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The small but highly dynamic Anglo Jewish singles dating community in Israel has discovered Israel Anglo Singles, a free dating Web forum located at Yahoo Groups.
The Israel Jewish singles dating group for Anglos coming from North America, England and South Africa was created in 2004 and today has nearly one thousand members.
Finding a Jewish mate can be a difficult task. Complaints of meat-market bar scenes are common. And for the Jewish Anglo in Israel, meeting native born Israelis often result in cultural problems. Now there is an easy way to meet Jewish Anglo singles in the comfort and privacy of your own home.
"There are tons of Jewish singles dating Websites, but not one directly addresses the needs of single Anglos in Israel," said Joel Leyden, an Internet marketing pioneer and journalist who practices international public relations and Internet marketing in Israel.
"There are two groups of Anglo singles in Israel. Those who have just made Aliya in their 20' and 30's as singles and those who have been living in Israel for many years, divorced and are now trying to find their new special partner. Israel Anglo Singles creates a bridge for these singles with a variety of special networking and dating events from pub nights, nature trips, museums and concerts to beach brunches, seminars on relationships, dancing and speed dating."
On a typical day, several messages will flash up and onto the Israel Anglo Singles site. These messages are posted on the Israel Anglo Singles Website and also go directly to the member's email box. Some are announcements - ads for dating services and singles events. And yet other postings are direct where the person identifies themselves and details the person they are searching for.
Polls and debates can often be seen on the Israel Anglo Singles Jewish Website. Discussions include who should pay for the first date, what the many differences are between Mars men and Venus women and what makes for a healthy relationship.
The Israel Jewish singles dating and support group also provides a database where one can view photographs of Israel Anglo Singles members.
This Israel singles group is open to all Jewish singles from the ages of 21 to 60. Both secular Jews and religious Jews belong to the site working together for events that may attend.
"Most of our members live and work in Israel, but we also encourage Jews from around the world to join," says Leyden. "Although it is a dating and support group for Anglo singles living, working and dating in Israel, we also welcome Jewish singles from New York and London to Paris and Rome. These Jewish singles may have already visited Israel and through the forum may be encouraged to either visit Israel or relocate to Israel in the near future. The forum provides a taste of what it is like to be single and dating in Israel, the many features of what Israel has to offer from a personal, commercial and or cultural perspective."
The dating forum asks its members to post messages which are in good taste and avoid any adult content. Israel Anglo Singles also does not allow any personal attacks.
"Each and every message is screened before it goes out to the Jewish Israel Anglo singles community," says Leyden. "We strive to create a warm and intimate environment - only good vibes!"
Israel Anglo Singles suggests that one posts a message for free describing themselves, where they live, their age, level of religious belief, hobbies and the what they are seeking in a relationship - friendship, dating, long term or marriage.
The site encourages its members to post singles events in the Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Haifa, Northern and Southern Israel regions for both singles and single parents.
In a world where Jewish singles no longer live in secluded communities, the "Global Village" of the Internet can be an effective tool to find someone who shares personal beliefs and values.
Israel Anglo Singles also provides some on-line etiquette and security advice recommending that members do not e-mail their last name, address and telephone number until they have made solid e-mail contact with their potential date. No discussion of politics or religion is allowed on Israel Anglo Singles. They also forbid commercial advertising unless it is directly related to dating.
The Jewish singles site is now opening an additional 24/7 room equipped with both voice and live video.
It's unclear how many couples have met and married via the Internet, but experts agree that a boom in Websites catering to Jewish singles has broadened the relatively narrow opportunities open to them, especially those in small communities, or without any community at all.
Virtual mating rituals reflect real world changes. First came the online chat rooms, sites for personal ads and dating services, where members can post their addresses, photos, and personal messages without committing to commit.
Think online dating is just for the hip-hop, hip-hugger generation? Think again. These days, you're almost as likely to find an AARP member surfing for love on Israel Anglo Singles, the most popular Jewish Anglo virtual dating hotspots in Israel. In addition to those in their 20's and 30's, there now are hundreds of Israel Jewish singles over 40 using their keyboards to meet their next match. To begin with, the number of mature Internet users is rising.
In 1996, just 2 percent of those 65 and older were even online. Now 22 percent of those in that age bracket are using the Internet, and 58 percent of Americans between the ages of 50 and 64 are dialed up. And now older users are going beyond e-mailing grandkids or checking the weekend weather online. They're lookin' for love.
According to the National Jewish Population Survey 2000-01, over 50 percent of Jewish adults have been divorced with 10 percent of Jewish adults still divorced, 4 percent are separated and 7 percent are widowed. That makes nearly a quarter of the Jewish American population who are single and on the scene - quite possibly online.
The ease of meeting potential mates from the comfort of one's own computer chair seems to be the cheap and quick reason romance-seekers are going digital. As Internet dating becomes more mainstream, an unspoken, universal rule demands honesty and pictorial accuracy.
Overall, the reports are positive, but as in any venture, success doesn't happen overnight. Internet dating takes just as much, if not more, time as coaxing friends into setting up blind dates, working the room at a singles event or approaching a stranger at the gym.
Leyden offers the following advice: "Don't show up for a first date 30 minutes late. Don't wear your favorite sweater with two big holes in it. And don't brag." Leyden continues: "There are big online no-nos as well. "Do not state your age as a disadvantage or apologize for it. For example, do not begin with 'I am a young-at-heart 50-year-old.' Do not make age an issue; rather, focus on who you are and what you are about. When creating a profile, "affirm your basic worth," he says.
"Equally important is your commitment to being proactive."
After having created a profile on Israel Anglo Singles, the co-moderators strongly suggest to upload photos. "You should put up as many photos as possible. They need not be glamorous but decent, nice - pictures with a smile. Also: "Do not post photos with your ex, boyfriends / girlfriends, children, weddings, dogs, etc. They take away the focus from you."
"We stick to issues pertaining to dates, dating, singles events, divorces, marriages, nightclubs, pubs, beaches, restaurants, picnics, nature trips, romance, marriage, Jewish and Israel holidays and singles events which include or do not include children," says Leyden.
"And we are always offering professional advice from psychologists and keeping part of that singles advice written on our site's introduction. We would like to engrave in our members minds and hearts that daily communication, trust, understanding, compromise, humor and kisses are the essential keys to a long, productive, healthy and fun relationship!"
"I think it is great way for members to support each other while remaining public or private," says Sara Silber, a Israel psychologist who made Aliya from New York and also serves as a certified family and marriage therapist.
"If people decide to meet they can. That there are common activities of mutual interest is very important. That sensitive questions and answers relating to the single Anglo in Israel can be addressed. Israel Anglo Singles can serve as a powerful support network which reduces anxiety and stress. A single parent can bring up issues concerning him or her and receive real time advice from other members in a similar situation in addition to professional advice."
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