Rabbi Jonathan Kaplan is an independent Modern Rabbi. He is a graduate of the Rabbinical Seminary International, receiving his rabbinic ordination (smeicha) on May 1, 1994. Rabbi Kaplan is known for his creative and meaningful life-cycle ceremonies that he performs throughout Florida, the United States and the Caribbean.

Founder and Spiritual Leader of Temple Beth Chai in Parkland / Coral Springs, Fl. • Police Chaplain for the Coral Springs Police and Fire Depts. • Member of the International Conference of Police Chaplains • Member of The Rabbinical Fellowship of America. • Affiliate member of the National Association of Jewish Chaplains (NAJC). • A founding member of the International Federation of Rabbis (IFR).

Weddings: Traditional or Interfaith

Mazel Tov and Congratulations on your upcoming wedding! Just as each bride and groom is unique, so should their wedding ceremony. The ceremony is all about the union of two hearts and making an everlasting promise.
Rabbi Jonathan takes pride in personalizing each and every wedding ceremony resulting in the most meaningful and beautiful creation specifically for you. Interfaith couples are warmly welcomed by Rabbi Jonathan as his soothing and understanding approach offers comfort to many mixed faith couples. He is flexible to your needs and familiar to your Religious beliefs which puts you at ease and eliminates any questions. Interfaith ceremonies are just one of the many customized memories attained with Rabbi Jonathan’s unique ways. Whether your needs be Traditional or Liberal, he will assist and achieve in setting the tone for the memory of a lifetime.“When the food and music are forgotten, the ceremony will be long remembered by all.”

Bar/Bat Mitzvahs

Bar/Bat Mitzvah embraces two concepts: Bar meaning son, Bat for daughter, and Mitzvah meaning commandment.
At the age of 13 for boys and 12 for girls, they reach an age where they assume the ritual obligations and privileges under Jewish law. Becoming a full-fledged member of the Jewish religion is a very important milestone, so much so that this ceremony becomes a pinnacle in their young life; a memory forever. Rabbi Jonathan’s calming personality lends the necessary “comfort zone” that is essential for proper preparation for each student.Confidence and calmness is most prevalent within the first few minutes of meeting with Rabbi Jonathan. A family is rest assured that as their young child enters their Jewish adulthood, they will also mature to gain knowledge, poise, and confidence for their upcoming Simcha. Any family that is requesting such a ceremony may do so, even if their child may not be enrolled in any Hebrew School or may not have had any prior Religious School Education. Private tutoring is available for any student, which spans over a period of 10-12 months. It begins with the learning of the Hebrew Alef-Bet and concludes with this young Jewish adult reading from the Torah during his/her Bar/Bat Mitzvah. Rabbi Jonathan offers his personalized, meaningful ceremonies at the location of your choice. Whether it be in a banquet hall, hotel, country club or in your own home, this warm and musical ceremony will be a “once in a lifetime” memory.

Baby/Child Namings

To hold a newborn in our arms is to behold a miracle.
We begin the journey of parenthood in celebration. There are foods to be prepared, people to be called, announcements to be made and invitations to be extended. The family is swaddled in attention and rituals. A private matter becomes a communal event, for at the celebration the child, the family and the people of the community are bound together as one. Family and friends gather as the ceremony unfolds and becomes a beauty of its own. Rabbi Jonathan offers baby naming services, ritually acknowledging a child’s entry into God’s Holy Covenant while enabling the parents to proclaim publicly the child’s name. Parents, siblings, uncles, aunts, grandparents and all friends gather with the same thought, “Please guide their steps. And protect this child throughout life.” Rabbi Jonathan will personalize a warm and intimate baby naming ceremony at the location of your choice or at our Friday Night Shabbat Services.

Funerals/Memorial Services

Healing happens slowly, over the course of time. When a loved one dies, no matter what the person’s age or circumstances, the family is often in shock. Their lives have been turned upside down. Their hurt is fresh and their wound is deep. Rabbi Jonathan offers his many years of experience counseling families during this most difficult time in their lives. He meets with family members to discuss issues in depth and attempts to gather as much information prior to writing his eulogy for the departed. He speaks words of comfort to the family of the departed, detailing the positive attributes, signature ways and legacy of the deceased. Younger generations may learn of their departed family member with a more in-depth service that is provided by Rabbi Jonathan. His services create a warm, calming and spiritual emotion felt amongst all in attendance. Rabbi Jonathan offers a true honor and tribute that your family member deserves.