Our passion
B'Lev Echad is dedicated to saving struggling marriages by offering invaluable guidance and help throughout the journey to a joyful, fulfilling relationship and happy home.
How we turn our passion into action
From the time a couple reaches out for help, Rabbi Sommer makes himself available every step of the way- starting with hearing their story, determining whether therapy is necessary and when needed, setting them up with a top-notch therapist. B’lev Echad eases each couple’s burden with financial help and consistent monitoring, guidance and encouragement throughout the therapy process.
Real Stories
Our story
Rabbi Meir Sommer
About 22 years ago, I began teaching chossanim, and I enjoy helping my talmidim start their marriages off properly. Over time, though, I became aware of the sad reality that not every couple glides away from the chuppah straight into a lifetime of marital bliss. My talmidim would turn to me for guidance, and if I saw they needed therapy I didn’t hesitate to refer them to the appropriate therapist.
Here’s where things got tricky.
Therapy is expensive – often prohibitively so – for a couple living on a limited budget. I saw up close how couples in need of specialized therapy weren’t getting it, simply because they couldn’t afford it.
I couldn’t stand by and watch couples suffer with their problems (which grew worse over time) so I tried to help. At first, I paid for their therapy out of my own pocket, case by case, but quickly realized this wasn’t a sustainable solution.
Turning Passion
into Purpose
With no other options, I began to raise money to subsidize therapy for couples who were ready to put in the work but couldn’t afford the counseling. Motivated by the profound impact my efforts were having on numerous marriages, I officially established B’Lev Echad in 2012, transforming it into a full-fledged organization to provide support for couples on a much larger scale.
Your donation enables couples to access lifesaving therapy and a thriving marriage.
We in the helping profession have been trained to provide guidance and support. There are others, such as those at B’lev Echad, who do not need that professional background. They have it in their genes and they continually provide it to others. I am personally proud to be associated with them.
Vel Reinfeld Ph.D.
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
I’ve worked with Rabbi Sommer over many years. As a result, I’ve had ample opportunities to witness his compassion and care. He understands what people need and knows how to help them grow. He has the humility to recognize what he doesn’t know and the wisdom to seek help from professionals such as myself. We have worked together as a great team! Please help to support him in this valuable and essential work, which has benefited so many people in need.
Deborah Risk Tobin, Ph.D
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Frequently Asked Questions
No; he sits with each couple and listens to them until he fully understands the challenges they’re facing. Once he has a clear picture of the problem, Rabbi Sommer draws upon his experience with various therapy modalities and extensive network of therapists to refer a couple onward, according to their specific needs.
Rabbi Sommer’s positions as rosh chabura, rav and chosson teacher also make him more approachable to a couple at the beginning of their journey toward a stronger marriage.
Rabbi Sommer’s positions as rosh chabura, rav and chosson teacher also make him more approachable to a couple at the beginning of their journey toward a stronger marriage.
First and foremost, B’lev Echad subsidizes the cost of therapy, which is a strain for many couples, and increases the stress of shalom bayis issues.
Also, therapy is usually only one session per week, for under an hour. A couple often needs guidance in between the sessions, as well as support in implementing the techniques they learn in therapy. (Incidentally, while therapy sessions cost money, Rabbi Sommer makes himself available to couples completely free of charge, and in addition to his many other responsibilities.)
Also, therapy is usually only one session per week, for under an hour. A couple often needs guidance in between the sessions, as well as support in implementing the techniques they learn in therapy. (Incidentally, while therapy sessions cost money, Rabbi Sommer makes himself available to couples completely free of charge, and in addition to his many other responsibilities.)
Not at all. B’lev Echad doesn’t pay for any couple’s therapy in full. It subsidizes a significant portion (between ½ and ¾) of the therapy, but every couple is investing their own money, as well as time and effort, into their therapeutic process.
Rabbi Sommer follows up with each couple at regular intervals to make sure they are seeing improvement. B’lev Echad will only contribute financially to a couple that is putting their full effort into the therapeutic process.
He tracks progress with each therapist as well (with the couple’s permission), to ensure that there’s a defined goal and the couple is making clear progress.
He tracks progress with each therapist as well (with the couple’s permission), to ensure that there’s a defined goal and the couple is making clear progress.
In many cases, the parents would easily and happily sponsor the couple’s therapy, but at what cost? Bringing them into the picture could seriously affect the delicate relationship between children- and parents-in-law, so it’s not usually a viable solution.
Easy! Donate now to enable Rabbi Sommer to help even more couples. Tizku l’mitzvos!