The 5 Best Jewish Dating Sites for Seniors in 2024
|
March 15, 2024
|
Online dating has become increasingly popular among seniors. In fact, one in six U.S. adults over the age of 50 has tried online dating via a website or an app, according to 2022 Pew research. Of these senior online daters, about half are looking for a spouse or long-term partner.
If you’re a Jewish senior looking for love, you may have some fears or concerns regarding online dating, from hard-to-use technology to safety, shifting relationship expectations, or finding other Jewish seniors. After all, according to a 2021 report from Brandeis University’s Steinhardt Social Research Institute, as of 2020, Jewish people made up less than 2 percent of the U.S. population. However, this population skews older, as 16 percent are ages 65 to 74 and 14 percent are 75 or older, rates higher than for the general population of adults in the U.S. That’s good news if you’re looking for a Jewish senior like yourself!
In this article, we hope to empower you to use online dating to meet other Jewish people and find a website that meets your needs and preferences.
FYI: To learn more about the best dating sites, read our guide to this year’s best dating sites for seniors.
The Best Jewish Dating Sites for Seniors in 2024
- SilverSingles : Best for Seniors Only
- Jdate : Large Jewish User Base
- Zoosk Senior Dating : Most Affordable
- EliteSingles : Best for Professionals
- eHarmony : Best Compatibility Quiz
How We Chose Our Favorites
While there are a handful of dating sites designed specifically for Jewish people, we also took into account that other dating sites have large numbers of Jewish members. To evaluate all of the options, here’s what we looked for:
- Membership makeup: For this article, we looked at websites with high percentages of Jewish people and thousands to millions of active users.
- Matching features: Some dating sites use personality/compatibility tests to match members, while some are more straightforward, requiring only a profile and preferences. Some people may not want to go through the trouble of a lengthy personality test, so we’ve included multiple examples of both options.
- Cost: Although each of the below sites has a free version, there are some serious drawbacks, like blurry photos, limited or no messaging, and the inability to do searches based on specific filters. Altogether, the costs ranged from about $12 to $60 a month. Costs went down if you signed up for a longer term, like six or 12 months as opposed to one month.
1. SilverSingles - Best for Seniors Only
What We Like Most:
- Senior-specific
- Eight out of 10 members are 50 and older
- Data is encrypted and not shared with third parties
- Verifications of every new member
Overview
While some of us may be looking for a partner that’s middle-aged or younger, most seniors want to date people their own age. SilverSingles is the only dating site on this list aimed at the 50-and-over crowd. Although technically, it allows anyone 18 and older to sign up, the company claims that 80 percent of its members are 50 or older. And while the site isn’t specific to Jews, the compatibility quiz will take into account religion, among many other factors.
How It Works
SilverSingles works very differently from Jdate, as we had to take a length compatibility quiz. Not only did we have to fill out a profile and preferences, but we also had to select which pictures we most associated with out of various shapes and patterns, rate our own levels of attractiveness, and choose our favorite first-date activities. Of course, religion was also a question, although the site doesn’t get more specific than “Jewish,” unlike Jdate.
Once we finished the personality test, the site matched us based on our compatibility. If we matched, we could communicate through messages — if we signed up for a paid subscription. More on this below.
Standout Features
If you’re 50 or older, you have clear memories of a world before online dating, so the thought of meeting a stranger online might seem scary or even unsafe. However, we love that SilverSingles is so protective of its members’ data. For example, all of the personal information we filled out was encrypted and not shared with third parties, which isn’t always the case.
Jdate, for example, shared limited personal data with third parties for marketing purposes, so that’s a plus for SilverSingles. Although both websites come from the same company, Spark Networks, SilverSingles is definitely more secure in terms of privacy.
Plans and Costs
SilverSingle’s pricing works similarly to Jdate in that all of the plans give you the same features, just with different term lengths. However, SilverSingles is slightly cheaper than Jdate by about $10 a month if you sign up for a year.
| Term length in months | Cost per month | Total amount billed |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | $39.95 | $119.85 |
| 6 | $22.95 | $137.70 |
| 12 | $19.95 | $239.40 |
When we used SilverSingles for free, all of the photos were blurred and we couldn’t message anyone. However, we could search for people and like them based on their profile.
To actually move the ball forward, we had to sign up for a three-month subscription.
Drawbacks
Because SilverSingles is aimed at seniors, not just Jews, it’s going to require more work to meet someone who fits into your Jewish lifestyle. For example, if you want someone kosher, you’ll have to put this in your profile and discuss it with people directly. There’s no way to filter by kosher observance, unlike Jdate.
Additionally, we were disappointed that the free version didn’t include unblurred photos or messaging. All of the other sites on this list give you either unblurred photos or messaging for free, so the free version of SilverSingles is the least functional on this list.
Our Verdict
If age is more important to you than religion, then you’ll appreciate the diversity of seniors available on SilverSingles. Of course, you can still meet another Jewish person on this website, given you filter by religion, but it’s a smaller percentage compared to Jdate. In a nutshell, if you want to date someone who’s seasoned but not salty, SilverSingles is a great place to start.
To learn more about this site, read our full SilverSingles review.
Pros
- Members are largely 50 and older
- Encryption of sensitive data
- Privacy policy that doesn’t sell personal data to third parties
- 381,000 new members per month worldwide
Cons
- Not specific to Jewish people
- Free version doesn’t include unblurred pictures or messaging
2. Jdate - Large Jewish User Base
What We Like Most:
- Highest percentage of Jewish people of any dating site globally
- Questions about specific religion within Judaism, kosher eating habits, and synagogue observance
- Free version that lets you see one unblurred photo per user
- Verification of photos before they’re posted publicly
Overview
Just as Christians have ChristianMingle, Jewish people have Jdate, the largest Jewish dating site in the world. The company claims that it has the highest percentage of Jewish users of any site in the world, with nearly 15,000 sign ups every month. Jdate makes it easy to find not only a Jew, but someone who integrates well with your religious habits (or lack thereof). While it’s on the pricier side of this list, it’s the easiest way to meet your bashert.
How It Works
It was easy for us to make a profile on Jdate. We registered with an email address, although we could have registered through Facebook and used the photos in our profile. From there, we were immediately asked to upload a photo. The site wouldn’t let us continue to fill our profile without uploading one, which cuts down on spam users. Once we added a photo, we filled out our information, including our height, religion, job, education, and more. Religion wasn’t as simple as “Jewish” like on other dating sites for people of all religions. Rather, we could choose between Conservative, Orthodox, culturally Jewish, Reform, willing to convert, or other options! Since there’s so much variety within Judaism, this feature will make it easy to find someone with a similar relationship to Judaism.
If you want to get even more advanced, you can fill in some advanced features, including your level of kosher observance (inside the home, to some degree, everywhere, or not kosher) as well as your synagogue attendance. If you only go to synagogue during the High Holidays, Jdate can find you someone similar, for example. Once we filled out our profile and preferences, we were set to match with other Jewish people in our area, and could even see unblurred photos. But messaging through the website required upgrading to a paid subscription.
Standout Features
Despite being such a small sliver of the population, there’s a huge diversity of experiences, ethnicities, and observance levels within the American Jewish community. For many people, you want to make sure you’re not just matched with any Jewish person, but with someone who shares your religious experience. With its specific questions on religious sect, kosher observance, and synagogue attendance, Jdate is the only site on this list to go deeper than just “Jewish.”
Plans and Costs
All of Jdate’s plans offer the same features. The only difference is in the term length, and prices are cheapest if you sign up for six months.
| Term length in months | Cost per month | Total amount billed |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $59.99 | $59.99 |
| 3 | $44.99 | $134.97 |
| 6 | $29.99 | $179.94 |
Paying for a subscription allowed us to see more than one photo, message with other members, see our views and likes, see when someone viewed our messages, or even browse anonymously. Aside from Zoosk, Jdate is the only site on this list that let us see unblurred photos for free. Of course, most people are going to find someone they want to message, which will make paying a necessity.
Drawbacks
Because it’s the biggest Jewish dating site in the world, Jdate’s prices aren’t cheap, and start at about $30 per month. Compare that to under $15 with eHarmony, EliteSingles, and Zoosk. Plus, that’s only if you sign up for six months — one month will cost about $60, or $2 a day. Of course, many people will be more than happy to pay this much to find not just any Jew, but a person who will fit in with their lifestyle.
Our Verdict
Although you may pay more for your membership, whether you’re looking for a friend, long-term relationship, marriage, or kids, Jdate is the best and easiest way to meet a fellow member of the tribe online. It’s worth making a profile and seeing who’s available in your area. If anyone catches your eye, you can upgrade.
Pros
- Profiles include sect of Judaism, synagogue attendance, and kosher adherence
- Highest percentage of Jewish people on any dating site globally
- Unblurred photos are free
- Quick sign-up process
Cons
- Prices start at about $30 per month
- Website takes a while to load
3. Zoosk Senior Dating - Most Affordable
What We Like Most:
- 35 million members around the world
- Prices start at under $12 per month
- Verification through Facebook, Twitter, or phone number
- In-person speed dating events
Overview
If you want a date, and fast, meet Zoosk. While it may not have the brand recognition of a larger site like Match or eHarmony, its app has been downloaded over 30 million times, and the company claims it has 35 million members worldwide. And although Zoosk isn’t specific to Jews, it certainly has a ton of members who are Jews. With prices starting at under $12 a month, it’s the most affordable online dating option on this list.
How It Works
Zoosk has the quickest sign-up process we’ve ever gone through. We simply uploaded a photo, filled in our education, ethnicity, height, religion, and smoking habits, and could immediately see our options. If we wanted an even faster process, we could have logged on through Facebook, just like Jdate.
Once we were in, we could see a “SmartPick,” someone Zoosk thought we would like, or we could look through a carousel of photos. And unlike eHarmony, EliteSingles, and SilverSingles, we could see photos, unblurred, for free. Zoosk was even better than Jdate, in this regard, as Jdate only let us see a single photo per user. We loved the fact that Zoosk offered this option for free, as it made it really easy to see who was out there, and fast. Messaging someone cute, however, requires a subscription.
Standout Features
Zoosk is the only dating site on this list to offer in-person and virtual singles dating events. Through a partnership with CitySwoon, the website offers in-person speed dating and virtual dating events in the following cities:
- Boston, Massachusetts
- Chicago, Illinois
- Los Angeles, California
- Miami, Florida
- New York, New York
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Sacramento, California
- San Diego, California
- San Francisco, California
- San Jose, California
- Seattle, Washington
- Tampa, Florida
- Washington, D.C.
Note that these events aren’t included in the membership, and could cost about $40 per event.
In addition to these events, Zoosk partners with a matchmaking company called Maclynn International, which hosts events where you can meet with matchmakers. These matchmakers will learn more about you and match you based on your personality and preferences.
Of course, if you want to date online only, you’ll appreciate the fact that Zoosk starts at only $11.67 per month with an annual package, the lowest price on this list.
Plans and Costs
Like we’ve been saying, Zoosk is the most affordable provider on this list, especially with an annual sign-up. But even the one-month option is affordable, at about $35. Compare that to Jdate, which costs $59.99 for a month, or eHarmony, which costs $59.90 for a month, and Zoosk is certainly the most budget-friendly.
| Term length in months | Cost per month | Total amount billed |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $34.99 | $34.99 |
| 3 | $21.66 | $64.99 |
| 6 | $15.00 | $89.99 |
| 12 | $11.67 | $139.99 |
Like every site on this list, there is a free option, but we couldn’t actually message anyone unless we paid. All of the plans offer the same features, and the only thing that differentiates them is the term lengths.
Drawbacks
Zoosk isn’t specific to seniors or Jews, so you’ll find people of all ages, religions, and other demographics. For some, this may be a positive, but if you’re looking for a Jewish senior similar to yourself, you may find the endless swiping exhausting. Plus, with every rose, there are thorns. Zoosk’s low starting price may be due to its lack of brand awareness in the U.S., which, according to data on Statista released in November 2023, is only 42 percent. Compare that to 71 percent with eHarmony and the differences in price will make complete sense.
Our Verdict
If you want to match online with people from a variety of religions who are a variety of ages, Zoosk is a fast and affordable way to get there. While it lacks the brand awareness of sites like eHarmony or Match, it does start at under $12 a month, which makes it a much cheaper way to date online.
To learn more about this dating site, read our Zoosk senior dating review.
Pros
- Tens of millions of members and app downloads globally
- Fast sign-up process
- Monthly prices range from $11.67 to $34.99
- Verification through Facebook or Twitter
Cons
- Brand awareness in U.S. is low
- Site isn’t specific to Jewish people or seniors
4. EliteSingles - Best for Professionals
What We Like Most:
- 85 percent of members hold “above average education” levels
- Majority of members are 30 to 55
- Most people on the site are looking for serious relationships
- 381,000 new members per month on average
Overview
If you have years of education and a professional career under your belt, you’re probably looking for someone with the same qualities. EliteSingles prides itself on having an educated, professional membership base. It claims that 85 percent of its members hold “above average” education. Plus, the site is only for those looking for serious relationships, not flings or friendships. If you’re serious about meeting a smart and accomplished partner, EliteSingles could be for you.
How It Works
The sign-up process was pretty straightforward. We selected our sexes and what sexes we were looking for, entered our email addresses and passwords, and then filled out our heights, education levels, and intelligence levels, saying how important these were for us in a partner as well. One thing a Jewish person might appreciate is that we could choose to see only other Jews, completely removing the Gentile dating pool.
Like SilverSingles, EliteSingles also had some more out-there questions, asking us to choose from various photos. We had to go through this entire process before we were shown prices at the end. From there, the algorithm gave us three to seven suggestions per day. No more endless swiping, unlike Zoosk! If we matched, messages were sent to our inbox directly, even without a paid plan.
>> Read more: EliteSingles vs. SilverSingles
Standout Features
It’s a fact that Jewish people are some of the most educated religious groups in the world. The average American Jew has 14.7 years of schooling compared to a global median of 12.8. And compared to non-Jewish people in North America, only 40 percent of whom have higher education, 75 percent of North American Jewish people have higher education. That’s three in four!
If you’re looking for a highly educated partner like yourself, EliteSingles is the place for you. While it doesn’t release exact figures, the company prides itself on being for an educated, professional class, with 85 percent of its members holding “above average” education levels. Although it’s not entirely clear if that’s determined by years of education or degrees attained, it’s worth checking out EliteSingles if you want to meet other professionals.
Plans and Costs
EliteSingles is on the lower end in terms of price, starting at only about $14 a month if you sign up for a year. Again, nothing changes with any of the paid plans aside from their term lengths. EliteSingles is slightly more expensive than Zoosk, which starts at under $2 a month, but it’s the second cheapest on this list.
| Term length in months | Cost per month | Total amount billed |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | $29.95 | $89.85 |
| 6 | $16.95 | $101.70 |
| 12 | $13.95 | $167.40 |
Unless you’re OK with not seeing photos, you’ll want to sign up for a subscription, as the free version contains blurred photos only.
Drawbacks
While EliteSingles let us filter out non-Jews, the site is open to all religions, so it may not be ideal if you’re looking for your perfect Jewish boy or girl, unlike a Jewish-specific website like Jdate. Plus, the company claims that the majority of its members are between the ages of 30 and 55, so it may be best for younger seniors and not those in their sixties, seventies, eighties, or higher. If you want a website aimed at those 50 and over, check out SilverSingles.
Our Verdict
If education level and professional lives are some of the most important factors to you, EliteSingles claims that its members are highly educated, professional, and looking for serious relationships. It’s also a good option if you don’t want to swipe or look through endless profiles and prefer getting a few great matches sent to you daily.
Pros
- 85 percent of members have “above average” educations
- 381,000 new members per month on average as of 2018
- Affordable prices
- Limited messaging available for free
Cons
- Most members are 30 to 55
- Not designed for Jewish people or seniors specifically
5. eHarmony - Best Compatibility Quiz
What We Like Most:
- Second-most popular dating website for U.S. adults 50 and older
- Around 10 million active users as of 2017 according to Business Insider
- Matching is based on compatibility, not just preferences
- Ability to filter by religion
Overview
If you’ve heard of one dating site on this list, it’s probably eHarmony. Aside from Match, seniors in the U.S. use it more than any other dating website, including 53 percent of online daters ages 50 to 59, 51 percent of online daters ages 60 to 69, and 41 percent of online daters ages 70 and older, according to a Pew Research survey. And while it’s not specific to any religion, eHarmony let us filter out everyone who wasn’t Jewish, saving us valuable time.
How It Works
Like EliteSingles, the sign-up process with eHarmony is more than just a quick profile. Rather, the compatibility quiz took us about 20 minutes, asking us deeper questions like:
- Where do you want to live?
- What is your main reason for wanting a relationship?
- Which photo do you find the most appealing?
Of course, then we filled out the standard information like our occupations, education levels, heights, incomes, and religions. We could set our accounts up to only see other Jews, which was a nice feature similar to EliteSingles. Then, eHarmony showed us potential matches and our percentage of compatibility with them. If we both liked each other, we could message on the app directly. The website also gave us “icebreakers,” some conversation starters we could use in our messages. If online dating is a little scary to you, these icebreakers could help get you out of your shell.
Standout Features
Not only does eHarmony tell you how compatible you are with other members, but it breaks down exactly why you are compatible with them … or not.
Take this person, for example. Based on our answers, we aren’t super compatible based on how we see the world. While we go on instinct, they go on intellect. We could also compare how we behave in relationships, our everyday lives, and how we communicate — all essential features for compatibility.
If you want a long-lasting connection that’s more than skin-deep, eHarmony’s algorithm could be of enormous help.
Plans and Costs
There’s no easy way to say it: eHarmony is the most expensive dating site on this list. Sure, it starts at under $15, but that’s only if you sign up for two years, the longest term length we’ve seen from a dating website. There’s no option to sign up for a month, and the shortest term length is six months instead of one month like Jdate and Zoosk.
| Term length in months | Cost per month | Total amount billed |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | $59.90 | $359.40 |
| 12 | $19.95 | $239.40 |
| 24 | $14.95 | $358.80 |
Of course, there’s a free version, and while it allows for a limited amount of messages, the photos are blurred, we couldn’t search by distance or see who viewed us, and we couldn’t browse anonymously. What you’re really paying for is the large membership base (10 million users, as of 2017). And getting in front of that many people will cost you!
Drawbacks
The biggest drawback to eHarmony is, no doubt, the pricing and term lengths. While EliteSingles and Zoosk offer pricing at less than $15 a month, eHarmony only does if you sign up for two years. But that being said, many more people use (and have heard of) eHarmony vs. EliteSingles and Zoosk. While over seven out of 10 U.S. adults ages 18 to 64 are aware of eHarmony, only four in 10 are aware of Zoosk. When it comes to dating websites, the more widely-known brands tend to cost more, from eHarmony to Match.
Our Verdict
If you’re serious about meeting a compatible partner, eHarmony is well worth the money. Although it’s not specific to Jews, you can create a filter so you only see other Jews, and benefit from its millions of members. This is a better option for someone who is willing to put in the time to their dating journey, as subscriptions start at six months.
To learn more about this site, read our eHarmony for seniors review.
Pros
- Most widely-known dating site on this list
- Ability to see Jewish people only
- Millions of active members in the U.S.
- Matches based on compatibility
Cons
- No one-month option
- Cheapest option requires a two-year commitment
Finding Love as a Jewish Senior
Our main goal in writing this article is to help you, as a Jewish senior, find love. However, online dating isn’t the only avenue available. There’s also:
Nonprofit Work and Events
Whether you’re serving on the board of a charity like the Zionist Organization of America or you’re attending a food-drive event at your local Jewish charity, tzedakah, the Jewish word for “charity,” can be a great way to meet another mensch.
Cultural Events
Judaism is more than a religion. It’s a culture, with its own unique and varied cooking, dancing, and art. Take an Israeli dancing class or learn how to make schnitzel. Getting out of your house is only the first step!
Community Centers
There are over 170 Jewish Community Centers throughout the U.S. and Canada. Play basketball, go swimming, or take a painting class! Whatever your hobby or interest is, you’re sure to find fun programming at the JCC.
Jewish Federation Events
The Jewish Federation has events nearly every day, depending on where you live. In addition to your location Federation, the national branch has events such as Shabbat of Love, a gigantic Shabbat dinner for Jewish people across America.
Jewish Matchmaking Services
While we can’t recommend any specific companies, as we’re only experts in online dating, a quick Google search will yield hundreds of local Jewish matchmakers to choose from. The key is to vet the businesses before you contact them, checking Google and Yelp ratings to make sure they’re legit.
Synagogues
Of course, there’s the obvious answer: at shul, temple, or whatever you call that religious organization you attend. Whether it’s a quick minyan or a Saturday bat mitzvah, one of the best places to meet Jewish people is, you guessed it — a synagogue.
Bottom Line
If you’re looking for your bashert, online dating is a great way to meet Jewish seniors in your area. Although it may seem daunting, once you meet the right person, you will be saying “Baruch hashem!” and enjoying many Passovers, Hanukkah, and Rosh Hashanas to come. Get ready for the “mazel tovs,” because you’re on your way to finding love with a fellow member of the tribe.