As an experienced life cycle officiant, I can help you through a variety of life events.
Baby naming
Welcoming a new baby into your life is one of the most – if not THE MOST – precious, heart-stirring events that can occur in our life. New life, new possibilities, new joy, new adventures, new challenges; everything is NEW! It’s so life and soul affirming to welcome a new person into the world and into your community. Every religious tradition has a baby naming ceremony of one kind or another, be it the Brit Milah/Brit Shalom in Judaism, baptism in Christianity, Namkaran in the Hindu tradition, bringing flowers and incense as done in Buddhist traditions….. The ceremonies and rituals are as varied as the people who practice them.
Today, I meet more and more parents who want to create new and not-always-necessarily-religious ways of celebrating the birth of their baby. With ceremony and ritual, we celebrate the birth of your child, and your beloved friends and relatives gather to offer good wishes and blessings for your newest family member. Baby naming ceremonies may include but are by no means limited to readings of poetry and songs of celebration.
If your family traditions are rooted in cultural and/or religious traditions, it is often common to give your child 2 names, one English, and one in the language(s) of your ancestry/ancestries.
As an ordained Chaplain who is Jewish, I bring a wealth of knowledge and tradition to Jewish baby naming ceremonies. I’m also quite comfortable and versed in helping your family create a baby-naming ceremony that is right for YOU. Love is universal and is at the root of ALL traditions.
Let’s create a ceremony that is right for your family and your child. A ceremony that you’ll back on fondly for decades, that will bring a smile to your lips and joy to your heart every time you recall the exquisite feelings of beauty, each time you think of the tenderness and love you put into naming your beloved child.
The energy contained in our name supports us through our lifetime. Name your baby with intention and love; that’s the energy your child will spread into our world.
Bar/Bat/B Mitzvah Ceremonies
Such an exciting time in the life of your family – the moment when your child officially becomes an adult within the Jewish community!
How, you ask, can a thirteen-year-old be considered an adult?!?
Usually, by the time a person turns 13 (give or take a few years!) they can begin thinking about stories in the Torah/Bible and apply them to the context of their life today, and to the lives of the people in their communities. When this happens, they can begin to understand the spiritual wisdom of the Jewish tradition, and they’re able to embody it and act upon it. That’s a very adult thing to do.
“If you seek a Hebrew tutor and cantor who can transform the Bar/Bat Mitzvah preparation into a truly enlightening experience, I wholeheartedly recommend Mitzi.”
My son commenced his Bar Mitzvah studies with Mitzi having only eight months of prior Hebrew education. Within a relatively short period, under Mitzi’s tutelage, he was confidently chanting his Torah portion and prayers. Her patient and encouraging approach fosters a positive and productive learning environment. At times, I’d check in on Mitzi’s Zoom class sessions with my son and think to myself, “I think we’ve found the perfect Jewish fairy godmother for this moment in time.”
Mitzi’s contributions extended beyond Hebrew instruction. She provided invaluable guidance with my son’s Bar Mitzvah speech, assisting him in refining his thoughts and delivery. The result was a moving and engaging address that resonated deeply with our guests. Since his Bar Mitzvah, Easton’s self-assurance has demonstrably increased. He approaches public speaking with newfound confidence and enjoys the ability to read Hebrew. We attribute much of this positive transformation to Mitzi’s exceptional skills, dedication, and wisdom. For families seeking a cantor and tutor who will not only ensure their child’s success but also create a meaningful and memorable Bar or Bat Mitzvah experience, look no further than Cantor Mitzi Schwarz.
– Mark, father of Easton
What do you need?
You may need a tutor to guide your child in learning the prayers and music of the Shabbat service, and you need someone to help your child learn to chant their Torah and Haftarah portion. I am well trained and qualified to be your child’s tutor, as I am a Cantorial Soloist who has been serving synagogue communities since 2001. Since 2020 specifically, I have been on the Clergy team at the Jewish Community of Ojai in Southern California.
I also help and support your child as they prepare their “drash” – what they’re going to say about the Torah portion they chant in front of the community. And we talk about what Mitzvah project they want to create and/or engage in. How is your child going to take the wisdom they are learning into the world, to make the world a more loving, peaceful place?
A mitzvah, in its most spiritual sense, is understood to be a “connection” between Heaven and Earth. As above, so below. If heaven is a good place, then how can we bring some of that goodness down to earth? That’s what the Mitzvot/Connections/Commandments help us do.
Finally, if your family is not affiliated with a synagogue community, I can be your Service Leader for your child’s Bar/Bat/B Mitzvah ceremony itself; your child and I will be on the Bimah together, or in your favorite setting, leading the community in joyful and meaningful Shabbat prayer and study.
How can I help your child and family have the most meaningful B’Mitzvah ceremony possible? Let me know how I can support you in this momentous life cycle moment!
“Mitzi guided Sydney through the process with thoughtful prompts that encouraged her to find her own voice and personal connection to the Torah portion.”
Though we are not a “religious” family, we deeply value our Jewish heritage and ancestry. Sydney’s Bat Mitzvah served as a meaningful rite of passage, marking a pivotal moment of self-discovery for her. But even beyond guiding Sydney, Mitzi became a mentor and friend to me as well. We shared conversations about Judaism and life outside of the Bat Mitzvah preparations, making the entire journey feel supportive and enriching.
– Jennifer, proud mom of a Bat Mitzvah
Holiday Celebrations
It’s Shabbat! It’s Chanukah!! It’s Rosh Hashanah!!!
You want to celebrate, but you aren’t quite sure what the traditions are, or what to do. You know the prayers, but you haven’t said them in years, and you need a little help. And you’d like to know the intentions behind all those prayers and traditions that you’re saying and doing.
What do you do? You call me!! I love helping couples, families and large gatherings of people learn to reclaim their Jewish religious ceremonies and traditions where it matters most – in your homes, during the times it matters most – when there is a holiday to celebrate! If you want to bring Yiddishekeit into your home and learn (or re-learn) the traditions of your ancestors, give me a call. I’d love to help!
End-of-Life Support/Funeral Officiation
From Ecclesiastes 3: “There is a season for everything,A time for every experience under heaven:A time to be born and a time to die,A time to plant and a time to uproot what is planted;A time to tear down and a time to build up;A time to weep and a time to laugh,A time to grieve and a time to dance…”
The late Rabbi Harold Schulweis wrote: “Write it on my epitaph that my loved ones be consoled; it is never, never too late.”
Approaching the end of life is often the most challenging thing anyone will experience. And if not for the one approaching death, then for their loved ones. I believe it’s safe to say that everyone prays for one thing: that when it’s our time to leave this earth, or it’s the time for our loved ones, that we leave instantaneously, pain free and drama free. When our time comes, we will lie down to sleep, at the sunset of our life, and simply not wake up. God willing, pain free.
But we know that this is not always what happens. And it is at the end of life that individuals and families most want someone to accompany them on this journey; sit with them, cry with them, hold sacred space for them, so that the one who is dying and the loved ones surrounding them feel supported and seen, without judgement and especially without any agenda of how things “should” be or “should” go. Some families and individuals want prayer; others cringe at the thought of hearing prayer recited.
I worked from 2015-2020 as a hospice chaplain and I realized that serving people in this capacity is something that I’m built for. Also, at the end of life comes the funeral or memorial service. Here too, families want a person who can listen not only to their needs, but to the life of the loved one. I serve families by deeply listening to the stories of your person’s life and from that, I craft a service that speaks to the beauty of that person. I strive to create a sacred space where family members and friends can speak as much or as little as needed and wanted, to eulogize your loved one. Some people want a more religious ceremony, others not so much.
Whatever speaks most to your heart is what I strive to provide.
I also stay in touch with families after the funeral. If you request additional support, I’m able to make referrals to bereavement support groups.
