We explore one of the most sensitive and least discussed topics in Jewish life: money and marriage. Why do so many couples avoid talking about money? What do fights about money really represent? How can couples build financial trust and literacy before and during marriage? What role should community education play in preparing young people for real-world financial responsibility?To unpack all this, we sat down with Sarah Nissel, an attorney, law professor at Pepperdine, and Executive Director of the Jewish ...
We explore one of the most sensitive and least discussed topics in Jewish life: money and marriage.
- Why do so many couples avoid talking about money?
- What do fights about money really represent?
- How can couples build financial trust and literacy before and during marriage?
- What role should community education play in preparing young people for real-world financial responsibility?
To unpack all this, we sat down with Sarah Nissel, an attorney, law professor at Pepperdine, and Executive Director of the Jewish Divorce Assistance Center of Los Angeles.
After mediating over 300 divorces, Sarah has learned what truly makes (and breaks) relationships when it comes to money + how self-awareness, communication, and education can prevent heartbreak.
She shares candid lessons from the front lines: how to talk about money without shame, how to manage conflict constructively, and why the chuppah isn’t the finish line, it’s the starting line.
It’s a powerful, eye-opening conversation about emotional intelligence, financial transparency, and Torah values in Jewish relationships — not just how to avoid divorce, but how to build marriages that actually thrive.
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CHAPTERS:
00:00 Intro
01:53 Who Is Sarah Nissel?
02:27 Practicing Law in Los Angeles
04:10 A Decade of Experience in Family Law
04:24 What Lawyers See Behind Closed Doors
05:18 The Lack of Financial Education
05:56 When One First Goes to a Divorce Lawyer
07:23 Men vs. Women Divorce Misconceptions
07:42 Tips for a Healthier Marriage
11:45 Advice for Newlyweds
12:56 Improving Conflict Resolution Skills
18:28 How Frum Couples Manage Money
21:07 Why Wives Should Know the Finances
24:20 Twillory
25:33 The Donors Fund
27:52 Modeling Healthy Money Habits
29:34 Being Honest About Debt With Your Spouse
31:32 Understanding Your Appetite for Risk
34:33 How to Guide an Amicable Divorce
37:24 Prenups in the Orthodox Community
40:00 What Sarah Wants Her Children to Know
41:35 When Parents Stop Financial Support
44:14 Separate Bank Accounts
48:35 Setting Up Newlyweds for Financial Success
51:05 BitBean
51:53 Colel Chabad
52:43 It Is Never Too Late
55:58 Starting Financial Education Earlier
59:03 Moving Forward Toward Peace
1:02:39 Amazing Jewish Resources
1:05:52 How Sarah Helps People
1:06:23 You Do Not Need to Recreate the Wheel
1:08:01 Why Sarah Stays Away From AI
1:09:26 Sarah’s Nonprofit Work
1:09:52 Sarah’s Book Recommendations
1:12:36 The Advantages of the Jewish Community
1:14:04 Sarah’s Remarkable Yichus
1:19:26 Thanking Sarah for Joining Us
1:19:49 Outro
- Learn more about Sarah’s organization: https://www.jdacla.org/
- One of Sarah's favorite books, The Anxious Generation: https://amzn.to/4qnGOv
✬ Helpful Efforts Out in the World ✬
- Living Smarter Jewish brings free financial coaching to families: https://livingsmarterjewish.org/
- Kosher Debt Help – Honest, agenda-free help if you're in debt: https://www.kosherdebthelp.com/
- Kosher ADHD – Practical guidance for families living with ADHD: https://kosher-adhd.com/
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