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Single, Jewish And Looking? Have We Got A Website For You!

Jewish matchmaking organization screens to pair marriage and family-minded singles

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Photo: Luigi Pozzoli(Unsplash)

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When Hashem created Adam, He remarked that it was lo tov, or not good, for Adam to spend the rest of his life alone. Enter Eve. If only it were that simple today for a Jewish single to find a suitable soulmate.

Statistics from Pew Research Centre’s Jewish People Policy Institute reveal a rising trend in Jewish adults who intermarry or live with someone of a different faith.

Toronto businessman Zale Newman heard about the problem firsthand and resolved to make things easier for Jewish singles to find a Jewish partner.

“After nine clients in a row mentioned they were worried about this happening to their children, I knew it was a sign from above (that I had) to do what I could to help,” says Newman, founding president of Lev TO Lev (LTL), a non-profit organization that combines traditional matchmaking, with modern technology and mentoring.

But LTL had to be different. Especially in the last decade or so, many Jewish singles have turned to dating apps and websites to find their match, but a lot of them, Newman says, aren’t really conducive to long-lasting matches.

“The downside of relying on a ‘swipe culture’ is that potential partners judge each other based upon their external attributes,” says Newman, founder and President of Bond Street Mercantile. “The most important pieces, like shared values and aspirations, are completely missing.”

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LTL does things a bit differently: people who register must be marriage- and family-minded, between 25 and 45 years old, live relatively close to Toronto, and potential members are screened by volunteer staff to make sure they are seeking a committed relationship.

Most importantly, Newman adds, they have separate divisions to service Jewish singles from all parts of the religious spectrum ranging from “S&K” – Shabbat and Kosher – to ‘Just Jewish.’

It is through combing through three databases that staff find dates that meet members’ goals.

Lev TO Lev, a program to match Jewish singles serious about finding a committed relationship | Photo: Screengrab from levtolev.com

Before they launched in December, Newman researched similar programs around the world. To conform to the news realities of COVID-19, he modelled LTL’s offerings on the successful “Zoom with Whom” group dating program run by New York’s YUConnects.

Trained LTL staff moderate Zoom rooms with about 12 participants (six women, six men) of similar ages, levels of observance, and interests, in a no-pressure, fun, 45-minute virtual experience. After every Zoom encounter, match-mentors follow-up with all participants.

“Post-event, about half of the participants have agreed to go on in-person dates with someone they met on the Zoom call,” says Newman. “The feedback is fantastic, and both male and female clients find our low-key approach to dating far more meaningful and real. Although COVID-19 may restrict our ability to go out for dinner or to a show right now, marriage-minded singles can still grab a coffee or a sandwich, socially distance on a park bench, enjoy nature, and really get to know each other.”

Zale Newman is the founder of Lev TO Lev, a dating program for Jewish singles that has a slightly different approach to matching | Photo: Facebook

More than twenty organizations from across Ontario, including the JNF Future division, BAYT, The House, and the Canadian Quarantine Crush, have signed on as partners. After a complimentary period, LTL members pay a monthly charge of $18. The money is exclusively used to gain access to Jewish databases and offset technology costs.

“Your lawyer can address your legal needs, and your accountant can address your accounting needs,” observes Newman. “Lev TO Lev alleviates loneliness and helps build Jewish families. In so doing, we address the one most important need that defines your entire life.”

Suzen Fromstein is a freelance journalist, speechwriter, and book author suzen@suzenfromstein.com 

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Thank you for choosing TheJ.Ca as your source for Canadian Jewish News.

We do news differently!

Our positioning as a Zionist News Media platform sets us apart from the rest. While other Canadian Jewish media are advocating increasingly biased progressive political and social agendas, TheJ.Ca is providing more and more readers with a welcome alternative and an ideological home.

We revealed the incursion of anti-Israel progressive elements such as IfNotNow into our communities. We have exposed the distorted hateful agenda of the “progressive” left political radicals who brought Linda Sarsour to our cities, and we were first to report on many disturbing incidents of Nazi-based hate towards Jews across Canada.

But we can’t do it alone. We need your HELP!

Our ability to thrive and grow in 2020 and beyond depends on the generosity of committed readers and supporters like you.

Monthly support is a great way to help us sustain our operations. We greatly appreciate any contributions you can make to support Jewish Journalism.

We thank you for your ongoing support.

Happy reading!

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