Beyond the Huppah

Creating the Jewish Marriage You Want

Join us for Mayyim Hayyim’s five-session seminar for engaged and recently married couples that will provide tools to solidify a strong partnership and explore different ways of creating a Jewish home. LGBTQ+ and interfaith couples welcome.

Discussion Topics Include

Couplehood

How will our lives change once we are married?
How do we identify our identity as a Jewish family?

Decision-making and Financial Management

How do we negotiate important decisions for our family honestly and respectfully?
How will we manage our money?
How can tzedakah, giving to others, play a role in our lives

Jewish Ritual

How does Judaism sanctify marriage?
How can Jewish rituals help mark important transitions, such as deciding when and how to begin a family?
How might we relate to the ritual of mikveh within our marriage, on our own terms?

Sexuality

What does Judaism teach about sex in marriage?
How do we build and maintain a healthy sex life?

Building a Jewish Family

What does ‘a Jewish family’ mean to us?
How will our marriage change if we choose to have children?

Niddah: Exploring the Boundaries of Intimacy

This optional 6th session is for couples interested in learning about ancient and contemporary perspectives on niddah, the practice of obstaining from intimacy around the time of the menstrual cycle. This discussion-based and participant-driven session will explore central texts, while focusing on real niddah experiences today. As with all Beyond the Huppah sessions, couples will have time to reflect on their learning privately and with the larger group.

Faculty

Taught by Judy Elkin PCC and guest faculty.