By COLlive reporter
4 Jewish couples – ranging from newlyweds to married for decades – are seated on a stage, in front of a crowd, and are quizzed on how well they are in tune with their spouses. How bad could that go?
Apparently not bad, but funny.
The Melave Malka at the National Jewish Retreat taking place this year at the Hyatt Bonaventure hotel in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, will be remembered more for its laughter than for its delicious and impressive array food.
Following a fulfilling Shabbos, hundreds packed the grand ballroom continuing the sense of camaraderie between participants as they kvelled together over hilarious observations about typical Jewish life and culture by stand-up comedian Marc Wiener.
For a makeshift version of The Newlywed Game, host Rabbi Abba Perelmuter called up 4 couples to the stage – each represented by a different age demographic.
As the wives were sent out of the room, the men remained seated with a note pad. Each was asked a series of question about his wife, her personality and habits.
Participating were Montreal jewelers and philanthropists R’ Yitzchok and Julie Gniwisch, London’s Mill Hill Synagogue Rabbi Yitzchok Schochet and his wife Chanie, R’ Shmuel and Sharon Goodman of Chicago and married students from Sinai Scholars program Shmuel and Angie Shtulman.
When the wives were called back in, and Rabbi Perelmuter, a Shliach in California known for his sense of humor, began reading and verifying the answers with the reality, the crowd was in constant giggles with bursts of laughter.
One of the questions were “Who would your wife take with her if she won a free cruise for two – her husband, best friend, or mother in law?” One wrote down “husband,” while the wife answered “best friend.” But her husband was quick to save his honor and pointed out “I am her best friend too!”
Another question asked, “If your wife has a dilemma, who does she turn to for advice: Defer to husband, defer to self, ask an astrologer or discuss with 20 friends?”
R’ Yitzchok Gniwisch’s response was “what’s an astrologer?”
Perelmuter was quick to explain in a Yiddish accent, “a machashaifa.”
Another question was, “When your wife wakes up in the morning is she like autumn, winter, spring or summer?”
All husbands, evidently trying to put a sunny side to life, answered “spring.” None of the wives ended up answering that…
in real life you are the winners 6290
All of us at shul by the shore know we have the greatest Rabbi in the world!
Anything perelmutter does is awesome!! Funniest guy in Chabad!!
🙂 😉
You guys are the best!!! We love you soooo much!!!
Rabbi Abba should be the next speaker at the convention banquet!!!!!
were could we watch videos of retreat?
Was there. Rabbi Yithak and Channi won. Awesome couple
trust u guys rock!
DEVO IS ROOTING FOR U!!
Yay for Goodmans!
Gniwischs are the most awesome couple. They would for sure