About
Rabbi Steven Blane
Hello! I'm Rabbi Steven Blane, a passionate Rabbi and Cantor dedicated to promoting love and unity. I’m also a NYC singer-songwriter, bringing music into my ceremonies. As the founder of the online synagogue Sim Shalom and the Jewish Spiritual Leaders Institute (JSLI), I’ve trained and ordained over 250 rabbis, empowering them to lead and inspire their communities. With extensive experience as a wedding officiant, I specialize in Jewish weddings, as well as Civil, Non-Religious, Interfaith, Spiritual, and Same-Sex ceremonies, including vow renewals. I also officiate significant life events like Bar & Bat Mitzvahs, Baby Namings, and Funerals. Known for my lively approach, I often arrive on a bicycle or E-Scooter to lead ceremonies in beautiful settings like Central Park. Based in New York City, I'm happy to travel worldwide to celebrate the love and commitment of couples, having officiated in stunning locations such as Turks and Ca and Cancun. To ensure a meaningful experience, I provide personalized guidance for Bar Bat Mitzvahs via Zoom or Facetime, making your special day truly unique, no matter where you are.
Choosing me, Rabbi Steven Blane, as your officiant ensures that your ceremony is entrusted to a professional who values and respects your unique wishes and beliefs. Whether you desire a simple exchange of vows and rings, a spiritually significant ceremony, or a traditional wedding rich with rituals, I am committed to realizing your vision and making your special day truly memorable.
Rabbi Steven Blane: A Multifaceted Spiritual Leader
As a multifaceted individual, I, Rabbi Steven Blane, have embraced various roles throughout my life. My journey encompasses being a husband, father, and a spiritual leader deeply rooted in Jewish traditions. I am not only a Rabbi and a Cantor but also a teacher, a student, and an artist in various forms.
My Artistic Endeavors and Achievements
My artistic pursuits range from being a pianist, guitarist, and ukuleleist to a singer-songwriter and voiceover artist. My theater experience includes acting in Off and On Broadway shows, co-writing, and producing an Off-Off Broadway Rock Opera. I co-owned Blane & DeRosa Productions, an audio-production company that has produced thousands of children's books, songs, and stories for major publishers. Google "Blane & DeRosa" to see the breadth of our work.
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Founding Sim Shalom and My Role as a Rabbi
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In my role as Rabbi, I have always intertwined my life experiences with my spiritual journey. This path led me to found Sim Shalom, the Online Jewish Universalist Synagogue, where I serve as the Founder and Spiritual Leader. My dedication to Jewish teachings and practices is evident in my leadership at the JSLI Rabbinical School and our online community, Sim Shalom.
My Educational and Professional Journey
My educational background includes a B.A. in Music Education from Jersey City University, where I majored in Voice. Professionally, I have performed off and on Broadway, appeared in films, and engaged in a variety of Cantorial roles across different Jewish communities. I was ordained as a Rabbi in June 2001 at Rabbinical Seminary International under Rabbi Joseph Gelberman.
My Vision and Contributions to Jewish Universalism
As Rabbi Steven Blane, I advocate for a vision of universal kindness, peace, and inclusiveness, deeply embedded in Jewish Universalism. This movement, which I have founded and nurtured, espouses key doctrines such as respect for Jewish traditions, the divinity of the Torah, and the celebration of Interfaith Families.
Commitment to Music and Community
Apart from my spiritual endeavors, I am passionate about writing songs. You can find out all about my Singer-Songwriter creds on my website, StevenBlane.com. I play ukulele, piano, and guitar, and love to also perform Jazz Standards.