In the early 90’s, both were struggling single parents living in small Jewish communities 180 miles apart from each other in Oregon. Both had made it known that they were seeking their basherte (intended). Although each knew the other’s rabbi and community, no one thought to connect them. It turned out to be on the other side of the continent – in a Jewish Renewal gathering at Bryn Mawr College, Pennsylvania – that Rosalie and Efraim Eisen found each other.

Inspired by their own story, the couple has created a Basherte workshop in which participants learn about relationship patterns that might keep them from recognizing their Basherte. At the same time, the workshop provides a framework in which people might end up doing just that.

Their workshops having proved popular in the States, the Eisens are now here on a short stay in Jerusalem, where they’ll be presenting two shortened versions. Rosalie Eisen observes that the personal ads in In Jerusalem are not much different from those sees in America. "We try to help people look beyond physical characteristics, to reframe the love-at-first-sight myth. We use the kabbalistic four-worlds model: physical (asiya), emotional (yitzira), intellectual (bria), spiritual (azilut)."

In the States, the Basherte workshops – utilizing prayer, movement, song and group process – sometimes go on for four days. The Eisens’ motto is "to meet your soulmate you must meet your soul." They weave in lessons from the first Jewish matches, emphasizing the "well" motif found in three of them. The workshops encourage participants to seek out their own nurturing wellsprings by participating in activities that are inspiring in and of themselves while providing an opportunity to meet people with similar values.

The two Eden 200/Yakar-sponsored Basherte workshops this week will be considerably shorter than those in the States - two hours on Wednesday night, and a Shabbat third meal/havdala on July 10. But the goal remains the same: to enable people to say, "Hineni – here I am, ready for the giving and sharing of a partnership."

Singles in their twenties and thirties can call D’vora at Eden 200 for details and registration: 566-1789.