The hall at Ohel Yonah Menachem (OYM) synagogue was packed as the audience was inspired and informed about the importance of prenuptial agreements by three renowned speakers: HaRav Mayer Lichtenstein (Rabbi of OYM ), Dr. Avigail Rock (Toenet Rabbanit) and Dr. Rachel Levmore (Dir. IYIM Project for the Prevention of Agunot and Get-Refusal). At the end of the evening, the crowd got to hear from a young woman, who along with her husband, signed a Halachic prenuptial agreement and act as proud ambassadors for their friends.

This event was sponsored by the International Young Israel Movement (IYIM), Ohel Yonah Menachem synagogue and 5 other synagogues that make part of the ‘Achdut HaKehillot’ – Givat Sharet community.

The participants ranged from couples with children of marriageable age to young married couples who have signed a halachic prenuptial agreement.

These questions are often asked:” Why would an engaged couple who are in love think, or want, to sign a prenuptial agreement dealing with divorce?  Is this agreement really necessary, how can these lovely people become demons? Why is it important that Jewish society accept the prenuptial as a societal norm? Why is there no built-in safety valve in the Ketubah (marriage contract)?

These were the many questions addressed by the three speakers during the evening.

“We made sure that our child would sign a prenuptial agreement for the prevention of get-refusal when it was still new….Much to our surprise and shock we needed to make use of it. I really believe that the agreement saved our child from heartache and afforded our child the opportunity to continue on with life in an easier manner.” (Testimony of a Participant)