An Evening of Love, Laughter, and Jewish Wisdom with Aleeza Ben Shalom and Pamela Rae Schuller

This November, the Merage JCC proudly welcomes two powerhouse voices in Jewish culture and entertainment for a night you won’t want to miss. As part of the Orange County Jewish Arts Festival, join us for an unforgettable evening with Aleeza Ben Shalom, beloved matchmaker, dating coach, and breakout star of Netflix’s hit series Jewish Matchmaking, alongside comedian and disability advocate Pamela Rae Schuller. Together, they will bring humor, heart, and honesty to the timeless quest for connection.

Meet Aleeza Ben Shalom: The Jewish Matchmaker

If you’ve tuned into Jewish Matchmaking on Netflix, you already know why the world has fallen in love with Aleeza Ben Shalom. With her signature warmth, wit, and practical advice, Aleeza has become one of the most recognized Jewish matchmakers in the world. But behind the television fame is over 15 years of real-world experience.

A woman with a big hear and big mission, Aleeza has dedicated her life to helping Jewish singles find their perfect match. She got her start in her 20s as a mother of young children when she began looking for work that would allow her to have a flexible schedule. Her enormous success led her to officially register her matchmaking business in 20212.  She has matched more than 200 couples ranging in age from 18 to 89, utilizing her unique skills, warm personality, and commitment to Jewish values.

As founder of Marriage Minded Mentor, Aleeza has guided thousands of singles on their journey to lasting love and has trained more than 350 matchmakers and dating coaches through this global platform leaving a lasting impact on the dating industry. Her approach goes beyond casual dating; it’s about helping people discover meaningful, authentic connections rooted in Jewish values. From first dates to “chuppah moments,” she has seen it all, and her stories inspire, entertain, and empower audiences everywhere. Her method is rooted in a deep understanding of human relationships, breaking unhealthy patterns, and fostering love that lasts, regardless of age, background or level of religious observance.

Aleeza’s unique blend of faith, humor and valuable real-life advice has earned her the title of “Jewish Dating Guru,” and her expert advice has been featured in major media outlets including BBC World News, NPR, Rolling Stone, HuffPost, Women’s Health and People. Her mission is not just to match individuals, but to preserve and enrich Jewish continuity through meaningful relationships.

Her newest book, Matchmaker, Matchmaker: Find Me a Love That Lasts, has quickly become a must-read for anyone curious about modern matchmaking. Whether you’re single, married, or somewhere in between, Aleeza’s insights remind us that love isn’t just about swiping right, it’s about building relationships with intention.

Meet Pamela Rae Schuller: Comedy with Courage

Joining Aleeza on stage is Pamela Rae Schuller, a bold and hilarious stand-up comedian, storyteller, and internationally known disability and mental health advocate who doesn’t just talk about inclusion—she lives it, teaches it and make it hilariously unforgettable.

 Once diagnosed with one of the most severe cases of Tourette syndrome documented, Pamela transformed a life of tics, OCD and lot of curveballs into a powerhouse career inspiring audiences across the globe.  Standing at 4 foot 6 inches (and a half), she commands every stage she steps on, converting her extraordinary experienced into laugh filled lessons about authenticity, inclusion and the courage to take up space exactly as you are. Pamela lives with Tourette syndrome, and instead of letting it define her, she’s turned her unique and important perspective of dating with a disability into comedy that resonates with audiences of all backgrounds.  and instead of letting it define her, she’s turned her unique perspective into comedy that resonates with audiences of all backgrounds.

Her routines, full of honesty and wit, shed light on dating, identity, disability, and belonging. You may have even seen her appear on Jewish Matchmaking, where her humor and candor instantly connected with viewers. Pamela has spent her entire life figuring out how her Tourette syndrome affects her life, from the professional side to her love life. But before she could date, she had to learn how to love her Tourettes. She was excited to go on Jewish Matchmaking to give more representation to people dating with disabilities and to show that people with Tourette’s syndrome and other different abilities can date the same way and the same people that all people date.

Pamela’s ability to mix vulnerability with laugh-out-loud comedy makes her not only entertaining but also deeply inspiring. She reminds us that self-worth and self-love are at the heart of every relationship.

Program Highlights

Join us for an exciting evening with Aleeza as she kicks off the event by sharing her background, matchmaking philosophy and valuable relationship advice.

Then she’ll be joined by Pamela for a fun and engaging conversation, followed by a Q & A with the audience.

The program concludes with a special live matchmaking experience, where four lucky singles will be invited on stage to experience Aleeza’s matchmaking skills person. The audience will participate in this matchmaking experience by putting Aleeza’s practical advice to use in real time.

If you are single and want to participate in this one-of-a-kind on-stage matchmaking experience, you may submit yourself for consideration on the JCC’s website.

Singles may also purchase a separate ticket to participate in the exclusive after-show Comedy and Speed Meeting event with Aleeza and Pamela.

An Evening You Won’t Want to Miss

For over 30 years, Orange County Jewish Arts Festival has always been about celebrating voices that shape and enrich Jewish life. Hosting Aleeza Ben Shalom and Pamela Rae Schuller is a chance to not only enjoy entertainment but also to reflect on the values that guide us as a community: love, inclusion, resilience, and joy.

For singles, couples, and families alike, this evening will offer something meaningful. Maybe you’ll leave with fresh perspective on your own relationships or meet someone new (wink, wink). Maybe you’ll laugh harder than you have in months. Or maybe you’ll simply feel proud to be part of a community that celebrates Jewish wisdom, humor, and creativity in such vibrant ways.

In a world where it often feels harder than ever to find true connection, Aleeza Ben Shalom and Pamela Rae Schuller remind us that love, laughter, and authenticity never go out of style. Come for the humor, stay for the wisdom, and leave with your heart a little fuller—and who knows, you just might meet your perfect match along the way.

Get your tickets today!

Don’t miss this one-of-a-kind event at the Merage JCC.

When: Wednesday, November 12 at 6:30 p.m.
Where: Merage Jewish Community Center of Orange County
Tickets

Seats are expected to go quickly, so reserve yours today for an evening that promises to be both entertaining and unforgettable.

Click here for event details and to view the full OC Jewish Arts Festival schedule.