By a shadchan
I’m writing this primarily because of the rise of the number of singles who are looking for shidduchim for themselves, meaning that they, and not their parents, are in direct contact with shadchanim, many of these are older singles, or baalei tshuva, or even younger singles who prefer this route.
I hope to share some “notes” that can help these young people. However, from my experience, many parents can benefit from this too.
1-HASHEM IS THE ONE WHO MAKES SHIDDUCHIM
Daven with proper kavana, say daily tehillim, go to the ohel, volunteer and donate to hachnosas kalla, give extra tzedaka, learn extra, this should be the MAIN focus when seeking a shidduch
2-THE SHADCHAN IS HASHEM’S MESSENGER: STAY IN THEIR RADAR SCREEN:
One never knows from where, and when, a shidduch will come, sometimes a shadchan will send a profile to a single, and they may be off, DON’T TAKE IT PERSONALLY, the shadchan is not forcing you to meet the person, it is simply a suggestion, many singles, or their parents, react to a suggestion that they consider to be “off target” by ignoring the email or not answering the phone call, besides that it is not mentchlach, it is not “shidduch-wise.”
I, and I know other shadchanim, have made shidduchim for singles that remained in touch, even when a suggestion was not what they were looking for, sometimes it can take a year, or more, for the right name to come up, but when you stay in the shadchan’s radar screen, by being responsive, you are being a mentch and you are doing your hishtadlus.
3-BE SPECIFIC:
Every shadchan has received the answer “It’s not shayach”. Again, no one is forcing anyone to meet eachother, but by being specific YOU are the one who benefits. So many shidduchim happen, because a single will say or write something like: “Thank you so much for sending this profile. I don’t think this person is the right one for me. I am specifically looking for someone who:……” Many times the shadchan will read such a message, and think: “well in that case, I happen to know someone who…” and a shidduch can result.
4-GET HELP:
There is a reason it says that making shidduchim is like the splitting of the sea, and life is a lot more complicated than it used to be, it’s a lot harder to align the lives of today’s independent singles, however there are some singles who need a little extra help, be it overcoming a fear of commitment, or requiring some help in social skills, it might be finally dealing with a childhood trauma, whatever, GET THE HELP BEFORE MARRIAGE, some singles keep getting “stuck”, and it has nothing to do with a lack of appropriate matches, there are many happily married individuals out there, whose lives were changed by seeing a therapist before they started dating, and while they were dating, so that they were able to develop a clear understanding of who they were, and what was best for them. There are some singles who keep seeing know to prospective matches that are actually very apropo for them, only the single does not have a realistic picture of who they themselves really are. Of course EVERYONE should be consulting with a mashpia during this very important time in life
5-PAY THE SHADCHAN:
This might be strange for a shadchan to write, but it’s important, as it is possible that some singles who are looking out for their own shidduch may not be aware of its importance. A shadchan can spend hours a day making phone calls, doing research, writing emails, of course many of those hours do not result in shidduchim, however, if not for those many hours invested, your own shidduch would probably not come about. Additionally, the halacha/minhag is to pay the shadchan, but stop a moment to recognize the hours that shadchanim invest, into what is very often a very difficult job, there are some singles/parents who will even send a small amount to a shadchan who worked on a shidduch that did not lead to an engagement, this is a beautiful example of hishtadlus. I also know of some singles or their parents who prepare an envelope for the shadchan, as a show of Emuna for a shidduch waiting to happen.
6- BE OPEN MINDED:
Rhere are thousands of individuals out there who are happily married to a person, who is a bit older, a bit younger, a bit shorter, a bit taller, a bit more educated, a bit less educated, than what they thought they needed, be open minded, remember Hashem makes shidduchim, maybe He has something better in store for you than the checklist you keep holding on to. I also want to use this space to comment about pictures in profiles, yes this is the new norm, however there is more to attraction than the facial profile. There are BH many happily married couples out there where one spouse was initially hesitant about the looks of the other, they were smart enough to continue dating. Attraction can begin with respect for a person’s character, an intrigue for their wit etc. Attraction is important, but attraction does not begin and end with looks.
There is so much more to write, and my intention was not to create a comprehensive list but to start a conversation. May Hashem bentch all those who need shidduchim with their proper zivug bekarov mamash!
I would like to suggest that the shaddchan should say at the very beginning of the conversation/suggestion how much
they charge or what their fee is.
While its all from Hashem, in my experience, whenever we paid a shadchan, we never heard from them after that no matter how many emails were sent or phone calls were made.
Iyh when I do get engaged, I’d like to send money to those shadchanim who put in the effort without asking for a disappearing fee.
As for the therapy before marriage I couldn’t agree more. It would be nice though if there could be easily accessible therapy making it more common and less embarrassing to find a proper therapist
I would like to suggest that anyone who is in shidduchim for the first time, research the issue before going to a shadchan. There are books and articles written and anyone with married children can enlighten the newbie. As parents, we all view our children as beautiful, desirable, talented, capable, smart, etc. We all want the best for our children so people who are looking for a shidduch feel that it is on their shoulders to put their child in the best circumstance possible. We have to be ready for the possibility, however, that a shadchan does not see our… Read more »
There is a new WhatsApp shidduch group just for 25 and up
It is run by Fayge Herzog (Gordon)
+1 (818) 401-3620.
Before my son’s resume went out, the shadchan told him to clean up his facebook. He wasn’t the same person at 23 in terms of Chassidishkeit, maturity and accomplishments, as he was at 18 where his teenage, wild days pictures were. It makes a difference who you are now on facebook, because that is the first place a single will look up when a parent gives them a perspective name.
Singles events are a good way to meet people
38 is right
There is a difference between meeting people and focusing on finding and settling down
100%,people think they can mess themselves up from the internet and they’ll get over it or it will pass, not true, its something which gets stuck on you like a disease and unless you work on yourself to be pure minded and fresh emotionally you’ll have to work on yourself very much!!
Many people are still single because Shidduchim didn’t work for them. Had people not been harassing them for pointless dates they would of been married by now. Maybe this community needs to get their head of the sand and live in the 21st century. Have single events, Friday night meals….Maybe then people will actually get married.
I once found a blog that was all about how experienced the person was surfing the shidduch scene, she had a date with this person and that person. I discovered the blog 8 years ago before I got married and 8 years later the author is still single… Let’s be honest if you are over a certain age and still single and have dated so many guys or girls you’ve lost count, it’s time to take Rabbi Shea Hechts advice from one of the the previous N’shei Chabad publications and review all the ones you’ve said no to. it’s not… Read more »
Yes i paid.But after calling and she’d ask who i was and i realized this is useless.Laughable.Then I realized they pick people form the sites i could see myself-so yeah I paid 1000 for the “shidduch”she did so little with But I did it for tzedaka but please lets not delude ourselves.
A shachdan has to be responsive , Available, answering to people’s calls
Many shachdanim don’t respond.
I don’t k is if they realize how their reputation as a shachdan goes down
I agree with you I’m a 22 yr old going on 23. there Are however some not alot unfortinetly, great shadchanim out there.we just havto daven that Hashem should send us all a shiduch no mattter how. with a shadchen or not.
Yes, I am ANOTHER single. I vehemently agree with every single point on this list, minus the pre-paying aspect. If I had to do that, I would either A- be broke (I’ve gotten MANY suggestions) or B- have given up using shadchanim ages ago and left it all up to chance.
Many of us (or parents, if they are involved) can’t afford to pay just to let people know that you are available! I regularly send gifts and/or notes of appreciation, but cash is prohibitive.
It’s a great article. But why don’t you sign your name to it?
Dovid
not only clean up your facebook, but yourself as well. Think what kind of home and children you want to have and what you need to be to have that. Then work on yourself to get there.
I view the shadchan as an agent. Just like a real estate agent doesn’t get paid her commissions until the house is bought/ I don’t think a shadchan should get her payment until the plate is broken. I think the shadchanim are getting huge payments for every girl and boy they suggest and therefore they have no personal interest in actually making a shiduch
1) Therapy is a great idea and can help also in areas where the parents and their single child or children are not on the same page and the parents are seeking a different type of person than is suited for their child. 2) People who are new to shidduchim such as BTs whose first child is in shidduchim, need to acquaint themselves with how the process works. 3)Not only do profiles need to look professional but they need to be updated every 6 months because something usually changes and sometimes the references are of people that has not seen… Read more »
I think most shaddchanim are hard-working and doing their best, with their own approaches. It is such a difficult job, and becoming more and more challenging every year as our expectations and attitudes change, and we become more of a global community. sometimes shaddchanim don’t answer, don’t even acknowledge your call or email, but I think they are not mean or uncaring, just overwhelmed. If they realize that they have nothing for you or your particular situation, but they have 300 other people waiting on them who they CAN help, they may just not bother to answer. It is not… Read more »
When calling for information about shidduch prospect, don’t be so secretive if you expect the other person to give you honest answers.
What a surprise, the author’s name is.., Shadchan! Should have signed of: UNKNOWN NUMBER
It takeh would be helpful if the editors ( the shadchanim who wrote) of good tips and solutions would pen their name
Please can Shadchanit that have good tips on helping the singles, put their name and email and phone numbers
We need to have recommended names and access to the real
Dedicated Shadchanit out there
Please can people now about up here their recommended SHADCHANIM WITH EMAIL ATTACHED
Unfortunately is the reality
לא לדאוג, השם מנהיג את העולם שהזמן הנכון מגיע
אז מוצאים את השידוך הנכון. ישועת השם כהרף עין.
אז שיהיה בשעה טובה ובמזל טוב, בנין עדי עד.
כן ירבו שמחות . ב ישראל.
לא לשכוח להזמי ן אותי לחתונה.
צ’ארלי.
Nope.Not bittet at all.It was very deliberate on her part.And this considered herself a professional?Not an ounce of profesionalism.We found so much better.It’s a shame she’s still in practice.I dont say there aren’t good people out there but this one is one who should take herself off.A very grandiose,narcissitic lady. Just a fact.
everyone needs to become a shadchan and help single friends they know
Did you ever think that shadchanim have a life also? It’s very hard to always be there for everyone. You are not the only person calling miss Shadchan for help. There are hundreds others. They don’t always have the time to get back to everyone. You sound bitter. I think you should reevaluate.
You sound hurt and burnt but please don’t take it out on the shadchanim. Most of them (even the ones that like $) are very hard working. It’s not possible for them to help everyone. There are thousands of singles looking to get married. So just because nobody was able to help you YET, doesn’t mean they don’t care or work hard. Most shadchanim are busy day and night helping others. They deserve to be thanked and applauded, praised and paid!! Did you ever think how much money they make? Most shadchanim only end up making a few shidduchim a… Read more »
can you please post who are the good shaddchans who posted their comments and who wrote this fine article.
Thank you
There was one shadd.who just blew us off and ghosted us for reasons idk.It was our 1st time and new so she had no patience.I won’t ever forgive or forget -not because she’s that important but just because it hurt my child.People like her should never be in the field.
These are such great points!! Thank you for writing this, I’m in shidduchim now and I find these points to be so brilliant, on point and extremely helpful – I will be incorporating these tips into my dealings with shidduchim and shadchanim
I always pay for the shadchans time and effort when she sends profiles and arranges meetings for my child. She doesnt ask butbut im happy to do and we get results e.g. call backs etc. Instead of complaining about their lack of effort maybe empathy and opening your pocktbooks will help esp and always bring a donatiom for the inital meeting even if they dont ask OFFER
The shadchan who wrote this great article, and the shadchanim or shadchaniyos who commented sound like the type of people I would trust to help my children find their zivugim.
there are the good and the bad for sure But I personally know some very dedicated good Shadchanit that really care. I am so sorry you had some bad run ins and that’s why you are disqualifying all Shadchanim. You need to network… talk and talk and talk to people that know. Keep asking who’s good to deal with. But Shadchanit are REALLY HASHEMS MESSENGERS. Honestly Hashem uses the shadchan to get people together. They are the vessels the means to get people to meet their bashert! Hashem needs to donit through someone. So a shadchan is really privileged to… Read more »
lies. as someone who has been in shidduchim personally for many years unfortunately, i know that most of this is not true. shadchanim do not care about the boys/girls. they do not spend hours on the phone, and they take nothing to heart. they are in it for the money and they monopolize the bussines. take my advice! skip these crooked people, and find your own bashert. hashem makes the shidduch, and he will help you whether or not you pay the shadchan thousands of dollars for nothing.
Is there any shadchan you recommend for older singles ( 28-32) ?
If that had been the case I would not be with my husband! He doesn’t not come from a typical family, yet he worked so so hard on Himself to become the amazing person he is.
Family and friends do say something about the person, and it does make a difference in the life they will live, so being around the farther in law mother in law, I turned down a lot of shidduchim because of the family, either the parents or bt or some other reason
I would like to also add one more important factor that really does make a difference Please clean up your Facebook Please erase anything that is there or keep your Facebook private for yourself only not public Too many times I heard people (moms) and singles say “I saw his Facebook and boy! I wouldn’t go there if you paid me to go out with them! Such junk and silliness in there!” Please people out there! Google your own name and see what comes up when you google your name And Clean it up if it doesn’t represent you in… Read more »
In number 6, *there..
If I recall correctly Reb Levi Yitzchak of Barditchev or some other Tzaddik would pay anyone that suggested a Shidduch for his children
I wish this shaddchan (and the others who commented) would put down their names, because these sound like solid, caring, honest and chassidish shaddchanim who would be a pleasure to work with! Many of us know and appreciate the hours that go into shaddchanis (often with no payment, and sometimes with neurotic or angry parental responses!).
Thank you for continuing in this most holy work! May all who are seeking find their bashert, smoothly and easily.
Familiarize yourself with the laws of yichud before dating.
Very well written with clear thought out points may col keep posting good articles unlike some weve had in the pst
May all find their bashert speedily.
You seem to have your head on straight. Nice that the article was written with positive ideas vs. all the “reasons” why singles are still single.
Really important points. thank you for publishing. The saddest part of this shidduch saga is watching singles who won’t get out of their own way. Know that there are things you can do to help yourself. I understand that it is a difficult and often demeaning time in life, but it is important to be happy and busy so it doesn’t bring you down. I would add to this excellent list to clean up or even erase your digital footprint. I have seen too many people refuse to meet someone because they don’t like what they’ve seen online.
Best article ever yet! Please can I have the liberty to add my comments here as a veteran shadchan of many years 1. Please moms, can you try and look at the individual suggested for your child, as a seperate entity to their family and friends? Sure family and upbringing is important but there are so many potential great kids out there that are being judged solely by their family and friends and not being given a chance to present themselves for their own self worth. Please open your minds and hearts to reconsider the next time somebody suggests something… Read more »
Excellently written. Every word is 100% correct I would like to add my two cents if I may I have been doing shidduchim for over 30 years now Let me add some more tips and hints 1. Please, when sending a photo along with your profile, spend a few dollars and get a professional photo taken that can represent you the best way possible Unfortunately 50%. Of the time I have heard people say, ” nah! The picture doesn’t speak to me” or ” not my type” or ” I don’t feel anything, by their photo”! Omg! In my days… Read more »