Successful Program Returns for its Fourth Year

15 Feb 2006

The West Coast Region of the Orthodox Union will present its Fourth Annual Positive Jewish Marriages Shabbaton, Friday and Saturday March 10-11, prior to Purim, at the Luxe Hotel in Bel Air.

According to Rabbi Alan Kalinsky, Director of the West Coast Region, “The goal of the Shabbaton is to bring together up to 60 happily married couples who are looking for ways to enhance their relationships and to communicate with their spouses more effectively. Our first three Marriage Enrichment events were notable for their warmth and love, and clearly every couple that arrived happily married – and all did – left with even stronger marriages. Participants will be able to leave the retreat on Saturday night with a variety of skills, techniques and approaches to help strengthen the cornerstones and foundations of a loving, committed marriage.”

Chair people for the event are Dr. Phyllis & Rabbi Israel Hirsch, Ayala & Moti Naor, and Dr. Esti & Allen Samson. On Saturday night there will be a Purim spiel, as well as an opportunity for the couples to dress up in costumes.

The Shabbaton is part of the OU’s national emphasis on programming to strengthen the Jewish family, which includes not only Positive Jewish Marriage but Positive Jewish Parenting conferences as well. “Clearly, whatever we can do to strengthen the Jewish family will help ensure the stability of our community in the years to come,” declared Rabbi Moshe D. Krupka, National OU Executive Director.

The presenters will be:

Dr. David Pelcovitz holds the Gwendolyn and Joseph Strauss Chair in Jewish Education at Yeshiva University’s Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education and Administration and Stern College for Women. He also teaches courses in Pastoral Psychology at YU’s Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary (RIETS) and serves as Special Assistant to the President of Yeshiva University. He has published and lectured extensively on a variety of topics related to the psychological impact of trauma and loss.

Rabbi Moshe and Yaffa Benzaquen. Rabbi Benzaquen is Vice President, Touro College Los Angeles, and is Rabbi of West Coast Torah Center, Beverly Hills.

Rabbi Daniel and Karen Korobkin. Rabbi Korobkin is Director of OU West Coast Community and Synagogue Services. He is also the Rabbi at Kehillat Yavneh.

Cantor Avshalom and Sharon Katz. Avshalom is Chazzan at Beth Jacob Congregation in Beverly Hills.

Sessions will include:

Reconcilable Differences: Understanding and Appreciating Gender Differences

Anger Management: Strategies for Fighting Fairly

Preserving the Initial Dream: Managing Time and Expectations

Clashing Bumper Stickers: Handling Differing Philosophies of Parenting

The cost for the Shabbaton will be $395 per couple. For further information, contact Esther Rothberg of the Synagogue and Community Services Department of the West Coast Region at 310-229-9000, ext. 206.