We’ll make you look as good as it gets.

Yes, you need a photo for your profile. The one you currently have – and kind of hate – is not good enough. Tell you what: we work with some terrific portrait photographers in Toronto. And we’ll work with you to get your grooming into the best shape possible. We work with a team of makeup artists, hairdressers and personal shoppers. Spend the money because a picture is worth a thousand words – and it’s not a cliché. It’s always worth the investment. No matter how brilliant, charming, thoughtful and good looking you may be – if your photo doesn’t show you in your best possible light, you may be rejected by a magnificent suitor – for lack of a great photo.

Now – we don’t recommend that you use deceitful tricks like substantial photo retouching – that will ultimately backfire. But a little professionalism will reflect well on you. It shows that you care about your appearance and should pay off well.

We constantly stress that you’ll look your best when you feel your best about yourself. You may have some reservations or fears about meeting someone through Lev TO Lev. You may even find it hard to understand – or define – exactly whom and what you’re looking for. We’ll be there with you, making sure you get over the bumps along the way.

Sensible, safe dating - Take notes.

Lev To Lev screens all members thoroughly. But we can’t always guarantee a person’s motivations or behaviours. There are certain precautions you should always take before getting together with any one you speak to or meet through our service. Most are simply common-sense.

It’s best to use an e-mail address or cell phone at the early contact stage. Keep your home phone number private - if at all possible - until you feel comfortable with your new dating partner.

On first dates, and even the next few with the same person, tell at least two people where and when you're going, as well as your date’s name and when you’ll be home.

Always meet away from your home. A coffee shop, restaurant or theatre not too close to home should work fine. Until you know them well, do not invite them home or have them pick you up at work or home. Hold off on personal info until you know them better.

Have your cell phone handy and have friend on standby if you need help.

Sometimes, you might just get a bad feeling from your date, even if you didn’t feel it on previous phone calls with this person.Your instincts may be right, so simply end the date. If the person asks to borrow money, end the date even sooner! Make a good excuse if you have to and get home safe. Call for help to get home if you feel even remotely uncomfortable.

Singles profiles are screened by the Match Mentors to confirm accuracy of information whenever possible. However, we strongly recommend that you make your own inquiries whenever you date someone you meet online.

If you’ve met with someone who clearly had something wrong with their behaviour, please let us know immediately. We will look into this further and decide on further action if merited.

Medical/Heredity concerns

There are certain medical and hereditary problems that arise with some frequency in Jewish people. We mention this because the very nature of Lev TO Lev is to encourage Jewish marriage and child raising. One of the problems, of course, is that with such a small Jewish population the chances of one parent having the problem gene is fairly high, but if both parents are carriers the outcome is 38% will have the disease, 50% will be carriers and 12.5% will be unaffected.

An interesting comparison, is that right here in Ontario, there are similar concerns within the Mennonite and Amish communities. With an even smaller population base, there are indeed concerns about genetic disorders.

We encourage everyone to undergo genetic testing and to obtain professional medical advice concerning any genetic and medical issues in order to understand all the options available.

The most prominent genetic diseases among Ashkenazi Jews are:

• Gaucher Disease
• Cystic Fibrosis
• Tay-Sachs Disease
• Familial Dysautonomia
• Spinal Muscular Atrophy
• Canavan Disease

More common in Sephardic and Mizrahi Jews:

• Beta Thalassemia
• Familial Mediterranean Fever
• G6PD Deficiency
• Glycogen Storage Disease, Type III