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Marilyn Hoskow and Lois
Fishman of Your
Dateline.

Introducing Jewish singles can
be a profitable "public service,"
but not always.

JENNIFER FINER STAFF WRITER

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38

n "the old days," they were called match-
makers.
Today, they are called dating services. And
some, while performing a "public service,"
can generate a heavy profit.
Costs to meet that special someone range
from free or nominally charged personal ads
to over $1,000 for the newer technology of a
video dating service.
In many cases, what separates the Jew-
ish singles business is the desire to fight as-
similation and provide the means for Jews
to meet.
"This service is one way to deal with con-
tinuity and assimilation," said Sue Sefan-

field, said her business, while prof-
itable, provides a service.
Her clients pay $800 a year or
$500 for six months.
Ms. Slobin will enroll a client at
no charge if she feels he/she would
be a good match for an existing cus-
tomer.
"I'm an old fashioned matchmak-
er," said Ms. Slobin, who has seen
over 60 marriages in her 35 years of
business. "I'm not a dating service.
I'm a true yenta. I love to introduce
quality people."
Many of Ms. Slobin's customers
sky, the director of Jewish Family Services are Jewish. All are serious about meeting a
of Washtenaw County. Last April, JFS be- partner.
Cultivating clients is generally the same
gan an introduction service that connects sin-
gles from the Jewish communities of Ann with each business, where advertising and
word-of-mouth are prevalent.
Arbor, Detroit and nearby parts of Ohio.
Ms. Slobin recently did some direct mar-
Together, Lois Fishman and Marilyn
Hoskow operate Your Dateline, a service ex- keting of her own. Those attending an area
clusively for Jewish clients operated out of singles dance returned to their cars to find a
flier publicizing her matchmaking.
Ms. Fishman's home in West Bloomfield.
"You hear young people say there is no
place to meet people," Ms. Fishman said.
"This service is one way
"Our contemporaries echo the same objec-
to deal with continuity
tions.
"We felt it was possible to meet someone
and assimilation."
who is not Jewish almost anywhere. Look-
ing for someone who is Jewish becomes more
—Sue Sefansky
difficult."
After listening to such grievances, Ms.
Fishman approached Ms. Hoskow with the
Dating service profits are non-existent at
new business idea. Now, eight years later,
JFS.
Your Dateline maintains a client list of be-
"My time costs more than what we are
tween 100 and 200 singles. The duo boasts making," said Ms. Sefansky. Related expen-
16 marriages.
include correspondence with clients
Introducing Jewish singles is equally im- ditures
in Michigan and Ohio as well as advertising.
portant to both the "matchmaker" and client. Ms. Sefansky is hoping to eventually put her
Ms. Sefansky said JFS gives Jewish singles
clients on a database.
a comfortable place to meet.
"For a small agency with a small budget,
"Many of our clients said they dated non-
it
adds
up," she said.
Jews and it didn't work out, and they are now
Fees assessed at Your Dateline consist of
interested in meeting other Jewish people," a one-time registration of $200, which in-
she said. "We want to be able to offer a ser- cludes an interview and introductions.
vice to those who have a need and don't want Like JFS, much of its income pays for over-
to spend a lot of money."
Clients pay JFS $20 for a confidential in- head.
"Lois and I are truly gratified by intro-
terview, which lasts for up to an hour. A $50 ducing people," said Ms. Hoskow, who also
fee is assessed for six months of service.
teaches English as a second language
There is no limit to the number of intro- in Walled Lake. "Our goal is to bring peo-
ductions Ms. Sefansky will make. If a match ple together, not make a lot of money.
cannot be made, memberships can be ex- Fortunately, this is not our only source of
tended for six months or refunded.
Irene Slobin, who owns and operates income." ❑
Irene's Matchmaking Service in West Bloom-

