Top Fashion Shiduch System (TFSS)

Source: The Crown Heights Chronicle - The Crown Heights shiduch system needs a little help. That's what many single people that I've interviewed said. That is why the top shadchunim (matchmakers) and community leaders joined in an emergency meeting last week. The urgency came after a census report revealed that there is a 27% hike of single "Caucasians" living in the community. This is since 1998. The report also shows a 17% growth of singles that are over 23.

"Why?" Asks Mrs. Adelman, a veteran Shadchun. "I don't think it's an inefficiency of [matchmakers]."

Others disagree. "I think they act like hard-to-get celebrities." Says Malka (a 27 year-old single girl who declined to give her last name). "They just put two names together and close their eyes without thinking of the emotional ride [they] put us on."

Most Shadchonim, though, realize that something has to change. "I think girls are more independent now... guys and girls are getting very specific in their taste.." A community leader, that attended the emergency shiduch meeting, told us. "What ever happened to the good old days where there is a guy and a girl and they just make it work?"

The outcome of the meeting was a start of "out of the box" ideas. The first one that they came up with is the Top Fashion Shiduch System.

The store on Kingston Ave. called Top Fashion agreed to join in on the matchmaking journey. The system is simple. Guys can come and meet with the store owner to tell her what kind of girl they are looking for. They also give a reseme describing themselves. The workers review all the résumés and requests weekly, and quietly scout out the girls that shop there. If they think that something would click, they set up a meeting with the girl to see if she's interested.

"I think we see a totally differant side of the girl [when they shop here]," says Mrs. Blizinsky, in a stale, Israeli accent. "We can really get to know the real girl while in her natural [habitat]."

And to the question of "are you offended" answered top shadchun Rochel Bryski: "No... A lot of girls think that people will look down on them if they go to a shadchun. It's kind of like the stigma of going to a shrink... even though they are both totally different.. although I do let my clients talk and take their time.. I guess you could call it a little therapeutic.. but that's beyond the point.. what was I saying.. oh, ya... with Top Fashion.. the staff there are able to meet a lot of girls that wouldn't come to me or any other shadchun.. it really widens the net.. and I guess gives them more business.. but no of course I'm not offended!"

Top Fashion reports that they have made three pending shiduchim so far and things are "going real well." Hey, does this dress come with a chosson?

With reporting by Yitzchok Wagshul.