Marriages Arranged by Specialists

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 648, 27 April 1929, Page 22

Marriages Arranged by Specialists

matchmakers, who are still an active institution in Jewish Warsaw-, have established a trade union for the defence of their professional interests. Sentimental marriages are the greatest enemy to the matchmakers' “interests." It is not only the poor Jews who have recourse to the services of the marriage brokers, for many marriages among the richest Jew’s are concluded by their aid. Matchmakers say they never have any trouble with their clients over the payment of fees after nuptials. They do have difficulty, however, through two or more brokers “interfering" in the same case. So one of I

to organise the field of activities so as to avoid conflicts. A certain Reichmau is the most renowned matchmaker of Warsaw, lie is reputed to have helped to arrange 80,000 marriages. Reichman keeps a complete file on most of the Jewish families of Warsaw, with comprehensive data on dower prospects, the financial state and outlook of the male candidate, and exact physical and mental circumstances of both men and women who are “in the market.” He is said to be a subtle psychologist, well qualified to give excellent advice on the choice of a suitable spouse. Introductory Dinners This reputable matchmaker keeps

open house, giving brilliant dinners and receptions, in which the eligible young persons get acquainted. The parent-client pays the bills of these “stalking parties.” The modern system of marriage on a basis of love, Reichman declares, is not successful. He insists that the old-fashioned system of marriages based on careful study of all conditions by both families is much more satisfactory. Love matches and the special requirements of the present generation throw the old man into despair. “What can I do?” he cries. “All girls want to marry doctors and lawyers, and 1 have so many engineers on hand who would make excellent husbands." ■