When a call went out inviting survivors of Auschwitz to participate in a trip back to the notorious death camp on the upcoming 75th anniversary of its final annihilation of Jewish souls, it was expected that only dozens would respond. In fact, over 150 elderly and frail survivors signed up for the trip, determined to have the last word in this horrific era by returning defiantly to the scene of their torture and humiliation.
When founded in 1986, L’Chaim Shidduch Organization had a similar mission. They were determined to undo the deliberate attempt by the Nazis and their cohorts to prevent the perpetuity of the Jewish people. In facilitating shidduchim between Orthodox Jewish singles of all backgrounds and hashkafot, and enabling the establishment of productive Jewish households blessed with children walking in the ways of Hashem, they are undoing the evil perpetrated on our people. Bi-annually, in Shevat and Av, L’Chaim Shidduch Organization hosts shidduch meetings nationally and internationally, bringing together women who are committed to helping Jewish singles meet their life partners and go on to establish “batim ne’emanim b’Yisrael.” L’Chaim Shidduch Organization invites the wider Jewish community to partner with them in this endeavor by hosting or attending local shidduch meetings during the upcoming month of Shevat.
The Shevat bi-annual event will take place from Sunday, January 26, through Monday, February 10. L’Chaim is seeking committed individuals from local, national and international communities to spearhead shidduch meetings. Meetings may target a specific age group and category such as: full-time learners, learner/earners, working, Modern Orthodox, chassidish, ba’alei teshuva, geirim; second-time singles and physically or mentally challenged. In smaller communities it is suggested that meetings be open to the presentation of a wider range of ages and categories. Step-by-step details outlining “How to Run a Shidduch Meeting” are available on the website at www.lchaimshidduch.com.
At the meetings, participants will present general background information regarding the singles they have come to represent. By the end of the evening or shortly thereafter, if a single seems suitable for the candidate one came to represent, contacts are exchanged and the shidduch is set in motion. Over the past 40 plus years, hundreds of shidduchim have been facilitated through these meetings. The matches include the full spectrum of Orthodox life for singles of all ages. Singles from local communities such as Monsey, Brooklyn, Long Island, Lakewood and all across the U.S., as well as singles from as far away as Israel, Canada and Europe are grateful to have met their bashert through the ongoing dedication of L’Chaim volunteers worldwide.
Stories of some recent successes across the world are heartwarming. When a woman from Beitar, Israel, who was expecting her tenth child called in to L’Chaim to say she would like to run a shidduch meeting in Av, it was gently suggested to her that perhaps she might be better off waiting for a more relaxing time of her life until the next set of bi-annual meetings. However, she was insistent that she wanted to proceed with her plan. Hashem rewarded her selfless effort by blessing her very first attempt at running a meeting with a shidduch for two singles in their 20s.
Closer to home, two good friends have been organizing bi-annual shidduch meetings for their community for several years. One of the women ran a meeting at a summer camp and took the opportunity to present a single male member of her family. Another attendee suggested that the presenter meet a single female working at the camp, believing that she would be perfect for this family member. The L’Chaim volunteer did spend time getting to know the girl and felt that she was indeed “perfect”—but not for her relative. She called her close friend back home to describe the young lady, who proved to be a great match for her friend’s son. The two became a shidduch, but the story does not end there. Hashem repaid the shadchan’s efforts by sending a shidduch shortly thereafter for her own son. Hodu l’Hashem, now these “partners in shidduchim” will be making weddings in Shevat within three weeks of each other. And the stories go on and on.
If you wish to host a meeting, contact [email protected] or call 845-323-9041 and provide information about your meeting so that it can be posted on the website: Your name, address, phone number and email address; day, date, location and time of meeting; as well as categories and ages to be presented. (They will only publicize the information you want on the website). Closer to the actual date of your meeting, L’Chaim will provide you with all the materials necessary to ensure its success. Reach out to your friends, neighbors, shuls and community organizations to inform them of your upcoming meeting. Women who wish to attend meetings are encouraged to check L’Chaim’s website beginning January 22, for information regarding local meetings. As Shevat progresses, additional meetings will be posted.
By Pearl Markovitz
