Please tell me what you think

FH and I are interfaith. We saw officiants and really loved one of them. I am Jewish and he is christian.
My mom is convinced that just because her title is 'reverend' that it has christian meaning.
I do not understand where it coming from, to me its just a title, she is a spiritual leader. She calls herself an 'Ordained Interfaith Minister of Spiritual Counseling and Healing.'

What are your thoughts on this?

we're in the same situation as you. I'm Jewish he's Catholic.

we're getting married by a Rabbi who's officiating as a JOP.

I'm more into my religion than he's into his. so in my opinion, if there was only 1 officiant, I wouldn't feel comfortable being married by a reverend.

He on the other hand doesn't mind getting married by a Rabbi.

JMO

Ok...I looked up the meaning...

The Reverend is an honorary prefix added to the names of Christian clergy and ministers. It is sometimes also used by ministers of other religions.

That's just the first part and I guess I can understand where your Mom is coming from...people hear the title Reverend and automatically think Christian. Tell her it is used by ministers of other religions too...
Good luck...

Here's more...


It comes from the Latin 'reverendus' meaning 'that which is to be revered'.

English usage is for deacons and priests to be the Reverend, deans of cathedrals to be the Very Reverend, and abbots and bishops to be the Right Reverend and archbishops to be the Most Reverend. It is properly used with Christian name (or initials) and surname, e.g. 'The Reverend John Smith' or 'The Reverend J. F. Smith'. Use of the prefix with the surname alone, e.g. 'The Reverend Smith' is considered a solecism in traditional circles (although 'The Reverend Mr Smith' is correct, if slightly archaic). So also with the use of the prefix as a mode of address: traditionally, priests are referred to as 'Mr Smith' (or 'Father Smith' in more Catholic circles) unless they have another title, such as Canon, or simply by the office they hold, such as 'Vicar', 'Rector', etc.

Note that 'reverend' is an honorific that is properly used as an adjective before someone's name. It is not a noun and it is not a synonym for 'minister.' Thus, it would be incorrect to say that someone 'is a reverend,' using the word as the name of a job or role.

The Vice-Chancellor of Oxford University is formally known as as 'The Reverend the Vice-Chancellor', even if he is not a clergyman.

A few Christian religious traditions reject use of the term Reverend for human beings, maintaining that the title is reserved for God alone. (See Psalm 111:9 and Matthew 23:5-10.)

FH and his family are also Jewish. FMIL requested that we did not get a Rev to marry us. I didn't press the issue because I was happy finding a judge.

Does the officiant have a copy of one of her marriage ceremonies? Maybe this would show your mom that it won't be a Christian ceremony.

Thank you so much for all your thoughts... I found this which makes me feel much better. I explained it to my mom and she says she is ok with it.


THE BIBLE SAID IT FIRST
By Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis

Reverend

This word means 'worthy of deep respect or reverence'. It is used within Jewish circles as a title for spiritual leaders who are not ordained Rabbis.

There are many Reverends who have outstanding Torah knowledge and give sterling pastoral service to their communities. While the term 'Rabbi' is uniquely Jewish, 'Reverend' is not.

The original usage of the term is in the King James Version's translation of Psalm 111:9 Kadosh Venora Shemo - Holy and Reverend is His Name. This translation was adopted in many Jewish editions of the Bible. The Psalmist provides a description of the awesome nature of the presence of G-d.

The title 'Reverend' is thus the ultimate compliment to a man of G-d. No wonder that, while it was first used for spiritual leaders outside of our faith, we continue to use it as a most acceptable title.

This is a hard subject for me and my FI also. I am catholic and he is Indian . So the religions are really different. To be fair to both families we are getting married in a church and we will do a ceremony at his temple. We spoke about raising our kids and we said we would raise them catholic. It is real tuff to make everyone one happy... But what I have been doing is taking a few deeps breathe and praying it all works out... Both family's are really great SO now all I have to do is keep the peace

I think it will be really nice for each family to experience a church wedding and a temple wedding..