Rabbi Brian Denker
Independent Rabbi & Lifecycle Officiant
Providing inclusive and spiritual guidance for Jewish, Interfaith,
Same-sex and non-affiliated couples & families.
Phone:
347.201.2247
Email:
Member in Good Standing:
-
International Federation of Rabbis
-
New York State Chaplain Task Force
-
Chaplain Member - New York State Fraternal Order of Police
-
National Conference of Shomrim Societies
Hello! I'm Rabbi Brian
I am an independent Rabbi and lifecycle officiant servicing the New York Metropolitan Area including Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Bronx, Staten Island, Long Island, Connecticut and New Jersey.
I have extensive experience working with Jewish, Interfaith, Same-Sex and non-affiliated couples and families to celebrate their one-of-a-kind relationships. It is my goal to bridge age-old traditions with a modern world, working to create special and meaningful experiences that will become memories that last a lifetime.
ABOUT RABBI BRIAN
I firmly believe that the strength of our Jewish community derives not only from the divine inspiration of the Torah and our unwavering faith in the oneness of the Lord our God but also from our capacity for adaptability, our open-mindedness, and our courage to drive positive change. We uphold ancient traditions, teachings, and rituals while fostering an inclusive and hospitable environment for everyone.
My path into the Rabbinate was sparked by a personal experience of my own. I encountered significant challenges in finding a Rabbi to officiate at my own wedding, a union between two men from different faith backgrounds. This experience was a turning point, igniting a conviction within me. I firmly believe that no individual should ever face the dilemma of choosing between authenticity and self-acceptance. No one should endure exclusion from the cherished traditions and rituals of our community due to their choice of love.
I specialize in working with Jewish, Interfaith, and Same-sex couples and families, assisting them through all the significant milestones of life. By doing so, I help forge enduring memories while preserving the rituals and traditions that have been passed down through generations.
I am an active member of the International Federation of Rabbis and serve as a Chaplain with the New York State Chaplain Taskforce, as well as a Chaplain Member of the New York State Fraternal Order of Police. In these roles, I am dedicated to advocating for policies and initiatives that promote diversity, acceptance, and inclusivity for all members of society. It would be an absolute honor and privilege to connect with you and partake in the jubilation of your upcoming celebrations.
SERVICES
MODERN MATRIMONIES
Rabbi Brian has extensive experience officiating Jewish, interfaith, LGBTQA+ (Same-Sex), and non-denominational civil weddings, among others lifecycle events. For truly personalized ceremony experiences, Rabbi Brian creates a personalized and unique ceremony for each couple, including welcoming to-be-weds to write their own vows, among one of the many ways to create a truly one-of-a-kind ceremony, committed to providing couples with guidance and support as they embark on a new chapter of life together. To solidify any relationship's foundation before milestone moments, he is happy to offer premarital counseling services.
MODERN SIMCHAS
Whether it's a Bar/Bat (B'nai) Mitzvah, Brit Milah, Simcha Bat (Baby Naming), or any other joyous occasion, Rabbi Brian is prepared to collaborate with you. He will craft a deeply meaningful and unforgettable celebration, weaving in the cherished rituals and traditions handed down through generations while also paying tribute to the distinctive uniqueness of your own individaul family.
MODERN MEMORIALS
"To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven. A time to be born, and a time to die." The loss of a loved one is one of life's most stressful experiences. There is no right or wrong way to grieve but the greatest comfort is that of the memories left behind. Rabbi Brian will work with you and your family in planning during this difficult transition as you plan to honor their memory at a funeral, internment, unveiling or memorial.
RABBI BRIAN IS A MULTI-YEAR AWARD RECIPIENT AND PREFERRED WEDDING OFFICIANT AMONG MANY LEADING COMMUNITIES
A Wedding We Will Treasure
Toni W.
Rabbi Brian officiated at our wedding on 8/6. He was fabulous!! I love the way he personalized our ceremony to include not only our love for each other but our love for our dogs, two of whom were included in the ceremony. He explained all religious aspects of the service so those of all faiths could feel included. Rabbi Brian kept the service light but still adhered to tradition. Furthermore, he invited participation among the guests. We couldn't have been happier with Rabbi Brian, both as our officiant and the friend that he ultimately became.
We love Rabbi Brian!
Molly R.
We hired Rabbi Brian after our rabbis told us they would not marry us on a Saturday night in the summer. Rabbi Brian was super flexible and made the whole process easy. All of our guests raved about our ceremony and said it was so nice. We asked Rabbi Brian to keep our ceremony around 25 minutes so that we wouldn't melt in the sun and he did just that! He also lead a private moment during our Ketubah signing which had my husband and I in tears. It was one of the highlights of our day! You can't go wrong with Rabbi Brian, he is kind, well spoken, flexible and truly cares about his couples.
The only choice!
Richard P.
Rabbi Brian made our wedding ceremony especially memorable. From the Zoom calls getting to know us, to the ceremony review and finally the big day, Rabbi Brian went above and beyond and made our ceremony fun and extra meaningful. Given my wife is Jewish and I am Christian, we thought it would be harder to find a Rabbi willing to officiate a cross-faith couple, but this was absolutely a non-issue. Our wedding guests kept asking us, "where did we find the Rabbi, he's so great". Many guests really enjoyed how Rabbi Brian would lightly explain different aspects of the Jewish ceremony to the attendees, who may not understand the significance or history behind a certain tradition. This light approach made, mixed with some humor, made it extra special. We could tell Rabbi Brian really enjoys what he does, we are so thankful to Rabbi for officiating us and we would highly recommend him to officiate your big day!
If you are looking for a Rabbi, Rabbi Brian Denker A+++++
Nicolette C.
Rabbi Brian Denker exceeded all our our expectations!!! From the moment we met, Rabbi Brian was friendly, funny, and accommodating to our needs. It felt as if we have known him for years. Rabbi Brian created an extremely personalized ceremony, and I could not have been happier with how perfect the ceremony went. On the day of our wedding, we started with the Ketubah signing. My husband and I were able to spend this special moment our parents and grandparents. When it was time for the ceremony, everything ran on time and smoothly. The ceremony was funny, emotional and heartfelt. Our guests were so impressed with Rabbi Brian. His sense of humor was comforting. My husband and I are so thrilled that Rabbi Brian was able to marry us, and we will continue to have Rabbi Brian a part of our special moments forever!