(Courtesy of Project Ezrah) Project Ezrah will hold a seminar on “The Aisle: A Path Toward Financial Fidelity” on Wednesday, November 15, at 7 p.m. at Congregation Beth Abraham.
The Aisle is a project based on the verse, “Better is a dry morsel and quietness therewith, than a house full of sacrifices with strife” (Mishlei 17:1).
In years of working with couples, the organization has seen a great need for this type of (preventative) information and has been able to identify signposts of discord and/or financial mismanagement. Most families teach their engaged children about shalom bayit before the wedding. Understanding that the Torah teaches that strife in the home is due to money problems (Bave Metzia 59a), The Aisle helps couples recognize the importance of shalom kesef, providing them with the tools to work together on a path toward a financially healthy lifestyle.
The Aisle sessions are held every six months. Sessions include dinner, games, a workshop and gifts to all who attend. There is no charge for the evening but advanced reservations are required. The Aisle welcomes all couples: engaged, newly married, married and even new couples on a second marriage.
Some insights into The Aisle:
- The foundations built during the engagement period and directly after the wedding affect the whole relationship; the stronger that foundation, the stronger the couple will be. During this period, each is learning more and more about the other: how they brush their teeth, hang up their clothes (or not) and how they handle money. The Aisle’s goal of preventative financial education will cover some of the following to help the couple tie the financial knot: Step One—From “Yours” and “Mine” to “Ours”
- The Aisle will give participants the tools to deal the many issues that come up during the engagement and right after the wedding. Yes, now (during the engagement) is the time to discuss finances.
- Money management can be a rewarding way to bond: It builds team work, trust and communication skills and helps set common goals. (“You need a budget!” is unconstructive because “budget” is perceived as a depressing chore. “Plan to manage your money!” is the constructive approach, the one The Aisle will use.)
- 84 percent of married couples admit that the primary source of tension in their marriage is money. It is not surprising then that money-related fights is well known as the primary cause of divorce. The Aisle will help couples realize how important money management is in order to stop money issues before they become “financial infidelity.”
For reservations or additional information, please email [email protected] or call 201-569-9047.
Congregation Beth Abraham is located at 396 New Bridge Road in Bergenfield.
