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More Than 100 Baltimore Singles

Meet the Shadchanim

In the midst of the relentless shidduch crisis facing this generation, a beacon of light appeared on Shabbos, parshas Shemos (January 12 to 14) at the Pearlstone Retreat and Conference Center. Kol Simcha, Baltimore’s innovative shidduch organization, hosted a gathering of renowned East Coast shadchanim (matchmakers) to network with one another in the hope of “Making Shidduchim Happen,” as the weekend was aptly titled.

The shadchanim came from Brooklyn, Lakewood, Lawrence, and Monsey, combining their talents with Kol Simcha’s own Shulamit Gartenhaus and other local favorites (see sidebar). Workshops – like “Mentoring Tips for the Seasoned Shadchan” and “The Interview: How to Question, What to do with the Answers” – were led by Rabbi Chaim Gottesman and Mr. Yankel Adler. The 10 single men who were invited to spend Shabbos with the shadchanim were treated to a special program under the direction of Rabbi Shlomo Slatkin. In addition, impromptu sessions sprung up throughout Shabbos among shadchanim, hosts, and guests on various techniques that could be devised to ameliorate the pain of today’s very sensitive shidduch situation. With true siyata d’shemaya, much was accomplished even before pen could be put to paper on motza’ei Shabbos.

Scheduled to run from 8:00 until 11:00 p.m. Saturday night, the interviewing actually began in earnest immediately after havdala and continued until well after midnight. Time slots were arranged according to age and gender, with every shadchan receiving a binder containing a profile on each single who registered. More than 60 young ladies between the ages of 19 and 24, from a wide spectrum of the community, went from one station to another to “meet the shadchanim” that evening. An informal melaveh malka was prepared for them to enjoy before and after their interviews.

The exciting atmosphere began anew in the early morning as another group of single men joined the shadchanim for davening, breakfast, and interviews, followed by single women, ages 25 to 35, coming to meet the shadchanim between the hours of 11:00 and 2:00. In all, more than 100 singles participated.

The Kol Simcha workforce included. Tova Rappaport, Chane Steinharter, Chana Kagan, Ruth Wolman, Sharon Galkin, Shifra Novograd, and Chana Rivka Schechter. Each played her own important part in organizing the program, keeping it running smoothly, and doing her best to service even those who did not pre-register. In spite of some scheduling glitches and registration snafus, most participants left smiling and thanking Kol Simcha warmly for hosting this “trailblazing event.”

One young lady sent the following email: “Kudos to you and all the wonderful people who organized the Pearlstone event. It was a great idea, and I think it was definitely a success. I got to meet three shadchanim, felt comfortable throughout, and enjoyed the melaveh malka.”

Now the follow-up has begun. Shadchanim will continue to network with one another by phone and email. New Kol Simcha applications will be entered into the database. Appropriate suggestions will be made, and, with Hashem’s help, besoros tovos (glad tidings) will soon be shared. In addition, Kol Simcha is working on further programming to serve the needs of the broader community.

For further information about Kol Simcha, to request an application, or to make a contribution that will enable Kol Simcha to continue servicing our singles, please call 410-499-6006 or email kolsimchabaltimore@hotmail.com

Sidebar 1

Shulamit Gartenhaus recently accepted the position of Kol Simcha’s part-time shadchanis. She has been informally involved in shidduchim for many years, but most actively in the past five, since the marriage of her youngest child. During the last few months, she has been going through the Kol Simcha database, interviewing many singles. Mrs. Gartenhaus says, “The population Kol Simcha serves is extremely diverse, and includes men and women of all ages and backgrounds.” To accommodate them all, she looks forward to networking with other shadchanim from Baltimore and beyond, and to make appropriate suggestions for as many Baltimore singles as possible.

Mrs. Gartenhaus was joined at this event by local shadchaniyos Judi Feldman, Hali Gottesman, Hennie Laifer, Rochelle Perlow, and Elise Wolf. Kol Simcha thanks everyone who participated in this unprecedented effort – in particular, the shadchanim (and their spouses) who came from out of town for the event, giving of themselves tirelessly to this mitzva with total dedication. A sincere debt of gratitude goes to:

Mr. and Mrs. Yankel and Zeeva Adler, Lakewood

Rabbi and Mrs. Meyer and Nechama Brull, Lakewood

Mr. and Mrs. Robi and Suri Flegman, Lawrence

Mr. and Mrs. Alex and Evette Kranz, Monsey

Mr. and Mrs. Shloimie and Miriam Mansbach, Lakewood

Rabbi and Mrs. Akiva and Malky Plutchok, Brooklyn

Sidebar 2

“Dina” is 23 years old and stands 5’ 2” tall. When she is not working in the education/daycare field, she enjoys outdoor activities, painting, and drawing, She likes to read a good book or see a movie from time to time. Dina possesses an outgoing personality and an easygoing nature. Religiously, she considers herself to be “modern Orthodox” and would like to meet a young man who is in the working world but whose Judaism is central to his life. He would be caring and sensitive in his words and actions, with a clear plan in place for his future that allows time to enjoy their shared interests.

* * *

“Esther” is a talented, bright, sincere, confident, and mature 26-year-old who enjoys her work in computers. Her experience in cooking, baking, and the like make her ready for her role as an excellent balabuste, while her consideration for others leads her to do chesed in thoughtful and unique ways. Esther will look up to and share her life with an easygoing, intelligent, open-minded, responsible Ben Torah who is currently learning but has taken steps to pursue a parnassa. Or, if he is already working, he is serious about being koveah itim l’Torah. She would prefer a young man who is 5’8” or taller.

* * *

“Yehudis,” 25, 5’4”, works in the publishing field and is looking for a young man between the ages of 24 and 30 who is deeply committed to learning and who also plans to assume responsibility to support his family, as needed. He probably has a college degree or intends to pursue one. It is important to Yehudis that her bashert be sensitive and giving to others. He is bright and possesses a simchas hachayim. If he is already working, his mind and heart are still in learning and he remains dedicated to a serious learning seder.

To make a suggestion for one of our profiled singles, please call 410-499-3491.

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Article List - February 2007