Jewish Matchmaker in NYC: Shadchanim, Private Matchmakers and Prices

Jewish matchmaking with Vadim Litvak

At Matchmaker New York, we begin with your Jewish identity as you live it. A denomination can start the conversation, but it cannot tell us everything about the home you hope to build. We ask what matters in daily life, what you share with your community and where you are open to differences.

In your consultation, we discuss your age preferences and the stage of life you want a partner to share. We establish whether family should be part of the conversation before discussing introductions.

Our questions cover Shabbat observance, kashrut, holidays, children's Jewish education and the role of community. We ask which practices you want to share and which differences would feel comfortable. Understanding those answers gives us a clearer basis for considering a match than a religious label alone.

We also discuss how you want introductions handled and what information you are comfortable sharing. The aim is a thoughtful conversation about compatibility, with room for your own priorities. You can ask how our approach would fit the relationship you want.

Review our packages, then use a free consultation to discuss your search with Vadim Litvak.

What is a shadchan?

A shadchan is a Jewish matchmaker who introduces people for marriage. Dictionary.com defines the word as a Jewish marriage broker. The plural is shadchanim, or shadchans; the feminine form is shadchanit. The Jewish English Lexicon gives the pronunciations SHAHD-chihn and shahd-CHAHN.

A shidduch is a matchmaking introduction within a system in which Jewish singles meet prospective partners. The term is especially associated with Orthodox dating. A shadchan helps narrow the field, relays interest between the two sides and guides the couple as they get to know each other.

NJOP describes that combination of selection and guidance. The role extends beyond exchanging contact details. Before an introduction, explain your priorities; afterward, give clear feedback so the shadchan can understand whether both people want to continue.

How is a shadchan paid?

Shadchanus is payment for the matchmaker's services. The Queens Vaad explains that there is no set fee; local custom determines the amount. Yated Ne'eman describes payment after engagement in most places. Parents usually pay, often equally between the two sides.

YUConnects asks for $1,800 to the volunteer connector and $1,800 to the program. A 2024 Jewish Press column describes several thousand dollars as a going rate. OU Torah's discussion notes that many Sephardic communities do not pay. Ask your rabbi what is customary in your community.

Jewish matchmakers and shidduch services in New York

The services below are alphabetical, not ranked. Some arrange private searches, some connect profiles with volunteer matchmakers, and others offer events or educational resources.

Compare the work included before comparing prices. Ask who handles introductions, how feedback is shared and whether a later engagement payment is expected. Where a price is not published, request the current terms directly.

TOIMOI and Toi & Moi Matchmaking are separate firms. NYCity Matchmaking's Jewish Match NYC name comes from its legacy site; the current site does not describe a specifically Jewish program. Ask about the current search before relying on that older branding.

Prices checked October 2026.

Adopt A Shadchan

Lisa Elefant, Ruchie Gibberstein and Daniella Feldman are named behind this network. Adopt A Shadchan offers a database, meet-the-shadchan opportunities and events for singles, parents and shadchanim. The Brooklyn organization reports more than 350 shadchanim. Fees are not stated; donations are accepted. Its model is a community network rather than a published private-search package. Ask which route is appropriate for you. Program details.

Aleeza Ben Shalom

Aleeza Ben Shalom offers VIP matchmaking and coaching through Marriage Minded Mentor, with applications and a free Jewish matchmaking database. Prices are not published. VIDA Select, a competing service, and MEAWW report conflicting figures, so neither is a current quote. Moment’s August 2026 reporting describes her work with religious Jews and a less-observant New York client. Ask who would handle your application and what the proposed service includes. Moment profile.

JSwipe Matchmaking

JSwipe Matchmaking is a paid service from the JSwipe operator for Jewish professionals nationally. The published options start at $750 per month with a six-month commitment and $2,000 per month with a 12-month commitment. Those are service commitments rather than app subscription prices. Ask what introductions and support the quoted option includes. Keep the separate JSwipe app purchase out of your private-matchmaking budget comparison. Service pricing.

NYCity Matchmaking / Jewish Match NYC

Michelle Frankel’s NYCity Matchmaking uses duration-based membership and offers a free private network. Current investment details are discussed in consultation. The legacy Jewish Match NYC site presents a modern Jewish service; its 2023 consultation prices are historical, not current package quotes. NYCity serves NYC and surrounding areas, with South Florida also listed. Ask directly about Jewish compatibility criteria and the current scope of a search. Current FAQ.

Saw You At Sinai

Saw You At Sinai combines online profiles with volunteer matchmakers. Tova Weinberg and Marc Goldmann founded the platform in December 2003. Its US iOS listing shows Gold at $24.99 for one month and Platinum at $29.99 for one month; a competitor reports a different subscription price. An engagement payment is separate. The historical model and Orthodox origins are described in Wikipedia’s account, which cites New York Jewish Week reporting. Background and sources.

TOIMOI

Noga Cohen and Vanessa Gad are named behind TOIMOI, a private Jewish matchmaking service in New York. TOIMOI uses WhatsApp intake and human matchmakers. A discovery call is free, a personal consultation is $360, and Clarity & Connection is $500. The six-month Signature Experience is invitation only, with its price discussed after consultation. Ask what each named service buys before treating it as an introduction package. Services and prices.

Toi & Moi Matchmaking

Sophie Kaemmerlé’s Toi & Moi Matchmaking describes work with Reform, Conservative, Orthodox and culturally Jewish singles. Private matchmaking prices are not published. Its separate community memberships are listed at $99, $249 and $399 per month. Membership and a private search should be compared separately. The stated area includes Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Westchester, Long Island and New Jersey. This is a different business from TOIMOI above. Jewish matchmaking.

YUConnects

YUConnects is a Yeshiva University program established in 2008, available to the entire Jewish community. Basic profiles are free, and an upgrade lets members select volunteer connectors; the upgrade price is not shown. After engagement, couples are asked for $1,800 to the connector and $1,800 to YUConnects. Yeshiva University’s reporting supplies program background. Its Washington Heights location and online format offer two useful points of contact. University background.

Orthodox matchmaking in Brooklyn, Queens and the Five Towns

Start with a clear résumé and references who know you now. A shadchan needs enough information to consider compatibility and pass along interest.

Rachel Burnham's résumé guide recommends one page with five elements: a profile picture, demographics, a bio, the kind of person you would like to marry and shidduch references. The guide recommends three references and no more than five. Ask people before naming them, and make sure they can speak about your current life.

Jewish Link emphasizes keeping résumés and references current. Update the document when important information changes.

For published contacts, Adopt A Shadchan lists 2607 Nostrand Avenue, Brooklyn, and 718-957-2270. YUConnects lists 500 West 185th Street in Washington Heights. The Shidduch Lounge offers curated events for Torah-observant singles and a Long Island phone contact. NASI Project provides guides and a coaches list. Ask each program about participation and location rather than assuming the same process applies across Brooklyn, Queens and the Five Towns.

Jewish matchmaking for secular and Modern Orthodox professionals in Manhattan

A private, paid matchmaker may fit when you want help defining a search and discussing introductions. Begin with the practices and values you want to share. Being culturally Jewish, keeping kosher and wanting a particular Jewish education for children are separate conversations; explain which matters to you.

Toi & Moi Matchmaking explicitly names Reform, Conservative, Orthodox and culturally Jewish clients. YUConnects states that its program is available to the entire Jewish community.

Moment's 2026 profile says Aleeza Ben Shalom usually works with religious Jews, while describing a New York client who was less observant and felt understood. Ask how a service would approach your own level of observance.

Read our Jewish matchmaking approach and NYC matchmakers compared. Use the consultation to discuss both religious compatibility and the day-to-day relationship you want.

Jewish dating apps vs. a matchmaker

An app gives you a place to search and communicate. A matchmaker helps select introductions; Saw You At Sinai combines profiles with volunteer matchmakers. JSwipe's paid matchmaking service is separate from the JSwipe app.

The US App Store listings below contain multiple purchase items. A label without a billing period does not establish a monthly price. Jdate also lists other price variants, so check the purchase screen for your selected plan.

A matchmaker may be worth it when you want a person involved in considering compatibility and discussing feedback. Read are matchmakers worth it? for that decision, and compare dating apps in NYC if you prefer to manage introductions yourself.

The Netflix show Jewish Matchmaking

Jewish Matchmaking premiered May 3, 2023, with eight episodes starring Aleeza Ben Shalom. The series comes from the creators of Indian Matchmaking and brings Jewish matchmaking to a television audience. No season two renewal had been announced as of October 2026. An August 2026 Jewish Journal reunion podcast also discussed uncertainty about a second season. Treat the show as an introduction to the subject; ask a service directly about its process and terms.

For a broader budget comparison, see what NYC matchmakers cost.