Posted August 30 2007
Paradox: “Singles Community”
If you’re my age (23) and single, you almost certainly had an experience similar to the one I am about to describe. Perhaps you remember when you had friends. I do. We used to hang out, do stuff, and whine about how the relationships we were in were failing. What happened to our friends? THEY got married. You and I, THE SINGLES, got left behind. Blame the person they married, or blame your friend. But the person, with whom you used to spend hours a week, is no more. You now are lucky to get hours a year.
They became part of the elite: the married community. You got left behind in the singles world, fending for yourself.
Sure, if you’re like me, and 23, you still hang on by the rope they let down: the married couple feels they might be able to set up the singles contained in their combined pool of friends.
Fine. Fast forward. Five years. Ten years. Fifteen Years. Now, we are 38 year old singles in a community of families. Our old friends aren’t trying to set us up anymore. Their friends are people with children of the same age as their children. What has become of us singles? Nothing. We aren’t really part of the community. Sure, if we have the money we can buy some recognition at Shul. Sponsor a Kiddush. Organize a rally. Save a whale. Friendship? I think not.
That’s about all I have so far, but here’s the bottom line: The Jewish community sees families. If you’re married without children too long, you may as well be single. If you’re single you may as well be a pioneer looking for species in caves untouched for thousands of years. You might find some signs of life, but none of them will be familiar to you.
This coming Saturday night (09/02/07) on WMCA 570AM, at about 2:40AM, the “Music for Motzai Shabbat” radio program, hosted by myself, will discuss the issues of Singles being neglected in the Jewish community. How, if you’re over a certain age, even endthemadness doesn’t want you at their events. The problems with the situation and taking all reasonable solutions.
Feel free to email me suggestions regarding this show or issues you feel should be discussed. Email me at MaMaShRadio@aol.com or call the studio number on Saturday night at 212 769 1925.
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