— said they have a non-
But honestly, I think my
Jewish spouse.

negative view comes from a
I’ve dated my fair share
fear of the unknown. Will I
of non-Jews, but I do be-
get married? Will I be suc-
lieve in “marrying Jewish”
cessful? Will GrubHub ever
for the purposes of
deliver my food on time?
strengthening and contin-
All impossible questions to
uing Judaism for future
answer right now.

generations. (Also, you can’t
In my core group of five
beat an NJB.)
friends, none of us are mar-
But is my success only
ried, or even in relation-
determined by finding this
ships at the moment. That’s
nice Jewish doctor? I’ve
probably why we get along
joked a lot about Jewish
so well. We’re jet-setters
dating before, but mostly
who like to explore and live
with my personal, precon-
life — whatever that may
ceived notion that I truly
mean — and don’t want the
don’t need a significant
idea of marriage or com-
other to be happy or suc-
mitment to hold us back
cessful. Sure, it’d be nice
from our current dreams or
one day, but on a day when
life goals.

I think my negative view of marriage comes from
I’m old enough and ready
So why is there so
a fear of the unknown. Will I get married? Will I be
and able to understand how
much pressure to get mar-
successful? Will GrubHub ever deliver my food on
to do my own taxes.

ried in a time when the di-
I don’t want to sound
vorce rate has peaked in
time? All impossible questions to answer right now.

pessimistic. I still love
recent years?
weddings. Is my success only
I follow wedding dress designers on Instagram. I love flipping
measured by finding another successful person to promise to put
through friends’ wedding pictures and seeing how happy and pretty
the toilet seat down and watch Gilmore Girls reruns with me for the
everyone looks. I’ve probably seen every episode of Say Yes to the
rest of my life?
Dress, and I even got to brush by a Pnina Tornai gown when I bom-
Compared to a few other 23-year-olds I know, I think I’m doing
barded the Kleinfeld Bridal store in New York City last year with
pretty well. I have a new job, an apartment, tons of insurance pa-
friends (yes, this actually happened, and no, I didn’t meet Randy).

perwork that I was able to fill out by myself (which I consider a per-
Marriage is a beautiful thing — for those who can commit to it.

sonal goal, of course with help from Dad), an active Dunkin’ Donuts
I don’t know where my negative view of marriage came from.

membership card and my own Netflix account — just kidding, I’ll
My parents have been together for 39 years and both sets of grand-
mooch off of that until the day I die.

parents for 56 and 62 years, respectively. No one else in my imme-
But I’ve gained even more independence than I thought possible
diate family has been divorced.

in recent months, so why do I need a spouse to validate the status
To those who got married right out of high school or college, I
of that success?
truly wish them happiness and hope it works for them. But the sta-
Do I want to be married one day? Sure. Is it necessary? Only for
tistics don’t lie: According to the Centers for Disease Control and
tax purposes. l
Prevention, of the more than 2 million people married in 2014, more
Contact: rkurland@jewishexponent.com; 215-832-0737
than 800,000 got divorced.

8 SHEVAT
Name: FILLER
Width: 3.625"
Depth: 3"
Color: Black
Comment: -
Ad Number: -
PAGE 18
JEW ISHE
— WHAT
OF NO
TE JUDAI
GLOBA SM
L Wha
Headlin t The e y Did
Sum Headlin
mer e Vac on
ation Hea root
The dlin s e
music can of Reform
copy in Jewish be found
copy camps.

EMS A new
play approaches at Bristol River
side Thea
the impo
tre rtance
of langu
age. 5776
IT MEAN
S TO BE
JEWISH For Ne
Nonprofi w National
the Key t, Holtz
to More
Engagem ent
MARISS A STERN
IN PHILA
DELPH XPO NEN
T.CO M
IA —
$1.00 | JE STAFF
AMY HOLT
As the Z IS all about collab
formed Israel newly named CEO oration.

Page SPORT 00
of the
-Diaspora S
be spend
ing the first Initiative, Holtz newly
LIFEST position
YLE &
The few weeks
will CULTU
in Vici
RE ssitu
progr ams meetings with organ of her new
des of Hea Bask
izations dlin etba
Philadelph in the Jewis h
e ll
community and
Hea two
The together ia to see how they
dlin top
of e Jewi
to promote
can all
identity coaches
sh copy
in the comm and encourage work
combine eratio
unity’s young Jewish
have a terri
copy to
ns. er gen-
ble week
Ending copy 6 .

Page .

Jerus alem her stint as
Page starting her U, Holtz is looki presi dent of
LOCAL 00
though Israel time with the new ng forward to
FOOD nonprofit
-Diaspora Prec
nal name
ipitating — L Democ
Initia .

it has yet The organizatio tive not its fi- that state’s ratic presidential
Headlin Prep
n is so new
hopeful arat e ion
to complete
caucuses. Bernie Sande
which that
the brand
includes Headlin
rs campa
Com ing proce
creati mun e
website. igns in Fort
ss, Even Holtz ng a final name
Dodge, were well- ity groups
copy Iowa, in
result will
and isn’t sure
advance prepared
be what the a
of AP Photo/A
for the storm
copy Holtz, who yet.

end ndrew Harnik
has lived
. the last 20
copy 11 .

Page in Lower
Merion for
Torah Phila years and belon
Page 00
goes to all delphia — thoug gs to Aish Ha-
of the synag
h she said
ored” Volume
she ogues
when 238
000 ganization, the search comm — was “hon- MELISSA APTER | JE STAFF
Number 44
0 phia, appro which will be based ittee for the or-
Published LESS
ached her.

in Philad
Weekly A self-p
el- Hamp THAN THRILLED
Though Since 1887
Rockenmac shire Jewish
is how some
she could roclaimed worka
isons to
her draws
n’t be a part
ings voters
Demo holic,
New towar
describe cratic hopef
she said
compar- she is excite
Sande d the
of a better
ul Sen.

d project and ing for votes presidential candi their feel- childr rs (I-Vt.) — they
The Israel- to get started.

in the Gran
dates vy-
en of
both grew Bernie
the lacklu
Diasp ite
focus on
ster — he’s disapp immigrants in
up the next ora Initiative will
didates, the enthusiasm for State. Despite
Brooklyn, the
generation mainl
scribed demo ointed that neithe
N.Y. of Jews formi y their duty Jews of New Hamp this year’s can-
r the self-d
cratic social
retary of
and shire will
ng e-
ist nor
State “I’ve been head to the polls
do up
about Israel Hillary Clinton former Sec-
See Holtz
Sol Rocke a lifelong Demo on Feb. 9.

have spoke
, Page
nmacher crat,” said
14 electio
“We have .

n of Bedfo
Dr. three
n both my
wife and rd, “[but] this grandchildren and married daughters
I are undec
and our bigges
lared.” t concern five
is na-
Nam Page
copy 4 .

Color Voters Granite State
Unimpr essed
e: Floo
Width: 5.38 rs USA*
A N N U
A L
Depth: 1.23 9"
Color: Blac 1"
Commen k plus one S A L E S E V
E N T
t: Jewish 36 MONTH INTER
Expo HURRY nent EST FREE FINAN
See New
Winter Cle
Hampshire, Page
Name: Henning's Market
Width: 3.625"
Depth: 3"
Henning’s Custom Catering
Color: Black
Comment: hennings
Perfect For All Functions
• From Private to Corporate
Ad Number: 00064890
• All Inclusive Meals
• All Food Cooked on
Premises by our In-house
Chefs • Set Up & Service Available
• Meeting & Party Room Up
to 60 Guests
15 arance
*see store
for details
QUANTI IN SALE
TIES LIMITED
ENDS TO STOCK
CING *
SOON! ON HAND!
555 S. Hend
erson Road
King of
Prussia, PA
610.757. www.floorsu 4000
sa.com 9 YEARS
IN A ROW!
THE BEST OF THE
Your Caterer For...

Baby & Bridal Showers • Weddings • Confi rmations & Graduations
Corporate & Retirement Parties • Cocktail & Dinner Parties
Picnics & Holidays
DOUBLE COUPONS EVERY DAY
290 Main Street • Harleysville, PA • 215-256-9533
OPEN EVERY DAY 7 AM-11 PM
_ SIGN UP AT THE BOTTOM LEFT HAND SIDE OF OUR HOMEPAGE `
in your email inbox once a week.

jewishexponent.com JEWISHEXPONENT.COM
SIMCHAS MARCH 31, 2016
33