Forthright and frank, yet respectful and sensitive, I Am for My Beloved: A Guide to Enhanced Intimacy for Married Couples will help couples enrich their marital and sexual lives, and maintain passion and intimacy within the framework of Jewish tradition.
Written by two Orthodox Jewish sex therapists with over 50 years combined experience, I Am for My Beloved conveys essential information about intimacy, sexual anatomy and physiology, sex within the life cycle, and Jewish values and attitudes towards sex – with an informative and practical approach. The information provided in this book will enable couples to enjoy a more open and fulfilling intimate connection, both emotionally and physically.
Talli Y. Rosenbaum is an individual and couple therapist and is certified as a sex therapist by The American Association for Sex Educators, Counselors and Therapists (AASECT), as well as the Israeli Society for Sex Therapy (ISST). She cohosts the Intimate Judaism podcast and co-edited the Springer textbook entitled "The Overactive Pelvic Floor". She has authored over 40 journal articles and several book chapters on sexual pain disorders, sexual health, unconsummated marriage, and sexuality and Judaism and is an associate editor of the Sexual Medicine Reviews. Talli earned a Masters in Clinical Sociology and Counseling and a certificate in Mental Health Studies from the University of North Texas in Neve Yerushalayim. She holds a bachelors degree in Physical Therapy from Northwestern University and before training in psychotherapy, treated patients as a physical therapist for 25 years. In addition to maintaining an active private practice, Talli is the academic advisor for Yahel: The Center for Jewish Intimacy. Talli frequently lectures both in Israel and abroad, to lay as well as professional audiences.
David S. Ribner earned his BA, Rabbinic Ordination, MS and MSW degree from Yeshiva University and his doctorate from Columbia University. He is the founder and chairman of the Sex Therapy Training Program, Bar-Ilan University, Israel and is certified as a sex therapist and supervisor in the U.S and Israel. He is in private practice as a sex and marital therapist in Jerusalem, has authored some 40 articles and book chapters and writes and lectures extensively on cultural sensitivity and sexuality. He is also the co-author of Et Le’ehov (A Time to Love): The Newlywed’s Guide to Physical Intimacy, and Ani L'dodi, I Am For My Beloved: A Married Couple's Guide to Enhanced Intimacy , which serve as models for understanding the interface between traditional religions and sexuality. He is an Associate Editor of the journal Sexual and Relationship Therapy and in addition to AASECT, is a member of the Israel Society for Sex Therapy and the International Academy for Sex Research.
Praise for I Am For My Beloved
“This is a wonderful book, with every chapter bringing a tremendous amount of information using clear language, illustrations, case studies, and insights from other professionals. The two professional and experienced authors share decades of valuable research and insights gleaned from their work. A worthwhile and important read.”
–Rabbanit Nechama Goldman Barash, Yoetzet Halakha and Sex Educator
“David Ribner's and Talli Rosenbaum's new book, I Am for My Beloved, is a masterful educational guide in sexuality for a Jewish couple.”
–Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, LCSW-R, President Emeritus, Nefesh International
“The present work by David Ribner and Talli Rosenbaum is an important resource for religious Jews who seek to understand the essentials and nuances of sexuality and sexual intimacy through the lens of their tradition. The book's presentation is sophisticated, accessible, practical, scientifically current, religiously sensitive, and wise.”
–Nachum (Andrew) Klafter M.D., University of Cincinnati College of Medicine
“Ribner and Rosenbaum have written an extraordinary book, filled with the authors’ special blend of profound religious and clinical wisdom. It is destined to become a classic for Jewish couples seeking to enrich and deepen marital intimacy at every stage throughout the life cycle.”
–Peggy J. Kleinplatz, Ph.D., Director of Sex and Couples Therapy Training, University of Ottawa
