A crowd of over 250 women were treated to an outstanding lecture on the topic of intimacy on Monday, July 16 at Congregation Adas Torah.  And, the following night, over 200 men assembled to receive another great lecture on the same topic.

The events were arranged and sponsored by Dr. David Stoll, a local dermatologist.  Dr. Stoll initiated the series of shalom bayis lectures three months ago to benefit the entire community.  The initial pair of lectures drew hundreds of participants thus propelling Dr. Stoll to put together another similar event.

This time, the topic was intimacy, a topic that is often glossed over in the orthodox Jewish community.  Dr. Stoll felt that it was time to address the topic in a modest but forceful way in an effort to provide guidance and answer lingering questions.  He sought out two of the top speakers on the subject – Rochel Goldbaum of Denver, Colorado who is a marriage counselor, kallah teacher and international lecturer was chosen to speak to the women.  She started off with a lecture Sunday night, July 15 in the Valley at a private home.  Not only was the audience mesmerized by the talk, but the question and answer period extended for hours after the formal lecture ended.  Mrs. Goldbaum followed up the next evening at Adas Torah to a packed auditorium with a similar response.

Rabbi Moshe Kesselman, the rabbi of Congregation Shaarei Tefila of Los Angeles, was the choice to speak to the men.  In addition to being a synagogue rabbi, Kesselman is a renowned chosson teacher for soon-to-be-married men.  He enumerated seven points that a man must institute to create a solid marriage as the basis for establishing an intimate relationship with his wife.

Together, Mrs. Goldbaum and Rabbi Kesselman provided much needed information for the married community at large.  The audience ranged from newlyweds to people married over 40 years!  There was something to be learned for everyone.  Dr. Stoll was encouraged by the great showing and plans to put together future events within the theme of shalom bayis.  “We really saw the entire orthodox Jewish community come together with this topic.  It underscores the need for further hadrachah (guidance) on a variety of topics within the shalom bayis genre,”  he stated.

For further information on future events, you may contact Dr. Stoll at info@myshalombayis.com.