Aleeza Ben Shalom, the Yente from JEWISH MATCHMAKING, professes to have “the hardest job.” Uh, excuse me. I don’t think so. I thought her job was delightful and very fulfilling as she traveled from Israel to New York, Miami, Chicago, California, and even Kansas. Perhaps a better word choice would be frustrating, but still, Aleeza gets no sympathy from me.
JEWISH MATCHMAKING is the latest romance, hook-up, and reality show with a very serious undercurrent. It was all about how to get to the “chuppah” as quickly as you can, all while trying to find a “mensch.” (A good person) Yes, it can be challenging when most clients aren’t always honest with what they are looking for, and some even requested a very specific eye color. Patience and perseverance were required. The possibilities were interesting, vivacious, stunning, cute, handsome, funny, and shy. Aleeza liked it when candidates were “flexidox.” It freed her candidate inventory.
I thoroughly enjoyed the interviews of couples married anywhere from 30 years up to 62. They gave wonderful, humorous advice that was reminiscent of the wise couples in WHEN HARRY MET SALLY. Priceless moments. What disappointed me was the viewers were never privy to end results. Did any of the men and women she introduced make it to the chuppah? Inquiring minds want to know since I binged the entire series to be a part of their forever after. There was no payoff. But Aleeza did share her beautiful, inspiring hope and prayer for couples everywhere. “This is the part where you say amen.”
JEWISH MATCHMAKING is a niche series. Obviously, it is not for everyone. This is the only reason I could not consider it must-see tv, but for me, I felt like I was home with many of my relatives or members of my old synagogue. It is available to stream on Netflix
