable ceremony and celebration for your child and family. Whether you are looking for Cantor Shira Ginsburg to tutor your child from the very beginning of their process through the end of the service, or wanting her to step in after the tutoring is already complete to lead the service at a special venue, she will work with your family to create the package that works for you. The B’nai Mitzva experience can include any or all of the following: Tutoring your child, leading the service, studying the Parsha and facilitating the writing of d'var Torah, detailing family honors, choosing a talit, creating service program, and helping to acquire a Torah for the ceremony.
Booking Cantor Shira Ginsburg for a Bar/Bat Mitzvah ceremony should ideally be done well in advance to ensure availability and proper planning. Depending on the specific needs of your child, their Hebrew language and Judaic studies levels, and the ceremony logistics, Cantor Shira Ginsburg books as far in advance as three years' time. Wherever your child is in their study journey, whether at the very beginning, or well into years of Jewish Day School training, Cantor Ginsburg will assess your child’s Hebrew and Judaic skills and work with you to create a thoughtful timeline and plan. Please reach out to Cantor Ginsburg as early as possible to allow ample time for any necessary preparations, such as meeting with her, discussing the ceremony details, and receiving guidance and support for the Bar/Bat Mitzvah student's preparation.
A Bar/Bat Mitzva is an incredible milestone in your child’s and family’s life and depending on the nature of the request, Cantor Shira Ginsburg is delighted to accommodate specific requests or preferences for a Bar/Bat Mitzvah ceremony to honor your vision, depending on the nature of the request and her availability.
Musical Selections: If you have specific musical preferences for the ceremony, such as particular prayers, melodies, or songs, Cantor Shira Ginsburg may be able to incorporate them into the service, provided they align with the traditions of the Bar/Bat Mitzvah ceremony.
Customization and personalization of Service: Cantor Shira Ginsburg will work with you to customize certain aspects of the ceremony to reflect your family's traditions, values, or preferences. This could include incorporating meaningful rituals, readings, or blessings into the service.
Special Accommodations: If there are any special accommodations needed for the Bar/Bat Mitzvah student or guests, such as accessibility requirements or language preferences, Cantor Shira Ginsburg will do her best to accommodate them and ensure that everyone can fully participate in and enjoy the ceremony.
It's best to discuss any specific requests or preferences you have with Cantor Shira Ginsburg during your initial consultation or meeting. She can provide guidance on what is feasible and work with you to create a meaningful and memorable Bar/Bat Mitzvah ceremony that aligns with your family's wishes.
Cantor Shira Ginsburg works closely with each family to plan and customize their baby naming ceremony. From helping you to choose a Hebrew name, planning the structure and flow, choosing appropriate prayers, readings, and songs to include in the service, she will work with you to customize the ceremony to reflect your family's traditions, values, and preferences, incorporating specific rituals, personal blessings, and meaningful readings. Cantor Shira Ginsburg will provide guidance and support throughout the planning process helping to explain the significance of the ceremony, suggest ways to make it meaningful, and ensure that all elements are appropriately included. On the day of the ceremony, Cantor Shira Ginsburg will lead the service, ensuring that it is conducted smoothly and that all participants feel engaged and included. As a trained vocalist, she will lead any musical elements of the ceremony, including traditional prayers and songs, creating a beautiful and spiritual atmosphere. To discuss your specific needs and preferences and help you plan a ceremony that is meaningful and personalized for your family, contact Cantor Shira Ginsburg.
Cantor Shira provides every resource you need to plan a beautiful baby naming. From choosing a Hebrew name to prayers, texts, and rituals, Cantor Shira Ginsburg will guide you through the process with joy and expertise creating an incredibly moving ceremony for your family.
Cantor Shira Ginsburg offers consultations before booking her services. This initial meeting allows you to discuss your visions for the ceremony and enables Cantor Ginsburg to give you a brief overview of how she likes to work with families to create a beautiful, meaningful, and personalized baby naming ceremony. To arrange a meeting with Cantor Shira Ginsburg, please reach out to her directly and share any preferences or questions you may have about her services during the meeting.
Babies arrive on their own timelines. Tradition for a bris stipulates 8 days after birth, but there is no such stipulation for a baby naming for a girl. Cantor Ginsburg is happy to work with you to choose a time that works for your family for the ceremony. Contact her as soon as you have an idea of your timeline.
Welcoming a new child into your family is an incredible milestone in your lives. Depending on the nature of the request, Cantor Shira Ginsburg is delighted to accommodate specific requests or preferences for a naming ceremony to honor your vision, working with you to create a personalized and beautiful ceremony.