Romance

Matchmaker, matchmaker, make me a match

by Nina Willdorf

Why waste a valuable evening on one bad date when you can cram in seven? That's the thinking behind the latest craze for Jewish singles: SpeedDating. With a room full of eligible professionals, a few cocktails, and some carefully selected topics of conversation, Aish HaTorah, an international Jewish-education organization, aims to work some matchmaking magic -- and, just maybe, combat assimilation in the process. Poised to make its Boston debut this week, SpeedDating has already caused a stir in 17 international locations.

The rules: Twenty women and 20 men play musical chairs over two hours, by the end of which they've had seven seven-minute "dates." The pair-up is random: as each person walks into the room he or she is given a number (one sits with one, two sits with two, etc.). After the first date, the rabbi acting as host instructs all the men to shift seats in a certain direction. While they do that, he suggests topics for conversation (e.g., "How does Judaism differentiate between a kind person and a nice person?") before ringing a bell to signal the beginning of the next speedy encounter. Each person has a card with "yes" and "no" boxes, and if one of the quickie dates spawns two yeses, organizers give out phone numbers.

The objective: "The best-case scenario is that the two get married," says Eli Glaser, the event's organizer. "Intermarriage and assimilation is a significant issue for Jews today." So even if participants don't find love, organizers see them as, well, taking one for the team.

The hitch: No talking about what you do or where you live.

Organizers bill SpeedDating, which will be a recurring affair, as perfect for those seeking "brains, not beer." But for some, brawn might be a welcome addition too. One woman who plans to attend says she's not too optimistic about the pickings. After trying her luck with classified services such as JDate.com, Lori, who didn't want to give out her last name for fear of embarrassment, is wary of one thing: "There's a certain nerdy element to these things." Still, even with less-than-appealing prospects, seven minutes is a dose Lori is confident she can swallow: "I could probably talk to anyone for seven minutes."

That anyone may be Art Newman, who's ironing up his nicest shirt for the event, which will take place at a Boston restaurant. "I have an agenda; I know what I'm there to do," he says, all business. "I feel like it's the time in my life when I just want to meet the person who's right for me and move on."

Glaser, who is married, says that if he weren't, he'd jump at the chance to participate. Apparently many people already have. Without any major publicity, more than 150 people are eagerly shelling out $20 to try their luck.

Although the first event is booked up, inquiring minds can contact Aish HaTorah about future events at (617) 731-1324 or find more information at www.speeddating.com.