Merissa Gross has been a shadchan/matchmaker for almost 20 years. She is originally from Glasgow, Scotland and after a Leeds University degree and working in the field of Politics and Communications, she moved to Israel.

After marrying Chaim and starting her family, she began working in Jewish Outreach as a program manager and educator. Alongside this, her deepest inspiration and passion was to help Jewish souls together. She made her first match even before she got married, and continued from there on.

With tremendous help from Hashem, Merissa has made many successful matches by coming up with ideas and coaching the couple through the dating process and to the chuppah.

Glossary of Hebrew and Yiddish terms used:

Shadchan - Jewish matchmaker

Shidduch - a match

Kiruv - jewish outreach

Makom she ein ish - a place where there isn't anyone

Tafkid - purpose

Hatzlacha - luck

Tziyata dishmaya - with the help of heaven

Baruch Hashem - blessed is Hashem (Gd)

Mir - a boys yeshiva in Israel

Nishmat - a girls seminary in Israel

Ben Torah - Torah Scholar

Hashkafa - outlook/perspective

Geshmak - meaningful

Mekor - source

Metzorah - tradition

Torah shebichtav - the written Torah

L'shem shamayaim - in the name of Heaven (no ulterior motive)

Kochos - strengths

Yeshua - salvation /rescue

Siyata dishmaya - with the help of Heaven

Bracha - blessing

Low Cal Ice cream:

1 bag defrosted strawberries

1/2 cup sugar

2 egg whites

mix in food processor or blender & freeze!

www.merissagross.com