Q: What is the purpose of The Shadchan® Magazine?
To act as a clearinghouse for marriage-minded singles in the greater shomer Shabbos community. It gives professional and volunteer matchmakers the opportunity to post and review profiles of a diverse group of eligible singles who live throughout North America .
Q: What can I learn from a profile?
The age, height, description, city of residence, ancestry, marital history, educational/camp background, occupation, hashkafa, special interests, goals and aspirations, and preferences of eligible men and women from North America.
Q: Does the profile mention the name or weight of the singles?
No.
Q: Who reads The Shadchan® Magazine?
Over a half million readers throughout North America .
Q: How is it distributed?
Our goal is to mail a copy to every Orthodox Jewish household in North America on a quarterly basis.
Q: How does one follow up on profiles in The Shadchan® Magazine?
After carefully reviewing the profiles, take note of any eligible single(s) you find appropriate. Next, either call The Shadchan's automated system (1-800-SHADCHAN), and clearly leave the profile code(s), page number(s), your name and phone number, and relationship to the single on behalf of whom you are calling, or visit www.MakeAShidduch.org , click The Shadchan® Magazine, click I am Interested in a Profile and enter the profile code, click Notify Shadchan and enter the requested information, and click Submit to Shadchan. The person that submitted the profile you inquired about will be notified and prompted to call you as soon as possible.
Q: How does one submit profiles to The Shadchan® Magazine?
Go to www.MakeAShidduch.org , click The Shadchan® Magazine, click Become a Sponsor/Shadchan, enter your contact information, click Register. Next, click Add a Profile, and log in. Permission must be obtained from the single before submitting the profile. Complete the form on the screen and click Submit. If you do not have internet access, call 1-800-SHADCHAN to request a faxable form.
Q: May singles be their own Sponsor/Shadchan?
No, only if they are over the age of 40.
Q: May parents represent their children?
No.
Q: In addition to singles' profiles, what else is featured in The Shadchan® Magazine?
Tefillos (prayers) to be said on behalf of single men and women, listed in the Ba'ad Chavairo section of the magazine.
Q: Who Qualifies As a "Shadchan" to Submit Profiles?
YOU DO! If you'd like to help make a shidduch, and are willing to do the follow up work necessary once we receive a call of interest for the profile you submit, YOU should complete this form whether or not you are an actual "shadchan"!
SINGLES: Feel free to work with a Rabbi/Rebbetzin, friend, colleague, relative, etc. from anywhere in the world to have them fill out this form on your behalf, and to make sure that your description has been "dressed up" as nicely as possible for your appearance in this magazine!
Q: Whose Haskamos do you have for this endeavor?
A: B"H, we have the Haskamos of:
- HaGaon HaRav Shmuel Kamenetsky
- HaGaon HaRav Yaakov Perlow - the Novominsker Rebbe and Rosh Agudath Israel of America
- HaGaon HaRav Aharon Feldman
- HaGaon HaRav Matisyahu Solomon
- Rabbi Paysach Krohn
- Rabbi Aryeh Z. Ginzburg
- Rabbi Dovid Goldwasser
- Grand Rabbi Michel Twersky T''yhka - the Hornesteipler Rebbe of Milwaukee
- and Divrei Bracha from HaGaon HaRav Chaim Pinchas Sheinberg
so far...
Q: How many times will the magazine be distributed?
A: The initial plan is to distribute the magazine quarterly. Since each new issue will have brand new profiles, it will be three-hole punched so it may be saved in a binder for future reference.
Q: What is the preferred method of distribution for the magazine and why?
A: While current funding may dictate otherwise, the preferred method is by U.S. mail. Although mailing the magazine creates a larger expense than other distribution methods, such as insertion in a publication, we feel that it is most appropriate to expose the profiles in the most respectable fashion. The magazine will be mailed to Orthodox families throughout the United States.
Q: Who are the owners of this endeavor?
A: MakeAShidduch Foundation Inc., is a division of The Simcha Foundation a 501(c)3 organization.
Q: What type of eligible singles will this magazine profile?
A: The idea of the publication is to create a greater awareness of all Orthodox singles. Therefore, this publication will cater to ANY Orthodox single in search of their Bashert.
Q: What is the idea behind the profile?
A: To emphasize the beauty and essence of each eligible man or woman in the most modest and dignified manner possible.
Q: How do I edit a Profile?
A: Click on the Your Profiles tab, then click the system code of the profile you wisth to edit. This will bring you to the profile form, with the information we have stored for that profile. Make the changes necessary and for those changes to be accepted by the system, be sure to click the SUBMIT button on the bottom of the page.
Q: How will the profiles be categorized?
A: They will be separately categorized by men and women in their different age groups.
Q: How is this different than online websites?
A: First of all, there are people who are either too busy to go on-line or who philosophically, will not go on-line. Having expressed that, whereas the electronic profiles require multiple-choice answers, thereby limiting one's self-expression, the profiles in "The SHADCHAN" will mostly be in narrative form. This broader range of detail will facilitate more accurate self-expression.
As well, in "The SHADCHAN" there is a necessary third party objective go-between (the actual shadchan), at least at the onset, that can eliminate much of the hurt/ aggravation that often comes of self initiated shidduch attempts.
A built in shadchan, specifically to weed out inappropriate matches, and later to mediate (if desired), is a benefit that may not be achieved through online methods and is one that parents of singles-who will be reading this- certainly appreciate.
For more information on the downsides of an on-line service such as those with whom many are familiar, we invite you to read (if still available on this link) http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull&cid=1167467761155
Q: Besides those who have never been married, will this magazine include divorcees and/or widows & widowers? Will it include those with disabilities?
A: Only with permission, "The SHADCHAN" will include ANYONE Shomer Shabbos from ages 18-119 looking for a Shidduch.
Q: How will the profiles be categorized?
A: They will be separately categorized by men and women in their different age groups.
Q: Who may submit profiles?
A: Since "You Don't Have To Be a Shadchan To Make A Shidduch", anyone may become a Sponsor/Shadchan and submit a profile.
Q: Who qualifies as a Sponsor/Shadchan?
A: Since we are dealing with the sensitivity of people's lives, we must be very circumspect from whom we accept profiles. We have therefore assigned a shadchan whom we know and trust to evaluate all those who submit profiles, thereby alleviating any unnecessary issues.
Q: How does an individual (non-shadchan) submit a profile?
A: Since we are dealing with the sensitivity of people's lives, we must be very circumspect from whom we accept profiles. Please be aware: we are looking not only for "professional" Shadchanim, but for anyone who is willing to be a Sponsor/Shadchan by doing the follow up work necessary once a call of interest is received for the profile they submit.
In cases where we may not know the sponsor/shadchan, we may have a member shadchan whom we know and trust greet this new shadchan with a phone call, in order to make sure we are receiving credible profiles. This introduction will allow us in good conscience to add them to our growing list of participating shadchanim, thereby alleviating any unnecessary issues.
Q: How does the process of matching up the individuals work?
A: Each Profile Submission Form will be coded for anonymous identification. When someone finds a profile of interest, they would either use this very simple form/process.
Or call 1.800.SHADCHAN and leave a message indicating:
- Profile code #
- Page Number where profile is located
- Their name
- Their phone number
- Their relationship to the single on behalf of whom they are calling
We will then have a member of "The SHADCHAN" direct each message to the one who submitted that profile. When the one who submitted the profile returns their message, based on the conversation one of three determinations will be made:
- The individual you are calling about is not a match
- It is extremely appropriate to make the shidduch
- The conversation may lead to someone even more appropriate for this individual.
Q: Does "The Shadchan" receive "shadchanus gelt" if any of the profiles is married through the efforts of the publication?
A: No. Unlike the halachic financial obligation of the single to their personal shadchan, we are merely the facilitators assisting the vast amount of singles seeking a match.
Q: Then how will this be funded?
A: An endeavor such as this requires significant working capital. MakeAShidduch Foundation Inc., a division of The Simcha Foundation, a 501(c)3 non-profit, encourages
tax-deductible donations for dedications and sponsorship opportunities such as Simchos, L'Refuah Shlaimah, L'Zaicher Nishmas, etc. Additionally, we offer display advertising in The Shadchan® magazine as well as on our web site, which will provide another source of funds to supplement the costs of production and distribution of The Shadchan® magazine as well as other overwhelming foundation expenses. We can only continue our important work with your participation.
For more information on how you can help feel free to contact us at any time.
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