October 31, 2017

Withholding information from each other -is that privacy or secrecy?

September 25, 2017

It may not be the easiest day of the year; with advance planning and a 'can do' attitude, both the mother and father can have a meaningful and spiritual Yom  Kippur.  As a couple, work out how to get in some davening on behalf of the family, fasting and attending to the safety and well-being of your children.

July 19, 2017

Approaching one spouse's day off from mindset of partnership.

June 25, 2017

Often, we are indeed grateful and appreciative, but we don't express it. Or, we say a simple Thank You.  Sometimes it is hard to articulate exactly how your life was enriched by the other person's actions or words.  Take the time to really think how that action makes you feel.  And share that with them.

June 23, 2017

Conference call with Rabbi Shais Taub.

(recording and other related resources)

June 23, 2017

Good news!  It is possible to improve your marriage - even with no help from your spouse.  

June 22, 2017

In expressing feelings, it is helpful to use words that refer to the specific emotions rather than words that are vague or general. 

June 22, 2017

The difficulty in identifying and expressing feelings is common. Some important points about how to express feelings.

June 19, 2017

With Rabbi Mendel Lipskier of Sherman Oaks, CA
Addressing   questions that newly married men have or didn't even know to ask, and what young wives wish someone would tell their husbands.  
(includes recording and other related resources.)

June 21, 2017

Rabbi Pinney & Rebetzin Helana Herman present tips and mindsets for building a stronger relationship.
(includes link to recording and several related handouts.)

Recently, Rabbi Mendel Lipskier of Sherman Oaks, CA spoke via conference call to newly married men about the first years of marriage.  You can access the recording here.  

Several questions came in anonymously after the call. Rabbi Lipskier has graciously agreed to answer them.

A successful marriage needs acceptance and effort.

Summary of a conversation between Rabbi Shais Taub and Devora Krasnianski about how to help your Rav help you with Shalom Bayis.

Shalom Bayis, as a direct mitzvah from the Torah is paramount. Chumros and minhagim are just that – chumros and minhagim. If one spouse is not quite ready to take on the chumros, the Shalom Bayis should not be jeopardized. How one introduces these new ideas can make all the difference.

Pesach. Wonderful family time and new family memories. For some, it is a time of family stress and misery :(. So much of that can be prevented. With planning and pre-emptive discussions.

Better than bickering or trying to prove that you are right, show the other the “whole picture”. 

Active Listening gives more time, more presence and more spaciousness to the communication. Active listening has the potential to heal, restore peace, clarify misunderstandings, give strength, repair disconnection and rebuild trust. Listening fosters relating and it’s the RELATING bit that makes RELATIONSHIPS work effectively! 

A quick short thought about why some people are late way more often than others. 

Apologies usually come when you are upset. Not the easiest time to actually hear someone out. But for the sake of your relationship, at least give the other person a chance to apologize and explain.

A good apology means laying yourself bare. It means putting yourself in the other person’s position, giving them what they want and need. In short, it’s not about you. 

People have an intrinsic need to be appreciated. For who they are. Not only for what they do. Compliments are nice. An 'acknowledgment' of who they are can go so much further.

When we express gratitude we celebrate how our life has been enriched by other people’s specific actions. 

Life can be hard. Certain aspects of marriage can be hard. And a little gratitude can make a huge difference is the solidity of a marriage.

When you always feel appreciative and thankful for opportunities that have come your way, as well as the many great people and circumstances in your life, you actually set in motion a chain of events that can lead to greater success in all aspects of your life.