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About Mitzi - Mitzi Schwarz, BA, MJS - Chaplain, Life Cycle Officiant

About Mitzi

Mitzi Schwarz Cantorial Services Photo

There’s something else that has been very important and meaningful to me, and I can honestly say that I have been aware of this since I was nine years old. I believe that ritual and tradition play a very important part in our lives. Some people really resonate with the traditions and rituals of their ancestors; they find deep meaning in carrying on the traditions that have been passed down to them through the generations and they see themselves as bridges between the past and the future. Other folks love creating new traditions and rituals that mark the significant moments in their lives now, and these new creations mirror the depths of what they feel deeply in their own psyche/soul/interior landscape. Whether it’s the traditions of your past, or new traditions arising from the depths of who you are, I am really honored and excited to support you “leaning in” to that space, and it is my joy to help you manifest these deep aspects of yourselves in the moments that are most important to you throughout your life.

“My husband and I were so delighted with the culture and tradition Mitzi brought to our wedding ceremony. We felt so to our roots, and to each other, in a way I don’t think we would have without her.”

A Bit More About Me:

I graduated from California State University, Northridge in 1994 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology. While at CSUN, I was concurrently enrolled at the Institute of Psycho-Structural Balancing in Santa Monica, and I graduated there as a Certified Massage Therapist. I worked for fourteen years in the fields of massage and related integrative body therapies, with chiropractors, physical therapists, psychotherapists, and psychologists, as well as maintaining my own private practice. I also taught massage for many years at the Healing Arts Institute in Van Nuys, CA. I love teaching!!!

In 2010, I enrolled in the Academy for Jewish Religion, CA, with the intention of pursuing a Cantorial Ordination. At that time, I had already been working as a Cantorial Soloist in various synagogues in Los Angeles. For 6 years, I was the Cantorial Soloist for Congregation Makom Ohr Shalom, in Encino, CA, and among my duties there, I co-officiated High Holyday services with Rabbi Zalman Schacter-Shalomi, z”l. He encouraged me to pursue training and ordination in Chaplaincy, and in 2017, I graduated from AJRCA with a Masters in Jewish Studies and a Certification in Jewish Chaplaincy. I have worked at Cedars Sinai hospital in the Spiritual Care Department under the leadership of Rabbi Dr. Jason Weiner, BCC, and at Skirball Hospice and Palliative Care, under the auspices of the Los Angeles Jewish Home.

For the past 22 years, I have tutored B’nei Mitzvah students for their Bar/Bat/B-Mitzvah ceremonies, and I have officiated services for non-synagogue-affliated families. I have conducted wedding ceremonies for diverse couples: Jewish, spiritual-but-not-religious, interfaith, agnostic, and atheist. I have officiated hundreds of funeral services, and I have accompanied many people at the end of life, supporting them and their loved ones. And, I have guided new parents in creating meaningful, deeply loving baby naming ceremonies for the newest members of their families.  

It is my deepest honor to serve and support you in collaboratively creating and officiating meaningful, life-enriching and soul-affirming Life Cycle Moments, be they Weddings, Baby Naming’s, Bar/Bat/B-Mitzvahs, Funerals, or Private In-Home Jewish Holiday Celebrations.

Chaplain/Officiant

About Mitzi:

 

I’ve always been a people person. I’m an extrovert and I love connecting with people; I love listening to people, sharing stories, and finding out what makes YOU the unique person that you are. Being a Life Cycle Officiant is a natural calling for me; it is my pleasure and honor to walk with folks during the most important, impactful, and transitional moments of their lives. As a Life Cycle Officiant, I’m called to use the skills and gifts that are most important to me: being a guide, a listener, a discerner, a supporter, a creator, and a friend. It is my joy to do all I can to assist you in creating moments that will nourish you psycho-spiritually for years and decades to come.

“You were so accommodating and wonderful and our families thank you as well for the most memorable start to our married life.”

– G & M, Malibu, CA

Fun Facts About Me:

    • I’ve been married for 23 years to the love of my life, my hubby Roger.
    • Our 2 beautiful sons are our sun and moon, Isaiah and Zachary.
    • I am an avid kayaker and pontoon boater. I also love paddle-boarding on lakes (especially Bass Lake near Yosemite National Park!)
    • Bike riding is also a big love of mine
    • I am a terrific bunny-slope skier. My snow-boarding son, Zach, is working tirelessly and diligently to get me back onto intermediate slopes. They were so exciting to ski down about 30 years ago! Maybe again……
    • I am a professional singer/songwriter.

Chaplain/Officiant

Degrees, Certifications
& Professional Affiliations

 

 

CAMFT

The International Association of Professional Wedding Officiants

MEMBER

A global membership organization committed to supporting professional wedding officiants

Group Psychotherapy Association of Southern California

Academy for Jewish Religion | California

CERTIFICATE OF JEWISH CHAPLAINCY | MASTERS [MJS] IN JEWISH STUDIES

A transdenominational institution dedicated to the training of rabbis, cantors, chaplains, and other Jewish community leaders. Its mission is to develop religious leaders steeped in Torah wisdom and tradition and capable of transforming Jewish communities into places where all Jews can grow toward spiritual wholeness and well-being.

CAMFT

Spiritual Humanism - Online Ordination

ORDAINED MEMBER

As Spiritual Humanists we believe that every person has innate right to make a spiritual connection to the rest of the cosmos.

CAMFT

Cal State Northridge | Dept. of Psychology

BACHELORS DEGREE [BA]

Our mission is to provide students with a strong academic background in psychology, as well as to help them develop professional competence. We encourage students to develop critical-thinking skills, creative abilities, interpersonal skills, ethical values and integrity in an inclusive community in which teaching and mentoring of students is valued.

Group Psychotherapy Association of Southern California

THE WOMEN CANTORS’ NETWORK

MEMBER

The goal of the WCN is to promote the practice of Judaism through the dissemination, development, and commissioning of Jewish music and rituals for clergy and lay leaders serving in the cantorate.

CAMFT

Universal Life Church

MEMBER

The Universal Life Church (ULC) is a non-denominational religious organization with millions of members all over the world – the ULC has garnered global recognition for its promotion of universal togetherness and religious expression.

Videos

Mitzi Schwarz Cantorial Services Photo

Contact Me

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