From Keggers to Kosher

Mazal Tov, Aaron.

Good Job, Danny.

I'm proud to be the first respondant, although I'm not sure if I've fully reacted yet.

I did enjoy Danny being interviewed in his kitchen... while ironing.

It's a beautiful piece.

We're supposed to discuss...

Is it, I suppose 'easier' would be the word, to make a life-long commitment to someone you've known for only 2 weeks, rather than someone you've spent years with, debating internally on whether or not such a commitment is... well... what you want? After 2 weeks you know very little, it's true, but if you enter knowing that this is it, aren't you a little more likely to make it work?

Many attribute our astronomical divorce rate to pre-marital conjugal cohabitation...

Is divorce the result of an individual thinking "I didn't make the best decision I could have in marrying this person," or "I misjudged this individual's character," as opposed to, "I am married, this is my partner?"

I don't know. I guess it depends on your perspective.

Maybe American society can take a few lessons from Torah Observant Judaism.

Let's discuss!

Wow, Danny, this was a great little bit of film. You caught the intent and purpose of Aaron and his new wife; surely, soon to be the love of his life. Not a new story, but you presented it in a very 21st century way.
Well done. And now you have me totally hooked on current tv. I missed the 8 PM showing and had to figure this out on the web site. Aren't you proud of me?

As someone who is familiar with the ultra Orthodox world, I think you did a great job capturing that world and Aaron's motivation to identify with it. I appreciate Aaron's father's openness to his son's choices, rather than judging them. I know that that is very difficult to do.

Thanks everyone for watching the pod!! If you have any questions about Aaron, the marriage, or Orthodox Judaism, feel free to ask below and I'll respond!

This is a fantastic pod. Besides the fact that it features Danny "Bizne$$" Greene, it's a really nice little window into the life of a young guy, who I could completely seeing being buds with in college, but never could I imagine this mentality of quick/religious marriage.

I would love to see a follow up on this piece and see how Aaron and Shoshi are doing... Have their been any unanticipated hiccups that would have been avoided if they took things slower?

I imagine this type of situation occurs more often than I would have initially thought, across religious denominations, and perhaps denomination agnostic.

Awesome work

My sense is that the only way to make this sort of marriage work is in the context of a separate world, like the one Aaron and Shoshi have chosen. While there are challenges to living by a proscribed set of laws, there's comfort and simplicity in it too. We suffer from too many choices; Aaron and Shoshi are limiting their choices, intentionally.
Great pod. Maybe Current can send Danny to Israel to produce a follow-up!

There is definitely comfort in living by, what one makes to be rigid laws, and a limited range of choices. I wonder how successful arranged, short-notice (for lack of a better term) marriages would be in the context of our world. It could be the new fad, the new hip thing.

What would happen if people made the choice, like Aaron and Shoshi, to limit their choices and rely on the wisdom of some community leader/Yenta to arrange meetings in hotel lobbies between individuals of like backgrounds?

You know, like E-Harmony.com, only binding...

I thought this story was fascinating and very interesting... great job Danny!
It reminded me of the people we spoke to during our time in Jayamarapuram, India, where men and women also adhered to similar social norms regarding marriage.
I respect and admire Shoshi and Aaron's courage and determination. As long as it works out for both of them, which it seems it has, I am sure it will last as long as a "traditional" marriage. Mazel Tov!

Nice film. Per the previous comment; I work with a ton of guys from India. The marriage arrangements are somewhat similar.

FYI; all my friends have dated/wed in a similar manner. To date, all of them are still happily married.

And yes; my mother has "noodges" me incessantly to throw in the towel!

Regarding the 'binding e-harmony' idea....I'm not thinking it would work. Without a core commitment to some shared set of values and norms, there's nothing that would keep people from bolting as soon as the going got tough. And it would.... It does even when love precedes marriage.

Excellent... nicely done.

Great work Danny! It flew by, had a terrific story arc, with no laggy, "get on with it already" feel. We cared about what happened and were interested in hearing everyone else's opinions about how the transformation happened. What wasn't shown and said was pretty compelling too. The absent bride, the silent, uncomfortable mother. Less can be so much more. Maybe that's true for how much time is "necessary" before one commits to a life together as well. It may seem strange to us, but marriage in mainstream America is hardly a flourishing institution.

Mazel Tov to all!

GREAT Work, Danny!
1) how did you decide to be interviewed in your kitchen while ironing? very subtle juxtaposition between that "scene" and your story -- specifcially, ultra traditional marriage against a modern man who not only irons, but irons where he also apparently cooks.
2) SO WISH Aaron's mom had said anything. Though her non verbal communication seemed to say a lot.
3) Would love a follow-up story in a year. But given Aaron's convictions and joy living within those convictions, fair to assume they will live happily ever after. (Hey, Cinderella and the Prince had just met the night before...)
4) Such a contrast to Shannon who knew her groom for two years before their marriage. What are the lessons in both those marital stories?
Much love, MJT

nice pod. i always wonder about relationship timeframes, specifically about length and the whole notion of "how long is long enough to really know this person is THE person?" i think this pod does a great job at exploring that and presenting us with a different (non mainstream american) way to find your mate. i know we didn't hear from the bride out of respect...but i can't help feeling like there's a whole in the story...yet, still a great pod!

An interesting pod on relationship since it shows the alternative to love as the basis for marriage. Similar core values are essential to a successful marriage and so it makes logical sense for some people to use it as a criteria for marriage. The pod is perfectly paced in that it doesn't rush the story, but yet provides various perspectives on the relationship. A fantastic pod in igniting discussion about core values, love, and relationships.

interesting pod

I must say this was a very interesting pod. And I had to stop myself from passing judgement, and I still do! Different religions always interest me and I always have to question some of the rules/laws that get passed down on the females in the religion. I guess my question to Danny is why are the women separated from the men even during something as happy and joyous as a marriage? I live in a neighborhood with Orthodox Jews and I have noticed the separation between the men and women. Even while walking to their temple.
It is always hard for me to understand why some religions believe the separation of sexes is good.
I have a lot of questions I guess, but thats what makes this an amazing pod!
Good job sharing other views!

Really interesting piece, especially seeing the perspectives from friends, family etc.

I wish Aaron the best, and it makes me even more sad that I had to miss the event (though a guy doesn't give his friend much warning about these things!)

Mazal tov to you both!

Many people think that love is your heart beating at a rapid pace and butterflies flipping out in the pit of your stomach. That feeling is fleeting, and when your vision clears and you can stand up straight, you'd better hope you can deal with his morning face and toe-nail clippings all over the bed. Shared ideas and goals. That's where its at.

Wow, I thought it was really touching seeing this guy develop such a mature perspective about relationships and life. I agree with Neghie-- love is such an indulgence for most people, they forget about the deeper points, like shared goals and mutual commitment. Also agree with MJT that the mom's nonverbal communication was very interesting.

I know I say this all the time, but I really loved it! It just goes to show that love conquers all and his story is just amazing. I also liked how his father wasn't opposed or anything, sadly you find that some people are very closeminded but oh well...good luck to them! :D

Longer shots than them have made it-ask my wife

Best part of this pod: The mom raising her eyebrows as the father talked. Catching something like that on film is just golden, it says so much more than words ever could and is such a priceless, 'real' moment.

Very interesting to see people subscribing to different forms of reality. And I think that is the most important thing--people should have the option to chose to live the way they want. I'd feel different if Aaron was being forced to have an arranged marriage. Being of Indian descent, there are many people who are now choosing semi-arranged marriages, where the parents set you up on dates and then the children decide to marry or not. Having told some friends about this practice, many have told me that they wished they had the same option. Perhaps Americans are the once being "forced" to have strictly-defined-romantic marriages? As someone mentioned earlier, Cinderella only new Prince Charming for one day.

Excellent point kunnikr. I find many of us do live in a fairy tale land of what love and marriage really is. People talk about the ridiculous amount of divorces out there when really, the problem are ridiculous people. As I've said before, shared goals and ideals in the end is all you'll have when all the fairy-tale dust clears.