Over 49 years ago (established in 1971), Rabbi Shimon L. Berris (d. December 17, 2020) of Cherry Hill, New Jersey, and his close friend and colleague, Reverend Justin Herbst (d. October 8, 2005), a Roman Catholic priest from Mount Holly, New Jersey both of blessed memory, began to fulfill a mutual calling outside of the accepted institutional parameters of their respective faith communities. They recognized the opportunity to assist families by co-officiating together at inter-religious life cycle celebrations and events. Since the inception of the Interfaith Clergy Network our Jewish, Catholic, and Protestant clergy have officiated individually or shared thousands of Weddings, Baby and Child Blessing, Naming, and Baptism ceremonies, Bar and Bat Mitzvah celebrations, and Memorial Services throughout the United States and in several other countries as well. Our current clergy associates are all seminary educated, with years of compassionate service and experience in synagogues, parishes, congregations, and chaplaincies.
With decades of pulpit, educational, youth and adult camping, and administrative experience, Cantor Neil A. Berris is honored to offer your family his personal attention and sensitive approach in officiating at all life cycle rites and ceremonies of the Jewish faith, and together with any of our Christian colleagues or a priest, pastor, or minister that you have chosen for your celebration.
Invested and duly registered as a recognized Jewish clergy and marriage officiate by the City of New York (ID number 1326620), Cantor Berris is available for consultation, planning, tutoring, and to officiate at your family's:
Cantor Neil Berris will assist you in creating contemporary, meaningful, and memorable life cycle services while respecting and skillfully blending the time honored traditions of Jewish rituals and ceremonies with your personal customs and preferences. He especially reaches out to independent, unaffiliated families and individuals, and cares deeply about the needs of communities that do not have the benefit of Jewish clergy nearby.
As an enthusiastic and experienced family educator, Cantor Berris has developed and implemented many innovative synagogue, temple, and home based programs including:
To contact Cantor Berris directly, share your thoughts and ideas, and have your questions answered without delay, please call 631.553.2330. For email inquiries, please complete the Inquiry Form or you may send your message to interclerg@aol.com or info@jewishlifecycleservices.com.