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What to Consider When Planning Your Baby Naming Ceremony
A baby naming is more than just a ceremony; it's a welcome and a moment when a new soul is folded into the fabric of family, community, and tradition. Whether your baby is just a few weeks old or already walking, this is your chance to formally welcome your child into the covenant of the Jewish people, and give your child a name to use in that community that carries meaning, history, and hope.
These are the questions I walk through with families when we begin this sacred pla
Cantor Laura Stein
Aug 164 min read


What to Consider When Planning Your Co-Officiated Wedding
So, you're planning a co-officiated wedding. First of all, mazel tov! Whether you're an interfaith cultural, intercultural, or simply hoping to bring together two traditions in a meaningful way, you're already choosing a path of intentionality, creativity, and love.
Co-officiated weddings can get a little complex. It’s not just about logistics; it’s about meaning, representation, inclusion, and heart. There’s no one right way to do this, but there is your way. And I’m here t
Cantor Laura Stein
Aug 55 min read


How to Choose Which Rituals to Include in Your Interfaith Wedding Ceremony
After many years of helping couples to get it just right, I've learned that interfaith weddings are about more than just two people coming together. They’re about two families, two traditions, and two sets of memories merging to build a new shared future. Choosing which rituals to include is one of the most important (and most rewarding) parts of this journey.
Cantor Laura Stein
Jul 273 min read


Celebrating Jonny’s Baby Naming in Paramus, NJ
Every so often I have the honor of standing with a family on a day that feels like it’s been waiting in their hearts for generations. Jonny’s baby naming ceremony in Paramus, New Jersey was one of those days. From the moment I arrived, I could tell that this wasn’t just an ordinary celebration, but one filled with memory, hope, and deep love.
Cantor Laura Stein
Jul 173 min read


How to Create a Meaningful Jewish Baby Naming Ceremony
Baby namings aren’t simply about giving a child a Hebrew name—they’re about introducing the child to their community, honoring the past, and planting seeds for the future. It’s that first moment when we say to a new little soul, “You belong here, and you’re part of something bigger.”
Cantor Laura Stein
Jul 83 min read


Celebrating Stella’s Bat Mitzvah in Woodcliff Lake
Officiating Stella’s Bat Mitzvah in Woodcliff Lake, NJ was one of those events that stays with you, where the significance of the moment transcended the occasion itself.. That day, I had the honor of standing beside a young woman who held a quiet confidence and a clear sense of self and purpose.
Cantor Laura Stein
Jun 272 min read


Jordan & Julia’s Waterfront Wedding in Mystic, Connecticut
When Jordan and Julia asked me to officiate their wedding, I was truly honored. Their wedding, held in Mystic, Connecticut, right on the water, was everything you’d hope a summer celebration would be: relaxed, joyful, and full of love.
Cantor Laura Stein
Jun 172 min read


Celebrating Baby Jonas: A Virtual Baby Naming Full of Love & Legacy
Some families leave a lasting emotional imprint on my heart as an officiant. Josh and Cassie are one of those families. I had the honor of officiating their wedding—a moment of joy that kicked off a beautiful journey together. Since then, I’ve watched their family grow, and despite the physical distance, I’ve been incredibly grateful to remain a part of their life’s milestones. Most recently, I had the privilege of leading a virtual baby naming ceremony for their newest bles
Cantor Laura Stein
Jun 62 min read


Anna & Scott’s Beautiful B’nei Mitzvah in Tenafly
Anna and Scott’s B Mitzvah celebration was a memorable day filled with joy, meaning, and deep connection, leaving a lasting impression long after the final blessing was spoken. As the officiant, and also the person who had the honor of tutoring these extraordinary twins, I had a front-row seat to something truly special.
Cantor Laura Stein
May 263 min read


A Ceremony of Unity: Co-Officiating Jenna and Max’s Interfaith Wedding at the Plaza Hotel
Co-officiating Jenna and Max’s wedding alongside Father Walker—Jenna’s childhood priest—was an experience I will treasure forever. Held at the majestic Plaza Hotel in New York City, their wedding was more than just a union of two people; it was a beautiful blending of two faiths, two families, and a heartfelt commitment to honoring one another’s traditions. The joy, depth, and symbolism present in the carefully chosen rituals, decorations, and personal touches made this a tru
Cantor Laura Stein
May 163 min read


Welcoming Pamela Penina: A Beautiful Baby Naming Ceremony in Greenwich, CT
Gathered in a charming restaurant in the heart of Greenwich, Connecticut, we marked a moment that was both ancient and new—welcoming a beautiful little girl into the covenant of the Jewish people with a baby naming ceremony.
Cantor Laura Stein
May 62 min read


Creating Sacred Community: How Friends & Family Can Be Part of Your Jewish Wedding Ceremony
One of the things I treasure most about officiating Jewish weddings is how many ways there are to invite love and support into the ceremony.
Cantor Laura Stein
Apr 164 min read


Marshall & Shari’s Tribeca Wedding: A Joyful Union of Traditions
Marshall and Shari’s wedding at Tribeca 360 in New York City was an elegant and deeply personal interfaith ceremony.
Cantor Laura Stein
Apr 63 min read


Celebrating Dara: A Baby Naming & First Birthday in One
Dara’s baby naming at Old Westbury Country Club was a beautiful gathering filled with love, heritage, and connection.
Cantor Laura Stein
Mar 262 min read


Jennifer & Robert’s Backyard Wedding: A Celebration of Love & Laughter
Jennifer and Robert’s Jewish wedding in Englewood, New Jersey was a reflection of who they are as a couple and the community around them.
Cantor Laura Stein
Mar 162 min read


Welcoming Abraham: A Baby Naming Ceremony in Central Park
I had the honor of welcoming baby Abraham into the Jewish community. It was an intimate and heartfelt ceremony.
Cantor Laura Stein
Mar 62 min read


Love in the Skyline: Cedric & William’s Intimate Queer Jewish Wedding
Cedric & William’s wedding was nothing short of extraordinary—a personal, heartfelt celebration of their love, identity, & Jewish traditions
Cantor Laura Stein
Feb 252 min read


A Love That Bridges Traditions: The Interfaith Wedding of Connor & Cate
Connor and Cate’s interfaith wedding was a sacred and deeply personal moment that honored both of their backgrounds.
Cantor Laura Stein
Feb 153 min read


Officiating a Bar Mitzvah Rooted in Tradition and Heart: Jonathan’s Special Day
I had the privilege of officiating Jonathan’s Bar Mitzvah in Greenwich, Connecticut—a ceremony rooted in family, tradition, & commitment.
Cantor Laura Stein
Feb 53 min read