|
|
July 12, 2002/Av 3 5762, Vol. 54, No. 43
JDate event on Tisha b'Av
LEISAH NAMM
Assistant Editor
JDate, a Jewish Internet dating site, has scheduled its first Valley event on Wednesday, July 17 - an evening of dancing at JETZ, a Scottsdale nightclub. However, it falls on the eve of Tisha b'Av, a day of mourning for the destruction of both Jerusalem Temples, observed as a fast day on which dancing is prohibited.
JDate member Hershl Weberman of Phoenix, a recent transplant from Brooklyn, N.Y., who describes himself as "somewhat observant," said "as a (Jewish) institution, (JDate) should respect Jewish culture and customs, not just take the checks and money that everybody pays for the service," he said. "I found it appalling ... that they were so out of touch."
"We plan events for our members," said Jennifer Smith, national events manager for JDate, based in Beverly Hills. "Not all our members observe every holiday. We go out of our way not to offend people, but at the same time, not everyone observes all the holidays."
For example, in the past, JDate hosted events on Friday evenings, but stopped doing so after receiving "an outpouring from certain people that did not like the Friday night event because it interfered with Shabbat," Smith said. "There are certain holidays that we definitely avoid planning events on, and then some we don't."
The number of people currently registered to attend was not available. The event is geared toward Jewish singles in their 20s and 30s.
JDate is a Web site provided by MatchNet. Visit www.JDate.com.
|
