A Love Letter from California to Paris
A Pushy, Modern Jewish Mom’s Mission, Spiked with Chutzpah—Because a Jewish Mother’s Love Knows No Bounds.
Forget swiping right. Armed with a little chutzpah, a lot of heart, and an unwavering belief in bashert, Tammy Salis is bringing her traditionally untraditional approach to Jewish matchmaking into the modern age—one introduction at a time.
They say a Jewish mother knows best. And when it comes to finding love, Tammy Salis isn’t about to leave things entirely to fate—or worse, a dating algorithm. What began as one California mother’s determination to help her children navigate modern dating has blossomed into an international matchmaking mission. From California to Paris and beyond, Tammy is proving that a mother’s love—and perhaps a little well-intentioned meddling—knows no borders.
Self-proclaimed “pushy Jewish mom”? Guilty as charged.
But behind the cheeky title is a woman with a big heart, an even bigger mission, and a refreshingly old-school philosophy: finding love should be about genuine human connection, not endless swiping.
From Bagels & Bae to Bashert
Like many great ideas, Tammy’s began with a problem close to home: her adult children were struggling to meet compatible Jewish partners. Rather than wait for Cupid to get his act together, Tammy decided to lend him a hand. First came Bagels & Bae, a Facebook community connecting Jewish singles. Then, in February 2026, she launched The Bashert Exchange, a personalized matchmaking initiative designed to turn introductions into meaningful possibilities. Tammy believes there’s more to finding a partner than ticking boxes on a questionnaire. She meets members individually over Zoom, gets to know their personalities, writes their profiles, and seeks connections beyond the superficial. Sometimes she makes introductions herself; other times she collaborates with fellow matchmakers. No mysterious algorithms. No endless scrolling. Just real conversations, genuine intentions, and a Jewish mother who actually wants to know your story.
Paris, Romance & a Little Jewish Geography
Of course, no modern love story would be complete without a little Parisian intrigue. Two Jewish singles living in the City of Light discovered Tammy through different corners of the internet. One found her Facebook community; the other connected on Instagram after seeing her support for Jewish-owned businesses. Tammy spotted a potential match and made the introduction. And because matchmaking across continents apparently wasn’t enough, she later joined the pair for dinner during a visit to Paris. Whether Cupid ultimately seals the deal remains to be seen, but the story captures what makes Tammy’s approach different: her personal touch doesn’t end with the introduction. After all, what’s a few thousand miles when a Jewish mother has a mission?
More Than Matches: A Modern Mission, a Timeless Mitzvah
Beneath the humor and matchmaking adventures lies a deeper purpose. Although Tammy didn’t grow up in an observant Jewish home, her connection to Jewish identity, family, and continuity has become increasingly important. Following October 7, particularly after visiting an exhibition commemorating the victims of the Nova music festival attack, that connection took on an even greater sense of urgency. For Tammy, matchmaking isn’t simply about arranging dates. It’s about strengthening community, celebrating shared identity, and helping Jewish life and love flourish for generations to come. It’s why she approaches her work as a mitzvah rather than a big-money business. Her philosophy is simple: people are more than profiles, and meaningful connections deserve more than a swipe.
Bashert Without Borders
Today, Tammy’s matchmaking network extends far beyond California, with Jewish singles reaching out from across the United States and as far away as Australia, Italy, and Switzerland. Her recent European travels have even sparked interest in future singles events abroad. What began as a mother’s personal quest has evolved into an international network of introductions, friendships, and possibilities. And while the tools may be modern—Zoom calls, Instagram, and digital databases—the sentiment is wonderfully timeless. In a world obsessed with finding the one, Tammy reminds us that sometimes the most meaningful connections begin with someone simply taking the time to bring two people together. And if that someone happens to be a slightly pushy Jewish mother from California? Well, perhaps Cupid could learn a thing or two. After all, mother knows best. You’d be wise to listen.
And don’t worry, Tammy won’t tell.
Mum’s the word.
Discover The Bashert Exchange
Website: www.TheBashertExchange.com
Instagram: @bashertexchange