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Sept. 1, 2006
JI joins online dating scene
The Independent and partner JQSCorp team up for jisinglesbc.com.
CYNTHIA RAMSAY
The Jewish Independent has teamed up with JQSCorp Network
to provide single Independent readers the chance to find
their basherte ... or at least to meet some interesting people.
The Independent's new link, www.jisinglesbc.com,
is up and running and people are already signing up for the variety
of services that the JQS network provides. The network is made up
of more than 100 media partners, including Canadian Jewish News,
the Jewish News Weekly of Northern California and New York's
Jewish Week. This means that new members are constantly joining
– and now Independent readers can take part.
As part of the JQS network, www.jisinglesbc.com
includes features such as live audio-video chat, anonymous surfing,
hot lists and last visitor display. The site's content covers a
wide range of dating topics, including news and views about dating
trends, as well as answers to readers' questions. There is also
practical dating advice from a range of perspectives – and
the writers are always available to answer questions.
Devora Alouf founded Human Touch, JQS's singles column offering
interesting content and hands-on advice. At press time, other contributors
included Rabbi Manis Friedman with "Beyond the male ego: men's
greatest fear," Dr. Janice D. Bennett with "It might really
be about you," Roxanne Perri on "Compatibility and your
handwriting" and Eric Resnick on "The golden rule of profiles."
There were several other articles and blogs by other writers, as
well as an advertisement for an upcoming Ask Love Coach column.
While the articles range in topic and in the practicality of their
advice, most provide useful guidance – even things we may not
wish to hear. For example, Bennett's article begins, "The guy
you're dating tends to be a little less than punctual. The woman
you're seeing isn't the neatest when it comes to her pocketbook,
or her apartment. And it bothers you. A lot. So what do you do about
it? You do what you've done before – you end the relationship.
But if you find that you're rejecting too many dating partners because
of some 'little things' you don't like about them, then I suggest
you reconsider. Because what bothers you about them, might really
be about you instead."
If you are more serious and are looking for a marriage partner,
JQS employs a network of matchmakers in North America, Europe and
Israel, with years of experience and many successful marriages to
their credit. Overseen by Alouf, JQS matchmakers will assist any
member wanting a more personal approach. The separate fee for this
aspect of the site, which includes a premium membership and a professional
profile review, features a personal phone interview with one of
the matchmakers. JQS matchmakers then contact members of your choice
on your behalf and provide you with recommendations of matches.
An icon is placed on your profile indicating your special status.
If you join this aspect of the site, you will have unlimited access
to an extensive database of quality, seriously marriage-minded individuals.
Finally, JQS has created a completely free service called Jewish
Singles with Special Needs (www.jswsn.org)
for any individuals with disabilities seeking love and companionship.
It is free to sign up to www.jisinglesbc.com
and browse, but there is a charge for full access. Premium membership
allows you to send e-mails and chat invitations, reply to e-mails,
surf anonymously, perform advanced searches, post a profile with
photos, etc. A one-month premium plan costs $33 and renews at the
same price; a three-month membership is $66 and renews at $18 (buy
two memberships and get one free); and a six-month membership is
$99 and also renews at $18.
JQS has a ProfileHelper team to help you with your personal profile,
for $13 and up. For $45, you can have your profile featured on the
site's front page for three months among a select few profiles picked
by staff as being the best-quality profiles. To subscribe to JQS's
matchmaking service, you have to call JQS.
At www.jisinglesbc.com,
there is an extensive online help section, with more than 50 topics
covered to make sure you can make the most of the site. The most
popular questions include "How do I find someone to chat with?"
"How do I get started/sign up?" "How do I contact
a member?" "How do you use live video/audio/text chat?"
There are also dating safety tips.
JQSCorp (or JMatch) stresses its ability and willingness to provide
assistance to members – and not just online. To reach JQS by
phone, call 1-416-907-0792 or 1-514-448-2692. Their fax is 1-514-448-2708
and their mailing address is JMatch, P.O. Box 66524, 5800 Cavendish,
Montreal, Q.C., H4W 3J6. Their hours are Monday to Thursday and
Sunday, 7 a.m.-3 p.m. PST, and 6 a.m.-9 a.m. on Fridays (they are
closed on all Jewish holidays).
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