PM:
1. closing it to wihtin 1.5 years would be a tremendous accomplishment for starters. If we get there we could talk about going further.
2.SJ’s and your own personal observations aside: the people heavily involved in the Non Yeshivish shidduch scene readily acknowledge that typical marriages are with quite a significant age gap.
Squek:
I have absolutely no idea what kind of a high price you think it comes at. What devastating side effect are on the horizon for encouraging boys to be willing to date girls their own age or a couple months older?? I don’t quite understand why boys being willing to date close to their age constitutes “following the herd” or whatever that is supposed to mean. Pls clarify.
However, recognizing my own significant limitations, I have take n counsel with universally recognized leaders of our communities (such as Rav Shteinman shlita) and they too feel that it is 1000% smart and necessary to encourage close in age shidduchim. Should people such as he who understand the problem decide to change course and advise against encouraging close in age shidduchim, I will be the first to follow.
Regarding the Avi Chai Link I will have to figue out a way to get it to you. Perhaps contact the NASI Project, I’m sure they could get it to you.