Meet Danielle Selber [Best Jewish Matchmaker For You?]

Tribe 12 has been connecting people to Jewish life and the Philadelphia community since it was founded in 2010. With the help of their in-house matchmaker, Danielle Selber, Tribe 12 has implemented a new matchmaking initiative.

But is Danielle Selber the best Jewish matchmaker in Philadelphia for you? Let’s find out!

Our team of matchmaking experts has been in the industry since 2009, so we know firsthand what singles value most in a service.

We’ve reviewed over 200 matchmakers, diving deep into their processes, costs, and more. Let’s get started!

Meet Jewish Matchmaker Danielle Selber

Danielle Selber is a lifelong Philadelphian who received her Masters in Jewish Studies at Gratz College. She is now a matchmaker, freelance writer, program director, and podcaster.

Selber co-hosts The Yentas limited podcast series with fellow matchmakers Aleeza Ben Shalom and Michal Naisteter to help Jewish singles navigate the modern Jewish dating scene. 

She is also the in-house matchmaker for Tribe 12, a non-profit organization much like Jewish matchmaking service Cleveland Yentas. But Tribe 12’s mission isn’t just about helping people find their bashert.

Founded in 2010, the organization helps people in their 20s & 30s who want to connect to Jewish life and community in the Philadelphia area. 

In an interview with Canvas Rebel, Danielle Selber said:

“My focus is achieving the mission of the organization: to connect Philadelphia’s young professionals to each other and the Jewish community at large. This community engagement model of matchmaking means more opportunities for connection for more people.” 

Selber created the matchmaking initiative in 2017 to better serve Philadelphia’s Jewish singles.

“While even one generation ago finding a life partner was done with the support of the family and the community at large, today’s Jewish singles are largely on their own. I began a graduate thesis on modern applications of Jewish matchmaking which grew into my work today as a matchmaker at Tribe 12.”

How Tribe 12 Matchmaking Works

Tribe 12 accepts all Jewish backgrounds, lineages, races, ethnicities, levels of practice, and countries of origin. They also accept any gender identity, sexual orientation, or commitment preferences. 

As Selber explained in an interview,

“Our goal is to take the best elements of traditional Jewish matchmaking and reinterpret them to fit modern dating. We create positive dating experiences through introductions and events which can lead to healthy, long-term relationships.”

Danielle Selber and her team have facilitated over 760 coffee dates so far, and Tribe 12 also hosts in-person and virtual events as an alternative way to meet new people.

Some events are specifically for Jewish singles, while others are for young professionals who want to network within the community. 

Because Tribe 12 is a not-for-profit organization, the process works differently from other Jewish matchmaking services you may be considering. 

Rather than purchasing a matchmaking package and signing a contract, singles make donations in varying amounts depending on what level of help they want to receive.

How Much It Costs To Work With Matchmaker Danielle Selber 

The process starts with an initial consultation, which is free. They do, however, encourage a $36 donation if you’re satisfied with the guidance you receive from Selber during the conversation.

You can receive more in-depth guidance from Selber by booking an hour-long consultation for a one-time $180 donation. A donation of $360 is required if you’d like to have a conversation with Selber and an additional matchmaker, and you’ll also receive a custom dating profile.

For a $72 donation, you’ll be placed in the Tribe 12 database of eligible Jewish singles, called the Matchmaker’s Little Black Book.  Membership includes invitations to events, being considered first for new Jewish singles, and the possibility of being chosen as a “featured single”.

Matchmaker Danielle Selber will arrange 3 blind dates within a 6-month period, taking into account your preferred criteria, for a one-time donation of $1,200.

Or, for a $1,800 donation, you can work with a Tribe 12 matchmaker to create a custom event where you’ll meet attendees specifically chosen for you. The participants are not aware that the event is hosted specifically for you, and the type of event is determined by you and your matchmaker.

As Selber shared in an interview,

“I set people up on dates, run events to get people in the right room with the right people, and act as a resource to provide recommendation of other ways to meet someone great.”

If Selber is successful in matching you with your special someone, then it’s customary to make an additional donation in the $1,200 - $2,000 range. The details of this amount can be discussed with your matchmaker. 

Curious how taking the donation route stacks up a few other non-traditional matchmaking options for Jewish singles? Let’s do a quick comparison.

Saw You At Sinai

Saw You At Sinai is an “online matchmaking network” where volunteer matchmakers work with Jewish singles from around the world. As a member, you’ll be paired with 2 matchmakers based on factors like your religious orientation, location, and age. 

Your matchmakers will present curated matches to you as they find them, and you’ll have 10 days to accept or decline after reviewing the profile.

Creating a profile on the platform is free, but you’ll need a Gold membership to proactively receive matches. “Gold” members pay about $66 for 6 months, $45 for 3 months, or $25 for 1 month of service.

Similar to Tribe 12’s suggestion, it is customary for a successfully matched couple to pay their shadchan. The amount is typically agreed upon between you, your matchmaker, and your rabbi, and is often in the ballpark of $2,000.

Sara Malamud

A boutique Jewish matchmaker, Sara Malamud launched Sara’s World of Singles in 2001. 

She is based in Jerusalem, but caters to Jewish singles in North America. She screens all potential clients in person or a video/phone call and only takes on 15-20 active clients at a time. 

Clients can view the profiles and photos of their potential matches as well as chat with them over the phone before agreeing to meet them in person. 

Malamud charges approximately several thousand dollars per year for her matchmaking services.

VIDA Select

Founded by Scott Valdez in 2009, VIDA Select takes a modern approach to matchmaking. Unlike traditional services who work from within a limited database, VIDA’s matchmakers leverage the single largest source of Jewish singles there is. 

As a client, you’ll have an in-depth interview with your dedicated personal matchmaker, who will then hand-select highly compatible matches for you to meet. 

Packages are offered on a pay-as-you go basis, with Basic matchmaking services starting at just $1195 per month. Premium packages start around $1795. The cost of each package highly aligns with the number of hours your matchmaker will spend on your search.

On average, clients begin a relationship with a match within just 3 months of beginning service. Find out more about VIDA Select here!

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