Rabbi Lee Herman

Contact me at 610.891.6500 or myphillyrabbi@gmail.com

Your wedding day is a once-in-a-lifetime event that should reflect your uniqueness. Whether you are traditional or contemporary, religious or not, I will craft a ceremony that reflects what is most important to you.

Why Rabbi Lee brings a unique perspective to your wedding.

I was raised in a Jewish suburb of Philadelphia and was very involved in many Jewish activities before college, including attending traditional after school Religious School, a Jewish day school for junior high school, and graduating from a high school heavily populated with Jewish students. My social life centered around Jewish activities. I was a leader in my Temple's USY youth group and also active in that organization at the local and regional level. As a result, most of my worldview was from a Jewish perspective. However, I made a conscious decision to attend college where most of the students had a different background than mine because I wanted to know how the rest of the world looked, acted and felt. I attended Villanova University and graduated from Boston College, two Catholic institutions, where being Jewish placed me in the minority. My perspective grew significantly as I experienced the world from a non-Jewish point of view. I love to say that the Jesuits at Boston College taught me so much, but not necessarily what they intended to teach me!

I am grateful for my exposure to and understanding of Christianity and especially the Catholic faith. My experiences have taught me that both Christians and Jews have so much more in common than either realize. For example, when I am at a Catholic or Episcopalian church, the first thing I do is look for the "Jewish" prayers in their prayer book. I suspect that most of my Christian friends do not know that many of the songs of their hymnal are originally from the Jewish world, as are many of the prayers recited. Likewise, I doubt that many of my Jewish friends are aware that for several hundred years, Jews and those who became Christian believers lived side by side and prayed at the same sacred places, at different times during the day, or that until the Council of Nicea in 325 of the Common Era, Christians followed the Jewish calendar in determining when Easter would be celebrated. Unfortunately, history has hijacked the common nature of our two religions and has replaced our "family" relationship with periods of hatred, oppression and mutual distrust.

As a rabbi, I have made it my mission to bring understanding of each other's faith traditions, and to highlight what we have in common, rather than focusing on what has driven us apart. By highlighting what draw us closer, I bring this unique perspective and passion to my work by creating a personalized ceremony that allows families with mixed backgrounds to come together in a wedding service.

What you can expect when you choose Rabbi Lee

To best learn who you are as individuals and as a couple, we will spend time together to create a moment that is meaningful for you and memorable to those who share in your joy. Through one-to-one meetings, emails, or video conferences, our collaboration will define a clear vision of your wedding day.

What is each person’s spiritual and religious practice, if any? Are there cultural traditions that need to be honored? What makes the two of you unique and special? Will family and friends be actively included in the ceremony? What readings might be especially appropriate? Will you write your own vows? What music will enhance the moment? These and other considerations will be addressed so that your wedding becomes a truly unique spiritual and personal moment.

Whether your wedding is Jewish traditional, Interfaith, LGBT+, or civil, I will create a lifetime memory that will be meaningful to you and your guests. Together we will craft a one of a kind ceremony that is unique as the two individuals who are being married. What a joy a your wedding will be when it is designed with you and for your unique circumstances.

I look forward to working with you to create your unique wedding experience!

Rabbi Lee