  | Book Details Title: I Am for My Beloved: A Guide to Enhanced Intimacy for Married Couples |
Book DescriptionReview “Torah Judaism places great importance on sexuality not only as a legitimate source of pleasure for husband and wife, but also as a key component to a happy marriage and a basic human need. It can be difficult, however, for many religious Jews to maintain a healthy and balanced view of sexuality as they negotiate Judaism’s expectations for modesty and sanctity against the currents of the surrounding society’s highly sexualized culture. The present work by David Ribner and Talli Rosenbaum is an important resource for religious Jews who seek to understand the essentials and nuances of sexuality and sexual intimacy through the lens of their tradition. The book’s presentation is sophisticated, accessible, practical, scientifically current, religiously sensitive, and wise. It should be recommended to any Orthodox couple seeking guidance as they begin their journey together toward physical and emotional intimacy.” —Dr. Andrew Nachum Klafter, MD”Ribner and Rosenbaum have written an extraordinary book, filled with the authors’ special blend of profound religious and clinical wisdom. It is destined to become a classic for Jewish couples seeking to enrich and deepen marital intimacy at every stage throughout the life cycle.” —Peggy J. Kleinplatz, Ph.D., Director of Sex and Couples Therapy Training, University of Ottawa, Canada”This is a wonderful book with every chapter bringing a tremendous amount of information using clear language, illustrations, case studies and insights from other professionals. The two professional and experienced authors share decades of valuable research and insights gleaned from their work. A worthwhile and important read.” —Rabbanit Nechama Goldman Barash, Yoetzet Halakha and Sex Educator Read more About the Author David S. Ribner earned his BA, Rabbinic Ordination, MS and MSW degree from Yeshiva University and his doctorate from Columbia University. He is the founder and chairman of the Sex Therapy Training Program, Bar-Ilan University, Israel and is certified as a sex therapist and supervisor in the U.S and Israel. He is in private practice as a sex and marital therapist in Jerusalem, has authored some 40 articles and book chapters and writes and lectures extensively on cultural sensitivity and sexuality. He is also the co-author of Et Le’ehov (A Time to Love): The Newlywed’s Guide to Physical Intimacy. He is an Associate Editor of the journal Sexual and Relationship Therapy and in addition to AASECT, is a member of the Israel Society for Sex Therapy and the International Academy for Sex Research. Talli Y. Rosenbaum is an individual and couple therapist and is certified as a sex therapist by The American Association for Sex Educators, Counselors and Therapists (AASECT), as well as the Israeli Society for Sex Therapy (ISST). She cohosts the Intimate Judaism podcast and co-edited the Springer textbook entitled The Overactive Pelvic Floor. She has authored over 40 journal articles and several book chapters on sexual pain disorders, sexual health, unconsummated marriage, and sexuality and Judaism and is an associate editor of the Sexual Medicine Reviews. Talli earned a Masters in Clinical Sociology and Counseling and a certificate in Mental Health Studies from the University of North Texas in Neve Yerushalayim. She holds a bachelors degree in Physical Therapy from Northwestern University and before training in psychotherapy, treated patients as a physical therapist for 25 years. In addition to maintaining an active private practice, Talli is the academic advisor for Yahel: The Center for Jewish Intimacy. Talli frequently lectures both in Israel and abroad, to lay as well as professional audiences. Read more Customers Review:“I am for my beloved” is a good book, easy to read and filled with information Jews should know.In 1957, when my father, the noted sage Rabbi Dr. Nathan Drazin, wrote a book on marriage and sex called “Marriage Made in Heaven,” a book that is still relevant and filled with significant information for today, was published, there were no such books. People criticized my dad, saying in Yiddish Es past nished, it is not proper to talk openly about sex. Dad felt differently. Before officiating at about a thousand weddings, he brought the couple to his house and spoke to them about marriage and sex. But he was criticized for his openness. Even his brother-in-law criticized him.But within a year, the tone changed. The book sold briskly. A second edition was published. The book was translated into Hebrew and sold in Israel even to the extreme Orthodox community. Even his brother-in-law published his own book on the subject. Jews recognized that this was a subject that must be addressed. The authors of this volume list as many as three dozen books that deal with the subject published since 1999.The authors of this book tell us: “This book is intended for couples who wish to enrich their marital and sexual lives and maintain passion and intimacy throughout the life cycle, within the philosophy of traditional Judaism.” The book has 26 chapters devoted to subjects such as intimacy skills, intimate touching, sex and sanctity, sexual communication, male and female desires, pornography, fantasies, respect, Jewish values, and much more. It points out that a strong emotional bond requires trust, vulnerability, acceptance, tenderness, caring, open communication, curiosity, kindness, mechanisms for healing and repair, self-awareness, novelty, each of which is described and explained in detail. There are pictures showing five different kinds of sexual positions while recognizing that there are more.The book will enhance life and its enjoyment. | |
4 reviews