Jewish Dating 101: You reached the age for “Jewish Dating” for marriage, now what
By Lesley Silver-Winick
You have reached the age of Jewish Dating….a dreaded time for so many. In the Orthodox community parents may discuss it with a friend, family, a Shadchan- spreading the word around that their son or daughter is ready for marriage. These people may know the single, and through the community the parents hope that they can find a suitable match for their child.
But what happens if that doesn't occur, or the child gets a little older, or decides that this "traditional" way is not their way. Jewish Dating now comes in. How to meet, when to meet, and where to meet, are the questions that arise. Jewish Dating is the key.
Other factors are considered as well, because not only do you want to find someone Jewish, there are so many religious affiliations, you also need to find someone, who is within your level of Judaism. Jewish Dating…So now, not only do you have to find someone with similar characteristics, a certain education level, background, whatever, you need to find someone who is into Jewish Dating, within the religion, the same way that you are.
So what are your options in Jewish Dating? The traditional way, to have a friend introduce you, through work, school…meeting at a party. But when this doesn't work where do you turn for Jewish dating?
Depending on where you live you may be more limited, but options are available for Jewish Dating. For the religious community, checking out your synagogue if they run programs for Jewish Dating – such as Speed-Dating, Local Jewish Community Centers or Shabbat dinners. Jewish organizations are developing ways to help people meet through outdoor activities, such as skiing or hiking groups and Personal ads on-line and in local papers.
But it seems like the way to go right now, the Jewish Dating method that is increasingly accessible in the Jewish Dating world is online dating. You can choose from so many different services, for Jewish Dating. Some are geared for anyone within the Jewish Dating world, and others specifically for the Orthodox Jewish singles. Sites include, Jdate, Jlove, JRetroMatch, Frumster, Dosidate, and of course www.sawyouatsinai.com- which is unique in that it combines traditional matchmaking and modern technology to bring orthodox singles a personalized, private and screened online dating service.
What works and what doesn't, in Jewish Dating? In the world of Jewish Dating, you must be willing to go out there and try everything. For some joining an on-line service, within no time they will meet there beshert, for someone else they will meet through friends.
Options are out there, but by sitting around and waiting, you will not meet anyone. By taking a proactive role to Jewish Dating, and getting involved you will maximize your chance of finding your match. If you enjoy being active join the groups with different activities, you may not meet your beshert, but you will get out and have some fun, and maybe meet some really nice people. It may take time, and it may be quite frustrating, but so is life… this is just the beginning to the challenges and exciting times that lie ahead. Jewish Dating, a time to enjoy, look forward to, as ultimately you are looking for your soul mate, your best friend, your Beshert. So have fun in the world of Jewish Dating…
About author:
Lesley has been working as a Jewish Matchmaker on the JRetroMatch and works with Jewish Singles all over the world. She has been working in Social Services for the past 20 years in different capacities. Getting married at age 40 has brought her to experience first hand the world of dating for an extended period of time and hopes that her experiences can be helpful to others. She is the proud mother of 4 children, two being step children. She is living in Israel, and made Aliyah in Dec 2005.
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