Marriage

"You are my beloved, and my beloved is mine."  ~ Song of Solomon, 6:3

Marriage in Judaism is a is a blessing. The union of two people celebrates the love and companionship of creating a life with one’s “bashert” – one’s soul mate. As Reform Jews, we affirm the right of each person to choose one’s soul mate, and as such, our congregation is comprised of same-sex couples and couples in which one of the two partners may not be Jewish. Our congregation welcomes all couples and families to participate in the life of our community. As is customary in Judaism, officiating at marriages rests completely within the purview of the rabbi, who has the right and responsibility deciding which marriages to officiate at and under what circumstances.

As a member of the Central Conference of American Rabbis, our current rabbi’s decision-making is guided by her interpretation of Jewish texts and tradition, and is based on the civil laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Our rabbi meets with every couple several times in preparation, provides pre-marital counseling, and plans a Jewish wedding ceremony together with the couple that is inclusive and personal. Couples may choose to get married in the synagogue or at an alternate venue.