A new organization to match up Baltimoreans is about to begin its work. Kol Simcha will advocate for shomer Shabbos Baltimore singles, both men and women. The organization comes on the heels of the recently implemented Star-K initiative providing a monetary incentive for the world to put Baltimorean women on the top of their matchmaking lists.
Kol Simcha - which is modeled on similar groups, like Mazel Link in Montreal, Simcha Link in Chicago, and Sasson V'Simcha in Toronto will service all segments of the Orthodox community, regardless of background and hashkafos. Unlike some shadchanim, who deal exclusively with one type of single, Kol Simcha will work with all singles. Whether you are - or are looking for a "learner" or otherwise, whether you were born and bred Orthodox or discovered Yiddishkeit on your own, whether you are "yeshivish" or not, Kol Simcha will advocate for you.
The Kol Simcha office will be located on the first floor of the Star-K building, at 122 Slade Avenue, along with other existing chesed organizations that are relocating there. It has already employed two shadchanim, who will devote themselves to making Baltimore shidduchim a full-time priority. These veteran shadchanim were chosen especially for their experience, their networking abilities, and their connections in the frum world. They plan to network with shadchanim (matchmakers) around the country, and have some innovative ideas on how to create a database of singles from which to draw.
The Kol Simcha shadchanim will make themselves as accessible as possible. In addition to regular office hours, the interviewing process that will follow the filing of an application will take place in various locations at the mutual convenience of the singles and the staff. Armed with cell phones and laptops, their office-away-from-office will make this accessibility possible.
Kol Simcha has the endorsement and encouragement of the Va'ad Harabonim of Baltimore. Mrs. Tova Rappaport, a well-known Jewish studies educator and one of the four founders of the organization, emphasized the need for some serious fundraising to help guarantee its success. The founders are also banking on community funds to help out with budgetary needs and hope to be awarded grants in the future. In addition, shadchanus, the customary gift of appreciation given to the person or persons who arranged the shidduch, may be used to help fund the organization.
"This is a community effort, and we need the cooperation of people in the community to help support it," says Mrs. Rappaport. "We are very excited about doing something to help the singles of our community. There are so many different types of chesed organizations in our full-service city, yet this type of official organization has been missing in our community. Nothing like this has ever existed, and we are trying to fill the void."
Kol Simcha's kickoff lecture will take place on Sunday, January 30, (watch for details). Baltimore's esteemed Rabbi Yissocher Frand will deliver an inspirational lecture about shidduchim. Applications will be available at the lecture, and, as part of the admission fee, those who attend will be asked to supply the names of at least two single men and two single women from our community to help build Kol Simcha's database.
Reactions to the formation of Kol Simcha are already coming in. An organization like this has always been the dream of Baltimorean stockbroker/shadchan Rabbi George Strum. He believes that paid employees can best help our singles. "It is vitally important that we get away from the haphazard system we have been using," emphasized Rabbi Strum. "You need to hire professional people, who can find out who is available out there, get to know them, and network with other organizations around the country and Canada, via computer." However, Rabbi Strum also feels that the professionals need the help of volunteers, too. "Volunteers are important to get names of singles and their phone numbers and addresses. That's the way the system should be. Why can't we get everybody talking to everybody?"
Mrs. Elise Wolf, a Bais Yaakov High School teacher who is heavily involved in making shidduchim for Bais Yaakov alumni, says, "Kol Simcha is definitely needed, because making shidduchim is a full-time job that can really take over your life." Like many part-time shadchanim, Mrs. Wolf juggles the role of shadchan with being a spouse, parent, and employee. "The fact that there are two wonderful women who are willing to take this upon themselves is really phenomenal. They should have hatzlacha!"
Kol Simcha is in need of two new laptop computers and two cell phones. Anyone who can help acquire them should please call Mrs. Chane Steinharter, at 410-358-3732.
Copyright 2004 - Margie Pensak