Matchmaker, matchmaker, make me a match

Heart of the 'hood

02/03/2011 4:00 PM

FELICIA DECHTER

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Danielle and Brad Weisberg with their mom, Barbara

You don’t have to be a bona fide yenta anymore to help find love this Valentine’s Day for your grown child, thanks to Lincoln Park siblings Danielle and Brad Weisberg. I can’t help but kvell over the pair’s new matchmaking Web site that’s every Jewish mother’s dream come true: thejmom.com.

The site, which has attracted roughly 400 members, connects Jewish parents who want to help their adult children find a significant other. Mom and/or dad can browse potential sons or daughters-in-law in their child’s town, and also e-mail other parents for more info about their children and families — and even help arrange casual dates.

In other words, it’s a nationwide matchmaking network for its targeted users: Jewish mothers.

“My mom looks for things in people I wouldn’t look for,” said 30-year-old Brad Weisberg, a handsome young realtor with @properties who’s looking for someone sweet, nice and pretty, “with her head on her shoulders.”

It works like this: If a Jewish mom like me finds someone good enough for her little darling, she presses the “Let’s set them up” button. That sends a blast to her kid with the prospective date’s profile and contact info.

“We make it really, really easy,” said Brad, who also runs another Web site, bodyshopbids.com, where local body shops give online estimates.

“My hope is that we’re able to not only set up and match up, but to have marriages,” said Brad. “It’s a mitzvah (good deed) if we can get two people together. Our end goal is to have people find love, including myself and my sister.”

It was Brad’s 26-year-old sister, Danielle Weisberg, whose wheels started spinning with the concept after the duo visited their mom, Barbara, in Louisville during the holidays. Barbara always wanted to check out Danielle’s dating profile — and the guys — on the Jewish dating site her son and daughter were already signed up with. Although Brad hadn’t had much luck on the site, after his mom dug around, she found 10 girls she thought he might like.

“Parents always know the best for us,” said Danielle, who’s earning her master’s degree in elementary education at Loyola University.

Danielle is so busy that, like her brother, she too has no valentine. “But my eyes are always open,” she laughed. She said she’s looking for a guy who’s kind, really funny and motivated.

“I would love to meet a Jewish guy in Chicago,” said Danielle. “But it’s really close to Valentine’s Day. I might not have one.”

She said she’d “really, really love it,” if she and Brad can make some successful matches, friendships or marriages.

“We really want to keep Judaism alive,” said Danielle. “We’re hoping this is another tool for kids to say, ‘Mom, find me someone.’”

Sounds like a great idea to me. After all, like the Beatles say, “Your mother should know.”

Love those hearts!... blooming on Boul Mich from Hearts a Bluhm is Northwestern Memorial Hospital’s Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute and Columbia College’s new heart health awareness campaign. Throughout February — National Heart Month — check out the 100 five-foot acrylic hearts — painted and/or creatively adorned by artists and accompanied by heart health facts and tips.

The sculpture — which is on display in front of the Wrigley Building and sponsored by Akina, 40 E. Chicago Ave. — highlights the firm’s affection for lawyers and showcases its commitment to social good with its “I (heart) lawyers,” pop culture bumper sticker design.

Share Your Love Food Drive… through Valentine’s Day, benefits the Lakeview Pantry. Drop non-perishable goods at Central Lake View Merchants, 3355 N. Clark St., and get a free cupcake.



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