Professional Title and Name: Rabbi and Maggid Chava Bahle
General Area of Residence: Suttons Bay, Michigan
Locations served: Michigan and beyond, across the USA and internationally where laws permit.
Ordained by: ALEPH Alliance for Jewish Renewal; Midrasha Benliumit. Also ordained as Maggid by Reb. Yitzhak Buxbaum.
Date Ordained: July, 2005 (Rabbinic Ordination); June, 2007 (as a Maggid)
Professional Memberships: Chalah: Association of Rabbis for Jewish Renewal
Education: MA Near Eastern Studies (Jewish Studies), University of Michigan
BA University of Michigan
I Believe: In reference to sacred story telling: That by teaching and sharing sacred stories we can build loving bridges between cultures. The Vietnamese Buddhist monk, Thich Nhat Hahn said that "an enemy is someone whose story we do not know". I feel particularly called to teach in Christian settings and share inspiration that can help build bridges and heal our shared history.
In reference to life-cycle events:
I believe that most couples from different backgrounds are intercultural, rather than interfaith. They share beliefs, values and ways of looking at the world, though they were raised in different cultures. I believe that if everyone could behave the way intercultural couples do - with abiding repsect for their own tradition as well as each others, with co-creative conscienceness - there would not be war. Therefore on the day of their wedding, intercultural couples are not only the people we love and celebrate, they are our ethnic role models.
In general: I believe that people too often settle for uninspired clergy services. My goal is to awaken joy, love, harmony through life cycle events, story telling, teaching and music.
Services provided: Story telling concerts, workshops retreats, classes.
Weddings, commitment ceremonies, baby blessings, funerals and memorial services, coming of age ceremonies (Bar and Bat Mitzvah).
Specializing in: Sacred story telling to bridge cultures and build deeper cross-cultural harmony. Intercultural ceremonies in non-traditional settings, creating ceremonies that are deeply inspiring and unique to the couple, fashioned with great care and personal integrity (no generic ceremonies).
Fees: Vary depending on program and location (or life cycle event). Call me.
To contact:
Additional Information: My husband and I are intercultural and for us, it has only been a source of great joy and much laughter!
Brief excerpts from testimonials: "It feels like a simple thank you will not express how wonderful you were as our wedding Rabbi. You created the most beautiful ceremony ever! The mixture of seriousness, fun, meaning, were perfect and every time someone mentions the wedding, it is quickly followed by "that awesome Rabbi". ~ Doree and Dan
"Wow! You have no idea how wonderful it was to have you as our Rabbi. The ceremony was exactly what we were hoping for. We are so thankful for all the help and guidance you gave us adn we consider it a blessing we found you. So many of our guests were touched by the ceremony..."
~JoEllen and Ben
My Pledge:
- I pledge to respect and honor all people regardless of race, religion, national origin, faith practices, personal beliefs, and sexual orientations.
- I am willing to provide personal and/or professional references upon request.
- I promise that the information provided is true and correct to the best of my knowledge. My personal profile information is forthright and honest.
- I agree to enter into this covenant of professionals, and will uphold the highest standards of integrity, honor and professionalism. I am joining as a member of this esteemed organization in the spirit of brotherhood /sisterhood, peace, and tolerance for all, and with a commitment to interfaith respect.
- I am not joining in order to proselytize my own personal beliefs, but to honor the individual beliefs and spirituality of others. If the beliefs and requests of my clients interferes with my own personal standards, I will politely decline their business and refer them back to InterfaithOfficiants.com so that another Officiant can help them.
