I'm sorry to tell you that our reviewers didn't choose your
article for publication. One reviewer pointed out that your
distinction between a merger and a partnership was a good one, but
felt that you then degenerated into what she called "personal ramblings
about relationships." Another reviewer, referring to the same point,
says that she thought you were over-simplifying the whole issue. Sorry

By the way, some personal reflections on this topic for you
ears alone, and not to be quoted: Since I got divorced, I've been
seeking a Jerusalemite as a wife-- not to get her to make yerida, but
to be my partner in Israel when I make aliyah. I've spent much
time in Israel, and whenever I raise this topic I'm told, "Oh, there
are a million women who fit what you want and who are available"
(what I want is very much what you say Western women also want:
an intellectual partner, somebody who understands, somebody to share
childrearing, someone to attend lectures and share reading and studying,
someone intellectually and psychologically sophisticated and mature). But
when I tell them say, "Oh, do you know anyone specific for me," I invariably
get the answer "Well, now that you've asked it that way, I don't know
anyone who is physically attractive, between the ages of 30-40, and
sufficiently sure of herself to feel competent about being in a
relationship with someone who is a political activist, has a ph.d
in philosophy and a ph.d. in psychology, and is also mesorti." So, perhaps
this kind of experience helps explain why some men like me might then
turn to sephardic women...having failed to meet anyone else. But I'd be
happy to be proved wrong, though I'm a bit scared to make the move
as a single man and then find, having made aliyah, that I can't find
anyone, which is part of the reason I'm looking now. All of this is meant
to be totally personal and not to be repeated to others, except to the
wonderful ashkenazic woman you introduce me to the next time I'm in
Israel.

                                           Sincerely yours,
                                           [signed Michael Lerner]
                                           Michael Lerner, Ph.D.
                                           Editor