Simon Jacobson from The Meaningful Life Center hit the nail on its head. I couldn't have said the noted above better myself. 

The more shidduchim I am involved in, the more coaching I realize is needed especially in the department of prioritizing and bringing clarity to one's thoughts, wants, aspirations etc This is not just shidduchim related but in fact life related. 

Boruch Hashem, bochurim/girls and parents are valuing the importance of coaching; especially when there is a lack of focus and clarity.


Clarity of what marriage is supposed to be.
Clarity of who they themselves are (self awareness).
Clarity whom they are seeking as their ideal spouse.
Clarity what circumstances are deal breakers and what are negotiable.
Clarity as to what needs to be addressed and accomplished with each date.

How many times do we as shadchans or parents hear:

• "I like him/her but I dunno...."
• "I feel good when I'm with him/her but I don't want to give up my single life - my friends."
• "Seems good but maybe I can do better."
• "I can't stand the pressure."
• "I wish someone would decide for me already."
• "What should I do with my son/daughter? Apply pressure or back off. I'm having sleepless nights watching my child. We're all emotionally drained!"

Getting married is making most probably the most important decision of one's life to date. So don't trek alone. Use the resources at one's disposal like professional coaches, mentors, mashpiim, people who can offer an objective, common sense opinion.


The antidote to being overwhelmed or indecisive is CLARITY.


I'm here to help if you feel I can.

Mazel tov to Freydie Eisenberg of our Monsey Shidduch group, on the engagement of her son, Sochy, to Sarah Sherman, daughter of Michal, of our Philadelphia Shidduch Group!!

Let's keep the mazel flowing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Let us know YOUR good news as it happens on the Testimonials Page :-)

The Pittsburgh Shidduch Group met Tuesday at 8pm at the house of Pessy Leah Lester. The meeting was well attended due to distribution on the email network of the Pittsburgh Lubavitch Women Organization.
 
Rebbetzin Sukie Rubin spoke about the importance of the group. Being a group means utilizing “achdut”; banding together. Only together, can we open the channels which will bring the shidduchim.

She reminded everyone to say the names of the children looking for shidduchim at the time of lighting the candles. Woman should keep in mind the names of their own children, as well as the names of the children of the other group members. 18 cents should be put to a special Hachnassat Kalla pushka each day and it is a segula to say the following chapters of tehilim: 32, 38, 70, 71, 100, 121 and 124. Sukie also emphasized the importance to be in touch with a shadchan, to give her/him gifts. 

Then there were the questions/answers session and we thanked Dr. Chana Miriam Hubner for sharing her experiences.
 
Each participant’s names and the names of their children were listed on a pan to the Rebbe. This list of the children's names will also be distributed to the group members. We took pictures, said L’Chaim, and then each woman presented the profiles of their children.
 
Thank you to Pessy Leah Lester for opening her home and hospitality for this event. Many thanks to Sukie Rubin for sharing her valuable insights.
 
May Hashem bless our efforts and enable us to see many weddings this year!

B"H

Mazel Tov!!  

2014 was a year of growth and successful "firsts" for our International Shidduch Group Network!  Through the power of our network, we celebrated over sixty engagements!!  See our website! Each one is the beginning of a Jewish home built on the foundation of Torah and mitzvot.  

Every day we receive urgent emails and phone calls from singles, their parents and shadchanim around the globe asking for help.  We're a small non-profit and survive on donations.  All of the work carried out by the Shidduch Group Network is possible due to the support and backing of committed people such as yourself.  You represent the people who enable us to exist and have become an equal partner in all the mitzvot that we perform on a daily basis.

Let us know that our work is valuable to you. Please support us with an end-of-year tax deductible donation. With a minimum tax exempt donation of $54 you will receive a complimentary copy of Rabbi Leibel Groner’s words of wisdom on shidduchim in our first Navigating Shidduchim booklet.

DONATE NOW

2014 Milestones 

• Received our tax exempt 501(C)3 status retroactive to November 19, 2013
  
• Published our first booklet in the Navigating Shidduchim series - Pesach Sheni 5774 Rabbi Leibel Groner 
  
• Expanded our global Chapters to over forty and launched the UK Chapters in London, Manchester and Wimbledon
  
• Launched our Facebook page and expanded our online presence at www.shidduchgroupnetwork.com to include a Blog, Engagements and Mazel Tov Stories 
  
• Hosted 200 attendees at our second Annual Shidduch Conference in Crown Heights 200 Women Talk Shidduchim
  
• Provided teleconference training with the collaboration of leaders including Rabbi Leibel Groner, Rabbi Nissan Dovid Dubov and Mrs. Esther Friedman
  
• Hosted monthly international teleconferences, shared profiles and made shidduchim 
  
• COLlive, N'shei Chabad and the Jewish Press covered our events, we had a workshop at the Kinus HaShluchos in January and at the N'shei Chabad Convention in December.
  

We remain focused on our goal of providing global networking, support and education to those seeking shidduchim.  All of this has been made possible due to the support and generosity of people like you.

To meet the needs of our growing network, more professional services are required including web developers, technology, travel, shipping/mailing, printing, design, videography, and administrative staff.

DONATE NOW

Please help us make shidduchim!

• As little as 18 cents per day or $6 per month will offset day-to-day website and teleconference expenses
  
• $18 per month will allow us to expand our website functionality 
  
• A one-time donation of $2500 to develop a professional training video for Chapter leaders 
  
• A one-time donation of $3000 to publish the next booklet in the Navigating Shidduchim series
  
• A one-time donation of $5000 to establish a compilation of best practices based upon Torah and the teachings of the Rebbe
  
• $10,000 will allow us to work with shadchanim to establish a professional in-take service for those seeking shidduchim, including protocols and standards of practice for all involved
  
  

Please give generously and draw down the brachos!

DONATE NOW

May we all share good news!

Elana Bergovoy and Dvora Schulman
Shidduch Group Network

Mazel Tov, Mazel Tov to Sukie Rubin, organizer of our London shidduch groups, on the engagement of her daughter, Esti, to Berel Scheiner of Detroit! 

Yashar koach to Sukie for all her efforts on behalf of shidduchim in London and beyond. The new couple should build a bayis ne'eman b'Yisroel! 

May we continue to share good news. Let us know YOURS when it happens!

BS"D

Rabbi Avbrohom & Yehudis Blumberger were the gracious hosts of this year's annual Chicago Shidduch Group Chanukah Couples Melave Malka.

A festive pot-luck seudah was enjoyed by all! Members contributed delicious homemade soup, salmon, quiche, salad, garlic bread, candies & nuts, l'chaim drinks and more!

Elana Bergovoy welcomed the crowd and introduced a short video with highlights from the recent International Shidduch Group Network Conference in Crown Heights. Included in the video was a film clip of keynote speaker, Kivi Bernhart. He emphasized that that when trying to get to the goal--the chuppah--one needn't worry so frantically about "how"--HOW am I going to marry off my child--as long as he/she is clear about the "why." A single should be extremely clear about what marriage is, why they are dating for marriage, & why he/she is getting married!!  Also what qualities he/she brings to the relationship & what he/she needs in a marriage partner.

MC Labish Bergovoy told a beautiful story illustrating the inyanim of hashgacha pratis, bitachon and emunah in shidduchim.

Mr. Bergovoy then introduced guest speaker, Rabbi Mendel Moscowitz. Rabbi Moscowitz spoke about the highlights of the recent workshop on Shidduchim at the Kinus haShluchim. He gave over important news from Moishe Raichman, founder of Chabadmatch.com, and urged everyone to try and utilize this site when searching for shidduchim. He also gave a chazara of remarks by Rabbi Nissen Dovid Dubov, author of "Mazel Tov: A Chabad Wedding Guide." 

Rabbi Dubov said that many times parents feel overwhelmed in their search for matches for their children. However they should try and "compartmentalize." He explained that the ship "Titanic" had a special compartmentalized system to prevent flooding of its enormous engine room in the bottom of the ship. The ship's hold was divided into multiple chambers with heavy doors separating each one from the others. That way, if one chamber became flooded, the doors to the others would seal themselves off from becoming flooded. 

If we, as parents, can try and focus on the particular shidduch suggestion at hand, or other details, as we proceed calmly to the goal, we will avoid becoming overwhelmed by the HUGE challenge of finding "the right ones at the right times" for our children!

Thanks to the Blumbergers, Wolfs, Grossmans, Bukiets, Grinkers, Krokers, Rivkins. Zimmermans, Moscowitzes, Citrins & Bergovoys for their help in putting this memorable event together. May we all share many simchas very soon!

On Tuesday, December 16, the Pittsburgh Shidduch Group gathered new members Gila Dlinn, Shoshana Malamud, Rivka Marcus and Michal Ehven together to make a L'Chaim , accompanied by the names of their daughters. After writing a pan for the Rebbe, they made the list with their daughters' names, read the checklist of Rabbi Groner from the booklet, and Gila reminded everybody to put 18 cents each day in the hachnassat kallah pushka (charity for brides). They also talked about saying the names of their girls when lighting the candles and making the challah for Shabbat.

Devorah Dlinn gave a dvar torah that connected of Hanukkah and shidduchim: In the
same way that Hashem can make the miracle of vinegar burning like oil, Hashem can make the miracle of shidduchim.

The ladies then danced and sang and made plans to meet next week Tuesday – same day, same time. If you are in the Pittsburgh area and would like to join, please email shidduchgroupnetwork@gmail.com!

The Miami Area Shidduch Group meeting took place on December 14/Kislev 22, hosted by Mrs. Rita Steiner in her home in Bal Harbor. Around 25 women attended the meeting where they learned together, were inspired by words of chizuk from Goldie Tenenhaus and Toby Weicz, networked with one another and made plenty of "L'chaims!"

On Motzei Shabbos, December 6, 14 Kislev, the London Shidduch Group was proud to hold a real "farbrengen" in honor of the wedding anniversary of the Lubavitcher Rebbe and Rebbetzin.

The evening was organized by Mrs. Sukie Rubin and hosted by Mrs. Chana Mina Bensusan in Stamford Hill. Mrs. Soroh Inglis and many other ladies helped the hostess prepare a beautiful seudah.

Attendees shared stories of the Rebbe and Rebbetzin's special marriage.

Mrs. Soroh Dubov traveled in from Wimbledon and shared a remarkable story. She recounted how the Rebbe looked after and fed children in an orphanage in Marseilles during world War II, at which time the children simply knew him as "Monsieur."  Only much later was it discovered that "Monsieur" was actually the Rebbe!

The ladies all had "l'chaims" and gave brochas to each other for those mentioned to find their zivugguim, as well as refuahs for those in need.

The farbrengen concluded with joyful singing.

Anyone wanting to contact the London Shidduch Group should call Mrs. Sukie Rubin at 079566982451.

Nearly two-hundred women gathered for this year’s Shidduch conference hosted by the International Shidduch Group Network on Sunday, November 9th/16 Cheshvan in Crown Heights. 

Participants came together from Australia, England, Canada, California, Florida, Minnesota, Texas, Michigan, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Maryland, the tri-state area and, of course, from Crown Heights. 

Attendees were inspired by the deep and stirring stories told by keynote speaker Kivi Bernhard. His message: Embrace the "why" of shidduchim and you will discover "how" to get to the goal: the chuppah!

Words of wisdom from panel discussionists Miryam Swerdlov, Esther Friedman, Moishe Raitman, Yitzchok Dubov, Devora Krasnianski, and Chaya Sarah Gurewicz were shared on topics most pertinent to those seeking shidduchim. A partnership with Rabbi Manis Friedman provided every attendee with a complimentary copy of Part 1 of his Online Dating Course designed to prepare bochurim and girls for dating and marriage. To facilitate continued profile sharing after the conference, a partnership with ChabadMatch, a database of Chabad singles worldwide, allows every conference attendee to register on ChabadMatch, waiving the fee.  For those new to shidduchim or veterans, this year’s Shidduch conference brought together all the pieces of the puzzle for successful shidduchim in one day. "Never before have shadchanim, coaches, trainers, singles and parents been brought together in one place at one time to network, learn and make shidduchim,” says Elana Bergovoy, President of the Shidduch Group Network. 

The London Shidduch Group welcomed over ninety ladies Sunday night at the Lubavitch Main Hall in Stamford Hill for an exciting event entitled:  "Connect 4 Shidduchim." 

Leaders of the London Chapter of the International Shidduch Group Network, Mrs. Sukie Rubin and Mrs. Miriam Moses, brought Mrs. Elana Bergovoy, President of the International Shidduch Group Network, from her home base in Chicago, IL, to help take the UK Shidduch Groups to the next level.   Mrs.  Bergovoy inspired and motivated the community to network and organize to both encourage more English to English shidduchim, and enable bocherim outside the UK to meet the beautiful, intelligent, mature and capable young ladies "across the pond. "
 
The whirlwind of events began Shabbos afternoon with thirty post-seminary girls farbrenging at the home of Mrs. Miriam Moses.  Mrs. Bergovoy spoke about Chai Elul, the Baal Shem Tov, and the Alter Rebbe.  She toldstories that illustrated the point that no matter where a person is, when it's time for her to meet her bashert, Hashem will bring them together. The girls introduced themselves by age, name and what they're doing now. Most were strikingly beautiful, lively 20 to 25 year-olds working in a range of different fields, including teaching, accounting,and the helping professions.  They sang niggunim  and danced and made "Lchaims! "  Then it was time to head to Mrs. Rivkah Raskin's house for the 6 pm Stamford Hill Shabbos Shidduch Group meeting where they said many kapitellach Tehillim, read from "Eternal Joy,"  by Rabbi Shalom Ber Wineberg,  on  the Rebbe's advice about the period of engagement, and discussed the material.  
 
On Monday,  Mrs. Bergovoy travelled to Manchester where she spoke at a special gathering for members of N’shei Chabad at the home of Mrs. Yael Klyne, organized by Sora Baila Klyne, through the London ShidduchGroup.  This was the launching of the Manchester Shidduch Group  and events are already being planned for after Rosh Hashanah, including a joint London/Manchester shadchan evening.   Once again the atmosphere was festive, with exquisite balloon centerpieces and creatively laid tables.
 
On Tuesday, back in London,  shadchanim, shluchas and community leaders met with Mrs. Bergovoy at the home of Feige Sudak and discussed ways to connect with other communities and improve networking. One of the points raised was that the Rebbe strongly encouraged bocherim to go to meet the girls, wherever they may be.  In addition, bocherim are often much more flexible than working girls, to travel for shidduchim purposes.  Plans can easily be made through shadchanim for bocherim to meet girls where they live.  Meetings can also successfully be arranged, to enable men and women to meet initially by Skype.
 
On Wednesday evening in Golders Green at the home of the Prus family, Mrs. Bergovoy farbrenged with many more post-seminary girls about developing their characters at this crucial stage of life to promote continued growth and not to stand still because they have finished their formal education.
 
The week culminated in the ultimate simcha with the Dubov / Moscowitz chassunah in Wimbledon, London on Thursday evening.  Rabbi Nissan Dovid Dubov, author of Mazel Tov: A Chabad Wedding Guide is on the Board of Directors of the International Shidduch Group Network and was the keynote speaker at last November’s Annual Shidduch  Group Network Conference.  His address was entitled, “Getting to the Chuppah.”
 
The committee in London would like to express its thanks to all the people who contributed their time and talents to make this Shidduch  Initiative so successfully productive.  For further information on the LondonShidduch Groups, contact sukierubin@gmail.com

Join the Shidduch Group Network's Elul Teleconference and tap into                                         mazal to uplift our lives!

                   Guest speaker, Mrs. Schusterman will speak on: 
                                         "Perseverance in Shidduchim"                       

Mrs. Chana Rachel Schusterman is an international speaker, educator, and spiritual counselor with a specialty in helping people discover their talents according to Torah. She is a dating mentor who has taught hundreds of girls in the seminaries in Israel how to date and how to recognize whom to marry. Through her own dating process she was guided by great people who gave her knowledge and understanding that helped her and gave her perspective that she shares in her counseling.  She provides private dating mentoring, guiding people before and during their dating process. 

When:  Sunday, September 14th / 19th Elul, 4:00 - 5:15 PM EST
Conference Call: 712 432-0265  
Access Code: 469516#
Attendance is Free and Donations are appreciated DONATE NOW
Please reserve your opportunity to share profiles on a first-come first-served basis.  Space is limited.  

DON'T MISS THE OPPORTUNITY TO TAP INTO THE ENERGY OF ELUL!

Profile Guidelines

• Initials
  
• Height and Age
  
• What defines them? (Include personality, talents, middos, focus in life, and other distinguishing characteristics.)
  
• What is unique about them?
  
• What are they seeking in a mate? (Include personality, talents, middos, focus in life, and distinguishing characteristics.)
  
• What type of home do they envision for themselves in the future?
  
• What is the contact information for this profile?
  
• Email the profile to shidduchgroupnetwork@gmail.com with subject line: PROFILE

We look forward to your participation! 

To RSVP, please email shidduchgroupnetwork@gmail.com - include RSVP in the Subject Line

Those attending the Teleconference will receive the compiled package of profiles shortly after the Teleconference. For more information, feel free to contact Elana Bergovoy or Dvora Schulman at shidduchgroupnetwork@gmail.com

This Sunday, September 14th, the Crown Heights Shidduch Group led by Mrs. Faygie Rapp will meet for a night of networking and learning.  Rabbi Yitchok Tsap of JEM Productions and Living Torah will share his insight into the world of shidduchim. All are invited to join and bring profiles to share. 

When: 7:45 PM Sunday, Yud Tes Elul, September 14th
Where: Apt E2 7 Balfour Place Brooklyn, NY 11225
Who: The Women of Crown Heights 

A grosse "Yashar Koach" to Miriam Feiner, Debbie Fine, Chava Rochel Krintzman and the L.A. Shidduch Group!

Last night, Miriam hosted a "Standing Room Only" crowd of about 70 women from the community to hear Rabbi Yosef Shusterman address the topic, "Shidduchim:  What to ask--What to Answer."  He spoke poignantly about many aspects of shidduchim, based on his many years of experience as a Rav.  A "Q & A" session followed his talk, and many pertinent topics were covered then, as well.

Rebbetzin Chana Leeba Raichik led the crowd in the Rebbe's capital before the Rav's speech.

A tasty and eye-pleasing array of refreshments was enjoyed by all who attended! 

We wish the L.A. Shidduch Group much hatzlocha in its efforts on behalf of shidduchim in the Los Angeles area and beyond.  Hope to hear that many chassunahs are being celebrated in L.A. very soon!!

Kasiva v'Chasima Tova,

Dvora Schulman and Elana Bergovoy 

This Sunday, September 14th, the Crown Heights Shidduch Group led by Tamar Stone will be joining together to make matches for friends and family at a "Ruble Meeting."  At a "Ruble Meeting" upon making a potential match, participants place a ruble (any amount) in the pushka thereby generating mazal and drawing down blessing. The women of Crown Heights  are invited to bring profiles and think about the possibilities for their children, nieces, nephews, neighbors' son, and co-worker's daughter at this unique evening.

When: 8:30 PM Sunday, September 14th
Where: 1474 Carroll Street (between Albany and Troy) 
Who: Anyone Looking for their Child's Bashert

For more information contact Tamar Stone: 718- 613-0642 

 Women of Chicago put on your thinking caps, bring your profiles and names of friends, relatives, neighbors, etc. and lets make shidduchim!  

This coming Sunday, September 7th, the Chicago Shidduch Group  will be having a networking event at the home of Menucha Gershon, 6725 N. Richmond. The networking portion of this event will begin promptly at 6:15 pm. promptly.  Later, at 8:00 pm sharp, Rabbi Moishe Raitman, well know shadchan and shidduch coach, will be speaking about "Assessing our Children Honestly for Shidduchim"  

The Chicago Shidduch Group would like to wish Esther Levin mazel tov on the recent engagement of her daughter, Bashie. May the simchos continue! 

 

The  London Shiduch Group is proud to  announce that the president of the International  Shiuduch Group Network, Mrs. Elana Bergovoy of Chicago,  is  coming to London  to inspire us all  with  a talk  entitled, “Connect 4 Shidduchim” on Sunday, 14th September.  The event will be held  at Lubavitch house London starting at 7.45pm . Entrance fee is £5.

Mrs. Bergovoy has traveled throughout the United States, Canada and Australia enthusing her audiences to  get involved in making successful shidduchim.  She will be visiting Manchester, as well, on Monday, 15 September. For further information call 07956982451