By COLlive reporter
A new proposal circulating in Israel’s Chabad communities is drawing attention after a group of shadchanim called for introducing compensation for dates that do not lead to engagement.
Outlined in a letter dated Sivan 5786, the proposal comes amid broader discussions surrounding changes in the shidduch landscape and efforts to create what organizers describe as a more balanced and sustainable system.
Under the proposal, traditional shadchanus payments would remain unchanged when a match results in engagement. However, for meetings that do not lead to a shidduch, each family/single would pay up to 100 shekels per date.
The letter says the recommendation follows consultations with multiple shadchanim and points to concerns over increasingly lengthy dating processes and the growing amount of time invested in arranging and managing meetings.
Supporters of the model argue that shadchanim often devote considerable effort to coordinating dates, guiding families, and maintaining communication throughout the process, even when no engagement follows.
At the same time, the proposal is expected to generate debate among families and community members over whether introducing a pay-per-date structure could add financial pressure to an already demanding shidduch process.
The initiative concludes with a call for continued partnership and responsibility in helping build Jewish homes across Israel.
Whether the proposal gains broader adoption remains to be seen, but it has already sparked discussion about whether compensation models in the shidduch world should evolve alongside changing dating patterns.
