Frequently Asked Questions
What Is Messianic Jewish Marriage Enhancement?
A Jewish Marriage Enhancement (JME) weekend is an opportunity for married couples to explore the fullest potential for their relationship. It is a weekend that a husband and wife spend together, away from the distraction and tensions of everyday life, to concentrate on each other.
For couples to survive in an ever changing world, it is necessary to change with it. Change begins with COMMUNICATION. That is the emphasis of a JME weekend. On our weekends, a technique is shared that allows each couple to reach levels of greater communication and a deeper understanding of each other.
During the weekend, no one is required to talk about personal feelings with the group. You are only asked to communicate with one person - your spouse - in the privacy of your room.
This is not a therapy program, a sensitivity group, or a problem solving workshop. It is a very private and personal weekend for each and every couple.
What Happens On A Typical Weekend?
The weekend is conducted by a team of married couples and a clergy couple. The weekend begins Saturday evening and ends Monday evening. The method is a process of presentations, personal reflection, and couple dialogue.
First ... A presentation or sharing, given by the teams. There are different talks related to various aspects of marriage. Each talk is followed by a question pertaining to the presentation as it relates to your marriage.
Second ... Personal reflection. Husband and wife reflect silently and privately on the question.
Third ... Dialogue. Husband and wife spend time, in the privacy of their room, sharing their reflections and then, through dialogue, develop a greater understanding and fuller knowledge of each other.
Is Messianic Jewish Marriage Enhancement A Religious Program?
Although spiritual in nature, JME is not a religious program. The weekend is conducted within the context of Messianic Jewish values, but non-Jewish and religiously mixed couples have participated with great success.
Marriage Encounter was developed in the mid 1950's in Spain by a Catholic priest and lay couples. It came to North America in 1966. Forty-nine countries now have Marriage Encounter Weekends. Jewish Marriage Encounter was founded in 1972 and since then, thousands of couples have experienced the weekend. Our name has been changed to Jewish Marriage Enhancement to better reflect the nature of our program.
Is Marriage Enhancement For You?
Marriage Enhancement is for couples whose marriages are essentially good. It is for couples with good communication, to deepen it; for those with poor communication, to improve it; and for those with no communication, to develop it. It is open to married couples, regardless of age, who have been married two years or more.
Couples married over 50 years have attended weekends and have grown from the experience.
Marriage Enhancement is NOT a solution for couples who are breaking up. This program is for couples who have a reasonably good marriage in the context of today's pressures, but who wish to make their partnership stronger and better.
What Is The Cost?
Messianic Jewish Marriage Enhancement weekends are held in various locations in the provinces of Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland
A $30 non-refundable processing fee is required with your application to reserve your space for a weekend and to cover the necessary preparation expenses. The specific cost of your weekend is given at the end of the experience; it includes room, meals, and all program costs and is payable at the conclusion of the weekend. Your payment is private and known only to you. For more information about fees and costs please contact us.
How Do We Find Out More?
For further information about Messianic Jewish Marriage Enhancement, or to arrange for a couple from our Speakers Bureau to address your organization, please contact:
Messianic Jewish Marriage Enhancement
Box 20064
Halifax, NS B3R 2K9Phone: 1-902-405-9803
Are you interested in Marriage Encounter or Marriage Enhancement, but uncomfortable with a Jewish Experience?
Other faith expressions including Catholic, Lutheran, Seventh Day Adventist, Methodist, Presbyterian, Anglican, and Baptist offer Marriage Enhancement Weekends. The JME office will be happy to get you in contact with the faith expression of your choice. Information can also be obtained from the toll free number (800) 795-LOVE