TheJMom Lets Jewish Mothers Play Cupid

With so many single people in the world, dating sites have been cropping up all over the place. From eHarmony and Match.com to Zoosk and good-old-fashioned Facebook, people are constantly in search of a website that can help them find that special someone. That search is what led to the creation of

, a matchmaking network for Jewish mothers. “I've always been entrepreneurial, constantly thinking of ways to use technology to make life easier,” said Brad Weisberg, who co-founded TheJMom with his sister, Danielle. “When my sister and I came up with TheJMom, we decided to stop talking and make it a reality.” While visiting his parents in Louisville, Kentucky, Brad's mother asked if she could see his online dating profile to see what the girls looked like. “I was hesitant at first but thought, ‘what's the harm?'” Brad said. “It's not like she's going to contact anyone. So I let her go to town.” Thinking nothing of it, Brad and Danielle went to the grocery store. “When we came back an hour later, my mother was still completely engaged with the computer,” Brad said. “She didn't know how to use the website so she wrote down girls' screen names with a pencil and paper. She was sure she had found ‘the one.'” Brad and Danielle looked at each other and started laughing hysterically. “But,” Brad said, “I could see the wheels spinning in her head, like maybe we're on to something. Being set up is one of the best ways to meet people. Why not use the internet to give our mom a platform to speak with other moms across the country who have single children that want to be set up?” From there, TheJMom was born. “We have had roughly 900 moms sign up,” Brad revealed. “We are a relatively new site, so we don't have any marriages. But we have had over 125 successful set-ups.” Not surprisingly, Brad's mother is a fan. “Not only am I the founder but my mother is a member, too,” Brad said, adding that he and Danielle are both single and looking to be set up.

Since launching last December, TheJMom has expanded to Canada and will soon arrive in Israel. “We have thought about taking the company public but know that's not going to happen this year,” Brad said. “We are working on getting users signed up and creating a positive experience on the site.” Finally, Brad says that if you've ever been to a dating site, this one is no different. “If anything, it's easier and takes less time,” Brad insists. “You're essentially hiring your mom to help suggest dates for you.” Ultimately though, your mother won't actually set up a particular date. “All she's able to do is narrow in on a potential match and send you the person's photos and contact information,” Brad said. “It's completely up to you to decide if you're going to contact that person and meet for a drink.” “Lastly,” Brad says with a smile, “it will make your mom happy.”