What a great couple of weeks at MHL

Dear Moishe Housers,

The last couple of weeks at MHL have seen a great variety of events take place, illustrative of the great variety of skills in our community, and the types of activities that a modern, open and engaging Jewish young people demand. These events have included a comedy night, a talk on global warming, a talk from an up and coming ecentric author, our open non-denominational House of Study and an Open Mike night. It is a privelage to be part of such a vibrant and diverse community, that uses all the skills of its members that responds to the interests of its members, that is open to challenging issues, just wants to have fun. What is stopping the conventional, traditional community from functioning in such a way? I am not totally sure, but my gut reaction is that they have become stagnant because their core function is to provide security not challenge, to protect identity not shape it in new and diverse ways, to put continuity first without a vision for why that is important. Critical I know, but also understandable when you consider the challenges our people have faced / continue to face. But these communities need to be bolder, braver and open to the potential benefits of promoting innovation, free expression and using all the diverse skills they have within them. It is an ambitious goal, but maybe MHL can provide a model for others to follow, whilst being cognizant that we constantly need to make efforts to keep our community as vibrant, open and creative as possible.

Here's to MH and all it stands for, have a good month all.

Gideon