Pictured above: Experienced hiking guide Debra Rosenberg will lead Project Jewish Love’s Climb Higher hikes
Jennifer Gale was thinking about her own dating future when the idea of Project 40 Love first popped into her head. The name was a play on words using the concept of a tennis match. She requested set-ups and blind date suggestions from her friends, encouraging them to “toss the ball in her court” and “match” her with potential partners.
For almost a year, she joked with her friends about Project 40 Love, but the more she shared the idea, the more she realized that she was not alone. “That’s when I began to research dedicated outlets available for single Jews over 40 looking for companionship, friendship, dating, love or marriage. “The results were a bit slim, not just in Arizona,” says Jennifer. “Jewish groups, programming and dating appear strong for those approximately 30-years-old (maybe even 35) and younger and then again in the senior years.”
So Jennifer set out to create an “old-fashioned” way to bring people together in one of the largest cities in the U.S., featuring events that would bring people face-to-face. Project Jewish Love was born. Each month PJL hosts at least one social, one Judaic, one health and well-being, and one Shabbat dinner event at various locations.
At the first Shabbat dinner she hosted, Jennifer asked the more than 35 attendees to share, “something they couldn’t live without.” An overwhelming majority stated that they could not live without being outdoors and/or hiking. Jennifer realized that hiking would be a perfect bonding activity. At the same event, a woman named Debra Rosenberg approached her and told Jennifer that she had experience leading hikes.
On her own, Debra has been facilitating a hiking group for seniors with an average age of 72. With her experience, emphasis on safety and proper hiking protocol, Debra is able to customize each Project Jewish Love hike for attendees’ ages, concerns and skill levels. Select hikes within the series will even be in cooperation with a ranger at the park location.
These hikes will be held over a series of Sundays, beginning in October, and will have a gathering time of 7:45 am, begining promptly at 8 am. “All hikes will be classified as ‘easy to moderate’ leisure hikes on trails that are approximately four miles or less,” Jennifer explains. “No one will be left behind and everyone will have a buddy. All ages are welcome to participate.”
Before the hike commences, the leader will provide a brief educational overview to ensure safety. Hikes will require an RSVP because PJL wants to make sure everyone participating is accounted for, plus hikers will receive a list of items to bring along with them and contact information in case there is a need to communicate on the day of the hike.
Another event planned for PJL members is Jew Year’s Eve Jewbilee. This celebration of Rosh Hashanah 5777 will take place on Oct. 8 at the Valley of the Sun Jewish Community Center in Scottsdale. “Jew Year’s Eve Jewbilee will include a Havdalah service with live guitar by Erez Kessler and Gal Drimmer. These two Israeli musicians are extremely talented and their music will be spectacular! After Havdalah, the doors open to a joyful celebration that will connect you to those within your community! DJ Gravity will play music inside and the guitar music continues outdoors,” describes Jennifer.
Jennifer’s goals are to keep expanding Project Jewish Love through these events and other opportunities to provide resources for Jewish singles to meet.
At the request of her members, in August Jennifer launched an online Personal Profile directory. This enables single Jews nationwide to connect. She designed it so that people will be able to show their real name and real email, but people do not have to use their last name or phone number, unless they want to. It’s designed to facilitate communication, which is important to Jennifer, “Compared to other dating sites, PJL will not display fake profiles and allow non-members to display full profiles that impede the availability to really connect with available people.”
Her plans for the latter half of 2016 include launching ourjewishgeneration.com. This group will mirror how PJL works, but be geared towards single Jews in the 18-39 age range. “In 2017, I hope to have a comprehensive listing of singles groups throughout the country posted on the website as a resource. Working cooperatively with existing singles groups will only strengthen the Jewish singles experience and enhance the opportunity to meet others,” says Jennifer.
A schedule of upcoming events is posted at projectjewishlove.com. All inquiries and RSVPs for events can be directed to admin@projectjewishlove.com.
