Kriti Mehrotra
While there’s no denying relationships are hard work owing to the communication level and expectations involved, having a similar background, culture, or faith definitely makes a lot of difference. This much is even evidenced through Netflix’s ‘Jewish Matchmaking,’ wherein singles from across the US and Israel strive to find their forever partner using the traditional practice of shidduch. Yet for now, considering all the complexities involved, if you simply wish to learn more about how much of this reality dating original is actually authentic — if at all — we’ve got the details for you.
Is Jewish Matchmaking Real or Fake?
First things first, ‘Jewish Matchmaking’ has decisively been billed as a natural, unscripted production from the moment its concept creation was first announced to the world back in early 2022. This indicates that despite the careful selection of cast members from matchmaker Aleeza Ben Shalom’s clientele to ensure entertainment, there were no subsequent influential aspects involved. In fact, it does seem like no pre-penned circumstances, discussions, or sentiments were put in place to have these willing participants come across as any different than who they are in real life.
However, we also must recognize the fact this entire series is quite susceptible to behind-the-scenes modifications to make the final result much more captivating as well as engaging for viewers. After all, producers/creators at this particular point do primarily think of securing a stable return on the extensive resources (time, skills, money, energy, etc.) they invested throughout the process.
Yet, of course, they likely do not concoct anything from the ground up; they merely nudge the leading personalities to gradually pursue specific topics of conversation to spark some natural intrigue. This push may come while the latter is on a date with a potential partner picked out for them, or it could be during their confessionals, but the essence behind their words always remains genuine.
Plus, since ‘Jewish Matchmaking’ comes from the mastermind behind ‘Indian Matchmaking’ as a spin-off, and it has been confirmed this global sensation is real, it’s safe to say the former is too. It was seasons 1 and 2’s Nadia Jagessar who’d confirmed this actuality by penning, “So many people [have] asked if this was staged or scripted or fake in any way and I can assure you it wasn’t.”
There is the post-production process as well, but that is utterly unavoidable because it is the producers’ sole means to bring together an effective flow amid different scenes from different days. This element is thus in the hands of those removed from the cameras alone, meaning they can cut, edit, and play with the cast’s narrative in any way they deem fit to have the audience’s constant attention.
Nevertheless, despite the adjusted accounts, the editing, and the nudging, it appears as if ‘Jewish Matchmaking’ is as unscripted, real, and natural as it can be since nothing is actually manufactured. Though we should mention that you should always take every reality series with a grain of salt, as you never really know the true extent of producer interference, engineering, or manipulation.
Read More: Is Indian Matchmaking Scripted or Real?
