Why a simple first date is out of reach for too many—and what we can do about it.
It started with a phone call.
In January 2022, a young man was navigating his way through the world of shidduchim. He wasn’t looking for a shadchan or a résumé—he had that part covered. What he didn’t have was clarity. How do you plan a first date? Where should you go? How do you strike the right balance between appropriate and thoughtful?
That one call turned into hundreds. And very quickly, it became clear: the practical side of dating was being overlooked.
So began the Dating Resources Network, a simple hotline that offered guidance to bochurim who didn’t know where to start. But what we discovered was bigger than just date planning. Bochurim didn’t just need ideas—they needed tools.
We launched dating gemachs to help fill that gap. Waze devices, board games, umbrellas, small essentials—all the things that help make a date go smoothly. We started with a few shelves and boxes. Today, there are 16 gemach locations around the country, and they’re accessed over 20,000 times a year. Our hotline now supports more than 4,000 dates annually.
But as we listened more closely, another need emerged—one we hadn’t anticipated.
Parents were reaching out. Bochurim were hesitating to date. Shadchanim were quietly admitting that promising suggestions weren’t being pursued. Why? Because the financial strain was too great.
A first date—between car rentals, tolls, gas, and parking—can easily top $165. Multiply that across several dates, and for many families, especially those already struggling with day-to-day expenses, it simply wasn’t feasible.
That’s when we launched our Financial Aid Program—a discreet, dignified way to ensure that no one is held back from building a bayis ne’eman because of money. Every applicant is carefully reviewed by rabbanim. And once approved, they receive direct support to ease the burden and allow them to move forward with confidence.
In just the past year, we’ve distributed over $240,000 in financial aid—giving hundreds of young men the ability to date without shame or pressure.
It’s a quiet effort. No headlines. No fanfare. But every week, we see the results—another couple that might never have had the chance to begin.
Want to be a part of it?
Join us for an evening to support the Dating Resources Network:
Monday, August 5th · 8:00–10:30 PM
At the home of Yissy Cherns, 38 Willow Tree
Enjoy fresh oven-baked pizza, a full ice cream and razzle bar, and the opportunity to help build Klal Yisroel—one date at a time.
Co-Hosted By:
Menachem Weinreb · Aaron Eichorn · Shlomie Goldenberg · Motty Weinreb
Shalom Orlian · Yossi Goldgrab · Aharon Kushner · Dovid Schenk
Avrumie Schlisselfeld · Chesky Weiss · Aron Gobioff · Boruch Weinreb
Ashley Anisfeld · Yossi Himy
💳 Donate:
Let’s ease the burden, restore dignity, and give every young man the chance to build his future.
Such a nice cause!