"As an Israeli living abroad, I love meeting fellow Israelis to speak Hebrew and feel a sense of relaxation from the effort of fitting in. I would love to feel at home and have a sense of belonging and identity."
"As an Israeli living abroad,
I love meeting fellow Israelis to speak Hebrew and feel a sense of relaxation from the effort of fitting in. I would love to feel at home and have
a sense of belonging
and identity."
Yoni, 29, an Israeli living in Norway
Yoni, 29, Israeli
lives in Norway
Yoni, 29, an Israeli living in Norway
To life!
Lechaim!
To life!
Lechaim!
To life!
Lechaim!
Survey Results (N=52)
Benchmark Analysis
From analyzing similar platforms, I researched and examined what would provide a rewarding matchmaking experience to arrange and facilitate meetings
with people in the area around Friday evenings and holiday meals.
An important aspect I emphasized is the matter of trustworthiness. Ultimately, we are dealing with meetings with real people in their private homes,
and the commitment to safety is of utmost importance.
From analyzing similar platforms, I researched and examined what would provide a rewarding matchmaking experience to arrange and facilitate meetings with people in the area around Friday evenings and holiday meals.
An important aspect I emphasized is the matter of trustworthiness. Ultimately, we are dealing with meetings with real people in their private homes, and the commitment to safety is of utmost importance.
From analyzing similar platforms, I researched and examined what would provide a rewarding matchmaking experience to arrange and facilitate meetings with people in the area around Friday evenings and holiday meals.
An important aspect I emphasized is the matter of trustworthiness. Ultimately, we are dealing with meetings with real people in their private homes, and the commitment to safety is of utmost importance.
The logo showcases two intertwined flames, symbolizing the tradition of lighting Shabbat candles. It also embodies the bond that develops through gathering and unity.
Initially, there's a brief explanation about the concept of leveraging Jewish-Israeli connections to organize Shabbat dinners with the aim of easing loneliness.
The logo showcases two intertwined flames, symbolizing the tradition of lighting Shabbat candles. It also embodies the bond that develops through gathering and unity.
Onboarding
Onboarding
Onboarding
Initially, there's a brief explanation about the concept of leveraging Jewish-Israeli connections to organize Shabbat dinners with the aim of easing loneliness.
The logo showcases two intertwined flames, symbolizing the tradition of lighting Shabbat candles. It also embodies the bond that develops through gathering and unity.
Initially, there's a brief explanation about the concept of leveraging Jewish-Israeli connections to organize Shabbat dinners with the aim of easing loneliness.
Pain point
Case study: 'Shabbat Date'
Case study:
'Shabbat Date'
An app designed for connecting Israelis and Jews abroad, focusing on Friday evening and holiday meals.
An app designed for connecting Israelis and Jews abroad, focusing on Friday evening and holiday meals.
Role:
Role:
UX Researcher & Designer
UX Researcher & Designer
Tools:
Tools:
To better understand the profile owner, you can select hobbies and interests in the app to connect with like-minded individuals.
Ayelet is concerned that her children might lose their Israeli identity during their time abroad and wants to introduce them to Israeli families like themselves.
She fears being alone with just her small family every Friday evening and every holiday. She was accustomed to hosting and being hosted regularly back home, and now she misses it.
Let’s find
a new Shabbat meal!
This is where you specify your location, preferred date for the meal, and your dietary preferences. Afterward, you'll receive a list of potential hosts who match your criteria.
Frustrations
Ayelet worries about her children's Israeli identity weakening while abroad. She seeks connection with other Israeli families, missing the regular social gatherings and holiday celebrations she enjoyed back home.
Motivation
Ayelet prefers Hebrew-speakers, seeking relief from constant foreign language use. She wants to continue Israeli traditions like Friday evening gatherings and meet more Israelis to foster a sense of community.
Motivation
Ayelet prefers Hebrew-speakers, seeking relief from constant foreign language use. She wants to continue Israeli traditions like Friday evening gatherings and meet more Israelis to foster a sense of community.
Frustrations
Ayelet worries about her children's Israeli identity weakening while abroad. She seeks connection with other Israeli families, missing the regular social gatherings and holiday celebrations she enjoyed back home.
The Ben Yitzhak family's two-year transition plan entails starting from scratch
in many aspects.
Adjusting is challenging. Ayelet must acclimate both her children to their new educational institutions and herself to being the primary caretaker of the household.
The Ben Yitzhak family's two-year transition plan entails starting from scratch in many aspects.
Adjusting is challenging. Ayelet must acclimate both her children to their new educational institutions and herself to being the primary caretaker of the household.
The Ben Yitzhak family's two-year transition plan entails starting from scratch in many aspects.
Adjusting is challenging. Ayelet must acclimate both her children to their new educational institutions and herself to being the primary caretaker of the household.
77%
Believe that such gatherings aid in acclimating
to the new place.
65%
Felt occasional homesickness and longing for their familiar surroundings on Friday evenings.
60%
Felt sometimes lonely during their time abroad.
So, why is it worthwhile to meet?
Key Considerations Ranking:
1
2
3
4
5
Place to stay updated about Israel
Meet people with similar backgrounds
Place to speak in Hebrew
Tradition and connection to Judaism
Nostalgia and belonging
During the sign-up process, the user creating a profile is required to accept the app's terms of use and pledge to treat other users respectfully.
Potential Host Page
Once you find a suitable person, you can explore their profile, which includes personal details, reviews from past guests, and photo galleries. If you decide to request to dine with them, they will need to confirm the request before you can chat on WhatsApp.
You will receive a notification once they confirm the request.
77%
Believe that such gatherings aid in acclimating
to the new place
65%
Felt occasional homesickness and longing for their familiar surroundings on Friday evenings
60%
Felt sometimes lonely during their time abroad
So, why is it worthwhile to meet?
Key Considerations Ranking:
1
2
3
4
5
Place to stay updated about Israel
Meet people with similar backgrounds
Place to speak in Hebrew
Tradition and connection to Judaism
Nostalgia and belonging
Let’s find
a new Shabbat meal!
This is where you specify your location, preferred date for the meal, and your dietary preferences. Afterward, you'll receive a list of potential hosts who match your criteria.
For more precise results, you can search for events based on your location and the distance you're willing to travel.
To better understand the profile owner, you can select hobbies and interests in the app to connect with
like-minded individuals.
Trustworthiness
In this app, credibility is crucial as people plan to dine in private homes
and meet without prior acquaintance. Therefore, inputting extensive information and implementing protective measures to ensure user safety is of utmost importance.
After a hosting request is sent, it reaches the individual, and only upon their approval of the request can a shared WhatsApp chat be initiated to coordinate details.
Before approval, there is no option to contact the host, thus avoiding bothering them with irrelevant inquiries.
Let’s find
a new Shabbat meal!
This is where you define your location, your desired date for the meal, and your food preferences.
You'll then receive a list of relevant people to potentially host you.
Potential Host Page
Once you find a suitable person, you can explore their profile, which includes personal details, reviews from past guests, and photo galleries.
If you decide to request to dine with them, they will need to confirm the request before you can chat on WhatsApp. You will receive a notification once they confirm the request.
Filter options
To enhance compatibility and ensure successful meetings, the app offers a range of filters
to help refine your selection.
Trustworthiness
In this app credibility is crucial because people intend to dine in private homes and meet without prior acquaintance. Therefore, inputting extensive information and implementing protective measures to ensure user safety is of utmost importance.
During the sign-in process, the user creating a profile is required to accept the app's terms of use and pledge to treat other users respectfully.
After a hosting request is sent, it reaches the individual, and only upon their approval of the request can a shared WhatsApp chat be initiated to coordinate details. Before approval, there is no option to contact the host, thus avoiding bothering them
with irrelevant inquiries.
“עוד מעט ירד אלינו יום שבת הטוב...”
Shabbat Date App.
This app will help people meet up for Friday nights and holidays based on their personal preferences, making it easy and enjoyable to connect!
Making matches.
Meeting new Israelis friends.
Finding a place to speak in
Hebrew and talk about home.
Helping each other with
the challenges of starting
anew!
Shabbat Date App.
This app will help people meet up for Friday nights and holidays based on their personal preferences, making it easy and enjoyable to connect!
Making matches.
Meeting new Israelis friends.
Finding a place to speak in
Hebrew and talk about home.
Helping each other with
the challenges of starting anew!
“עוד מעט ירד אלינו
יום שבת הטוב...”
Shabbat Date App.
This app will help people meet up!
for Friday nights and holidays based on their personal preferences, making it easy and enjoyable to connect!
- Making matches.
- Meeting new Israelis friends.
- Finding a place to speak in
Hebrew and talk about home.
- Helping each other with
the challenges of
starting anew!
77%
Believe that such gatherings aid in acclimating to the new place
65%
Felt occasional homesickness and longing for their familiar surroundings on Friday evenings
60%
Felt sometimes lonely during their time abroad
90%
Participated and enjoyed communal Friday evening meals during their time abroad, even with people who were not familiar to them
So, why is it worthwhile to meet?
Key Considerations Ranking:
1
Place to stay updated about Israel
2
Meet people with similar backgrounds
3
Place to speak in Hebrew
4
Tradition and connection to Judaism
5
Nostalgia and belonging
Potential host page
Once you find a suitable person, you can explore their profile, which includes personal details, reviews from past guests, and photo galleries. If you decide to request to dine with them, they will need to confirm the request before you can chat on WhatsApp. You will receive a notification once they confirm the request.
Filter options
Filter options
To enhance compatibility and ensure successful meetings, the app offers a range of filters to help refine your selection.
For more precise results, you can search for events based on your location and the distance you're willing to travel.
Trustworthiness
In this app, credibility is crucial as people plan to dine in private homes and meet without prior acquaintance. Therefore, inputting extensive information and implementing protective measures to ensure user safety is of utmost importance.
During the sign-up process, the user creating a profile is required to accept the app's terms of use and pledge to treat other users respectfully.
After a hosting request is sent, it reaches the individual, and only upon their approval of the request can a shared WhatsApp chat be initiated to coordinate details. Before approval, there is no option to contact the host, thus avoiding bothering them with irrelevant inquiries.
Meet Ayelet Ben Yitchak
Meet Ayelet Ben Yitchak
I'm Ayelet. 33 years old. Married+3. Currently living in Madrid due to my husband's job relocation.
Originally from Ramat Gan.
I'm Ayelet. 33 years old. Married+3. A teacher.
Currently living in Madrid due to my husband's job relocation.
Originally from Ramat Gan.
About
About
Israelis who are scattered around the world for various reasons often experience longing and difficulty due to the distance from home. This challenge is particularly pronounced on Friday evenings and holidays, times when regular family gatherings would typically occur.
This application aims to alleviate loneliness by facilitating meetings between Jews and Israelis, fostering a sense of belonging and enjoyment.
Israelis who are scattered around the world for various reasons often experience longing and difficulty due to the distance from home.
This challenge is particularly pronounced on Friday evenings and holidays when regular family gatherings occur.
This application aims to alleviate loneliness by facilitating meetings between Jews and Israelis, fostering a sense of belonging and enjoyment.
Israelis who are scattered around the world for various reasons often experience longing and difficulty due to the distance from home. This challenge is particularly pronounced on Friday evenings and holidays, times when regular family gatherings would typically occur.
This application aims to alleviate loneliness by facilitating meetings between Jews and Israelis, fostering a sense of belonging and enjoyment.
Ayelet feels more comfortable with Hebrew-speaking people. She no longer has to struggle with speaking a foreign language all the time.
She wants to continue hosting Friday evening gatherings, as they often did in Israel.
Ayelet wishes to meet more Israelis, both singles and families, and feel a sense of belonging.
“עוד מעט ירד אלינו
יום שבת הטוב...”
The reason for being abroad
Long trip
Study
Relocation
1
1
It's a common experience to feel sadness during Shabbats and holidays, as memories of home and loved ones can weigh heavily on one's heart.
It's a common experience to feel sadness during Shabbats and holidays, as memories of home and loved ones can weigh heavily on one's heart.
2
2
There's often a lack of basic help and support when living far away from family and friends.
There's often a lack of basic help and support when living far away from family and friends.
3
3
Starting anew can indeed be challenging.
Starting anew can indeed be challenging.
4
4
It's challenging to learn everything from scratch—language, work, childcare, bureaucracy, and more.
It's challenging to learn everything from scratch- language, work, childcare, bureaucracy, and more.
5
5
Most of the time, feeling foreign and different is a common experience.
Most of the time, feeling foreign and different is a common experience.
90%
Participated and enjoyed in communal Friday evening meals during their time abroad, even with people who were not familiar to them.
1
It's a common experience to feel sadness during Shabbats and holidays, as memories of home and loved ones can weigh heavily on one's heart.
2
There's often a lack of basic help and support when living far away from family and friends.
3
Starting anew can indeed be challenging.
4
It's challenging to learn everything from scratch-language, work, childcare, bureaucracy, and more.
5
Most of the time, feeling foreign and different is a common experience.
90%
Participated and enjoyed in communal Friday evening meals during their time abroad, even with people who were not familiar to them.
View app
View app
More options
Inside the application, users can view both past occurrences and upcoming events they have scheduled. Additionally, an active blog provides a wealth of information and personal experiences from Shabbat Date participants.
For more precise results, you can search for events based on your location and the distance you're willing to travel.
To better understand the profile owner, you can select hobbies and interests in the app to connect with like-minded individuals.
More options
Inside the application, users can view both past occurrences and upcoming events they have scheduled.
Additionally, an active blog provides a wealth of information and personal experiences from Shabbat Date participants.
More options
Inside the application, users can view both past occurrences and upcoming events they have scheduled.
Additionally, an active blog provides a wealth of information and personal experiences from Shabbat Date participants.
Insight
Here are some enhancements I envision for the application:
Introducing new features to enrich community engagement.
Adding internal chat functionality akin to social networks.
Expanding event listings to include Israeli holidays and non-Shabbat days.
Enhancing visuals with more illustrations and humor.
Encouraging user feedback and aiming for a delightful user experience.
Frustrations
Motivation
The reason for being abroad
Long trip
Study
Relocation
Let’s Discover!
The reason for being abroad
Long trip
Study
Relocation
Insight
Here are some enhancements I envision for the application:
Introducing new features to enrich community engagement.
Adding internal chat functionality akin to social networks.
Expanding event listings to include Israeli holidays and non-Shabbat days.
Enhancing visuals with more illustrations and humor.
Encouraging user feedback and aiming for a delightful user experience.
Information Architecture
Filter Options
To enhance compatibility and ensure successful meetings, the app offers a range of filters to help refine your selection.