'Pretty Woman' Engagement Captures the Heart of JDate(R) in Ultimate Wedding Giveaway Contest

Iconic Jewish Community Awards Winning Couple Unique Wedding Preparation Experience


LOS ANGELES, CA--(Marketwired - Jul 2, 2014) - Today, New York residents Dana Gitlin and Zal Spialter were announced winners of JDate's Ultimate Wedding Giveaway contest. In partnership with 92nd Street Y and Ketubah.com, JDate.com, the iconic Jewish community responsible for more Jewish marriages than all other dating sites combined, will gift the future bride and groom a comprehensive wedding package to help prepare them for their big day -- the Jewish way.

"At JDate, we celebrate the couples who have fallen in love and found their Beshert based upon their shared culture and traditions," said Greg Liberman, CEO of Spark Networks®, the company that owns and operates JDate. "We know how important preparing for a Jewish wedding is, so we are very proud to present Dana and Zal with a gift package to help them get ready for their special day."

The contest, which sought entries for the best JDate success story from newly engaged couples, was held from June 1 to 15. By submitting an essay and photos that poignantly described how their ever-so-sweet theatrical love story began, Dana and Zal were selected as the winners of the Ultimate Wedding Giveaway Contest. Zal's creative proposal, where he reenacted the last scene from "Pretty Woman," one of Dana's favorite movies, was the icing on the cake.

Unbeknownst to them when they started dating, the two had first crossed paths at the prestigious Stagedoor Manor when they were just teenagers. They had watched each other perform, each one admiring the other for their passion for theatre, yet they never met face to face... until six years later. At that point, they were both living in New York and decided to join JDate to search for that special someone. They hit it off on none other than Christmas Eve, discovering that they had attended the same summer camp. They spent the next three years together, pursuing their dreams in theatre. The couple is set to wed on the anniversary of their engagement, Oct. 12, 2014.

As winners of the Ultimate Wedding Giveaway Contest, Dana and Zal will receive:

  • A Forging Eternal Bands Session: Create-your-own wedding bands in the 92Y Jewelry Center (up to $1,000 value)
  • Before the Chuppah: Six 90-minute sessions with a 92Y rabbi, financial planner & licensed counselor ($500 value)
  • Fit Bride & Groom Classes: private sessions with a 92Y trainer to get in your best shape ($2,870 value)
  • First Dance Classes: Four 60-minute sessions with a 92Y dance center instructor ($400 value)
  • A custom Ketubah from Ketubah.com's Signature Collection (a value of up to $1,200)

"92Y is about enriching lives on every level -- creative, intellectual, spiritual and physical," said Henry Timms, executive director of 92nd Street Y. "In this case, we are thrilled to have the opportunity to enrich one couple's wedding journey with a taste of Jewish culture and creativity -- from jewelry-making to rabbinical counseling to fitness -- as they plan for this very special milestone in their lives. We are so pleased to be partners with JDate on this and other initiatives that strengthen the Jewish community by bringing people together."

For additional information about JDate's Ultimate Wedding Giveaway Contest or to arrange an interview with the couple or a JDate spokesperson, contact JDate@formulapr.com.

About 92nd Street Y
Now celebrating its 140th Anniversary, 92nd Street Y is a world-class, nonprofit cultural and community center that fosters the mental, physical and spiritual health of people throughout their lives, offering: wide-ranging conversations with the world's best minds; an outstanding range of programming in the performing, visual and literary arts; fitness and sports programs; and activities for children and families. 92Y is reimagining what it means to be a community center in the digital age, transforming the way people share ideas and translate them into action both locally and around the world. More than 300,000 people visit 92Y annually; millions more participate in 92Y's digital and online initiatives. A proudly Jewish organization, 92Y embraces its Jewish heritage and welcomes people of all backgrounds and perspectives. For more information, visit www.92Y.org.

About JDate.com
With more than 750,000 active members worldwide, JDate® (www.JDate.com, www.JDate.co.uk, www.JDate.co.il and www.JDate.fr) is the leading online community for Jewish singles, responsible for more Jewish marriages than all other dating sites combined. JDate recently renewed its look with a campaign that further emphasizes the "J" in JDate. The "Get Chosen" rebrand furthers JDate's goal of bringing likeminded Jewish singles together, and celebrates the cultural traditions and experiences that unite the Jewish community. JDate is owned and operated by Spark Networks®, Inc. (www.spark.net), whose mission is to create iconic, niche-focused brands that build and strengthen the communities they serve. Spark Networks' shares trade on the NYSE MKT under the symbol "LOV" (NYSE MKT: LOV). In addition to JDate, the Spark Networks portfolio of consumer websites includes, among other brands, ChristianMingle® (www.ChristianMingle.com).

Contact Information:

Media contact
Formula PR for JDate:
310-578-7050