That famous line from a song in Fiddler on the Roof can be heard across cyberspace as the new technology associated with online matching meets up with old world human matchmaking.

SawYouAtSinai.com uses real live matchmakers (Shadchonim) to help Jewish singles find their match. Even better is the fact that the service plans on expanding to help others such as South Asian expatriates and Mormons (LDS/Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints) find their match.

Read more about it in this article from TIME.com

In related news, legal online television show and movie provider HULU has recently added the movie Fiddler on the Roof to its collection.  If you want to enjoy the Matchmaker song, watch how the matchmaker in the movie works, or just enjoy a great movie, watch it here.

Today’s Question: How interested would YOU be in utilizing the services of a real life matchmaker (Shadchan) in finding a match?

I found a press release today regarding a free three-day trial being offered from now until the end of the year by Dream-Marriage.com. Read the press release HERE.

The premise of the site is to make brides of Russian women. As with any offer, if you try this one out, be sure to read all of the fine print, and make copies of all of it, as well as all information that is exchanged. Read the terms of the trial and cancellation carefully.

With a marriage site, as with any other online dating/matching site, use common sense and heed all the internet and personal safety tips.

Today’s Question: If you are seeking a the end result of a marriage, are you more comfortable using a dating/matching site, a marriage site, or social networking – and why?

Are you concerned about your online date? CriminalSearches.com allows users to conduct free criminal history checks on others or themselves. 

The basic information required is a name and a location, which can be set to ‘all states’. One thing that will not show up in the results is protective orders. I tested out the site by running background checks on people I knew well. One person has a current protective order against him that has been against him for multiple years, and it did not show up in the results. 

Other things did show up such as assault, drugs, and rape charges. An option to review the ‘details’ is also available free. 

With the reality of identity theft, technical glitches, and human error, I also ran a criminal background check on myself. I came up clean, as I should have. 

In the news clip I saw about it, the site was briefly reviewed, however, some mention was made of traffic tickets showing up. Several of the people I ran checks on are notorious speeders who regularly get tickets for speeding and a few other things. No traffic tickets of any kind showed up for them. In addition, I had one speeding ticket when I was 21, and that did not show up on my records, either.  I am doubtful that traffic tickets are part of the search, but I could be mistaken. 

The site is only for background checks in the United States. Other features offered on the site include Neighborhood Watch, Sex Offender Finder, Criminal Alerts, and Criminal Statistics.

Today’s Question: What are your thoughts about the service and about running criminal background checks on dates?

I found this news item today from Techtree.com. A biotech company in Switzerland is offering to add its $199 DNA-matching service to online dating sites.

Read more about it here.

This raises some obvious questions, the greatest of which is just what is it that determines long-term compatibility, happiness, and success in a relationship? When I have pondered that question over the years, the term “DNA” has never popped into my mind. 

However, then I consider the debates about cellular memory and wonder how much DNA really has to do with our personality and character – which to me, are very important components in making successful and happy long-term matches. 

Today’s Question: What do YOU think about DNA matching?

iChat Media Solutions sent out a press release today describing their iChatDating service and the free unlimited memberships they are giving away to those in North America. The iChatDating format is a combination of social networking and matchmaking technologies. Video chat and avatar chat are just two of the features that are available to all members. 

iChatdating is open to all ages, and allows ‘seeking’ options such as friendship, dating, marriage, activity partners, and marriage. 

To read the entire press release click here. To go directly to iChatDating, click here. 

Today’s Question: If you checked it out or are a member, what do you think of iChatDating and its features?

This morning I was notified that a dear friend passed away in the wee hours of the morning due to a massive heart attack.  A mutual friend of ours was with him when it happened.  Members of the online dating site we all met on are in mourning this day. Our dear friend was a true friend to all, and was deeply loved. He shared his wisdom and humor on the message boards, and in person at parties hosted by various members of the online dating site. He touched many lives, and helped many in their times of need.

Even when the dating is going slow, being a member of an online dating site that offers community features has its perks. For me, one of the best has been the wonderful friends I have made online that have carried over into real life – including my dear friend, Bill.

Today’s Question: What do you like best about ‘community’ features of online dating sites?

I found a directory of online dating sites over at Online Dating Connect. Their list certainly is not exhaustive, but it is extensive. Below the list of online dating sites, they have reviews for various sites, as well. 

I have yet to find any directory or rating service that covers all of most of the online dating sites that are out there, but I think if you review several of the directories and rating services, you will get a real ‘feel’ for what is out there and how well they work (or don’t work) for their members. 

Today’s Question: Do you ever use online directories or rating services? If yes, how effective do you think they are?

I found an interesting true case of an international online dating scam detailed on the blog, “International Background Checks & Investigation”. The post is titled, “Online Dating Scams, A Case Study”. 

The writer of the blog is a fraud prevention expert who also has written other posts regarding preventing international fraud and running global background checks. 

The case study illustrates clearly that no matter how well you may think you know someone long distance via phone and internet, you can still be deceived. The agency named in the post that runs global background checks is Wymoo International. 

Today’s Question: Would you ever consider pursuing an international relationship? If yes, at what point would you run a global background check?

This story out of Shreveport, Louisiana lends support to the notion of running checks on prospects before going out with them.

Internet Dating Dangers

If you have children or are concerned about safety, online dates are not the only ones you can check for on the sex offender sites. Before purchasing my homes, and when I took a job where youth hung out, I ran checks. 

Anyone can check the sex offender registry free. Please bear in mind that the sex offender registry is not meant as a means of harassing those on it, and facts of each case should be read before making judgments. Some on the registry are there for things such as having sex with their teenaged girlfriend when they were also a teen. 

Today’s Question: Have you ever used to registry to look up dates?

Online dating giant eHarmony has now launched a sister site for married: eHarmony Marriage. For $150, couples can individually use the online counseling service for six to eight weeks in order to help solve problems and save their marriage.

Read more about it at Australia News

It will be interesting to see how eHarmony will promote their ‘success stories’ for the new site, as well as how fast other dating sites expand into marriage counseling. It will also be interesting to see how many sites focusing just on online marital counseling will open, and what services they will offer.

Today’s Question: What do YOU think of eHarmony’s additional site, and would you ever use such a service?