Who is the officiating rabbi?
Tzohar’s officiating rabbis are individuals certified to conduct wedding ceremonies in Israel, all of whom serve on a completely voluntary basis. The specific rabbi assigned to you will be chosen based on your personalities, the physical location of the ceremony, and the “vibe” you are looking for.
When the wedding date nears, you will meet with the rabbi as an opportunity to create a ceremony which is meaningful to you, which conforms to the “style” you are looking for, and which is fully compliant with halacha (Jewish law). The meeting is also an opportunity for you to ask the rabbi any questions you may have as you move into life as a married couple.
Before the wedding
A month or a few weeks before the wedding, you will meet your rabbi for an introductory session, usually at the rabbi’s house. You will cover logistic details of the wedding, as well as an open conversation about your expectations for the ceremony and any specific expectations you may have.
The meeting is also an opportunity to reflect on the meaning of the chuppah and the married life you will build together. Before the meeting, you may want to think about questions or concerns you would like to raise with the rabbi. He will be happy to work with you and find answers.
How much does it cost?
The meeting with the rabbi, the wedding ceremony itself, and the bridal instruction are all provided free of charge by Tzohar’s rabbis and guides, all of whom serve on a volunteer basis. We do ask that you pay any travel expenses that the rabbi may incur to reach your wedding venue.
At the time of registration, we charge an umbrella administrative fee of NIS 200 for Tzohar’s office services, regardless of how many services you use (i.e. marriage registration, bridal instruction, officiating rabbi).
How does Tzohar match you with the right rabbi?
Our team is experienced in matching couples with rabbis who are a good fit for their preferences and personalities.
The key to our success is the information you provide on your registration form, which explains the atmosphere you would like for the wedding, specific requests and other important details. In addition, unless there are exceptional circumstances, we will choose a rabbi who lives within an hour from your venue.
About a month and a half before the wedding, we will send you the rabbi’s contact details. You will then contact him directly to coordinate an introductory meeting and all wedding-related activities.
So what’s next?
Please fill out the general information form, and complete the separate forms for each of the Tzohar services you want to use (marriage registration, bridal instruction, and/or officiating rabbi). The more information you share with us, the better we can match you with a rabbi.
Please fill out the registration form on this page to request an officiating rabbi and open a marriage file with Tzohar.