My Approach
I’m here for the families and individuals who never quite felt like they belonged in traditional Jewish spaces. As a Black Jewish rabbi and career special educator, I bring over two decades of experience supporting people with diverse needs and backgrounds including neurodivergent students and interfaith families. My work is rooted in the belief that everyone deserves a Jewish ceremony that reflects who they truly are.
For B’nai Mitzvah ceremonies, I focus on making the experience empowering, accessible, and joyful. I work together with families to create a ceremony that honors Jewish tradition and celebrates the child’s unique identity—whether that means leading prayers in a backyard, incorporating service projects, or skipping the Torah scroll altogether.
When it comes to weddings, I love working with couples to craft a day that’s truly their own. I’ve officiated ceremonies at a range of venues—each one filled with laughter, love, and intentionality. I’m especially passionate about serving interfaith and LGBTQ+ couples and am always happy to co-officiate or incorporate rituals from other traditions.
Whatever the moment, I show up with warmth, flexibility, and deep respect for your journey. Together, we’ll create something beautiful and true to you.
Testimonial “Rabbi Heather brought so much warmth and understanding to our daughter’s B-Mitzvah. She helped us shape a ceremony that was deeply personal and accessible to our whole family—including my parents, who aren’t Jewish. We felt seen and celebrated.”
— The Kaplan Family, Brooklyn
“From the first call, Rabbi Heather made us feel safe and excited about our wedding. As an interfaith, queer couple, we had some nerves. But Heather helped us build a ceremony that felt so ‘us’—joyful, rooted in tradition, and totally inclusive.”
— Jo & Sam, Prospect Park
