Spark Networks CEO is Modernizing Jdate for a New Era of Dating

It’s ironic how Jewish matchmaking and the internet would seem to be complete foils. On a date, one of them would surely sneak out the bathroom window while the other desperately wonders if they’ll never, ever find “the one.” 

After all, Jewish matchmaking is steeped in tradition; the internet is steeped in superficial trends. One respects the matchmaking process; the other is best equipped for quick connections that dissipate before they even really begin. 

The fact that Jdate has not only existed, but thrived, for nearly 30 years is a testament to its versatility. As Adam Medros, CEO of Spark Networks, which owns Jdate, told DatingNews, “Legacy is a strength, but only if you’re willing to evolve.”

Jdate has long given Jewish singles a place to express their values while being supported by modern technology. But by 2025, Jdate decided it was time to upgrade — in form, and in substance. “For us, this was the moment to evolve Jdate so it honors our legacy while meeting the expectations of a modern Jewish dater,” Medros said. 

He told us that the redesign process brought three major industry and culture shifts to Jdate’s attention: The modern need to express identity, the depth of dating fatigue, and the importance of accessible, real-world support. 

Jdate Is Focused on Functionality and Connection

Jdate’s redesign wasn’t just about refreshing its features, but reintroducing itself as an industry leader. 

“The real role of a redesign is to reposition your brand as current, competitive, and committed to its mission, which we’ve done by intentionally rebuilding the experience for today’s Jewish daters,” Medros told us. 

Rebuilding began by setting up a brand new “technology platform” that was “built from the ground up by our team,” he explained. This proprietary platform is not only focused on making the app look and feel “streamlined and elegant,” but on providing a more expansive service for modern Jewish singles. 

“What differentiates us is what else we’ve introduced alongside the day-to-day Jdate experience: features like dating coaching and dedicated matchmaking services, and a cultural positioning that speaks directly to Jewish singles, not just ‘singles in general,’” Medros told us.

Jdate’s greatest strength is shared by seemingly-discordant apps like Grindr, Christian Mingle, and Feeld: Each caters to niche demographics. Smaller demographics with more specific needs allow apps to understand their audience on a molecular level. And as Medros pointed out, listening to your audience helps, too. 

“We spoke with thousands of customers through live interviews, feedback sessions and surveys,” Medros told us. What the app learned ended up shaping its redesign, including its features and safety measures. 

“We heard two things loud and clear: people wanted a modern, seamless experience, and they wanted more intentional tools to help them date seriously.”

Giving Users The Chance To “Define Their Jewishness” 

Jdate discovered that its users wanted to be able to identify themselves as something more nuanced than simply Orthodox or Reform, or as Medros put it: “Our users deserve … a modern dating experience that lets them define their Jewishness and find a partner that matches on their terms.”

So, the app redesigned the onboarding experience to be “culturally tailored” and provide “deeper context.” 

Everything from how a person celebrates their Bar/Bat Mitzvah to their childhood sleepaway camp experiences provides insight into the user’s values, needs, and even their dating goals, Medros told us. It makes it easier for them to express these needs, which makes for an overall more fulfilling dating app experience. 

For Jdate, the goal is to give the user power of their identity while providing real-world support. 

“To that end, we [let] users filter themselves and [provide] recommended matches based on our improved algorithms that are better at finding local matches for each user,” Medros explained. “So far, we’re already seeing strong results in terms of engagement and retention from our daters.”

Safety is top of mind in the online dating industry, thanks to the influx of romance scams and dating violence. With nearly three decades in the biz, Jdate has reinvested in safety to better address these modern concerns, including the increased risk of bad actors.

“While there is more to do, our platforms today are safer for our community than ever before,” Medros said. 

Medros Encourages Apps To “Ask Hard Questions” 

Medros offered a hard truth to industry professionals. “The challenge is to respect what people love about your brand while being willing to ask hard questions, listen to your users, and rebuild where you’ve fallen behind,” he said. 

In other words, relevancy often depends on one’s ability to ask for help — to appeal to users as someone who wants to genuinely provide a better user experience, not just a more profitable one. 

After all, there’s a brand-new generation of Jewish daters out there, and many of them are looking for an online dating experience that caters to their specific worldviews. To succeed in the online world, an app must address these worldviews without limiting users to them. 

“What we’ve learned is that heritage gives you credibility and trust, but it can’t be static,” Medros explained. 

Jdate’s redesign, from its proprietary foundational tech to shifting priorities to its refreshed UI, signals the modern dater’s need for a dating app that operates as much more than an app. As Mendros said: “I think any niche or faith-based app will hear similar themes: users don’t just want a platform, they want a partner in their journey.”