Jewish Marriage Council

Sensitive Support for Jewish People
www. jmc-uk.org 020 8203 6311

WHO WE ARE
1) 68 years ago the JMC was founded by Lord Jakobovits. It is now chaired by His Honour Judge Martyn Zeidman QC and Vice Chair, Verity Zeidman. The organisation remains faithful to its original principles as the institution of marriage itself. Unfortunately, over the last few years, the threat to the ‘Jewish marriage’ is increasing, with divorce rates on the way to catching up with the non-Jewish world. The outside world is seeping into our community: threats of computers, ‘I want it now’ attitudes, gambling, abuse, miscommunication, anxieties, stresses and more.

2) The Chief Rabbi, Rabbi Mirvis, is our religious adviser and we are looking to build more bridges with the United Synagogue.

3) We have 13 therapists who are all volunteers. They range from black cuppel and sheital wearing to Modern Orthodox. They all understand that if they have any halachic issues that come up in their sessions, they have to refer them to me, who will then consult with the Rabbonim. They do not give answers to people’s problems but help them come to their own conclusions.

4) All our therapists and the organisation itself have very strict policies and rules that follow the BACP (British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists) which, in very brief terms, means they will see each client for 1 hour each week. They are bound by the strictest of confidentiality rules. They do not give answers to clients but simply allow the client to talk and work things through themselves. All our therapists are experienced and qualified.

WHO ATTENDS THE JMC?
1) We see individuals, engaged couples, married couples, divorced individuals and families.
2) The clients range from non religious to Chassidish but the policy of the JMC is to only accept a couple for counselling if they are in a halachically viable relationship.

WHAT WE DO
1) All clients get an assessment to see which therapist is ideal for them and to ascertain if our service is right for them. For example, we sometimes refer clients to their GP.
2) The client has as long as they need with the therapist. Unlike the NHS, we do not restrict our clients to a fixed number of sessions.