Beyond the Chuppah: A Jewish Guide to Happy Marriages

by Joel Crohn, Howard J. Markman, Susan L. Blumberg, Janice R. Levine

Overview

Combining traditional Jewish wisdom with the most up-to-date scientific research on long-lasting relationships, Beyond the Chuppah is a hands-on guide for enriching Jewish and interfaith relationships. Based on the proven Prevention and Relationship Enhancement Program (PREP), the book shows couples how to recognize the special issues that are unique to Jewish and interfaith relationships and learn the skills they need to create a marriage that's intimate, loving, and fun. Using the practical tools found in this book, Jewish couples will discover how to "fight right" to resolve conflicts, improve their communication skills, do what's right for the children, and, most of all, appreciate the pleasure of each other's company.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780787960421
Publisher:	Wiley
Publication date:	12/13/2001
Pages:	336
Product dimensions:	5.96(w) x 9.06(h) x 0.88(d)

About the Author

Joel Crohn, Ph.D., is a trained PREP psychologist who specializes in working with Jewish and interfaith couples and is the author of Mixed Matches. Howard Markman, Ph.D., and Susan Blumberg, Ph.D., are marital experts who wrote the best-selling book Fighting for Your Marriage. Janice Levine, Ph.D., is a Jewish PREP trainer and therapist who teaches at Harvard Medical School.

Table of Contents

Foreword, by Rabbi Harold M. Schulweis ix

Acknowledgments xi

Introduction: Why Is This Book Different from All Other Books? xiii

1. Creating a Positive Jewish Identity That Supports Your Marriage 1

2. Four Key Patterns That Can Harm a Relationship 25

3. Changing Roles, Changing Rules: Men and Women in Conflict 53

4. Communicating Clearly and Safely: The Speaker-Listener Technique 69

5. Problem Solving 97

6. Ground Rules for Handling Conflict 121

7. The Difference Between Issues and Events 133

8. Unfulfilled Expectations and What to Do About Them 157

9. Choosing Commitment 177

10. The Importance of Core Belief Systems: Judaism, Intermarriage, and Community 199

11. Atonement, Forgiveness, and the Restoration of Intimacy 221

12. Preserving and Protecting Friendship 245

13. Overcoming the Fear of Fun 257

14. Thou Shalt Enjoy Sex 265

15. Ancient Wisdom and Modern Insights 283

Notes 285

Resources 291

More Information on the PREP Approach 297

About the Authors 299

Index 301

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"This important book combines modern social-scientific research and traditional Jewish wisdom to help couples resurrect the buried promises of friendship and responsibility, and the joy of love. The old can be renewed, and the new can be hallowed. It offers concrete ways for couples to create constructive and affirmative relations. It is rooted in a deep conviction that it is never too late to build again, to hope again, to love again."
— Rabbi Harold M. Schulweis, author, For Those Who Can't Believe

"This much-needed book combines proven research on marital relationships with special insights on Jewish belief systems, making it both culturally sensitive and very sound in terms of what really helps couples save and improve their marriages. For anyone in a Jewish couple, this book is a lifesaver and truly a mitzvah!"
— Celia Jaes Falicov, Ph.D., president, American Family Therapy Academy

Editorial Reviews

"This important book combines modern social-scientific research andtraditional Jewish wisdom to help couples resurrect the buriedpromises of friendship and responsibility, and the joy of love. Theold can be renewed, and the new can be hallowed. It offers concreteways for couples to create constructive and affirmative relations.It is rooted in a deep conviction that it is never too late tobuild again, to hope again, to love again."
— Rabbi Harold M. Schulweis, author, For Those Who Can'tBelieve

"This much-needed book combines proven research on maritalrelationships with special insights on Jewish belief systems,making it both culturally sensitive and very sound in terms of whatreally helps couples save and improve their marriages. For anyonein a Jewish couple, this book is a lifesaver and truly amitzvah!"
— Celia Jaes Falicov, Ph.D., president, American FamilyTherapy Academy

From the Publisher