Shani Leiman with Zivia Reischer
Nechemia was 28, highly intelligent, driven, and accomplished — an overachiever from a family of overachievers. Unlike lots of guys who schmooze easily, he didn’t do small talk. Conversations with Nechemia inevitably turned intense or analytical, and more than one girl had found his sense of humor a little too sharp for comfort.
His parents were frustrated and distressed trying to get Nechemia married (“I’m losing my mind,” his father, Dr. Gordon, said). But Nechemia was good-hearted and generous and would make a great husband. He just needed someone who wouldn’t be intimidated by his personal brand of intellectualism.
Ilana was 27. She was a lawyer, her father was a lawyer, her mother was a lawyer. Perfect, I thought. Nechemia was used to accomplished women, and Ilana could handle his personality. I ran the idea by Dr. Gordon. He liked what he heard about Ilana and told me to send her shidduch resume to his wife. I sent the email while we were hanging up and called Mrs. Gordon right away.
“I’m calling about Ilana Hammler,” I began. “She’s a lawyer, works for the family firm.” I started sketching her personality and background, but before I could say much, Mrs. Gordon interrupted me.
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