“We cannot recommend Rabbi Elyssa Cherney highly enough. We were introduced to her through a mutual friend whose siblings had used her as their wedding officiant, and from our very first conversation, it was clear that she was thoughtful, organized, and genuinely committed to creating a ceremony that reflected who we are as a couple.
One of the things we appreciated most was how well she listened. Rather than fitting us into a pre-written template, she worked with us to build a ceremony that aligned perfectly with our beliefs, values, and vision for the day. She shared different versions of blessings and readings, ranging from traditional to more modern interpretations, which gave us the flexibility to thoughtfully tailor every aspect of the ceremony.
In the months leading up to the wedding, we met with Rabbi Elyssa several times and went through what felt like meaningful pre-marital counseling. We talked about our past, present, and future together, and participated in communication and grounding exercises that helped us better understand each other as partners. These conversations also allowed Rabbi Elyssa to truly get to know us, which made her words during the ceremony feel deeply personal and authentic.
On the wedding day, she beautifully led both our Ketubah signing ceremony for more than 60 guests and our wedding ceremony for 236 guests. Despite the size of the crowd, she made the experience feel intimate, personal, and meaningful. The ceremony was exactly what we hoped for.
Rabbi Elyssa was incredibly easy to work with throughout the entire process. She has a wonderful ability to make everyone feel included, which was especially important given the diversity of our guest list. We had guests from a wide range of religious backgrounds and levels of familiarity with Jewish traditions, and so many people commented afterward on how much they loved the ceremony and how welcomed they felt.
What started as finding an officiant for our wedding quickly became a much more meaningful relationship. Rabbi Elyssa took the time to truly know us as individuals and as a couple, and we hope to continue building that relationship as we celebrate future Jewish life events and milestones.
If you’re looking for an officiant who will create a personalized ceremony, make all of your guests feel engaged and included, and become a trusted guide through important life moments, we wholeheartedly recommend Rabbi Elyssa Cherney. She played a huge role in making our wedding day so special, and we are incredibly grateful for her.”
