BJH: So, it has been a few years since we last spoke. How long have you been with The Shidduch Center now?
Rabbi Shlomo Goldberger: Chasdei Hashem, it has now been 10 years in my role at The Shidduch Center. A pleasure and privilege from day one until today!
BJH: Wow, a decade! Time sure flies. Reflecting back, what would you say has changed, and what has remained the same in the work and world of The Shidduch Center?
RSG: Well, let’s start with what hasn’t changed. Our core mission remains the same: to increase the number of dates for singles in our community. One of the most effective ways we have accomplished this is by identifying talented up-and-coming shadchanim and providing them with the resources they need to become more successful and productive – whether that’s financial support, access to a broader network of singles, or any other tools that help them facilitate dates. Additionally, The Shidduch Center strives to be a comprehensive resource for everything related to dating – education, guidance and logistics etc., and always with dignity and sensitivity.
BJH: That is very impressive how steadfastly you have kept to your primary objective. And what would you say has changed?
RSG: The growth and breadth of our work in the community. In our early years, we had 4-6 shadchanim we worked with in the above mentioned initiatives, all of whom were located here in Baltimore and Silver Spring. We also ran about 5-6 events per year for the broader shadchan community to meet single men and women. Ten years later… we have 13 shadchanim on staff – 5 of whom work exclusively with single women ages 25 and above – located in Baltimore, Silver Spring, Lakewood, Five-Towns, and Monsey, and we are running over 20 events per year (8-9 of which take place in Lakewood and NY to meet bachurim).
BJH: Have you found that this growth has produced tangible results?
RSG: Absolutely. Early on, we were setting up approximatly100 different couples on dates annually, which led to 10-12 shidduchim for our community per year. When you compare that to our current standing, where we are annually setting up over 300 couples, which over the last year alone has led to 45 new shidduchim for our community (a record year for us, BH!!), I think it is quite clear that our model has produced exponential results for our local single men and women in shidduchim.
BJH: BH, that is outstanding! What have the results been over the last decade?
RSG: In total, bez’H, we have now set up over 2,200 different couples on dates, which has led to 236 resulting shidduchim!!
And furthermore, with the increase in dates, attendance at our events, meetings with team members and community members reaching out for personal guidance or assistance, we are servicing well over 1,000 local families each year!
BJH: Truly amazing. What are the next steps for The Shidduch Center?
RSG: This is a question we continually ask ourselves, as there is always more work to be done and new goals to achieve. Moving forward, we remain committed to identifying and developing quality shadchanim, while expanding our reach to connect with more single men and women in the community.
We are also working to establish a more efficient intake process and comprehensive database. This will enable our team members to access information about community members quickly and easily, thereby allowing them to work on shidduchim for an even larger group of singles.
Finally, we are excited to announce that we will soon be launching our newly redesigned website!
BJH: Thanks so much for the catch-up! Any parting thoughts?
RSG: But of course! The Shidduch Center’s annual campaign is coming up on Dec. 1-3. We have tremendous gratitude for the past generosity from our wonderful community. Please participate in our upcoming Matching campaign, so that we can continue our mission of helping even more singles to find theirs!
May our community’s support be a zechus for all those in shidduchim who are near and dear to us, and, indeed, for all of Klal Yisroel!
