moments

JERRY ZOLYNSKY

special moments

Matchmaker,
Matchmaker

KARLEIGH STONE
SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS

NJP

(Nice Jewish Person)

Irene Slobin

(Also a Matchmaker!)

This month, the JN features
an older, eligible single in the
community: Irene Slobin. She
has been connecting couples
for more than 50 years
through her professional
matchmaking ser vice, Irene’s
Matchmaking.

22

June 28 • 2018

jn

H

ow did you get into match-
making?
IS: The first person I fixed
up was when I was 13 years old. I intro-
duced my sister to my brother-in-law.
They got married and had two kids.
About 27 years ago, I went out with
Marcus Rothbart of Cattleman’s and he
convinced me to start a business. He
said you’re really good at this and you’re
doing it for free; why not charge? I’ve
made 400 matches in my life and 1,000
children have been born as a result
with only 11 divorces. I have psycholo-
gists, psychiatrists, rabbis and other
clergy recommending me. I love making
people happy.
How have your Jewish values
shaped your matchmaking career?
IS: I belong to Temple Israel and I’m
very active in the Jewish community. I
am compassionate and have incredible
Jewish values. I donate to St. Jude’s, the
Cancer Society, the Humane Society
and the Associated Society Animal
Protection (A.S.A.P.). I provide my
matchmaking services for free when I
meet someone who can’t afford it, but I
really connect with them. A psychiatrist
once told me, “You care more about
other people than you do yourself.”
In addition to matchmaking, what

other activities do you enjoy?
IS: I like reading. I read five books a
week. I also love going to lectures and
going on field trips at the Jewish Center.
I love doing things and keeping busy.
I am also a makeup artist. I have been
using Mary Kay makeup for the past 20
years and I am a Mary Kay representa-
tive. I have incredible skin — I am 72
years old, but I look 60.
What’s led you to stay in Michigan
your whole life?
IS: I was born and raised in Michigan,
and I live in Farmington Hills. All of my
kids and grandkids live here, except my
one son, who is in Chicago. I love being
in Michigan. I love the change in cli-
mate, I love the people and my friends,
and I’m very active in the Jewish com-
munity here.
What’s one piece of advice you’d
like to share with our readers about
relationships?
IS: You have to be the best of friends.
That’s the most important thing in the
world. You have to like and respect
each other. The most important thing is
friendship.
Now, onto some fun questions!
What’s your favorite Jewish holiday?
IS: I like Rosh Hashanah and I like
Passover. I like going to synagogue and

celebrating. I love being around people
who love God as much as I do. I study
and read about religion all the time. I’ve
been to every synagogue in town.
Where would you like to travel that
you haven’t visited?
IS: Israel because that’s where my
heritage is. I’m very spiritual.
What are you most proud of?
IS: I’m most proud of my children and
my grandchildren. Not a day goes by when
I don’t call them and tell them I love them
and I’m proud of them. I’m also proud of
the people whom I’ve made happy. When
I get invited to a wedding and the rabbi
says, “This is the woman who introduced
them,” it makes me feel really proud.
Is there anything else you’d like our
readers to know?
IS: I’ve had a very interesting life
and I’d like to find someone I can fall
in love with who appreciates my heart.
Someone between the age of 72 and
92 who loves people, animals and life.
When I go to synagogue, I don’t go to
meet a man; I go to pray to God. When
I go out with family and friends, I go to
enjoy my time with them. I’m not look-
ing for someone in those places. •

Interested in meeting Irene or using her match-
making service? Call her at (248) 702-6867.

