Synopses & Reviews
As the divorce rates of both Jewish and interfaith couples continue to escalate, "shalom bayit" (peace in the home) is definitely in danger. In addition to the challenges every modern couple faces, millions of Jewish and interfaith couples are struggling with unique issues that profoundly influence their intimate relationships. Differing views of Jewish identity conflicts about religious practice, and cultural clashes between partners from different backgrounds all impact Jewish intimacy. This dynamic guide identifies these special issues and gives Jewish and interfaith couples practical tools they need to improve communication, resolve conflicts, and enhance and preserve their marriages.Based on the nationally renowned Prevention and Relationship Enhancement Program (PREP)-a proven process for strengthening relationships-Fighting for Your Jewish Marriage blAnds the wisdom of Jewish traditions with modern scientific methods to create a hands-on guide to marital happiness. While every couple faces relationship challenges, Jews encounter special cultural issues that deeply affect their marriages. Fighting for Your Jewish Marriage deals with those topics unique to Jewish couples and interfaith partners and includes practical suggestions to help them:? Confront ambivalence and confusion about the meaning of being Jewish? Overcome the barriers to establishing a positive Jewish identity? Negotiate differences that result from competing family loyalties? Deal with misunderstandings that arise from different cultural, religious, and behavioral expectations? Heal the psychological scars that are the legacy of the Holocaust and the history of Jewish persecution? Resolve issues that inevitably arise with intermarriage-especially around how to bring up the kidsFighting for Your Jewish Marriage's innovative exercises focus on resolving conflict when dealing with such hot-button issues as gAnder roles, work, raising children, and religious practice. The au
Review
"This important book combines modern social-scientific research and traditional Jewish wisdom to help couples resurrect the buried promises of friAndship and responsibility, and the joy of love. The old can be renewed, and the new can be hallowed. It offers concrete ways for couples to create constructive and affirmative relations. It is rooted in a deep conviction that it is never too late to build again, to hope again, to love again." (Rabbi Harold M. Schulweis, author, For Those Who Can't Believe)
"This much-needed book combines proven research on marital relationships with special insights on Jewish belief systems, making it both culturally sensitive and very sound in terms of what really helps couples save and improve their marriages. For anyone in a Jewish couple, this book is a lifesaver and truly a mitzvah!" (Celia Jaes Falicov, Ph.D., president, American Family Therapy Academy)
"This is relationship insurance at its best! We finally have an essential guide for all mental health professionals and clergy who want to make marriage work." (Dr. Anita Friedman, executive director, Jewish Family & Children's Services of San Francisco)
Synopsis
The authors present a specially customized version of the Prevention and Relationship Enhancement Program (PREP)--a proven method for confronting issues married couples face--as it applies to the Jewish population.
Synopsis
Combining traditional Jewish wisdom with the most up-to-date scientific research on long-lasting relationships, Beyond the Chuppah is a hands-on guide for enriching Jewish and interfaith relationships. Based on the proven Prevention and Relationship Enhancement Program (PREP), the book shows couples how to recognize the special issues that are unique to Jewish and interfaith relationships and learn the skills they need to create a marriage that's intimate, loving, and fun. Using the practical tools found in this book, Jewish couples will discover how to "fight right" to resolve conflicts, improve their communication skills, do what's right for the children, and, most of all, appreciate the pleasure of each other's company.
About the Author
JOEL CROHN, Ph.D., is a trained PREP psychologist who specializes in working with Jewish and interfaith couples and is the author of Mixed Matches. Howard Markman, Ph.D., and Susan Blumberg, Ph.D., are marital experts who wrote the bestselling book Fighting for Your Marriage. Janice Levine, Ph.D., is a Jewish PREP trainer and therapist who teaches at Harvard Medical School.