Jewish Matchmaking Review: Jewish Matchmaking is a reality dating TV show starring matchmaker Aleeza Ben Shalom. The series has 8 episodes, each with a runtime of around 30 minutes. The series is based on Indian Matchmaking.
Aleeza Ben Shalom takes her expertise to Netflix as she helps Jewish singles meet their soulmates the traditional way. How many singles will find their soulmates in the course of the 8 episodes?
– Jewish Matchmaking Review Does Not Contain Spoilers –
Listen, we probably shouldn’t judge two similar shows following two very different sets of people… but the comparisons are eminent, and the comparisons come up from the very first minute. You compare the matchmakers and the people and the process. Most are similar yet different; of course, the cultures are quite different, but there’s the commonality that all of these people are choosing to find their forever someone through a matchmaker, and they want someone from their own cultures or their own religions.
Coming to the host, Aleeza feels like a more real person than Sima Thaparia in that she feels warmer and more open to people’s opinions and needs. For example, in the first episode, a client asks her to get someone who has a strong eyebrow like her. It’s honestly something that probably doesn’t matter in the grand scheme of things, but Aleeza doesn’t go on a rant about how her client’s need for thick eyebrows should mean that she should become a beautician. She laughs it off and tries her best to bring her client what she wants.
Our Jewish matchmaker almost seems like a warm and empathetic person, something that we don’t see in Indian Matchmaking. The latter show is a lot of judgements thrown around everywhere, and it’s almost torture to watch someone pick apart everyone’s needs and remind them that they will definitely have to settle for less. I like the optimism in this show, and there’s not too much judgement.
There are also some interesting people with a variety of needs. Everyone has a reason to hold on to their faith and the importance of their religion in their lives, and as someone from outside that religion, it’s always an interesting peek into the subject. That being said, I think Aleeza’s introspective look into stuff feels a bit much, but to be honest, I think she is quite genuine, and I found myself agreeing with her on some things, which is a first.
Let’s talk about the clients – there’s someone to annoy everyone here, and it’s very interesting. I think the Indian Matchmaking‘s characters are very shallow and one-dimensional. Some of the people in its Jewish counterpart are also quite shallow, but what’s interesting is the shades that some of them showcase. The guy who is constantly talking about dating a good-looking woman falling head over for the newest match is quite humourous in an odd way.
Now, I am not really accustomed to the Jewish faith and won’t be commenting on what is shown correctly or not – that is not the point of this article. However, it was interesting to learn new things about the faith and the various intricacies of the people who adhere to it to different degrees. I think I learned some things if not all. It’s also interesting how religion also becomes a hindrance in some of the singles’ lives. I always find it interesting when people choose to get into arranged marriages, as long as it’s absolutely consensual. So watching these people figure someone new out with the thought of marriage looming large is quite an interesting watch.
Also Read: Indian Matchmaking Season 3 Review: Arranged Marriage or Propaganda?
However, I think people might find the sheer volume of religious discussion a bit overwhelming sometimes. Don’t get me wrong, I got to know a lot of new things, but most of these relationships are based so deeply on religion that sometimes you are left to desire more from the series. The series is, in fact, a very religious series. It’s also open-minded, so there isn’t any judgement, at least no overt ones.
Regardless, it does introduce some new things which are different from Indian Matchmaking and ones that really do catch your attention. The way the episodes are created is mostly the same, so apart from the fact that these are Jewish people and not Indian, there’s not much difference there.
So the important thing to think about for these shows is that they highlight only the good, sparkly parts of arranged marriages and focus on people who are well-off. Jewish Matchmaking is the same, and most of the people shown here are well-off individuals living in really beautiful homes. It’s not much different from its predecessor in that way. I, unfortunately, cannot comment on how well it adheres to the reality of the situation when it comes to the matchmaking or religious aspects, so maybe the comments section might give us a better perspective on that.
Jewish Matchmaking Review: Final Thoughts
Jewish Matchmaking is watchable. I am personally not a fan of matchmaking shows, especially that lean so heavily into the religious aspects, but it’s still enjoyable for the most part.
Jewish Matchmaking is streaming on Netflix.