To Life!

THE SCENE

Making Marriage

WORK

Series helps couples survive
after the chuppah.

Robin Schwartz
Special to the Jewish News

roles and boundaries of parents
and in-laws.
The class offers tips and exer-
he's a law student at
cises to help couples work
University of Detroit
through any rough spots they
Mercy. He's a doctoral
encounter.
candidate in neuroscience at the
"You spend all of this time
University of Michigan in Ann
planning the wedding and no
Arbor. They met on Jdate, an
time planning the marriage
Internet dating service for Jewish said Jeremy Kahn of Farmington
singles, and fell in love.
Hills. He and his wife, Beth, have
Laura Komjathy and Shlomo
been married for six years.
Dellal of Farmington Hills are
"The No.1 thing in a marriage
planning a wedding for May of
is the friendship:' Cetner said.
2007. But they're also planning
"To have a really strong friend-
ahead for the lifelong commit-
ship and have fun together and
ment they're making.
make time to be together is
"We wanted to improve how
essential for a happy marriage
we communicate with each other
The class is based on a similar
and make sure what we have
program in Los Angeles that
lasts:' Komjathy said.
Rabbi Shere helped teach when
The couple and several others
she lived in California. "It was so
are taking part in a program
successful, the conservative rab-
called "(Happily Ever) After the
bis in L.A. required that couples
Chuppah" at Adat
take the class before
Shalom Synagogue in
they would marry
Farmington Hills.
them:' Rabbi Shere
Rabbi Rachel Shere
said.
and Bloomfield Hills
Now, she and Cetner
therapist Shirley
hope the no-nonsense
Cetner lead the inter-
information will lead to
active and informal
shalom bayit — a
class for engaged and
peaceful home — for
Shirley Cet ner
married couples.
more young Jewish
"There is research
couples in Michigan.
that shows there's approximately
"I feel sad that I find my books
a 30 percent reduced rate of
on divorce are leaving my shelves
divorce among couples who get
faster than my books on mar-
premarital counseling or coun-
riage," Rabbi Shere said. "I hope
seling within the first year or so
more conversations before mar-
of marriage said Cetner.
riage can change that trendy'
The class takes a lighthearted
look at some of the issues many
newlyweds face. One session,
The next "(Happily Ever)
called "We're Home From the
After the Chuppah" series will
Honeymoon — Who's Doing the
be offered in February.
Laundry?" addresses expecta-
Discussions take place each
tions for marriage and spousal
Wednesday night of the
roles. Another discussion topic,
month. For information, call
"He'll Always Be Her Bubbela,
Adat Shalom Synagogue,
But He's Also My Husband:'
(248) 851-5100 x231. There is
focuses on understanding the
a $36 charge per couple.

s

From top:

Laura Komjathy and her

husband to be, Shlomo

Dellal of Farmington Hills

Rabbi Rachel Shere and

her husband, Dan Shere,

of Farmington Hills

Class goers Beth and

Jeremy Kahn of

Farmington Hills have

been married six years.

26

❑

October 20 2005

jw