• faces

ROBIN SCHWARTZ, COLUMNIST

Love And Vows

The laws of marriage are
spotlighted against a gallery backdrop.

F

Rabbi Michael Cohen of
Keter Torah Synagogue

Hillary Fisher of
Milford models a gown

A wedding gown and
chuppah on display

PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANGIE BAAN

or all of the dreamy, romantic fantasies people have about marriage,
there are realities, responsibilities and an art to making such complex
relationships work. Over champagne and wedding cake, more than 40
people gathered to discuss the Jewish laws of marriage at the Janice
Charach Epstein Gallery at the Jewish Community Center in West
Bloomfield.
The group sat in a room decorated with elegant displays featuring bridal gowns,
wedding cakes, place settings, chuppahs and floral arrangements while Rabbi
Michael Cohen of Keter Torah Synagogue in West Bloomfield led a discussion
about life beyond the fairytale of the wedding day.
"Besides love, there's a very important concept of respect in a marriage and the
Ketubah dictates those obligations of love which create respect," Rabbi Cohen said.
"The Talmud says a man who loves his wife like himself, but respects her more
than himself, is guaranteed a happy marriage."
The Feb. 11 event, "The Newlywed Game... It's Not Just A Game: Jewish Laws
of Marriage," was sponsored jointly by the gallery and SAJE, Seminars for Adult
Jewish Enrichment. In addition to the discussion, participants were treated to a
bridal fashion show courtesy of Macy's bridal salon, a dessert reception complete
with a kosher chocolate and raspberry wedding cake and four different wedding
themes on display throughout the gallery. Local party planners and wedding coor-
dinators set up traditional, casual, shabby chic and modern designs, ranging from
the flowers to the table linens. Upstairs, Judaica, art and jewelry were for sale.
"I believe part of the reason so many marriages end in divorce these days is that
people are going in different directions; they're taking more than they're giving,"
Rabbi Cohen said.
"The whole concept of giving and getting and the meaning behind it is some-
thing I've never really thought about after being married 47 years," added SAJE
chair Susan Marwil of Bloomfield Hills. "Obviously, it makes a lot of sense."
Spotted in the crowd celebrating the art of marriage were: Event co-chairs
Linda Schwartz of Southfield and Mindy Soble of West Bloomfield; Adina
Pergament of Huntington Woods; Carol Fogel of West Bloomfield; and Alisa and
David Raider of Commerce Township. The monthly SAJE programs, a coopera-
tive effort of the Detroit Jewish community, are endowed by a generous gift from
Cis Maisel Kellrnan of Southfield. ❑

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Flower girls Riley Stearn, 5, of Farmington

Chef David Raider and his wife,

Carly Cenit of West Bloomfield and

Andrea and Jessica Dalton,

Hills and Paige Stearn, 7, of Beverly Hills

Alisa Kaufman Raider, of West Bloomfield

Rachel Brown of Bloomfield Hills

both of Bloomfield Hills

Myrna Doppelt and Sylvie Salei,

Mindy Soble of West Bloomfield, Linda Schwartz Kent and Judy Siegel of West Bloomfield

Adina Pergament of Huntington Woods,

both of Farmington Hills

of Southfield and Susan Marwil of Bloomfield Hills

SAJE director; Elisa Freilich of Bloomfield

8 • MARCH 2007 • platilll1111

Hills, gallery assistant director