The planned program, Jewish Perspectives on Sex: Sacred Sex and Sexual Midrash, has been postponed in light of the recent tragic events in Israel. Instead, we will have bagels and coffee available at 9:15 AM and an open space for adults to come together in support. See our list of ChaiLights programs below:

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Presented by Bruce Chalmer, Ph.D. and Judy Alexander, MAED

In this two-part presentation, Bruce Chalmer and Judy Alexander talk sex—why it’s good for you and how to make it better—from a Jewish perspective.

In Part I, “Sex, Good Sex, and Sacred Sex,” Bruce talks about:

• The importance of intimacy to a couple, and how sex fits in a couple’s intimate life
• Why faith—not necessarily religious—is vital for intimacy
• How Judaism has viewed sex
• How to go from plain old sex, to good sex, to sacred sex

In Part II, “The Blue Tent: Sexual Midrash,” Judy talks about:

• What is midrash
• Sex in the Bible and traditional midrashic texts
• The idea for the book The Blue Tent: Erotic Tales from the Bible by Laria Zylber (okay, that’s a pseudonym—you can probably guess the author’s actual name)

Judy then reads some non-explicit portions of the book.

This presentation is intended for adults. It does not contain explicit visual material or explicit erotic text, but does talk in frank terms about sex.

About the presenters:

Bruce Chalmer, Ph.D. is a psychologist specializing in couples therapy, with a private practice via telehealth in Vermont and Florida. He is the author of Reigniting the Spark: Why Stable Couples Lose Intimacy, and How to Get It Back (2020) and It’s Not About Communication! Why Everything You Know About Couples Therapy is Wrong (2023). Yes, he’s Jewish—in the old country the last name was כעלעמער, as in “resident of Chelm,” which probably explains a lot.

Judy Alexander, MAED is a Jewish educator and author who recently retired after 23 years as education director at Temple Sinai in South Burlington. Judy is also an award-winning advertising copywriter, voiceover artist, and playwright.

Together, Bruce and Judy are the hosts of the “Couples Therapy in Seven Words” podcast, with over 130 episodes posted as of this writing.

About ChaiLights

This fall, OZ will be serving Sunday morning bagels, coffee and with fun, social experiences for adults! 

Beginning September 10th, weekly ChaiLights gatherings will give you a chance to learn, taste and connect.

Each gathering will start off with food and open conversation, followed by a unique experience that will engage and inspire, let us create and improve the world.

This project’s vibe is fun, social and low-pressure, with activities lead by community volunteers. Its a great fit for Jews, Jewish-adjacent and those who are just curious.

Register Now!

Program details: