Hebrew College’s young adult learning series was never intended to be a Jewish dating service. The program gathers together 20- and 30-somethings every week in living rooms across eastern Massachusetts for informal, but serious, text-based discussions of various aspects of Jewish life and culture. JDate it is not. But for the first time in its history, Eser can claim credit for a match.

Ben Ginsburg and Marina Rakhkin of Brighton will be tying the knot in Newport, RI, in June 2016. The couple first met at an Eser informational session, attended by young adults from all over metro Boston. “I saw him and thought he was really cute and nice,” Marina recalls. And as luck would have it, Marina turned out to be a member of the Boston Eser group Ben was facilitating. Their first date was a week after the group’s initial meeting, at a small, cozy restaurant in Brookline, as Marina describes it. “It was an overpriced pub,” Ben interjects.

Finding their future partner aside, both say that Eser has been a huge part of their lives. “I have a decent Jewish education background, but I learn new things all the time,” says Marina, who emigrated from Russia when she was 8 years old. Adds Ben: “I love Jewish learning and Eser fills a gap in the Jewish community for people in their 20s and 30s.”

The couple has continued to be involved in Eser since their initial meeting, whether it’s hosting in their Brighton apartment, or attending Eser with other groups.

Eser's First Enagagement!

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