MAZEL TOV!
Mazel Tov on your upcoming wedding!
A Jewish wedding is more than just a party — it's the beginning of a sacred journey. At CYP Hoboken & Jersey City, we’re here to help you start that journey with meaning, joy, and connection.
Whether you’re looking for a warm, personal officiant or meaningful pre-marriage guidance, we offer both officiation and customized marriage classes to help you build a strong foundation rooted in Jewish wisdom and values.
Let’s make your big day—and the life you’re building together—truly unforgettable.
May you build an everlasting home filled with eternal light, love, and happiness!
Rabbi Shmully & Esta Levitin
FAQ’S
-
Yes! Whether or not the rabbi is officiating your wedding, we offer warm, personalized learning sessions that explore Jewish perspectives on love, communication, and building a strong Jewish home.
Scroll down for an overview of the marriage lessons.
Click HERE if you’d like to register for marriage classes without officiation services.
-
The Chupa ceremony is typically 20–30 minutes, but we personalize it to reflect your journey and values.
-
We ask for a minimum donation of $1,500 to CYP to support the time, preparation, and guidance that goes into making your wedding meaningful and beautiful.
Please note, our priority is that every Jewish couple has the opportunity to celebrate a Jewish wedding. If financial circumstances make this difficult, please don’t hesitate to reach out—no one will be turned away due to the lack of funds.
-
Yes! We warmly welcome and work with Jews of all backgrounds.
-
Yes. A Jewish wedding requires that both the bride and groom are Jewish according to Jewish law. If you have questions about your status, we’re happy to help clarify.
-
Yes. We can help you obtain a civil marriage license.
-
The rabbi is happy to consider traveling for weddings outside the local area when scheduling allows. If your wedding is out of town, travel arrangements and accommodations would need to be covered. Feel free to reach out with the details, and we’ll let you know if it’s possible.
-
No problem at all. Chabad is here for every Jew—no membership required.
Let’s connect! Fill out the form below to get started or to learn more.
Marriage Classes Syllabus
Lesson 1
Two Halves, One Whole
The Cosmic Root of Love
Is love as simple as mutual chemistry, or is there something more than the force of attraction that connects two people? Is marriage really necessary, if we can reap its benefits without entering into a life-long commitment? What is the true definition of a “soulmate,” and how does this impact our relationship? This fascinating lesson uncovers the mystical root of love and marriage according to Jewish thought.
Lesson 2
Behind Closed Doors
Judaism’s View of Intimacy
Is G-d comfortable in the bedroom? Is sexual intimacy holy? Profane? Mundane? Holy, but only as a means to procreation? What does Judaism have to say about sexuality and how to enhance the intimacy between husband and wife? This lesson taps into Judaism’s vast reservoir of wisdom, both practical and kabbalistic, on a topic your Hebrew school teacher likely never broached.
Lesson 3
Beloved Friends
Synergizing and Sanctifying Love and Desire
We all start out starry-eyed, but is “passionate marriage” realistic in the long-term? How can one relationship give us the comforting security we crave from commitment as well as the spark of novelty and mystique that fuels desire? The mitzvah of taharat hamishpachah, or “family purity,” has long been shrouded in mystery and misconception. Yet these laws may just hold the secret to synchronizing--and sanctifying--these paradoxical aspects of marriage, while also revealing an unparalleled connection between us and G-d.
Lesson 4
Becoming a Better Half
Jewish Insights into Preserving Marital Harmony
Ironically, it is often only once we are married that we come face to face with our real selves, for better or for worse. Yet, the very essence of being human is having the ability to rise above--no matter the situation. When negative emotions escalate in the heat of the moment, how can we control our reaction? Jewish text and tradition is rich with effective tools, tips, and meditations to let our “humanness” shine and turn the rough patches of our marriage into catalysts for becoming a better half.