Celebrate Life

Dr. Garrett R. Smith

Dr. Garrett R. Smith is the Director of Celebrate Life whose purpose is to “bring meaning and joy to sacred occasions for interfaith Families.”  He is author of the book, “Comfortably Jewish: Practical Ways to Enjoy Your Family Heritage.”  He has been a minister for over fifteen years.  Originally from the San Francisco Bay Area and now based in the Boston area, Dr. Smith has a Doctor of Ministry in Marriage and Family Counseling and a Masters of Divinity degree from Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary.  His Doctoral thesis was on counseling with Jewish intercultural families.

Dr. Smith and his wife Nici, who was born in the African country of Namibia, both come from intermarried homes and were raised Jewish, yet came to believe in Jesus as young adults.  Now married for twelve years, the Smiths raise their three children in both the Jewish and Christian worlds.

He also has a Bachelor of Arts in Business/ Economics from the University of California, Santa Barbara and is a member of the American Association of Pastoral Counselors. Currently, Dr. Smith is the teaching elder at a local Messianic Jewish Fellowship  and also the Director of Spiritual Formation and Outreach at Newton Presbyterian Church.

“I love working with interfaith couples,” says Dr. Smith. “Because I’m Jewish, I understand Jewish culture, and because I’m Christian, I understand Christians. Most couples don’t realize when their conflicts are cultural and not personal. I consider myself a cultural translator as I help couples understand each other. ”