If the Jewish calendar and technology have anything to do with it, this may be the moment to meet your bashert (soulmate).
On Tuesday, August 12 – just three days after Tu B’Av (the 15th of the Hebrew month of Av) – the traditional Jewish “Day of Love,” where men would traditionally follow women in white dresses dancing in vineyards in hopes of landing a bride, 6,500+ Jewish singles of all backgrounds from around the world will participate in the largest virtual AI-assisted Jewish speed dating event in history.
Last year’s event, which had 6,000 participants, reportedly led to thousands of matches, including several engagements and marriages. Daniel and Chaya lived for years in the same Arizona apartment building and knew each other but never considered each other romantically – until they connected at last year’s speed dating event, went on a real date, and soon after got engaged and married! The community, which includes the CoronaCrush Facebook group where it all started, proudly boasts over 100 marriages since it was founded.
In this free event, participants can choose between two time slots – 9 p.m. Israel time (IDT) or 9 p.m. East Coast time (EDT) – and are matched for up to seven video dates, each lasting around seven minutes, based on shared values, preferences, and backgrounds.
After each mini-date, participants are prompted to complete a quick feedback form to indicate mutual interest, which can lead to further connection.
Participants must be 18 or older and identify as Jewish, whether traditional, Orthodox, secular, or somewhere in between. Language and observance preferences are taken into account when matches are created.
Organizers of the mega event include AISH, Partners In Torah, and Corona- Crush, which began as a Facebook group during COVID-19 and is now a global platform for Jewish singles, with over 30,000 members. They will join with over 30 partner organizations worldwide for the event.
Ian Mark, CEO of CoronaCrush, who made aliyah from New York 10 years ago, is pleased with what the groups are accomplishing together.
“When mission-aligned organizations come together with a shared purpose – to strengthen Jewish connection and continuity – magic happens. This isn’t just another dating event. It’s a movement.”
Register at www.tubav2025.com/jpost [tags: CoronaCrush; Tu B’av; Day of Love”