This past Monday was Tu b’Av, the Jewish Love Holiday, and women in Jerusalem knew just how to celebrate. In an underground, romantic, and exotic gem, caves and tunnels under the streets of the Old city, 60 Israeli singles gathered together for a unforgettable night of speed dating.

The events strategic setting was to allow people to fall in love with Jerusalem, while falling in love with each other, with the ultimate goal of attracting people to live in Jerusalem. The sponsoring group, Youth for Jerusalem, hopes to connect young Jews with Jerusalem and to remind Jewish Israelis that Jerusalem does not only need to be inhabited by Palestinians and Orthodox Jews.

Although the 15th Day of the month of Av is a Jewish holiday tracing back 1,500 years, it now resembles the Jewish Valentines Day, known for romantic menus and increased sales in flowers and gifts. Speed dating first came to Israel a decade ago, but only in rare circumstances, like this Jerusalem night, is it successful.

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