How can I set him up if that’s how he treats his mother?

Shani Leiman with Zivia Reischer

"I know what you’re thinking,” Miriam said when I answered her call. “You think I’m calling about Etty again.

“And of course,” she said quickly, “if you have any ideas for her, I’m all ears. But actually,” she laughed, “I’m calling to see if you know anyone for my son. I never asked you for help with Yehuda because there always seemed to be a steady stream of suggestions for him. But he’s turning 28 next week. There’s still a steady stream of suggestions. But I’m starting to think we need more help.”

I’d actually spoken to Yehuda several times over the years. I’d made his sister Malky’s shidduch and had set up his sister Etty a few times, and I’d spoken to Yehuda about ideas he had or guys he knew.

It was clear to me that Yehuda was the apple of his mother’s eye. She was always telling me stories about his kindness and intelligence. He was soft-spoken, smart, and confident, and he had many friends.

I thought about Yehuda for a while and eventually suggested that he meet Layla.

Layla lived about two hours from Yehuda, and there was an easy connection — Yehuda volunteered with a youth kiruv organization that happened to be holding an event on Sunday morning in Layla’s city. Yehuda figured the event would be over by noon, so we scheduled the date for 2 p.m. Plenty of time.

The weather was gorgeous on Sunday morning. That was a good thing, because due to COVID concerns, the kiruv event was being held outdoors. Yehuda texted me to let me know he had arrived in town and that he expected to be on time for his date.

But then it rained.