eHarmony, Meet Fiddler on the Roof
By Adam Goodman
On sawyouatsinai.com an army of flesh-and-blood matchmakers scours the site's database in search of potential matches for its thousands of Orthodox Jewish members. The model has been so successful that its founders are planning to replicate the service for alumni associations and non-Jewish religious groups. TIME's Adam Goodman spoke with Tova Weinberg, 54, the most popular of the site's 365 matchmakers:
Why did you become a matchmaker? My first match, I met a girl out of the blue. I looked at her, and I really believe God said to me, "Set her up with Mark Goldenberg." They called me after their first date to tell me they were engaged.
Why is this site better than others? I'll find out if the guy is really a good guy or not. I save everybody's notes: "This guy was a schmuck; he was two hours late." I have the information.
Will this work for other niche groups? Beautiful idea. Fantastic. Black women call me all the time; they want Jewish men, but they'd love black men too. Mormons, black Buddhists -- you name it, you got it.
How many of your matches get engaged? Last month I made six marriages. That's a record. Some years I make nothing. Some I make 30.
Does there come a time when your spouse-seeking clients need to settle? Oh, yes. These girls are 36, 37, 38, 39 -- they're not settling. They're foolish! Your instinct tells you you have to. I settled.