Can Chosson Torah Fix The Shidduch Crisis

New Jersey (VINnews) As Simchas Torah draws near, Jewish communities worldwide are gearing up for Simchas Torah, and an age-old tradition of synagogue honors known as kibbudim. For centuries, these honors have not only played an essential role in synagogue life but have also been regarded as conduits for spiritual blessings—whether for shidduchim (marriage), parnassah (livelihood), or the well-being of children. Traditionally, the process of acquiring these kibbudim has been limited to in-person auctions at synagogues, often at high prices. However, a new not-for-profit platform, Kibid.org, is making these honors accessible to a global audience at a fraction of the cost.

Launched by DollarDaily.org, Kibid.org allows users from around the world to participate in virtual auctions for these synagogue honors, with starting bids as low as $50. The platform was designed to bring these spiritual opportunities to more people, while also supporting the financial needs of Chabad centers during the busy holiday season. It’s an innovative solution that blends tradition with technology, opening up a process that was once exclusive to local congregations.

A Modern Approach to an Ancient Tradition

Synagogue honors like Chosson Torah, Chosson B’reishis, and Kol HaNe’arim have long been considered powerful segulos—spiritual tools believed to bring blessings. In many large Jewish communities, the bidding for these honors can climb into the thousands, sometimes exceeding $5,000 for the Maftir Yonah honor at Mincha on Yom Kippur, which is particularly associated with wealth and success.

Through Kibid, however, the same honors are now available to a much broader audience at significantly lower starting prices. The platform allows users to place bids, make payments directly to the synagogue, and secure these spiritual honors regardless of their physical location.

For many Chabad centers, this online platform is providing critical support at a time when holiday expenses are especially high. “For us, the funds raised through kibbudim are vital to keeping our programs and services running,” says one rabbi who participated in last year’s Kibid auction. “These honors are not just a tradition—they are essential to our survival.”

Stories of Spiritual Blessings

The appeal of kibbudim on Kibid goes beyond financial support for synagogues. Many participants have shared personal stories of how purchasing these honors has brought about significant life changes.

One such story involves a woman named Miriam, who purchased Chosson Torah through a Kibid connection with Rabbi Lipskar of Chabad on Campus in Orlando. Miriam paid for the honor slowly over the course of the year. Just two weeks after making her final payment, she met her husband. Now, a year later, she is happily married and believes that the brachos she received through her participation in Kibid played a role in this turning point in her life.

Similar stories have emerged from other participants. In Nebraska, a bidder secured Chosson Torah for $500 and was married within a few months. The buyer was so impressed by the connection that he returned this year to bid for the same honor, saying, “I’m holding onto those blessings.”

Rabbi Lew of Chabad Peachtree in Georgia recalls his experience last year, when he connected with Kibid to help auction Chosson Torah and Chosson B’reishis honors at his synagogue. The honors were purchased by two men who were not physically present, but per Rabbi Lew they received the spiritual merit. As for the local people who we actually called up to get the aliyah “One of the buyers landed his dream job around Pesach after years of struggling, and the other—a kohen in his 50s—has been busier than ever,” Rabbi Lew shares. “We’re still waiting for the shidduch news, but we’ve already seen so much blessing.”

A Platform with Global Reach

Kibid is more than just a digital marketplace for synagogue honors. It’s a platform that democratizes access to these spiritual opportunities. Whether you’re looking for blessings in your personal life or hoping to help a friend or loved one, the platform allows participants to bid on honors and even gift them to others.

One unique feature of Kibid is its ability to bring people from different parts of the world into the fold. “Last year, a mother from Baltimore bought Chosson Torah for her daughter from a Chabad center in New Jersey,” says Yosef Shidler, the platform’s founder. “Within two months, her daughter was engaged. It shows that these brachos don’t need to be tied to physical presence—they transcend location.”

While many of these kibbudim are associated with blessings for marriage, the honors are also believed to bring about prosperity and other forms of success. Shidler himself shares a personal story about purchasing Chosson Torah from Rabbi Liberow of Chabad in Colorado Springs when he was looking for a shidduch. “I paid off the honor slowly over the course of the year, bit by bit. Just three days after finishing the payments, I met my wife,” Shidler recalls.

Keeping Tradition Alive

At its core, Kibid is a platform that brings an ancient tradition into the modern era. By offering a space for people to connect with the spiritual power of synagogue honors from anywhere in the world, Kibid not only provides a new way for individuals to access these brachos but also helps Chabad centers continue their vital work during the busy holiday season.

As Simchas Torah approaches, the opportunity to secure blessings through Kibid is open to everyone. Whether it’s Chosson Torah for marriage, Tefillas Geshem for financial success, or Kol HaNe’arim for blessings of children, the platform offers a chance to connect with age-old traditions in a fresh, accessible way.

“Kibid allows people from all walks of life to participate in these powerful kibbudim,” says Shidler. “Whether you’re in Arknsas, Ohio, or China, you can tap into these brachos and help Chabad centers at the same time.”

Shidler is not making any money on the platform and launched purely to help connect people for these honors.

For more information and to participate in the bidding, visit Kibid.org.