in West Bloomfield, enables "Jewish
singles to meet each other in a non-
threatening, mutually agreeable fash-
ion," according to Kari Provizer, who
started the network a year and a half
ago.
The network's 500 members browse
through "opposite gender books" which
contain profiles and photos. Members
send a postcard to those they'd like to
meet; that person then looks at the
interested party's profile and responds
via postcard. While all Beshert members
are Jewish, membership at Temple
Israel, or in the Reform movement, is
not a requirement; in fact, the denomi-
national affiliation of Beshert members
runs the gamut.
Kari said this system "is better than a
blind date because you've seen a picture
of the person and you know a little
about them" before you agree to meet.
Not all members look through the
books, she said. Some just wait to see if
anyone sends them a postcard. Others
leaf through weekly to check out who's
new Beshert Connection membership
costs $36 a year.
Another way to meet: a professional
introduction program called LINCS,
run through Jewish Family Services in
Ann Arbor. Potential participants fill
out a questionnaire and interview with
the program's coordinator, Dion
Frischer.
During the interview, Frischer
encourages candidates to talk about
what they're looking for in a partner
and a relationship, which "gives me a
really good chance to get to know them
in a little more depth than a question-
naire allows," she said.
After the interview, Frischer scans
her membership list for matches. If the
person signs up for LINCS, she sends
him or her the name and phone num-
ber of an appropriate introduction.
More introductions are sent at the .
member's request.
"Even though we try to make it very
individualized, chemistry is hard to pre-
dict," she admitted. Sometimes people
who seem perfect for each other aren't,
and others, apparently very different,
date for a long time.
The five-year-old program has pro-
duced at least one marriage, several
long-term relationships and many inter-
esting dates, Frischer said. The cost of a
LINCS interview is $25, and member-
ship is $50 for six months or $75 a
year.
Yet another way to meet someone is
during next month's Midwest Jewish
Singles LiVely Labor Day Shabbaton,
the ninth such weekend event for obser-

vant-minded Jewish singles. Based at
Congregation Bais Chabad in West
Bloomfield, the twice-yearly weekends
have produced at least 27 marriages and
15 babies.
"People who come to these weekends
are very serious-minded about meeting
someone," said organizer Anita
Turtletaub. "Therefore, the likelihood
that they are going to meet an appropri-
ate mate is increased because they're not
fooling themselves anymore, and they're
not fooling anyone else."
There is a cultural excursion during
the day on the Friday — this year it's a
trek to Cranbrook — then a mixer, din-
ner and lecture. Saturday consists of
Shabbat services, a meal, lectures and a
pizza party. Sunday brunch is followed
by something fun, usually whirlyball.
None of the scheduled events are
mandatory, said Turtletaub, who lives in
Chicago. "Those who have met some
one they want to spend more time with
can go for a walk, have a cup of tea."
Throughout the weekend, Turtletaub
is hard at work matchmaking. While
some attendees meet on their own, she
finds out a little bit about a single who
catches the eye of another. Some simply
ask outright who is there for them. In
any case, Turtletaub will honestly tell
people if a person is or is not appropri-
ate for them. (Given the Shabbaton's
Orthodox leanings, the questionnaire
asks participants to identify if they are
either a Kohen or a divorcee, since
Jewish law prohibits unions between the
two.)
Even though she doesn't guarantee
that people will meet, Turtletaub
promises to knock herself out to make
the weekend a wonderful experience for
all who attend.* The Shabbaton costs
$175 and is limited to 100 singles.
Hilarious and horrifying experi-
ences aside, blind dates can work.
Sheri Benkoff admitted that she met
many nice people, including Michael,
who she's been dating for three
months.
"You just never know," she said.
"You take it as a learning experience, as
an opportunity to meet someone new,
and you see what happens." ❑

For more information:
Beshert Connection at Temple
Israel: (248) 661-5700
LINCS at Jewish Family Services
in Ann Arbor: (734) 971-3280
Shabbaton weekends at Bais
Chabad: (847) 675-3335 or (248)
855-6170.

Financial Tip
Of The Month

Start now, and you just might
be able to kick back and enjoy retirement

LISA M. LONDON
Special to The Jewish News

ost people think of
retirement as an
extended vacation, a
time to relax. But the
reality is that many "retirees" must
continue working to support their
lifestyles.
According to the Social Security
Administration, in 1994, full- or
part-time jobs accounted for 29 per-
cent of the average retiree's income;
another 24 percent was from per-
sonal savings.
Will you be financially prepared
to enjoy the retirement you envi-
sion? A long-term investment pro-
gram is a good way to start, which is
why you should invest in your com-
pany's 401(k) program.
A 401(k) is a regular investment
program which allows you to
* invest pre-tax dollars;
* defer tax on interest income;
* invest regularly.
Remember, a 401(k) program is a
retirement program. That means
that you cannot withdraw the
money before you reach the age of
59.5 without incurring penalty fees
and having to pay taxes.
While a regular investment pro-
gram such as a 401(k) does not
assure a profit or protect against loss
in a declining market, it does pro-
vide an easy, disciplined way to
invest.

Lisa London is vice president-
investments and a financial consul-
tant with Smith Barney Inc. in
Southfield.

How much money should you
invest in your 401(k) plan?
Let's say that, in addition to your
other sources of retirement income,
you want your investments to sup-
ply $15,000 to $25,000 per year
when you retire. How much should
you be contributing to your plan?
That depends on your current age
and the number of years during
which you will need the money -
Check out the table:

Monthly Investment Necessary to
Sustain the Following Annual
Retirement Incomes for 20 Years*
YOUR CURRENT AGE
TO HAVE $15,000/YEAR
$25,000/YEAR
25
$93/month
$154/ month

30
$196/month
$326/month

40
$365/month
$608/month
Dollar
figures
are in today's dol-
*
lars. Assumes a 4 percent annual
rate of inflation, retirement at age
65 and a 10 percent compounded
annual rate of return.
Please see your payroll or human
resources department for informa-
tion on your company's 401(k) plan.
Without a program of regular
investments, your retirement could
become a working vacation! CI

The views expressed herein are not
necessarily the opinions of The Jewish
News.

8/21
1998

Detroit Jewish News

81