OU Presents Marriage Enrichment Retreat, July 6-8, In NY Catskills Mountains

14 May 2007

OU PRESENTS MARRIAGE ENRICHMENT RETREAT, JULY 6-8, IN NEW YORK CATSKILLS MOUNTAINS TO STRENGTHEN ALREADY STRONG RELATIONSHIPS

Although not immune to the same circumstances that have caused booming divorce rates in the general population, Orthodox couples face the additional pressures that are unique to their own community. These include financial stresses, caused in a great part by the burden of tuition, as well as the need to balance religious
commitments with the demands of family and work. These factors are compounded by the reality that family life has changed over the years, with both parents predominantly now working — in many cases to meet the tuition challenge — which has impacted significantly on the time husband and wife can devote to one another.

In recognition of these trends, the Orthodox Union has provided a very practical Positive Jewish Marriages program to address these daily concerns and to help married couples strengthen their healthy marriages. The latest in this national series of programs will be a Marriage Enrichment Retreat, July 6-8, at the beautiful Hudson Valley Resort and Spa, in New York’s Catskill Mountains, where couples can nurture their relationships.

“This is an outstanding opportunity to reconnect, reenergize and redevelop a closer emotionally intimate connection that can last a lifetime,” declared Frank Buchweitz, OU National Director of Community Services and Special Projects, who plans these programs.

“The weekend, for adults only, is geared towards couples who want to communicate and relate on an even deeper emotional level. Our marriage experts will help couples strengthen their commitment in an environment free from daily distractions and routines,” he said.

The keynote address will be delivered by OU Executive Vice President Rabbi Dr. Tzvi Hersh Weinreb, who is also a clinical psychologist.

Speakers will include other noted psychologists: Rabbi Dr. Reuven P. Bulka, Rabbi Dr. Mordechai Glick, Dr. Tobias Jungreis, Dr. David Pelcovitz, Dr. Marcy P. Schaffer, and, Dr. Sylvan J. Schaffer.

Content areas will include:

• Effective Communication Techniques;

• Expectations for Yourself and Your Spouse;

• Growing Together…Not Apart;

• Understanding and Accepting Differences;

• Conflict Negotiation and Compromise;

• Money and Marriage;

• In-Law Relationships and the Extended Family Work;

• Maintaining Closeness and Personal Identity;

• Raising Children and Finding Time for Each Other;

“Workshops are designed to endow participants with practical ideas, skills, and suggestions to nurture more fulfilling marriages as well as to strengthen the cornerstones and foundations of loving and committed relationships,” Emanuel J. Adler, Senior Vice President and Chair of Community Services Commission added.

Comments of previous participants on evaluation forms included:

• “This weekend went above and beyond our expectations. You should offer this program four to five times a year.”

• “We were anxious and skeptical coming up, but we enjoyed the weekend very much. There were too many good choices per session to choose from. It should be done more often and we will talk it up in our neighborhood.”

• “We loved the humor, which helps make the work of marriage easier.”

The cost for the program is $500 per couple.

For more information and to register contact Frank Buchweitz, at 212-613-8188, or www.ou.org/marriage for a complete schedule and online registration information.