A new dating website seeks to put Jewish mothers in control of their children’s destiny — just like they like to be, right?
TheJMom.com “encourages moms to do the picking for their children,” according to a JMom spokesperson. “Moms sometimes do know best.”
The website was the brainchild of Chicago-based siblings Brad and Danielle Weisberg (ages 30 and 27, respectively), whose mother, Barbara, inspired them with her dogged efforts to set them up with the right person. Alas, both are still single — but Barbara’s search goes on.
The JMom, launched earlier this year, has about 1,000 parent members whose single children are mostly in their 20s and 30s.
The JMom works like this: A parent (usually a mom) posts her child’s dating profile on the site, along with a few paragraphs on family background, in hopes of connecting with other Jewish parents who have submitted the same type of data. If two sets of parents agree that a match might spark romance, they facilitate their kids getting in touch.
Ideally, no information is shared without the consent of the profilees, according to Danielle, who recently received her master’s degree in elementary education.
“We don’t want them to do anything behind anybody’s back,” she said. But the creators of TheJMom.com value the perspective of the older generation on dating because parents usually aren’t as preoccupied with looks and other superficial characteristics that don’t necessarily translate into a long-lasting relationship
Some 150 matches have been authorized by JMom profilees, but no one knows if any have resulted in marriage. As of last month, the website was not yet charging for its service.
Carolyn Makovi, 59, of Silver Spring, Md. recently asked her 27-year-old son, Matthew, if she could post a dating profile for him on TheJMom.com.
“He didn’t sound enthusiastic,” Makovi recalled, “but he didn’t say ‘leave me alone and mind your own business.’ ”
The profile describes Matthew as a 5-foot-8-inch graduate of Montgomery College who works in retail sales; loves movies, music, sports, reading and his dog; and is not religious. Matthew has twice been to Israel, once with Birthright Israel.
“My son is fiercely loyal and very sensitive,” the profile continues. “Outwardly, he may come across as ‘prickly’ but deep inside he is a loving soul. He values his friends and does not use the word ‘friend’ lightly.”
What’s he looking for in a significant other? Someone who is loyal, apolitical (or centrist), loves Israel and “identifies strongly with the Jewish people, even if she is not religious,” according to his profile.
As of last month, Makovi had not yet found a likely match for Matthew through JMom, but she’ll continue to look.
Myra Gondos of Oakton, Va. joined JMom at the request of her son, Gary, 39, who suffered a stroke following surgery and is disabled.
“Naturally he has found it difficult to meet someone,” the profile states, but he has managed to retain his independence.
“He may not be able to dance,” according to his mother, “but he’s a caring, loving individual and he would make a good husband and father.”