Netflix star hosts olim dating night

"An investment in the Jewish future"

"Bringing hundreds of young Jewish singles together in Jerusalem is not just another event," Ben Shoham explained. "We are investing in the future of the Jewish people. Jewish continuity begins with Jewish connection: one introduction can become a marriage, a Jewish home, a family, and the beginning of generations to come."

She added: "These singles are our future, and helping them find each other is not just a mitzvah but an obligation and one of the most important investments we can make."

Hundreds of olim from around the world

The event included dinner, cocktails, social games and dancing, and served as a display of Jewish pride, joy of life and young, vibrant Zionism. Participants came from around the world, most from the United States and Canada, some recent arrivals and others already settling into Israeli life.

According to data on young immigration from North America, a quarter of young olim from the US and Canada are expected to enlist in the IDF as lone soldiers. Many are looking not only for a career or an apartment in Israel, but also for a partner with whom to build their Israeli home.

Rabbi Doron Peretz, president of the World Zionist Organization, explained the symbolic choice of venue: "The building where the state was born is the most natural place for love to be born as well. These young people chose to build their future in Israel, and our responsibility is to help them build a home here too."

The "Meet. Mingle. Party." event was organized by the World Zionist Organization, in partnership with the Jerusalem Municipality and Nefesh B'Nefesh.

Matchmaking in the modern era

The event reflects a growing trend in the Jewish community worldwide and in Israel: the search for new and creative ways to connect singles. While in the past, shidduchim were conducted mainly through traditional matchmakers or narrow social circles, today more and more organized dating events are emerging, along with dating apps dedicated to the Jewish community and even reality shows.

At the same time, as a recent interview revealed, the dating scene in our communities still suffers from a quiet hemorrhage. Many singles feel invisible, that people don't think about them enough. Events like the one in Jerusalem attempt to address this need, not just to meet, but also to feel that someone sees you.

Young, vibrant Zionism

The Jerusalem event also reflects a broader phenomenon: a wave of immigration by young Jews from the Western world who choose to build their future in Israel despite the challenges. While in countries like France, aliyah is sometimes driven by fear and rising antisemitism, olim from the US and Canada usually come from ideological choice and connection to the Land.

The World Zionist Organization, the Jerusalem Municipality and Nefesh B'Nefesh see such events as part of a broader effort to absorb new immigrants and help them integrate into Israeli society, not only professionally and economically, but also socially and personally.

As Aleeza Ben Shoham summed up: "This is not just a dating event. This is an investment in the future of the Jewish people."