Rabbi Michael Sternfield is a Reform Jewish rabbi, ordained by the Hebrew Union College, based in Los Angeles, California. He often conducts wedding ceremonies for interfaith and intercultural couples. He is available for weddings in Southern California, throughout the United States, and international destinations.
Rabbi Sternfield believes rabbis should be open to officiating at interfaith and intercultural weddings, without conditions.
Over the years, Rabbi Sternfield has officiated and co-officiated at many weddings combining Judaism with a wide array of other religions, cultures and ethnic groups. He enjoys combining cultural components from other groups, often including materials in other languages.
Rabbi Sternfield always meets with couples well in advance, preferably in person or virtually if necessary. He wants to get to know each couple well enough to add a personal touch to their wedding ceremony. He is happy to meet with prospective couples on a get-acquainted basis, after which they will decide if they would like to invite him to be their wedding rabbi. He does not require a deposit or a contract. His word is his bond.
A few words about Rabbi Sternfield’s “style.” He believes that weddings should be dignified but not stuffy. This will be the most important event in a couple’s life. Their ceremony should be a reflection of its significance, never perfunctory. The wedding should be beautiful and inspiring for all in attendance. He strives to make it a joyous event but he definitely avoids cheesy gimmicks!
Rabbi Sternfield understands that weddings should be concise, approximately one half hour in length.
Rabbi Sternfield can be reached by phone at 312-320-5538 or by email here. He is also available for funerals and memorial services.
Rabbi Sternfield is happy to provide references from families with whom he has worked in the past.
Weddings
Rabbi Sternfield is available for traditional Jewish and interfaith weddings, memorial services, brises, naming ceremonies, and other life cycle events in Southern California and is also available for destination weddings.
Funerals & Memorial Services
Everyone has had the experience of attending a funeral where it is evident that the officiant has no real knowledge of the deceased person. Such funerals seem inauthentic and even insulting to the memory of the one who has died.
The funeral/memorial service is an especially important time for family and friends to comfort one another, express love and support and, most of all, bid farewell in a dignified and respectful manner. Funerals really are for the living, to bring solace and closure. They are also a time to restore memories of the deceased person’s qualities and achievements from the times when they were at their best. This is the way all of us would want to be remembered.
Rabbi Sternfield believes it is essential to meet in person with bereaved families in their own homes in the days before the funeral, to help create a service that will be comforting and a meaningful tribute to the deceased. He is entirely receptive to having family members and friends deliver eulogies and reminiscences, but insists that such remarks be well-prepared, and he is always willing to assist.
About Rabbi Sternfield
Michael Sternfield knew early in his teenage years that he wanted to become a rabbi.
Always drawn to a life of service to others, he began studying for the rabbinate while still a student at UCLA. Following his graduation, he studied at the Hebrew Union College Jewish Institute of Religion in Los Angeles, Jerusalem, and Cincinnati. He was ordained in 1973 and became the assistant rabbi of Congregation Beth Israel in San Diego. Two years later, at the age of 28, he was chosen to be the congregation’s Senior rabbi, a position he held for nearly 20 years.
In 1994, he accepted the position of rabbi in Durban, South Africa, during the country’s transition to multi-racial democracy. Among the most rewarding and exciting times of his life, he was an eyewitness to history and also a participant as the New South Africa became a reality and Nelson Mandela was elected its first African president.
In 1995, he became the senior rabbi of Chicago’s historic Sinai Congregation.
In 2016, Rabbi Sternfield accepted an invitation to become the rabbi of Temple Beth El in Bradenton, Florida (near Sarasota), a position he held until January 2022.
He is now located in Los Angeles, California.
The foundation of Rabbi Sternfield’s philosophy is Jewish “universalism,” the conviction that the purpose of the Jewish religion is social justice, to make our world a better place for people of all faiths, cultures and nationalities. Well aware of the many conflicts in our world that stem from religious animosity, he is devoted to doing all he can to reduce misunderstanding and promote harmony.
Rabbi Michael Sternfield is available for Jewish and interfaith weddings and other life cycle events throughout southern California. He is also available for destination weddings.
Reviews
“Rabbi Michael did a fantastic job officiating our wedding. Even though we had never met before our engagement, he took the time to get to know my husband and I in the months leading up to our day. The ceremony was inclusive, personal, and exactly what we wanted. He was always very professional and promptly took care of the paperwork and the more practical aspects of getting married. Our only regret was that he couldn’t stay for dinner!”
-Jordan and Kristina
“Rabbi Sternfield was such a joy to work with. From the beginning of our process to the end, he made us feel so comfortable. He was so kind and professional and made our (wedding) ceremony feel so personal and intimate. I would never have wanted anyone else to be a part of our special day. We will be forever grateful!”
-Ashley and Greg
“Rabbi Michael Sternfield officiated our wedding in October 2014. He did an exceptional job of leading one of the most special days of our lives. He was committed to spending time with us before our wedding, meeting with us on three separate occasions in the months leading up to the wedding. He wanted to know us on a more intimate level and to better understand our story and our decision to marry one another. Rabbi Sternfield completely respected what we wanted in our wedding and guided us with clear direction and leadership to make this happen. He had a very open and accepting philosophy and facilitated our multicultural wedding gracefully. Rabbi Sternfield’s priority was always clearly to have the wedding be focused on our love for each other, our family, and friends. In addition, Rabbi Sternfield is an excellent orator- calm, humorous, and confident. We would highly recommend him to any bride and groom who want their ceremony officiated by a genuinely caring but also confident man. In his presence, you will feel relaxed and at ease, as will all of your guests.”
-Tiffany and Larry
If you are having difficulty locating a Jewish or interfaith wedding rabbi in your area, contact Rabbi Sternfield by phone at 312-320-5538 or email here.