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marriage in Israel

Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi Kalman Ber in his office in Jerusalem on July 22, 2025. (Rossella Tercatin/Times of Israel)
August 1, 2025, 4:15 pm
In a polarized time, new chief rabbi envisions revamped Rabbinate with a wide embrace
From the Haredi draft to marriage and kashrut, top Ashkenazi cleric Kalman Ber says he believes love, unity and quiet action — rather than public fights — are key to lasting change
By Rossella Tercatin
Bride Esther and groom Steeve are carried on ornate thrones at their henna party in the week leading up to their wedding in 2007 in Casablanca, Morocco. (Courtesy of Indiana University Press)
February 14, 2024, 4:23 pm
Global mazel tov! New book chronicles weddings of 100 Jewish brides from around world
Women’s firsthand accounts illustrate the huge variety of customs associated with Jewish nuptials, while not shying away from pain and frustration about some practices
By Renee Ghert-Zand
Sapir and Gili Zeelon get married over Zoom through a wedding officiant in Utah in January 2021. (Courtesy: Sapir Zeelon)
March 12, 2023, 10:20 pm
Why a county in Utah could play a role in Israel’s judicial crisis
Israeli Supreme Court ruling recognizes US virtual marriage process, letting Israelis bypass the rabbinate and angering a ruling coalition that seeks controversial judicial change
By Ben Sales
Illustrative: An Israeli couple photographed for their wedding at a blossoming almond tree field in Latrun on February 25, 2019. (Hadas Parush/Flash90)
February 16, 2023, 2:55 pm
As Jewish Israelis lose trust, fewer are marrying through the Rabbinate
The number of Jews registering weddings with the state body has decreased since 2011, even as the population has grown by more than 20%, religious advocacy group finds
By Judah Ari Gross
Sapir and Gili Zeelon get married over Zoom through a wedding officiant in Utah in January 2021. (Courtesy: Sapir Zeelon)
November 3, 2022, 9:18 pm
Government turns to High Court to challenge recognition of Utah ‘Zoom weddings’
Israel’s state attorney calls for justices to bar the Interior Ministry from recognizing existing marriages until the matter is resolved
By Judah Ari Gross
Sapir and Gili Zeelon get married over Zoom through a wedding officiant in Utah in January 2021. (Courtesy: Sapir Zeelon)
September 29, 2022, 11:42 pm
In step toward civil marriage, Jerusalem court accepts ‘Zoom weddings’ from Utah
In early 2020, Utah began issuing marriage licenses for ceremonies performed online, offering an easy alternative for Israelis who can’t or won’t marry through the rabbinate
By Judah Ari Gross
An Israeli couple marries in an online civil marriage ceremony under the auspices of Utah County in the US State of Utah. (Courtesy WedinSea)
July 10, 2022, 2:06 pm
Court rules online civil marriages valid, upending Israel’s religious status quo
Interior Ministry now obligated to register as married Israeli couples who wed in online ceremonies through the US state of Utah
By Jeremy Sharon
Illustration: Avi Katz
April 14, 2022, 11:01 am
‘Father unknown’: A dread biblical status leads to modern problems
Amir has been fighting for years to be recognized as his daughter’s father, squaring off against an archaic law aimed at preventing children from being labeled ‘mamzers’
By Judah Ari Gross
Alander Especie, shown with his daughter Liz, puts on tefillin every day. (Courtesy of Especie/ via JTA)
February 26, 2021, 5:01 am
Raised in one of Rio’s most violent favelas, he’s now a rising artist in Israel
New immigrant Alander Especie joins hundreds of fellow Brazilian expats in Ra’anana, which he and other creatives are working to beautify through art
By Marcus M. Gilban
Illustrative: A Jewish couple getting married. (Justin Oberman/Creative Commons)
December 30, 2020, 5:28 pm
Couples marry online via State of Utah to beat lack of civil marriages in Israel
But after population authority recognizes the certificates, Interior Minister Deri blocks process, demands it be reviewed by senior officials
By Stuart Winer
Israelis protest being separated from their significant others outside the residence of the foreign minister by having solo romantic picnics on the eve of Tu B'Av, the Jewish day celebrating love. The signs read, "We also want to embrace our loved ones. Open the skies for them. Families want to be together." (Courtesy: Plia Kettner via JTA)
August 8, 2020, 4:15 pm
Together, alone: Israel’s closed borders, marriage rules forcing couples apart
Some partnerships and families not recognized by Jerusalem authorities have been unable to unite for months, and the Israelis have begun to push for change in the halls of power
By Ben Sales
Avigdor Liberman (2nd R) at the wedding of his son Amos on September 26, 2019 (Screencapture/Channel 12)
September 27, 2019, 10:08 pm
Rabbi denies he refused to officiate wedding of Liberman’s son over politics
Son of secularist politician weds in glitzy ceremony attended by oligarchs and serenaded by pop star, but no invites for fellow politicians
By ToI Staff
Avigdor Liberman and his son Amos cook with a chef at a food festival held in Jerusalem, March 29, 2011. (Miriam Alster/Flash90)
September 27, 2019, 12:58 am
Ultra-Orthodox rabbi refuses to marry Liberman’s son over political fight
Rabbi Baruch Dov Diskin turns down Amos Liberman’s marriage request due to his father’s enmity with religious community
By ToI Staff
Demonstrators protest in Ashdod against the closure of businesses in the city on Shabbat, on January 20, 2018. (Flash90)
July 17, 2019, 4:07 am
Pew report: PA less restrictive on religion than Israel; Iran slightly worse
Israel is one of the top 22 most religiously restrictive countries in world, with sixth-highest level of ‘interreligious tension and violence’ — a worse score than Syria, says Pew
By Ben Sales
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks at a conference of his Likud party in Ramat Gan, March 4, 2019. (Tomer Neuberg/Flash90)
June 27, 2019, 4:50 am
Everybody complains about Israel’s electoral system. But it works
Especially after this year’s political shenanigans, the chaotic, tribal electoral system gets a bad rap; it is also the source of Israel’s strength, solidarity and democracy
By Haviv Rettig Gur
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