Editing JDate

{{short description|Online dating application targeted at Jewish singles}}
{{Redirect|JDATE|comic horror novel|John Dies at the End}}
{{Infobox company
| name      = Jdate
| logo      = Current_logo_of_dating_site_Jdate_(Logo_current_from_2018).png
| logo_size =
| type      = [[Dating website]]
| website   = {{URL|www.jdate.com}}
}}

'''Jdate''' is an [[online dating service]] aimed at [[Jewish]] [[single person|singles]]. The service is one of a number of demographically focused online match-making websites operated by [[Spark Networks]], Inc.

Because of the focus on relationships between Jewish singles, Jdate is considered a special-interest online dating site. Former CEO Adam Berger calls this type of service "niche" dating.<ref name="abcnews go" />

==History==
Jdate was founded in 1997 by Alon Carmel and [[Joe Shapira]] following the failure of their previous venture, Matrix Video Corporation. After the launch, membership grew rapidly by word of mouth in tight-knit Jewish communities.<ref name="logan" />

The site won a 2006 [[Webby Awards|Webby]] award for [[social networking]].<ref name="webby" />

On November 10, 2014, Jdate launched a [[Online dating applications|dating app]] designed for Jewish singles.<ref name="launch" />

==Members==
Jdate has members worldwide, with users concentrated in the US and Israel. Individuals do not have to be Jewish in order to join Jdate. While Jdate is oriented towards the Jewish population, it has also attracted those seeking Jewish mates. The reasons cited often have to do with perceived cultural traits, whether stereotypical or true: "nice" or wealthy Jewish men who treat women well; take-charge, and independent Jewish women who hold on to tradition. While many Jdate members respond in kind, others view the phenomenon as an intrusion that defeats the purpose of the site.<ref name="nytimes jdate" />

Members can mark their Jewish affiliation on their profile. Options include [[Conservadox]], [[Conservative Judaism|Conservative]], [[Hasidic Judaism|Hasidic]], Orthodox ([[Modern Orthodox Judaism|Modern]], [[Baal teshuva|Baal Teshuva]] and [[Frum]]), [[Reconstructionist Judaism|Reconstructionist]], [[Reform Judaism|Reform]], and "Culturally Jewish". Members can also select options like "Willing to Convert".<ref name="logan" />

Jdate members have the option to seek heterosexual or homosexual relationships on the site. Profiles include options like "men seeking men" and "women seeking women" to help users connect with their desired matches.<ref name="logan" />

Past and present celebrity Jdate members include:
* [[Steve Rothman]], American politician, [[U.S. House of Representatives]], from New Jersey<ref name="thehill_rothman" />
* [[Brad Sherman]], American politician, [[U.S. House of Representatives]] from California<ref name="wonkette_sherman" />
* [[Jesse McCartney]], American musician<ref name="celebrity jdate" />
* [[Dan Markel]], Canadian-born attorney and a law professor, who wrote various works on retribution in criminal law and sentencing, with a focus on the role of punishment in the criminal justice system.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://taxprof.typepad.com/taxprof_blog/2016/11/the-dan-markel-murderfascinating-details-about-the-adelson-family-dynamics-.html | title=TaxProf Blog: The Dan Markel Murder:Fascinating Details About the Adelson Family Dynamics }}</ref>

==Operations==
Previously based in [[Beverly Hills, California|Beverly Hills]], Spark Networks is now based in [[Berlin]], Germany, with additional offices in [[Lehi, Utah|Lehi]], [[Utah]].<ref name="headquarters" />

In 2013, the company authorized the repurchase of $5 million of its outstanding common stock as a reflection of confidence in the long-term business.<ref name="spark stocks" />

On November 2, 2017, Spark Networks SE (NYSE American: LOV) announced the successful completion of the previously announced merger of Spark Networks, Inc. and Affinitas GmbH in a stock-for-stock transaction.<ref name="merger" />

==References==
{{reflist|refs=
<ref name="logan">{{cite news |last=Hill |first=Logan |title=At ChristianMingle and JDate, God's Your Wingman |newspaper=Bloomberg |date=27 March 2013 |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2013-02-28/at-christianmingle-and-jdate-gods-your-wingman |access-date=2016-06-30}}</ref>
<ref name="wonkette_sherman">{{cite web |title=D-CA ISO… |work=[[Wonkette]] |url=http://wonkette.com/136313/d-ca-iso |access-date=24 January 2011}}</ref>
<ref name="thehill_rothman">{{cite web |last=Rothstein |first=Betsy |title=Dude, with those pipes ya shouldn't need Jdate |work=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]] |date=29 November 2006 |url=https://thehill.com/capital-living/20565-in-the-know/ |access-date=24 January 2011}}</ref>
<ref name="abcnews go">{{cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Nightline/Broadcast/spark-networks-niche-dating-web-site/story?id=10909280|title='Niche' Singles Sites Claim Success|date=2013-03-01|publisher=ABC News|access-date=2016-06-30}}</ref>
<ref name="celebrity jdate">{{cite web|title=Celebrities on JDate | date=29 December 2010| url=https://www.myjewishlearning.com/mixed-multitudes/celebrities-on-jdate/}}</ref>
<ref name="merger">{{Cite web|url=http://investor.spark.net/news-releases/news-release-details/spark-networks-and-elitesingles-complete-merger|title=Spark Networks and EliteSingles Complete Merger {{!}} Spark Networks, Inc. – IR Site|website=Spark Networks, Inc. – IR Site|language=en|access-date=2018-09-26}}</ref>
<ref name="spark stocks">{{cite web |title=Spark Networks, Inc. Announces $5 Million Stock Repurchase Program |date=16 December 2013 |url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/spark-networks-inc-announces-5-140000405.html |access-date=2016-06-30}}</ref>
<ref name="headquarters">{{cite web |title=Spark Networks – Contact Us |url=http://www.spark.net/contact-us-form/ |access-date=2016-06-30 |archive-date=2016-06-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160626065037/http://www.spark.net/contact-us-form/ |url-status=dead}}</ref>
<ref name="nytimes jdate">{{cite news |last=Richards |first=Sarah E. |date=2004-12-05 |title=You Don't Have to Be Jewish to Love JDate |work=New York Times |url-access=subscription |url=https://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F30615F83D550C768CDDAB0994DC404482 |access-date=2007-03-20}}</ref>
<ref name="webby">{{cite web |title=JDate {{!}} The Webby Awards |url=http://webbyawards.com/winners/2006/web/general-website/social-networking/jdate/ |access-date=2016-06-30}}</ref>
<ref name="launch">{{cite web |date=2014-11-10 |title=JDate Launches New App, Making It Easier Than Ever to 'Get Chosen' - Spark Networks |url=http://www.spark.net/jdate-launches-new-app-making-it-easier-than-ever-to-get-chosen/ |access-date=2016-06-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307074436/http://www.spark.net/jdate-launches-new-app-making-it-easier-than-ever-to-get-chosen/ |archive-date=2016-03-07 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
}}

==External links==
* {{Official website|https://www.jdate.com/}}

{{Organized Jewish Life in the United States |Communal activities}}

[[Category:Online dating services for specific interests]]
[[Category:Websites about Jews and Judaism]]
[[Category:Online dating services of the United States]]