FYI’s New Season of ‘Arranged’ Features an Orthodox Couple’s Wedding Journey

Image by FYITV/Instagram

By Maia Efrem May 6, 2016

Image by FYI Network

The FYI Networks’ second season of “Arranged” will follow a Modern Orthodox Jewish couple as they make plans for their wedding and begin their married life together.

A popular show for the new network, “Arranged” features three American couples as they prepare for their arranged marriages and shadows the newlyweds for a short time after the wedding, documenting how the couple settles into daily life together. This season, FYI will feature Vicki and Ben, both Seattle natives who attended the same schools, but only began dating after they reconnected at a New York City college.

Image by FYITV/Instagram

“They were initially drawn to each other because of their shared cultural understanding of Orthodox Judaism,” their official FYI bio reads, “Their families are thrilled that both are marrying within the faith, however their parents have expressed concerns about the suddenness of the arrangement and have some doubts as to whether or not they are ready for such a serious commitment.”

Touting them as the shows youngest couple to date — that might be impossible, as last season featured two 17 year olds arranged within the gypsy community — teasers for the May 10 season premier shows Vicki and Ben discussing Orthodox rules of courtship that don’t allow the couple to touch. “We spend a lot of time in coffee shops and Ben’s car,” Vicki joked.

Another short clip shows Vicki paying a visit to a wig shop to try on wigs, or sheitels, to wear after the wedding day. “I’m basically promising that every single time I leave the house I’m going to have my head covered. Whether it be with a hat or with a wig,” Vicki says, adding, “That’s a huge commitment to take on and it’s going to be a life adjustment for me.”

Joining Vicki and Ben on their “Arranged” journey, this season will also feature an Indian couple and a couple from Texas.

Watch the season trailer below:

Maia Efrem is the former research editor and assistant to the editor and was also responsible for the Forward’s annual Salary Survey. Previously she served as the editor of Blognik Beat, a blog written by students who emigrated from or have ties to the Former Soviet Union. Maia is a graduate of Hunter College and Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism.

A message from our Publisher & CEO Rachel Fishman Feddersen

I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning, nonprofit journalism during this critical time.

The coming year promises to be filled with more complex and historic developments. We are entering an era where independent, fact-based Jewish journalism will be more important than ever. We need to be ready for whatever 2025 will bring, and with your help, we can be.

We’ve set a goal to raise $260,000 by December 31. That’s an ambitious goal, but one that will give us the resources we need to invest in the high quality news, opinion, analysis and cultural coverage that isn’t available anywhere else.

If you feel inspired to make an impact, now is the time to give something back. Join us as a member at your most generous level.

— Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO