(*sigh...!*) yes, i know that this website is very last century (actually when i created it), but i assure you that i am in
(*sigh...!*) yes, i know that this website is very last century (actually when i created it), but i assure you that i am in
the midst of updating
it to the 21st century. stay tuned.
yes, i also realize that there is a bit of a discrepancy between my "brand" (i rather dislike that term) and my url/domain name.
there's a bit of a story in that. when i write fake news get paid reserved the url/domain name www.irishrabbi.com, i didn't realize that i might want to add the "the".
but that seems to be too late. seems someone else owns www.theirishrabbi.com, and it only forwards to another site. that url is on automatic
renewal. that particular colleague is not irish, but does have his seat across from emerald park in new york. ah well, them's the breaks.
latest news: i am fully vaxxed and boostered for covid-19, which has allowed me to travel to ireland for a
wedding last august and a bat mitzvah in canada last october.
welcome to irishrabbi.com, the website of rabbi mark r. newton. why this particular website name?
until recently, i thought that i surely must be the only rabbi in the world with an irish passport. since then, i've discovered there are
actually a few more out there. (but i can declare affirmatively that we've never all been in the same room together.) although i'm born
and bred in the usa, my links to ireland are strong, and i've actually performed a few weddings there.
since 1991>
bar and bat mitzvah celebrations, hebrew tutorial, and other jewish life cycle events, as well as shabbat and high holiday services.
let me tell you a little bit about myself and what i do, in order to help you decide how i can be of service to you. (and don't forget to
ask me about a possible ger/gyoret toshav ceremony for
your non-jewish spouse! this is not a requirement for a non-jewish spouse, but simply a warm and
welcoming invitation.)
my rabbinical ordination is from the reconstructionist rabbinical college
where i was graduated in 1991, with a master of arts in hebrew letters. prior to my seminary studies there, i was graduated with a b.s. in languages
from georgetown university, at the former school of languages and linguistics.
in preparation for university study, i attended the carl-friedrich von siemens oberschule-gymnasium ,
in the former west berlin, germany. (a european gymnasium is similar to a french lycée, or pre-university school of higher learning.) after enjoying some 22
years serving as a pulpit rabbi in synagogues in the boston area, i have taken retirement from that field, now devoting my energies to outreach
to the "spiritually unaffiliated."
i am also a professional genealogist and translator.
for many years now i have enjoyed providing rabbinical services and support for couples in the
process of celebrating their union. i work with couples where both partners are jewish, as well as interfaith couples
and those with no particular
religious tradition or spiritual affiliation. for such couples i have created non-denominational ceremonies
which may incorporate rituals from many traditions.
in essence i serve as your spiritual guide as you begin to create your own special and unique
family unit. i assist you through the process of creating a warm, beautiful and meaningful
ceremony that reflects both jewish and universal values and often includes rituals and customs from other
spiritual, linguistic and ethnic communities.
i regularly co-officiate with clergy from other religious denominations.
as i am also a cantorial soloist, you may be assured of a pleasant musical experience as well.
(and yes, i'm an irish tenor.)
if you are thinking of having your marriage performed civilly in the province of québec, you are encouraged to follow the links below.
the official québec government website for further information.
veuillez visite le site officiel du gouvernement du québec pour plus de renseignements.
can you get paid by amazon for reviews
i am based in boston, so my usual geographic area includes metropolitan boston, all of
new england (new hampshire, vermont, maine, massachusetts, connecticut, and rhode island),
most of new york state, and certain northeastern seaboard cities, such as new york city, philadelphia, washington, dc, etc.
i am flexible in considering other locations, including canada, europe, and other parts of the
united states.
another question i am often asked is whether i will conduct a ceremony outside of a
synagogue. the reality is that, with very few exceptions, the vast majority of weddings
i have officiated were held in a "religiously neutral" location. in no particular order,
here is a short list of some of
my favorite venues:
mit chapel, massachusetts institute of technology, cambridge, ma
alden castle (longwood venues), brookline, ma
the red barn, hampshire college, amherst, ma
the saphire estate (manor), sharon, ma
castle hill on the crane estate, ipswich, ma
massachusetts horticultural society, wellesley, ma
kirkbrae country club, lincoln, ri
gurney's newport resort & marina, newport, ri
rosecliff mansion, newport, ri
château beauvallon, mont-tremblant, québec, canada
ocean cliff, newport, ri
castle hill inn, newport, ri
the essex, vermont's culinary resort & spa, essex junction, vt
the hampshire house (site of the sitcom "cheers")
auberge des gallant, ste-marthe, qc, canada
le windsor, montréal, qc, canada
sofitel, montréal, qc, canada
sunnyside pavilion, toronto, on, canada
the old mill inn & spa, toronto, on, canada
castle durrow, abbeyleix, co. laois, ireland
the lodge at ashford castle, cong, co. mayo, ireland
the moshulu, philadelphia, pa
saint senán church, kilrush, co. clare, ireland
le châeau frontenac, québec city, qc, canada
alas, the video link to the "irish jewish pirate wedding" i conducted aboard the moshulu is no longer to be found
online, but my friend and colleague mark kingsdorf refers to this on his website.
queen of hearts wedding consultants, philadelphia, pa
are you looking for a ketubah (jewish marriage document)? here are some of my favorite companies.
ketubah.com
ketubah studio, by mp artworks
caspi cards and art
judaica connection
you can find me on my facebook profile at the irish rabbi.
it is always best to reach my at my email address below.
you may read my reviews posted to both wedding wire and
the knot. although i am no longer a member of either of them,
apparently my reviews are still there. please note that my mailing address as referred to on these sites is no longer current. the phone number is correct,
but i prefer initial contact via email.
the website formerly known as interfaith family is now known as 18doors. i invite you to visit my profile there at
18doors
for more information, please e-mail me at rabbimarknewton@irishrabbi.com
and i will be pleased to send you an faq which will answer
most of your questions about my background, experience, philosophy and availability.
(so as not to delete your e-mail by mistake, please put the word wedding in the subject field.)
stay tuned as i give this site a complete facelift and be sure and refresh your internet browser history so as to find the latest updates.
please come back and visit!
sícháin!