Mitzi Schwarz is a Wedding Officiant who brings over 20 years of experience, training, passion, and joy to the couples whom she serves on one of the most joyful, important, and heartfelt days of their lives. While Mitzi is undeniably Jewish, it is important to note that she was the girl who, at nine years old and in the 4th grade, wrote her very first essay, which she entitled, "The Seven Major World Religions". From that moment on, Mitzi has been described by those closest to her as "ecumenically correct", and she believes in her heart of hearts that there is no "one" path of how to live one's most authentic, joy-filled life. Mitzi's couples tend to identify as either Interfaith; Jewish (Reform); Spiritual-but-not-Religious; Agnostic; or, Spiritual Humanists. Mitzi is also very drawn to celebrating and supporting couples who actively work the 12-Steps.
Mitzi earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from California State University, Northridge, and her Masters degree in Jewish Studies from the Academy for Jewish Religion, CA. Mitzi's vocation has always matched her heart's deepest sense of self: she was a Certified and Licensed Massage Therapist and Bodyworker for 15 years, and she also worked as a Chaplain at Cedars-Sinai hospital in Los Angeles, CA, as well as at Skirball Hospice and Palliative Care. She has served as a Cantorial Soloist since 2000, and does so to this day. Moreover, she has performed as a Guest Soloist for Universalist-Unitarian, Unity, and Centers for Spiritual Living congregations since the late 1990's. When couples hire Mitzi, they get not only a dedicated Wedding Officiant, but an accomplished vocalist, if that is something that they want to include in their wedding ceremony. Mitzi has been known to write original songs for her unique couples.
In working with couples to craft the wedding ceremony that is deeply personal to them, Mitzi loves to guide those she serves in crafting wedding rituals that are unique to them. Some of her couples love to draw from their family-of-origin traditions, while others are excited to create their own, never-before-done rituals that they present on their special day. Still others of those Mitzi serves are happy with special readings and poetry. Every wedding ceremony is unique, and Mitzi loves celebrating couples exactly as they are.
In Mitzi's words, "It is beyond an honor to accompany couples and bear witness to one of the most wonderful, intimate, and joyful moments of their life. What is especially meaningful and moving to me is knowing that I have been a part of bringing a new love into the world, for when two people who are deeply in love wed, they shine a new, beautiful light into the world that is greater than either one shone when alone, without their beloved by their side. I am deeply honored and grateful to serve as your Wedding Officiant, and to celebrate the union of couples in love."