The "Torah and Creativity" Institute of the Maaleh School for Film and Journalism recently held a seminar for rabbis and educators dealing with the issue of continued "singlehood." A call was issued for the establishment of a religious institute to help prepare young religious singles, and possibly their parents, to find their life mates. Rabbi Mordechai Vardi of Maaleh, Rabbi Menachem Burstein of Puah Institute (the Institute for Counseling and Assistance in Matters of Gynecology and Fertility According to Jewish Law), and others gathered to discuss how to help the growing number of young singles who wish to "settle down."
Speakers at the seminar noted that yeshiva high schools do not sufficiently guide their students in these matters, and bemoaned the phenomenon of rabbis substituting for professional counselors in giving advice to couples. Social worker Avraham Katz, who specializes in this field, said that parental supervision in "helping their children choose" was, and should again be, encouraged as a positive contribution.
Speakers at the seminar noted that yeshiva high schools do not sufficiently guide their students in these matters, and bemoaned the phenomenon of rabbis substituting for professional counselors in giving advice to couples. Social worker Avraham Katz, who specializes in this field, said that parental supervision in "helping their children choose" was, and should again be, encouraged as a positive contribution.