Thursday, August 28, 2008

SawYouAtSinai/YUConnects Shabbos Nachamu Weekend


The SawYouAtSinai/YUConnects fourth annual Shabbos Nachamu weekend drew over 300 singles and 20 matchmakers together for an activity-packed weekend at the four-star Sheraton Stamford Hotel in Stamford, Connecticut. The event brought together Modern Orthodox machmir and yeshivish/black hat singles ages 23-39 for a weekend of interactive programming, delicious food, and stimulating shiurim. Rabbi Zvi Sobolofsky of Yeshiva University was scholar-in-residence for the weekend. In one short weekend, 300 plus singles were able to meet each other through structured programming such as “Connect Four,” where two men and two women got to know as much as they could about each other in 90 seconds. When time was up, the men would switch seats enabling them to meet all the women in the room in an efficient manner. In a similar fashion, Shabbos afternoon programming included “Table for Ten,” a game which allowed singles to express their thoughts—both funny and serious—and get to know more about all the singles at the weekend. Questions such as “What era in history would you most like to live in?” and “What kind of shampoo do you use?” made for a thought-provoking and entertaining hour. Saturday night featured an extravagant melaveh malkah replete with a live band, a Wii station, Scene It, and an assortment of other activities. Singles were impressed by the laid-back, comfortable atmosphere. “The Saturday night activity was very good, and I liked that it was unstructured,” said Yehuda Brum. “I always knew where to go and that it was so well-organized,” Ilana Lorbert, a single at the event, said. “All the little details were great. I really liked that we had matchmaker packets so we knew who the matchmakers were.” “I’ve never been to one before, but I had a really positive experience,” Jonathan Zion, another single said. While not hard at work arranging matches, the matchmakers had time to enjoy themselves as well. “It was a phenomenal Shabbos. I had a great time.” Goldie Frohlinger, a matchmaker for SawYouAtSinai, said. SawYouAtSinai was created in December 2003 to satisfy the need for a more private and personalized approach to online Jewish dating. This rabbinically endorsed site uniquely combines the power of technology, the accessibility of the Internet, and the personal touch of a matchmaker to serve its 27,000 members. SawYouAtSinai has over 300 experienced matchmakers from diverse backgrounds, focusing on its members’ various age ranges, religious levels, locations, and personalities. With over 600 members successfully matched, SawYouAtSinai continues to benefit Jewish singles from Jewish communities throughout the world. YUConnects is a program sponsored by the Center for the Jewish Future and available to Yeshiva University single undergraduate alumni and students featuring activities and events designed to facilitate meeting opportunities and networking. A varied group of talented and trained “connectors” are women available to meet with members on an individual basis. The goal of this initiative is to create comfortable opportunities inviting single men and women to socialize and connect.

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