They are personable, computer-savvy and meticulous about their work. So can we stop calling them “yentas”?
South Florida’s Jewish marriage and dating specialists bear no resemblance to the gossipy, meddling widow known as “Yenta the Matchmaker” in the Broadway show and film, “Fiddler on the Roof.”
Today’s Jewish matchmaker is working her connections across the world to find suitable mates for her clients. The most famous example, Aleeza Ben Shalom, showed her talents on the hit Netflix series, “Jewish Matchmaking.”
In South Florida, matchmakers, many of whom work with people of all faiths, are accustomed to a clientele who know what they’re looking for but acknowledge the need for some assistance. Many singles are starting to see dating apps as tiresome and unproductive, the matchmakers say.
“We’re seeing a resurgence to the old-fashioned way of doing things,” said Alissa Sherman, co-owner of Matched by Ali, based in Sunny Isles Beach and Toronto. “Some people just want companionship, some just want to make a good friend. Some want less coaching and hand-holding, while others want a very curated date. We do it all.”
Below you’ll find a roundup of Jewish matchmakers in South Florida who detailed how they got into the business, how they foster long-term relationships, and how much they charge. As they mine their databases to place couples together, they all agree: Things have come a long way since the times of “Fiddler on the Roof,” when daughters had to marry “whoever Papa picks.”
CINQE MATCHMAKING
The story: Cinq (pronounced “Sync”) is an international firm with a Jewish matchmaker, Laura Neal, who lives in Delray Beach and focuses on Jewish clients in Florida.
The process: Neal, who works with Jewish and non-Jewish clients, said there are thousands of people in the company’s database. After initial interviews, which Neal conducts in person if the client is local, she arranges connections depending on how often the client wants to go on dates. “It could be five dates a month or one,” she said. Florida clients are often interested in Northeasterners as some own homes in both places, she said.
Cost: Rates start at $30,000 and go as high as $100,000 for an agreed-upon period of time, usually three to 12 months.
Information: cinqe.com
PALM BEACH SYNAGOGUE
The story: Matchmaking is just one of several duties assigned by the synagogue to Clara Rice, who also runs wellness and Jewish professional programs at the Modern Orthodox congregation on the island of Palm Beach. Rice, a native of South Africa and mother of four, met her husband, Yosef Rice, through an introduction by her aunt and uncle.
The process: Rice meets with clients for about 30 minutes before they figure out how to proceed and sometimes reaches out to a matchmaker in New York if the client is open to moving. She said about 100 to 150 synagogue members are in her database. There have been no marriages so far in the year-old program, although there have been “many dates,” she said.
Cost: The service is free for members, but participants must be synagogue members.
Information: members.palmbeachsynagogue.org/jewish-professional-singles
MATCHED BY ALI
The story: Based in Sunny Isles Beach and Toronto, the company is owned by two Alis — Alison Adler and Alissa Sherman. They work with a database of 2,000 people ranging in age from 22 to 82. Sherman said almost all their clients are Jewish.
The process: They interview clients in detail about their life goals and readiness for a relationship before presenting them with potential matches. If clients live in the same city, they are encouraged to go on an in-person date; if not, the first encounter may be on Facetime. Depending on the package the client buys, there may be a match each week or a match each month, along with coaching sessions and curated experiences designed by the company to encourage confidence and comfort on dates. After each encounter, there’s a post-date analysis to figure out how to proceed.
Cost: A six-month agreement ranges in price from $6,800 to $18,000.
Information: matchedbyali.com
ELEGANT INTRODUCTIONS
The story: Nancy Zimmer and Barbara Goldfarb, best friends for 40 years, started their Aventura-based matchmaking service 14 years ago. As past chair of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation, Goldfarb said she has the contacts, while Zimmer, who has a doctorate in psychology, does the coaching.
The process: Zimmer has the first meeting with the client to discuss goals and expectations. Then both meet with the client to nail down specifics, such as their five most important criteria for a mate and what kind of dating routine would suit them best. Goldfarb works to find the matches, while Zimmer explores logistical details with the client, such as conducting a mock date to inspire confidence.
Cost: Contracts begin at $25,000, usually for six months, but some extend to a year.
Information: jelegantintroductions.com
MEET TO MARRY
The story: Homestead resident Bari Lyman founded a dating method she calls “Meet to Marry – Get Unstuck In Love,” which she said helps clients break painful patterns and halt dead-end relationships. “After being disappointed over and over with the types of relationships I was attracting, I took some time to reflect on my relationship patterns,” she said. “I realized that I didn’t have a clear plan and approach like I did with most other things, and that, honestly, I was the common denominator in all these difficult relationships.” She said she met her husband, Michael Lyman, 20 years ago, shortly after this realization.
The process: She said her method, which is open to people of all faiths, includes life coaching and helping to remove barriers that prevent clients from accepting love. “In our society, we are not trained to find love, and most people feel that it’s something they should know, but ultimately they keep struggling and attracting the wrong people,” she said.
Cost: $97 a month or $583 for the year. Other options include the four-month “VIP Clear Path To Healthy Love” program, which offers private coaching and community with high-achieving women, for $10,000.
Information: meettomarry.com
SHANA CONNECTS
The story: Matchmaker Shana Tibi is a former social worker, family mediator and network marketer who created Shana Connects in 2020. She made a cameo appearance in Episode 1 of Netflix’s “Jewish Matchmaking” and splits her time between Sarasota and Kfar Vradim, Israel.
The process: Tibi begins with a dating strategy session, followed by mutually agreed-upon next steps with each client.
Cost: Services start at $18,000. She also offers online courses such as “Ditch the Dating Apps” and “Be Your Own Matchmaker,” for prices ranging from $225 to $1,800.
Information: shanaconnects.com
JEWZZ
The story: Veteran party entrepreneur Andy Rudnick of Boca Raton launched JEWZZ, a dating app, in April 2024 and now has about 21,000 users. Rudnick, who has been operating the famed Matzoball Jewish singles gatherings since 1987, says he screens users for inappropriate language, photos and conversations. He said he rejects about 10% of potential new members.
The process: Besides security screens to ensure healthy interaction, JEWZZ also has 4-minute live speed dates and video calling that allows a live conversation without sharing phone numbers. As with most dating apps, participants can “like” each other’s photos in order to begin a conversation, and can then request a date, either in person or virtual.
Cost: JEWZZ is free to download, and participants can get basic service for free, including video and voice chatting and a limited number of likes and matches per day. There are also premium memberships, which offer unlimited likes, matches and rewinds, and allow members to search profiles in other cities; screen potential matches based on height, profession and other qualities; and attend virtual speed-dating events at no extra cost. These packages go for $19.99 for a week, $150 for six months, or $199 for a year.
Information: jewzz.com