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Marriage License & Certificate
Seasoned Professional
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Officiant

About

Rabbi Vanessa Ochs, Professor Emeritus of Religious Studies and Jewish Studies at the University of Virginia, performs both Jewish wedding ceremonies and interfaith weddings between Jews and their partners. In sessions prior to the wedding, in person in if possible or on zoom, , she helps a couple to feel grounded enough in the traditional ceremony so that they can create, with her, a personalized ceremony reflecting their beliefs and deepest commitments.

In the 2024-25 season, Rabbi Ochs will be in the Boston/Providence area.

Rabbi Ochs performs weddings for same-sex couples, Jewish and interfaith weddings between Jews and their partners. I am delighted to co-officiate.

Here is a beautiful assemblage of photos of a wedding I perfomed for one couple:https://equallywed.com/fall-vineyard-jewish-wedding/

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Frequently asked questions

Which of the following are included in the price?

Premarital Counseling

Does starting price include the ceremony rehearsal?

No

What types of weddings and events do you provide services for?

Interfaith
Vow Renewal

What services do you provide?

Premarital Counseling
Bilingual

What religious affiliations do you serve?

Jewish

On average, how long are wedding ceremonies you officiate?

Less than 30 mins.

In which states are you licensed?

VA

What languages do you speak?

English
French
German
Hebrew
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Reviews of Rabbi Vanessa Ochs, wedding officiant

5.0 out of 5 rating
5.0 out of 5 rating
13 Reviews
100% recommend it
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    5 out of 5 rating
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  • Professionalism
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  • Value
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Meagan K. Sent on 04/16/2024
5 out of 5 rating

Rabbi Ochs is the best!

We absolutely loved working with Rabbi Ochs for our wedding ceremony. It was such an honor to get to know her leading up to our wedding - she is so kind and thoughtful. Rabbi Ochs co-officiated our interfaith marriage ceremony and worked with us to create a ceremony that reflected each of us and our backgrounds and traditions. I’m half Jewish and half Christian, whereas my husband is fully Jewish, and she made me feel so welcomed into Judaism while making sure that my family’s traditions were reflected in the ceremony as well. Thank you, Rabbi Ochs!!
R
Rebecca S. Sent on 10/29/2022
5 out of 5 rating

So personalized and meaningful

Rabbi Ochs was a fantastic fit for us and our family as we celebrated our wedding together. She made the entire process meaningful, making sure that we understood each part of the ceremony and that we picked how to do it, so it was most meaningful to us. She got to truly know us as a couple, and her words during the ceremony were truly beautiful. We couldn't recommend her enough!
Katie
Katie Sent on 11/09/2019
5 out of 5 rating

Highly Recommend

Rabbi Ochs is amazing! My husband is Jewish and I am not, and Rabbi Ochs was so considerate to my needs and made sure our ceremony was true to both of our individualities. She prompted us to think deeply about our commitment and our plans for the future, and our discussions with her were always a joy. She is warm, kindhearted, intelligent, and professional, and we highly recommend her!
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Awards

13

Professional Network & Endorsements

1 Endorsement
Rabbi Margie Jacobs Rabbi Margie Jacobs Wedding Officiants

I am so excited for the bride or groom who has just discovered Rabbi Vanessa Ochs! She is a wise, generous, and thoughtful teacher and rabbi. I first met Rabbi Ochs about 20 years ago when I was studying to become a rabbi- she was the keynote at a conference on Judaism and Healing, and her honest, insightful words have shaped how I view the topic even now. Rabbi Ochs literally wrote the book (or, a book!) on creative Jewish ritual- she is creative and also deeply knowledgeable about Jewish tradition. While Rabbi Ochs is so smart and thoughtful, she is also very approachable- her presence brings me joy and comfort, whether in a one-on-one conversation or when she is addressing a large group.

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