,

This date worked.
Jody Cohn and
Ari Charlip became
engaged last week.

Definitive Dating

From parents' views on
'90s dating to what's Jewish about it,
how we meet is unusual and sweet.

LYNNE MEREDITH COHN
Staff Writer

T

o look at dating, you
almost need a wide-
angle, zoom lens. In
the Jewish communi-
ty, it's the same as anywhere else,
and also very different.
Some of us think about mar-
riage from date No. 1, while oth-
ers leave that for future consider-
ation. Senior Writer Julie Edgar
tells us why, how and who.

Allison Kaplan talks to our par-
ents, many of whom just don't
understand some of the nuances
of dating in the '90s. But, we'll
try our best to explain it.
How do we meet? Mostly
through friends, family and fix-
ups, as the photo essay re-enact-
ing five couples' stories shows.
Scene newcomer Elana Harris
writes about the specifically
Jewish aspects of dating: neuro-
sis, guilt and the involvement of
mothers and grandmothers. Not

to mention observance of holi-
days and the Jewish tradition of
finding the person who com-
pletes you.
Paul Bibeau tells about the
games men play, and Julie
Weingarden writes about the
humorous, and sometimes frus-
trating, aspects of not having a
ring on your finger.
Bottom line: Dating is a
means to an end. Never fear, that
end is certainly in sight. Read
on.

❑

10/10
1997

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