“Personality makes a great date. Character makes a great marriage.” So expressed Rabbi Doniel Frank during his interview with The Jewish Link in preparation for his upcoming presentation to the community on effective dating. Anticipating an audience of both singles and their parents, Rabbi Frank will share universal principles of dating that result in lasting and successful relationships.
Rabbi Frank, a Monsey resident, has directed Motivation and Performance (M.A.P.) seminars for the past 10 years, through which he addresses singles and their parents on all aspects of dating. Recently, these seminars were recorded as a four-part webinar called “Dating Essentials Course.” Through his seminars, Rabbi Frank addresses the unfortunate proliferation within our community of broken engagements and early divorces, which could possibly have been prevented had the couple been properly prepared.
“Dating to marry is a serious business. Unfortunately, too many singles enter the scene with little or no preparation, and are at risk for falling into relationships that are unhealthy or sabotaging those that may have been right for them. My course is a response to this problem as it guides the singles from the moment they declare a willingness to date all the way through the courtship. We keep focused on what matters most when choosing a spouse who’s just right for them, and who will offer the best chance for long-term marital happiness.”
Through a blend of theory and strategy, Rabbi Frank will address the local community in a two-part presentation. Part one will lay down universal principles of dating that are relevant to all ages, populations, backgrounds and religious affiliations. He will offer practical skills to use in carrying out these principles.
“Dating comes in layers. When dating, the challenge is to get beyond the initial attraction to discover the key—the character of the person sitting across from you. Your dates should be ‘character-centric.’ There are skills and strategies that can help you in this character-search. Courtship is an art form that can be practiced and perfected,” shared Rabbi Frank.
Part two of Rabbi Frank’s presentation will address audience concerns. Through pre-submitted questions, as well as those submitted anonymously during the program, Rabbi Frank will address critical issues raised by the participants themselves. Hopefully, through this discussion, daters will recognize that it is essential that they “know themselves.” People are often unaware of what they are bringing to the dating table and therefore are misrepresenting themselves to a potential mate. Similarly, parents are often unaware of what they can positively contribute to their young adult’s dating. Rabbi Frank will help them define their roles in the process without being intrusive. Rabbi Frank places great value in part two of his program as it raises questions that are on the minds of those dating and their parents that have not been openly and properly addressed.
Rabbi Frank received semicha from Ner Israel Rabbinical College in Maryland. He holds a master’s degree from Johns Hopkins University and had advanced training in imago relationship therapy, cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR). Currently, in addition to directing his M.A.P. seminars, he maintains a private practice in marriage and family therapy in Monsey.
Rabbi Frank’s presentation, to be held on Motzei Shabbat, December 23, at 8:15 p.m. at Congregation Beth Abraham of Bergenfield, is a beneficial step by the sisterhood of Congregation Beth Abraham to provide practical and productive guidelines to families in our community dealing with a current relevant topic. Singles and parents are cordially invited to attend.
There will be a light dairy melave malka, so advance reservations at [email protected] would be greatly appreciated.
By Pearl Markovitz
