Posts Tagged ‘jewish singles’

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)

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.

The tradition of match-making in the Jewish culture has been around since the times of Abraham in the old testament. In those times match-making was referred to as “Shidduch”, in which orthodox Jewish singles were introduced to each other through a very formal system. In each community, singles were introduced to each by family members, friends or the village match-maker.

Match-making was designed to introduce Jewish singles to one another for the specific purpose of marriage. The process was developed to filter out casual encounters or inappropriate candidates, and introduce Jewish singles to the best and brightest in their communities.

In modern times match-making has become much more relaxed and casual, however the basic concepts and benefits still exist. When given the choice of anonymous online dating or enlisting the help of a professional Match-maker, here are a few points to consider.

The Benefits of Match-Making for Jewish Singles

1. Match-making ensures that Jewish singles meet serious, like-minded individuals interested in marriage;

2. The Match-maker qualifies the Jewish singles before they meet, in order to screen and filter out people that do not meet basic needs and expectations;

3. The Match-maker acts as a guide and counselor to the Jewish singles throughout the dating process. If there are issues, concerns or problems, the Jewish singles can speak privately with the Match-maker and receive advice and comfort;

4. The Match-maker acts as a buffer and an additional security measure in dating. When working with a Match-maker, especially for women, you know that you are not meeting singles that are potentially dangerous or imbalanced.

So if you are considering signing up for an online dating service, speak with us first. You will find that we will save you time and headache in the process of meeting new Jewish singles.

Shalom, ilana

It seems as if the whole world is dating online. These days it’s rare to meet someone who hasn’t found their significant other through the internet. It’s not a choice between JDate or “offline” dating, but between JDate or Match.com or e-Harmony.com or any one of the other millions online dating sites.

Online dating has transformed Jewish culture in a tremendous way, since the advent of sites like Jdate and Frumster. These sites were at the forefront of all online dating, even though they focus on the needs of Jewish singles. I think this is because “Match-making” has always been an important concept for Jewish singles. Since the beloved musical “Fiddler on the roof”, Jewish Matchmakers have historically been important figures in Jewish society. However, while the Jewish culture has undoubtedly benefited from the evolution of online dating, many aspects of this new form of matchmaking are foriegn to the Jewish culture.

The Jewish community is extremely tight-knit. Most of the choices we make are based on the advice of family and friends. Whether it is finding a plumber to fix your sink or a doctor to remove your tonsils – Jews tend to stay within the community and follow the referrals of trusted Jewish sources. This is why it is extraordinary that Jewish singles use online dating to find romantic partnerships, because the people you meet through the internet are anonymous, unknown and not a part of a trusted referral network.

This is why many Jewish singles are disappointed with online dating. Unlike most part of our lives, Jewish singles are using the internet to help them make one of their most important decisions in life – who they will fall in love and start a family with. It’s funny that while most of us will not trust the internet to find a doctor, we will trust it to find our soulmate.

When I was growing up in Israel, the internet didn’t even exist! When a young woman or man came of age, usually after their term in the military, the local matchmaker in their community would pair them with a potential partner, and usually these matches would equal love at first sight. Because the Matchmaker had known these children their entire lives, knew their families and background – the matchmaker would have keen sense of what these young people were looking for in a partner.

The internet inspired me to transfer my matchmaking service to the online world so that I could bridge the gap between traditional matchmaking and modern technology. Technology makes it easy to connect with an unlimited number of people, some good, some bad. My online matchmaking service acts as a buffer between Jewish singles and cyberspace. I offer Jewish singles the convenience of technology to find an unlimited number of singles, however I personally screen and qualify each individual before they meet each other, helping improve the chances that the two Jewish singles will hit it off and find true love.

So if you are trying to decide which online dating service to register with, why not call me first and set up a free consultation. I have offices in New York, California, Florida and Israel and am available 6 days a week to discuss your needs and hopes in finding a Jewish partner.

Being Jewish is a different experience depending on who you are and where you live. Judaism is as much a culture as it is a religious faith.

As far as marriage and dating is concerned, Jewish people have particularly unique thinking. Unmarried Jewish singles have a lot of pressure regarding marriage and dating. Jewish parents are usually obsessed with the idea of their children finding the perfect Jewish match.

Many Jews feel very sensitive about the subject of marriage and dating after World War II. Because so many innocent Jewish lives were lost, there was a big pressure on Jewish singles to only have romantic relationships and marriage with other Jewish singles.

One would think that there is a huge pool of Jewish singles to choose from. Wrong.

For example, lots of young Jewish students go to Jesuit or Catholic universities. It’s a strange phenomena, but many of these schools have top law and medical programs, making them very attractive for young Jewish students.

It’s very difficult to meet Jewish singles outside of family, friends, and school.

This is where matchmaking comes into the picture. And notice I said “matchmaking” and not “dating”, as most Jewish singles are looking for solid, long term relationships that will eventually lead to marriage with a Jewish soul mate. Online dating is a more casual activity, really intended for recreation rather than starting serious relationships. Not to say that there aren’t Jewish singles who have met their partners online, but it is much more difficult and time consuming to meet quality Jewish singles this way.

Because of all the reasons mentioned above, Jewish matchmaking services have become even more important in Jewish culture.

Services like My Global Match help young, old, unmarried and widowed Jewish singles find a large, highly qualified pool of Jewish singles to choose from.

ilana Gutman, the founder and CEO, personally screens and interviews each candidate before he or she enrolls in the service. The service My Global Match provides is personalized and extensive, and ilana has an in-depth interview with each candidate before they sign up to determine that she can successfully match them with the Jewish single of their dreams before they sign up.

ilana screens each person to make sure there physical description is accurate, that they are successfully employed, and that they do not have a dangerous past. This is what differentiates matchmaking services from online dating. When you meet someone online, you have no idea if they are really who they say they are. You have to first take the chance in meeting them in person and hope for the best.

With My Global Match Jewish matchmaking however, you know exactly who you are meeting in advance. You know how they look, what they do for a living, where they were born, what goals and expectations they have in life, and that they are serious about finding their Jewish soul mate.

1. The more people I go out with, even if they are not Jewish, the better chance I have of meeting Mr./Ms. Right.

Many people think that dating is a numbers game, and it’s all about “getting out there” and making yourself available. Well, for many Jewish singles, this ends up in dating burnout, especially if the person is also dating non-jews.

It’s better to date a few exceptional Jewish singles than dozens of people who sound “interesting” but will never turn into anything real. You’re looking for one lifelong partner, not 100 cups of coffee.

2. The smartest and most attractive people marry first.

This is absolutely false. There are many amazing people who, because of the demands of work or family, simply cannot find the time to focus on finding their Jewish soulmate. It is for this reason that many successful people turn to the assistance of a Jewish matchmaker when looking to find a serious partner.

3. All good Jewish men and women are taken.

WRONG. There are millions of wonderful Jewish singles out there, it just take time and skill in meeting them. Again, this is the reason many Jewish singles use a Jewish matchmaking service to help them find other like minded Jewish people to date.

We live in a huge, wonderful world. It just takes a bit of maneuvering to meet the perfect Jewish soulmate.

4. It doesn’t matter if your family and friends and family like the person you’re dating. You understand him or her, and your opinion is the only one that matters.

This is especially false in the Jewish culture. The opinion of family, friends and the synagogue are all very important. If your potential spouse does not get along with the most important people in your life, how does your relationship have hope of long-term survival? More importantly, how will this affect the children that you have with your spouse?

In today’s super-charged modern lifestyles, Jewish singles can get so caught up their daily lives, that they miss the truly important aspects of life, like love and family. For many young Jewish singles, and for singles in general, it’s difficult to find the time and space in life for a special relationship. The demands of work and the distractions of living in a big city can make it easy to overlook what is truly important; finding a true Jewish love to share a life with and start a family.

For Jewish singles who have been hurt or betrayed by past relationships, getting back into the dating game is even more difficult.

ilana Gutman’s Jewish matchmaking service can be an invaluable resource for people looking to find a serious long-term relationship, and eventually marriage, with their Jewish soulmate.

My Global Match helps Jewish singles meet a selective pool of educated, well-employed and serious Jewish professionals. ilana Gutman spends hours carefully interviewing and getting to know her prospective clients, so that she can match them with Jewish singles that share similar tastes, hobbies, and family goals.

It is a comforting thought that Jewish singles, whether they are divorced, widowed, in their early twenties or still single in their middle fifties, no longer feel that they are left to their own devices. For those who are tired of Internet dating and want a more personalized, premiere service, My Global Match is an ideal option.

Call ilana today at (818) 788-8360 to schedule a free consultation.

I was recently reading an article in aish.com written by a 68 year old Jewish woman who said that she gave up on the hope of romance at age 30. After a number of rejections in her 20s, she simply could not bear the thought of being disappointed ever again. So for thirty she has remained alone with no hope of finding her true Jewish soulmate.

This woman wrote that when she was young, she often wished her father, who was a professor, would bring home a nice boy for her meet. She hated the dating game, and never felt that she truly achieved real intimacy with the men she casually dated. She felt that the men she met only wanted physical intimacy, without taking the trouble to really get to know her as a person.

She writes that “in today’s fast and shallow Facebook world, so many relationships — even without physical intimacy — are coming to resemble…emptiness more and more. There can be a kind of promiscuity without physical contact. It occurs wherever people “get to know” one another without coming to care for one another.”

For all of those people who can relate to this woman’s feelings and experiences, I want to tell you that there is hope.

Every single person on this Earth deserves to love and be loved. Also, every person deserves to be loved for who they are, without any false pretenses or illusions.

With my Jewish Dating Service, My Global Match, my goal is not to set you up on a casual date that will last for a few weeks or months. My goal is to match you with someone that can lead to the long-term goal of marriage and children. There is none of the “emptiness” that the woman above describes in the Jewish matches that I arrange. My service is not a meat market like many online dating sites. It’s not about the quantity of dates – it’s about the quality of people that you will meet through my service.

Don’t get me wrong, I can’t guarantee that every date I match you with will be “The One”. But I can promise you that I will closely listen when you describe what you are looking for in a partner, and I will find potential Jewish singles that can complement your likes and dislikes, and who will want to spend time with you getting to know the real you.

So if you ever ask your self “Should I Give Up on Love?”, the answer is 100%, absolutely NO! The one for you is out there. Call me so that we can discover your destiny together.

Love,

ilana

My friend gave me an article written by a young Jewish school teacher. One day she asked her class the question, “What is true love?”

Initially, not one person responded to her question. Then she said, “I will tell you what love is, and then you can agree or disagree”

So she said “True love is that feeling you get when you meet the right person.” Every child in the room raised his or her hand.

When I read this I thought, this is how all of my adult relatives and friends approach love as well! It’s a physical “feeling”, almost like magic, that hits you when you meet your soulmate.

But is this true? I don’t think so. True Love is more than simply a physical reaction, it’s also a very complex emotional and physcological experience.

I wonder if this is why there are so many casual one-night-stands where “true love” sweeps over two people one moment, and then completely disappears when they realize they have nothing in common.

If you believe that there is more to Jewish Love than a momentary sensation that is there one moment and gone the next, I encourage you to contact me.

At My Global Match we believe that true love is a multi-dimensional emotion, based on a hundred different factors, from looks, intelligence, honesty, humor, charm and much more. We thoroughly interview our clients so that we can set them up on dates that can last a lifetime, rather than a moment.

This is why I spend hours with each of my clients before I send them out on dates. I want to know who they truly are, so that I can pair them with a Jewish single that be a true match in more than just the physical sense. The Jewish matches that I arrange are built on True Love that has a stable foundation, where both people truly know one another, and the love is more than just a feeling – it’s a way of life.

If you are considering joining a Jewish matchmaking or dating service, please give me a call. I would love to chat with you about what you are looking for and explain how My Global Match can help you achieve your true dreams in finding a Jewish Soulmate.

Looking forward to speaking with each and every one of you,

ilana

A few weeks ago I had an intense discussion with a dear friend about the meaning of success and failure.

My friend claimed that if you don’t reach the maximum of your capabilities you will never be successful. For example: A Doctor at a hospital that realizes he or she will never be a professor or department manager. A Lawyer that aspires to be appointed a judge, but never achieves this dream. An army officer that yearns to reach the rank of colonel but does not. These people will live with a sense of missed opportunity all their lives.

The discussion between me and my friend became even more intense. Can a person who has reached the highest level of their career, such as CEO, Commander in Chief, President or Prime Minister, be happier than a manager, secretary, a salesperson or a nurse?

I claimed that if you love your work, make a good living and still have time for personal interests, such as finding the time to spend with your spouse, your children and your close family, you are much more successful than a senior manager who works 24/7 and makes significantly more money. Often, financially successful people have little or no room for quality time in their lives, because they are constantly working. I gave an example of famous celebrities. Most of them don’t have any spare time for their friends or family.

The debate lasted all evening. Needless to say each of us stayed in his mind.

The problem is that society has become more and more materialistic. Sadly, people are measured by their economic situation. If you’re rich, that means you are a very successful person. No matter how you’ve made your fortune.

For an example: a person who owned many properties was considered successful. But he had lost everything during the recession period. Is he a loser now? Isn’t he the same person you wanted to be friends with, before the crisis?

Are people measured by their contribution to their immediate environment ? By their good heart, generosity, and their ability to be real true friends? Are they measured by their ability to give good advice or a nice word, when someone needs it ? Or are they mainly measured by what they can contribute to others because of their economic situation?

I give up!

I just hope that every one of you appreciates his or herself well, because that is what matters the most.

If you love what you do, if you’re with a spouse you love, if you have children and you can provide them with all their needs like love, security and peace of mind, for me you are the biggest winner.

In case you are not this person, it’s not the end of the world. As long as you are healthy, you are still capable to make a change in your life.

May we all have a wonderful year. May we achieve all the goals we have set for ourselves. May we all believe that there is a winner in each and every one of us!

ilana Gutman