Archive for the ‘jewish matchmaker’ Category

Looking for a special Kosher restaurant for the family or a romantic date?  We have compiled a short list of some of New York City’s finest Kosher restaurants for Jewish Singles and Families.

New York City Kosher Restaurants

Le Marias – Considered one of the best French Steakhouse’s in the country – 150 West 46th Street, New York, NY 10036 – (212) 869-0900
Rabbinical Supervision: Orthodox Union / Glatt Kosher
Succah On Succot: Yes
Nine Days Menu: Yes
Open for Pesach: Yes

Eighteen Restaurant and Deli – American / Mediterranean / Sushi – 240 East 81st Street
(off 2nd Avenue) New York, NY 10028
Rabbinical Supervision: OK / Glatt Kosher
Succah On Succot: No
Nine Days Menu: Yes
Open for Pesach: Yes

The Prime Grill – New American / Sushi – 60 East 49 Street, New York – (212) 692-9292
Rabbinical Supervision: Orthodox Union / Glatt Kosher
Succah On Succot: Yes
Nine Days Menu: Yes
Open for Pesach: Yes

Abigael’s Restaurant & Catering – Modern American / Pan-Asian – 1407 Broadway # 4, New York – (212) 575-2584
Rabbinical Supervision: KOF-K / Glatt Kosher
Succah On Succot: No
Nine Days Menu: Yes
Open for Pesach: Yes

My Most Favorite Food – Italian / Seafood / Baked Kosher Goods – 247 West 72nd Street, New York NY 10036 – (212) 997-5130
Rabbinical Supervision: OK / Cholov Yisroel / Pas Yisroel / Mashgiach Temidi / Bishul Yisroel upon request
Succah On Succot: Yes
Nine Days Menu: Yes
Open for Pesach: Yes

Back to Nature – Healthy Vegetarian / Seafood – One of the pioneers of Kosher organic, farm fresh cooking in New York – 535 Kings Highway, Brooklyn NY 11223 – (718) 339-0273
Rabbinical Supervision: Vaad Harabonim of Flatbush, Cholov Yisroel / Kemach Yashan
Succah On Succot: Yes
Nine Days Menu: Yes
Open for Pesach: No

Colbeh Manhattan – Persian Mediterranean – 32 West 39th Street New York NY, 10018
Rabbinical Supervision: Vaad Harabonim of Queens / Glatt
Succah On Succot: Yes
Nine Days Menu: No
Open for Pesach: Yes

Mike’s Bistro – Contemporary Gourmet Cuisine – signature dishes are Duck Gnocchi and Glazed Short Ribs – 228 West 72nd Street (Bet. Broadway & West End Ave) New York, NY 10023
Rabbinical Supervision: Rabbi Yisroel P. Gornish, Glatt Kosher
Succah On Succot: No
Nine Days Menu: Yes
Open for Pesach: No

We have compiled a list of some of the highest rated-Kosher restaurants in Los Angeles, for Jewish singles looking for a place to take that special someone on a date, or Jewish families preparing for a night out in the city. The restaurants are listed in no particular order.

A Cow Jumped Over the Moon
421 North Rodeo Dr., Beverly Hills, CA 90210 – (310) 274-4269
Part Kosher dairy, and part Italian, French and Japanese fusion cuisine

Nagila Kosher Pizza
Considered the best Gourmet Kosher pizza in Los Angeles
9411 West Pico Boulevard, Los Angeles – (310) 788-0111

Jeff’s Gourmet Sausage Factory
8930 West Pico Boulevard, Los Angeles – (310) 858-8590
Glatt Kosher gourmet sausages and deli meats

Sassi Mediterranean
15622 Ventura Blvd. Encino, CA 91436
Specializes in Sephardic dishes from the Eastern Mediterranean

Nessims
8939 West Pico Blvd., Los Angeles, CA
Moroccan fare, traditional Israeli dishes, and Kosher sushi

Habayit
11921 West Pico Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90064
Homemade Kosher Jewish, Mediterranean, and American – Israeli cuisine
(reservations not taken)

Pico Deli
8826 West Pico Boulevard Los Angeles, CA 90035 – (310) 273-9381
Traditional Glatt Kosher deli offering sandwiches, deli meats, hot dogs and other Kosher fare. One of the oldest in Los Angeles.

The Milky Way
108 West Pico Blvd. at Doheny Dr., Los Angeles, CA 90035
Owned by Steven Spielberg’s mother. Offers unusual mix of Asian and Italian cuisine served alongside the more traditional Kosher fare like potato pancakes and cheese blintzes.

I first met Yariv, a 30 year old computer engineer, about two years ago. He signed up for my Jewish matchmaker service with the intention of finding his Jewish soul-mate and settling down to start a family.

He was in my service for 6 months and met ten women in that time. He was not interested in any and had become discouraged about the prospects of meeting a women he would want to marry.

Then I introduced him to Lilach, a pretty, smart, 29 year old graphic designer. She had signed up for my service 3 days before I introduced them. Yariv was her first match and it was love at first sight.

They met in February and Yariv asked Lilach to be his wife in May.

The rest is history.

If you are single and Jewish and would like to learn more about my Jewish matchmaking services, please contact me.

Shalom, ilana Gutman

New York state has the highest concentration of Jewish schools of any place outside of Israel. Over hundreds of Jewish private schools cater to every sect of Judaism you care to name. We have compiled this list for Jewish families and Jewish singles considering having children. Even if you are not yet married, but are planning to in the near future, it is a good idea to start thinking about Jewish private schools years in advance. Many of these schools have long waiting lists, so it’s wise to start preparing early for your child’s Jewish education.

The schools are listed in no particular order.

Abraham Joshua Heschel School is a Jewish day school that prides itself in its approach to education, and concern for students’ intellectual, emotional, and spiritual development. The school is known for its excellent academics and is dedicated to teaching the values and principles that characterized Rabbi Heschel’s life: integrity, intellectual exploration, traditional Jewish study and practice, justice, righteousness, human dignity, and holiness. The school provides a complete education from Pre Kindergarten through 12th grade. The school is spread across three campuses located in the upper west side.

The Miriam and Isaac Blech Early Childhood Center
Henry Lindenbaum Lower School
270 West 89th Street
New York, NY 10024-1796
212-595-7087

The Joseph Slifka Middle School
314 West 91st Street
New York, NY 10024
212-595-7817

The Abraham Joshua Heschel High School
20 West End Ave. (@ 60th Street)
New York, NY 10023-7809
212-246-7717

http://www.heschel.org

Westchester Hebrew High School located in upstate New York is a private Jewish day school. It is coed and serves 106 high school students in grades 9 through 12. The school was originally started in 1970 to fill the gap for Jewish families who lived in the Jewish communities of Westchester and Fairfield Counties. These families would have to send their kids on a long daily commute or away from home to attend Jewish day school. Westchester Hebrew filled that educational gap. WHHS continues to pride itself on the diversity of its student body and its appeal to families and students from all walks of Jewish life.
856 Orienta Ave
Mamaroneck, NY 10543
(914) 698-0806

http://www.whhsny.org

Albany’s Maimonides Hebrew Day School is a private Jewish day school. It is coed and serves grades Pre Kindergarten through 11th. One of the school’s primary missions is to provide an excellent education imbued with Ahavat Yisrael — love & respect for one another. The school provides a complete education from Pre Kindergarten through 12th.
404 Partridge Street
Albany, NY 12208
(518) 453-9363

http://www.maimonidesschool.org

East Midwood Hebrew Day School is a private Jewish day school located in Brooklyn, New York. It serves 145 students in grades Pre Kindergarten through 8th. For 55 years the Hebrew Day School (Nursery through 8th Grade) has provided children with an excellent academic education, a nurturing and spiritual environment, a deep understanding of derech eretz and unshakable pride in their Jewish heritage and religion.
1256 E 21st St
Brooklyn, NY 11210
(718) 253-1555

http://emhds.org

Brooklyn’s Yeshiva Birchas Shmuel is a private middle school that serves the learning requirements of students with special needs. The school provides an Orthodox Jewish education, and is very small with only 34 students and 5 teachers. This allows the teachers to have intimate classes with one teacher for every 7 students, which is a very good student:teacher ratio.
1214 E 15th St
Brooklyn, NY 11230
(718) 258-7007

Solomon Schechter Jewish Day School of Nassau County and High School of Long Island is committed to providing a dual curriculum of excellence in secular and Judaic studies. Students can receive a complete Kindergarten through 12th education. The school’s core mission is to prepare their students for leadership in their local Jewish community and beyond. The school is split between two campuses, one for the elementary school and one for middle and high school.

http://www.ssdsnassau.org

Jericho Campus
Elementary School
Barbara Lane
Jericho, NY 11753
(516) 935-1441

Glen Cove Campus
Middle/High School
27 Cedar Swamp Road
Glen Cove, NY 11542
(516) 656-5500

The Jewish Foundation School has a three-part mission: To provide excellence in Jewish and General Studies in a caring environment, to serve the entire local Jewish Community of Staten Island and to instill in each child a love of learning and a desire to pursue advanced studies in Jewish studies and General Education. The school is a Jewish day school that serves grades Pre Kindergarten through 8th.
400 Caswell Ave
Staten Island, NY 10314
(718) 983-6042

http://www.jewishfoundationschool.org

We have a compiled a shortlist of the highest-rated Jewish day schools in Los Angeles, according to the non-for-profit organization Great Schools. This list is helpful for Jewish singles who are considering marriage and children. Most of these schools have years-long waiting lists, so even if you are a Jewish single who is not yet married, but will soon be, it is wise to start gathering this information early in advance so that your child can have a head start.

The schools are listed in no particular order.

Perutz Etz Jacob Hebrew Academy is a coed private school that serves 70 students in grades kindergarten through 8th. The school’s mission is to provide quality Jewish education to every child who applies regardless of the parent’s financial ability, and therefore offers substantial financial aid and tuition support. The teachers strive to create an environment that is conducive for explaining Jewish heritage and ensuring Jewish continuity in a warm academic setting.
7951 Beverly Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90048
(323) 655-5766
www.perutzetzjacob.org

Hebrew Academy is a private school in Huntington Beach, California. It is coed and serves 225 students in grades kindergarten through 12th. The schools has won numerous academic excellence awards, and is exceptional because it offers a complete curriculum that allows Jewish students to remain in the school until they are ready for college.
14401 Willow Ln
Huntington Beach, CA 92647
(714) 898-0051
www.hebrewacademyhb.com

Hillel Hebrew Academy is a private school in Beverly Hills, California. It is coed and serves 626 students in grades pre-kindergarten through 8th. The Jewish Academy is known for its exceptionally rigorous academics, and offers the Morris Grunstein Singapore Mathematics Program and the Berenson Family Writing Program. Students begin these programs in kindergarten, in order to develop advanced skills at a much earlier age.
9120 W Olympic Blvd
Beverly Hills, CA 90212
(310) 276-6135
www.hillelhebrew.org

Emek Hebrew Academy is a private school in Sherman Oaks, California. It is coed and serves 732 students in grades Pre Kindergarten though 8th. The school is Orthodox and emphasizes the indoctrination of Jewish values and halacha – Jewish Law. The academic and religious curriculum is rich in Torah and Talmudic law study, which is also grounded in community service and proper midot – behavior. This is a wonderful academy for Jewish students considering careers as Rabbis or experts in Talmudic law.
15365 Magnolia Blvd
Sherman Oaks, CA 91403
(818) 783-3663
www.emek.org

Los Angeles’s Torat Hayim Hebrew Academy is a coed private school and serves 185 students in grades Pre Kindergarten through 8th. The school is the only Sephardic Yeshiva Day School in the Pico-Robertson area of Los Angeles. The educational program emphasizes Torah Studies with a strong General Studies component.
1210 S La Cienaga Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90035
(310) 652-8349
www.tashbartorathayim.com

Samuel A. Fryer Yavneh Hebrew School is a coed, private day school that serves grades pre-kindergarten through 8th grade. There is a heavy educational focus on the Torah and general education.
5353 West Third Street
Los Angeles, CA 90020
(323) 931-5808
www.edline.net

The Jewish diaspora has undergone massive changes over the past 200 years. Up until the 17th century, the Jewish community in North America was quite small and comprised of primarily Sephardic Jewish immigrants from Spain and Portugese. There were approximately 250,000 in North America in 1880. Today, North America is the second largest home to the world’s Jewish population, outside of Israel. (1)

Large scale Jewish immigration to America began in the late 1800s as a response to political persecution in Eastern Europe. Most of these immigrants were Yiddish-speaking Ashkenazi Jews from the rural areas of the Russian Empire, and what is now modern-day Poland, Lithuania, Belarus, Ukraine and Moldova. More than 2,000,000 Jews immigrated between 1880 and 1924, with the majority of them settling in New York City. To this day, New York City has the largest population of Jewish people in the United States. (2)

We have done research to create a list of the largest and most active Jewish communities in North America. This research is based on the size of the Jewish population and the presence of an active local Jewish community in each city.

The Best US Cities for Jewish Singles and Families

New York, New York – The Big Apple is home to the largest number of Jewish people outside of Israel. The Upper West side in particular has been home to a rich Jewish heritage for more than 150 years. You will not find more synagogues, Kosher delis and Jewish activities than you will in New York. However, because of the high cost of living and the shortage of affordable housing, this historically Jewish enclave may be a challenging choice for young Jewish families just starting out. In 2006, Jews were 8.4% of the total state population. (3)

Bergen, Essex and Union Counties, New Jersey – Jersey was one of the first big hubs for Jewish immigrants, and was also one of the few American states to grant religious tolerance to its citizens as early as 1665. Most early Jewish settlers to New Jersey moved to the urban centers like Newark, Trenton and Camden. During the past 30 years however, most Jewish families now live in the affluent suburban areas. In 2006, Jewish people were almost 5.5% of the total state population. (4)

Washington, DC – The seat of our national government is of course deeply intertwined with Jewish culture and history. German Jewish immigrants started moving to the District of Columbia in the 1840s. In 1852, a group of twenty-one Jews in Washington established the Washington Hebrew Congregation. Within four years, the small Jewish community succeeded in persuading Congress to pass an act that certified Jewish citizens the right to incorporate and own property. By 1863, the congregation purchased a church at 8th and H Streets in NW, and remodeled it into a synagogue, making it one of the first Jewish-owned properties in America. (5) There are a large number of synagogues, kosher delis and Jewish recreational activities all over DC, with a large concentration in the Northwest of the city, about 15 miles outside of downtown DC. There is also the world renown United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. In 2006, Jewish people were 5.1% of the total District of Columbia state population. (6)

Brookline – Boston, Massachusetts – This small community outside Boston is known for its large population of Russian and Israeli immigrants and numerous synagogues. Of its almost 60,000 inhabitants, more than 35% are estimated to be Jewish. (7) Jewish culture is especially present along the section of Harvard Street that starts at Washington St (Brookline Village), runs through Beacon Street (Coolidge Corner) and ends at Commonwealth Avenue, continuing into Allston-Brighton. This neighborhood is home to at least three area synagogues, including the first Jewish congregation in Massachusetts – Ohabei Shalom, founded in Boston in 1842 and located in Brookline since the 1920s. Brookline is also known for its excellent schools, making it a choice destination for young Jewish families. (8) In 2006, Jewish people were 4.3% of the total state population. (9)

Pikesville, Maryland – In the late 19th and early 20th centuries Jewish immigrants to the Baltimore area first formed communities in East Baltimore, in neighborhoods such as Broadway East, Jonestown, Middle East and Oliver, near Johns Hopkins Hospital. During World War II, the Jewish community started to move outside Baltimore City into Pikesville, which is now considered the largest Jewish community in Balitmore, numbering an estimated 100,000 Jewish people. Owning Mills and Reistertown are two other large Jewish neighborhoods. In 2006, Jewish people were 4.2% of the total state population. (10)

Miami, Florida – Miami and the suburbs to the North have been a choice destination for Jewish families and retirees because the state has zero income tax, great weather and affordable housing. There are also a large number of Kosher eateries, Orthodox and conservative synagogues, and Jewish day schools, making this a choice spot for young Jewish families. In 2006, Jewish people comprised 3.7% of the total state population. (11)

Los Angeles, California – The City of Angels and its surrounding valleys holds a large and diverse Jewish population. The Pico-Robertson district, Westwood, and parts of the valley like Thousand Oaks, Encino and Sherman Oaks, have large, active Jewish communities, with many synagogues, Hebrew schools and Jewish-run small businesses. The Jewish community is also diverse, with all variations of shuls represented, from Persian Chabad to the Carlebachian Happy Minyan, which meets in a Jewish-owned karate dojo. There are other great historical landmarks such as the Museum of Tolerance and Simon Wiesenthal Center. In 2006, Jewish people were 3.3% of the total state population. (12)

Let’s party like it’s a Happy Minyon!

If you are planning a vacation, and would like to explore Jewish history, culture and traditions around the world, here is a list of a few of the most beautiful and educational travel destinations for Jewish singles and families.

Taglit Birthright Israel – The Taglit group provides Jewish youth ages 18-26 with their first trip to Israel. Most travel expenses are paid for by philanthropists in the Birthright Israel group, the government of Israel and Jewish communities around the world. These trips are specifically designed to strengthen the identity of the Jewish culture and to connect Jewish youth all over the world. The trip lasts 10-days and includes visits to Jerusalem, Tel Aviv and many historical landmarks.

Kosher Expeditions – Travel to some of the most beautiful and remote locations in the world with Kosher Expeditions. Since 1994, this group has taken groups of Jewish families on Kosher Travel tours to the glaciers of Alaska, wild safaris in Africa, and explorations of historical Jewish cities in Israel and Europe. Kosher Expeditions is one of the few travel groups that provides delicious Glatt Kosher dining and Shabbat services. Kosher Expeditions also have Jewish Student and Teen educational travel tours.

Morocco Jewish Heritage Tours – Gateway Morocco takes groups of Jewish travelers on guided tours that explore the tradition of Jewish Heritage in Morocco. These private luxury tours examine Jewish Moroccan architecture, music, food and treks through the Sirwa, Sargho, the cedar forests of Middle Atlas Mountain ranges and upper peaks of the High Atlas.

Mauritius Luxury Kosher Winter – Escape to the Luxury Grand Mauritius, on the coast of the Indian Ocean. The Grand Mauritius is a 5 star hotel that features a kosher restaurant supervised by the Beth Den of Paris. The hotel also has several swimming pools, water polo, ocean kayaking, free scuba diving, water skiing, deep sea fishing and catamaran. This is the perfect retreat for newly married Jewish honeymooners and Jewish families.

Kosher Winter Vacation at Club Med Ixtapa Pacific, Mexico – Bask in the luxury of a 5 star, all-inclusive family resort located between the Sierre Madre mountains and the Pacific ocean. The Club Med Ixtapa features the delicious tradition of fine Kosher dining and is a world renown hotel; considered one of the most environmentally-friendly vacation spots in the world.

Jewish Singles Trips Costa Rica – Travel to gorgeous Costa Rica with Jewish singles from North America, Israel and Europe. This all-inclusive adventure includes hikes through the rain forest, relaxing days on the beach and professionally guided tours through the island. More than 300 Jewish singles have taken this adventure since 2007.

Magical Spain Jewish Heritage Trip – This all-inclusive guided tour explores the rich history of Spanish Sephardic Jewish heritage in Spain and Portugal. Travelers will visit medieval synagogues, museums and Jewish living quarters while experiencing traditional Spanish Jewish cuisine and music. You can also enjoy modern luxuries such as theater, luxury spas, restaurants and sporting activities.

Morocco Jewish Heritage Tours – Gateway Morocco takes groups of Jewish travelers on guided tours that explore the tradition of Jewish Heritage in Morocco. These private luxury tours examine Jewish Moroccan architecture, music, food and treks through the Sirwa, Sargho, and the cedar forests of Middle Atlas Mountain ranges and upper peaks of the High Atlas.

According to the Talmud, a Jewish man without a Jewish wife is incomplete. The Talmud states that marriage is the ideal state for Jewish men and women.

In modern times, the importance of marriage has been somewhat de-valued in society. Other goals, such as education and career, have taken precedence over finding a Jewish spouse.

This focus on tangible achievements are positive things as society has evolved and women occupy an equal space. When the Talmud was written, women did not work or attend school. Also, men were the primary bread winners; they simply did not have the time to date and socialize, and depended on family, rabbis and match-makers to find their mates for them.

Thankfully, things are no longer this way. Women and men are equal and there are countless ways for individuals to meet potential mates.

However, finding a suitable Jewish match is still of great importance to many Jewish singles, although this has also become harder as life has become more complicated. In a fast-paced world, it’s hard to find the time to meet people in the traditional ways; at synagogue, through community functions or through relatives. Many Jewish men and women have turned to the internet to find potential mates. This new form of dating brings about its own set of difficulties. Jewish singles have to filter through countless anonymous matches to find their Jewish mates. And in the process, Jewish singles must kiss a lot of frogs before finding their prince or princess. They also have to deal with many singles that are not even Jewish, and do not share a common background and faith.

It is my belief that many Jewish singles would prefer to meet other Jewish singles through “old-fashioned” ways, they just don’t know how to go about it. This is what inspired me to transfer my traditional Jewish match-making business to the internet. I started my business in Haifa, Israel more than 20 years ago. At that time, the internet was still a novelty which most people did not even know how to use, including myself .

Using a traditional matchmaker provides a nice buffer between you and the millions of Jewish singles out there. Match-makers screen all of your matches, and ensure that you’re meeting the best and brightest. It’s like being matched by a friend rather than an anonymous website.

My son, who is a software engineer in Israel and very brilliant beyond his years, suggested to me about 8 years ago that I start an online match-making business. He saw how many successful matches I had facilitated during my career, and felt that Jewish singles all over the world could benefit from my services. The internet is the single platform that can reach anybody anywhere.

So this is how my online business originally started. Now, I meet the majority of my clients through the web. If you would have told me 20 years ago that tools like blogging and Google would be a part of my daily life, I would have laughed.

If you find yourself caught up in the whirlwind of daily life, and are not meeting quality Jewish singles on the internet, give me a call for a free consultation. It is my life-purpose to help Jewish singles achieve the ideal state as written in the Talmud, “Shalom Bayit” or Marital harmony with your Jewish soul-mate.

Shalom and Mazel Tov, ilana

For all Jewish singles who will be alone this holiday – check out footage from last year’s Ball in LA.

Also, call any one of my offices in California, New York, Florida or Israel so that I can match you with your Jewish soul-mate this holiday season!