Couples mediation using the “New Partnership” method helps partners with cultural or religious gaps address the unique challenges in their relationship. The process begins with an introductory session with the mediator, during which they present the structure and stages of mediation. This session helps build trust between the mediator and the couple, allowing them to share their difficulties, dilemmas, and aspirations honestly.    In the next phase, the mediator assists the couple in defining shared goals to guide the process, these goals may include respectful communication, maintaining personal identity, strengthening family partnership, and fostering diverse and balanced values. The mediator facilitates discussions on disputes arising from their cultural or religious differences and helps them find mutually acceptable solutions. For example, the couple may establish agreements about Sabbath observance, create a shared approach to raising children, or set practical guidelines for participating in religious or social events. This process focuses on the future, not on analysing past conflicts, but on finding practical ways to manage their differences while strengthening their partnership and relationship. At the end of mediation, the agreements reached are documented and the couple can choose whether to formalize them as a binding agreement or keep them as internal understandings to guide their relationship.

Case Study from the Mediation Room
Miriam and Yossi (pseudonyms) sought mediation due to disputes over cosher laws and Sabbath observance at home. Miriam, from a secular background, felt that Yossi’s religious practices were barriers to building an open and diverse household. Yossi, on the other hand, hoped Miriam would adopt his religious values and help pass them on to their children.

During mediation, the mediator helped them clarify their disagreements:

• Dietary Laws: Miriam felt Yossi’s strict kosher rules—such as using separate sinks for dairy and meat, waiting six hours between consuming dairy and meat, dining only at kosher restaurants, and ensuring the children follow kosher laws even at friends’ homes—were restrictive and incompatible with her secular lifestyle. Yossi, however, believed Miriam was too lenient about kosher laws, which conflicted with the religious values he wanted to instil in their children.
• Sabbath Observance: Miriam felt pressured by Yossi’s religious expectations, such as preparing meals and completing chores before the Sabbath. For her, Fridays were a time to relax and unwind not a race against the clock. On the Sabbath itself Miriam preferred outings with the children or watching movies together, while Yossi opposed such activities and couldn’t understand why Miriam didn’t support his efforts to maintain the Sabbath’s sanctity, including attending synagogue as a family.

After clarifying the conflicts, the mediator guided them in finding practical solutions:

1. Dividing Friday Responsibilities: The couple agreed to split Friday tasks, allowing Miriam to enjoy personal time in the morning while Yossi managed most of the preparations until the afternoon.
2. Flexible Sabbaths: They decided that at least once a month, they would dedicate a Sabbath to family activities, such as outings or secular-style leisure, alongside traditional Sabbaths.
3. Personal Time on the Sabbath: They agreed Miriam could have private time during the Sabbath while Yossi could maintain his traditional Sabbath routine with the children, including synagogue visits.

These solutions helped Miriam and Yossi maintain family stability while ensuring each partner’s needs and desires were acknowledged and addressed.