It has been about three months since Shidduch in a Box Baltimore (SIB) has been launched. The first chasuna to participate took place right after Tisha B’Av. We are happy to report that, baruch Hashem, with siyata dishmaya and a bracha of hatzlacha from Rav Heinemann and other rabbanim, we are seeing success. We haven’t heard of any engagements as a result yet, but it is still too early in the process for that, b’derech hateva. Yet so far, we have seen the following amazing success:
1. We have on average an SIB display at a chasuna once a week…even in New York!
2. Engaged couples are excited to participate and request SIB.
3. Singles not only from Baltimore but also outside of Baltimore are filling out profiles.
4. There has been an exciting increase of bachurim participation. There has even been turnout where there has been an almost equal number of boys and girls filling out profiles (and yes, these were under 25-year-olds). The boys understand the advantage of the system and how it works.
5. No SIB box has ever been empty.
6. Singles in Baltimore have an opportunity to know that they are not being forgotten, even at their friend’s most special time.
7. Volunteer help has been incredibly helpful. Thank you!!!
This has only been possible with the help of all the individuals who have been so gracious as to donate their time and money to the cause.
We hope that in the next few months, we will be zocheh, with siyata dishmaya, to hear of dates and even engagements and chasunas that were able to springboard from the efforts of SIB.
How does SIB work?
A chassan or kalla calls or texts SIB at 443-392-2934 and requests to have SIB set up at their chasuna. We take care of the rest. (If it is a Baltimore chasuna, the procedure is simple. If it is out of Baltimore, it gets a little more complex, but it is still very doable.) We come to the chasuna and set up the display in conjunction with the caterer. There is a beautiful and tastefully decorated display with a pretty box, directions, empty profiles, writing utensils, and clipboards. There are also supplies in the restrooms for those who prefer more privacy. Singles or their representatives fill out profiles and place them in the locked and secured box. Towards the end of the chasuna, a volunteer comes and collects the display. The profiles are handled in a confidential manner, gathered together in a binder, and delivered to the chassan and kalla during the week of sheva brachos. In addition, a follow-up call to the new couple is made two months later, after things have settled down a bit, and any questions and concerns are discussed.
We are so happy that our community, which is known for its chesed, is participating in this most wonderful project in the hopes of having yet another tool in the toolbox to help create more batim ne’emanim b’Yisrael.
A cute story…it was heard that someone complained to a friend that SIB was not at some chasunas they had recently attended!! We explained that it was up to the chassan and kalla to request it. They were under the impression that it was going to be instituted at every chasuna. Im yirtzeh Hashem…it will be!!!
To volunteer, sponsor, or request SIB, please call/text Shoshanah at 443-392-2934. You may also look online FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY at www.shidduchinabox.com (the display there is the Israeli one only, not the Baltimore one).
