Luv with Lev is a “human-centered approach” rooted in community
Fed up with swiping through dating apps, friends consistently asked Miriam Levitin, “If you have someone in mind for me, let me know.”
“Could I be a matchmaker?” the Washington, D.C., resident asked herself.
The answer was a resounding yes.
Levitin, who moved to Montgomery County in 2021 and D.C. in 2022, holds a master’s degree in social work and focuses on sexual health education. The young professional runs freelance workshops on healthy dating, sexual health and violence prevention.
“I’ve always been drawn to building community,” Levitin said. “Over the years, I’ve seen a lot of amazing people struggle to find compatible partnerships and [they] feel really burnt out from the dating process.”
She noticed that the local community offered plenty of ways for Jewish people to meet one another that aren’t focused on dating and many other dating events that aren’t Jewish-specific.
That inspired Levitin to start her own Jewish matchmaking service, which entered the research stage in the summer of 2024. Luv with Lev is the only D.C.-area Jewish organization dedicated to supporting dating and relationships, according to its website.
Rather than swiping left or right or relying on an algorithm, Levitin’s matchmaking is “very personal and rooted in community.”
Registrants who are at least 18 years old are asked to fill out a comprehensive Google Form designed to “really get to know” them, Levitin said. Prompts include “Talk about your family,” “How would you describe your personality?” and “How do you feel about having children?” She also asks each person for preferences and nonnegotiables.
Levitin opts not to ask matchmaking community members about their denomination of Judaism, instead asking, “What is your Jewish background?” and “What role does Judaism play in your life?”
She then meets each person for a 45-minute video call to further get to know them, keeping notes in a spreadsheet along with the form responses. Matchmaking community members on her website speak to Levitin’s attentiveness, listening skills and thoughtful advice.
“This is a very human-centered approach — I put a lot of time and thought and attention into making a match,” Levitin said. “Matchmaking is an art, not a science.”
Levitin doesn’t simply pair up two Jewish folks who happen to be the same age: “When I make a match, it’s intentional.”
“I see each person as a whole universe with infinite worth, which is aligned with Jewish values,” she said.
Matchmaking itself is an ancient Jewish tradition that Levitin enhances with a modern, community-oriented approach, according to Luv with Lev’s website. Levitin uses what she’s learned from training with Jewish matchmakers, reading and researching modern dating and its challenges, learning about different models of matchmaking, looking into the dating opportunities in the D.C. area and online and consulting with community members.
Any Jewish local age 21 and older can also attend curated community events organized by Luv with Lev.
David Finder, a longtime friend of Levitin, added that many Jewish young professionals’ events draw both people who are looking to date and those who want to socialize but aren’t looking for a date: “There’s always that sort of awkward tension.”
Luv with Lev is different in that Levitin invites a small group of community members she thinks could be compatible with one another. These “intentionally small” gatherings are centered around their interests, such as hikes, comedy shows, sports games or Shabbat dinners.
“The goal is to help people connect meaningfully and authentically with others,” Levitin said. “It can be kind of awkward to try to go up to people and talk to them [at other dating events], where my events are really curated and facilitated to foster deeper connection.”
She noted that her matchmaking service — which currently has a one-time fee of $54 — is more affordable and accessible than similar services, most of which charge thousands of dollars, according to her website.
About 50 people have completed the intake process, a number that Levitin expects to grow soon after the organization’s official launch.
Nearly 70 community members mingled, ate pizza and sipped on cocktails at D.C.’s metrobar for the May 8 launch party. Many of the attendees who spoke with Washington Jewish Week said they appreciated the casual environment.
)Courtesy of Luv with Lev)
Jason Sherman, an Arlington resident who attended the launch party, said he knew a “good amount of people” there from Jewish communal events.
“This is a very familiar atmosphere,” Sherman said.
Rockville resident Allison Gross said she attended to learn more about Luv with Lev, which to her felt like a better alternative to “superficial” dating apps. She was drawn to the organization for its Jewish roots.
“It’s nice to have that sense of community, like that instant connection already,” Gross said.
Finder, a McLean resident, attended to support Levitin. In the early stages of planning, Finder shared what he thought of Levitin’s business model and helped refine the idea.
“Miriam’s a person with a very large heart,” he said. “[The money] isn’t why she does it; she’s passionate about this. She’s been a revolution for a lot of people, including myself.
“She’s trying to level [matchmaking] up. She’s dissatisfied with what it currently is, and she’s bringing modern notions of sexual education and psychology to a field that was formerly more like a social journey, more social than academic.”
Levitin emphasized that her matchmaking is a community effort. She hopes Luv with Lev becomes a “hub for Jewish love and connection,” and expands beyond matchmaking to one day include couples retreats and more.
“I can’t wait to see the magic happen,” Levitin said.
