MH STL Pre-retreat thoughts/October blog prompt

Seeing as Moishe House STL is just over a year old, the residents have just nicked the tip of the iceberg that are our possibilities for programming. There will always be the need for young, Jewish programming and community for the recent college graduates, those not yet married, recently married, and everyone in between, and even those with kiddies on the way. MH STL is well on its way to intertwining St. Louis events with MH residents and supporters, like concerts and parties open to everyone i.e. 'Stache Bash, Zootini, art fairs, etc. We have already established Shabbat dinners as our staple/go-to event. If we have an off-week and do not host a Shabbat dinner, our phones explode with messages and calls asking "why not?" and "are you having a Shabbat Friday?" This feedback shows how popular MH STL has been to our target market. Every resident who comes and goes will bring their own ideas and experiences for programming, so the possibilities are just starting.

Local Mission Statement: MH STL strives to build Jewish community among recent college graduates, young professionals, newlyweds, and those looking to build relationships in the young Jewish world in and around the Gateway to the West through hosting a variety of programs including, but not limited to Shabbat dinners, concerts, Israeli-advocacy events, Jewish learning opportunities, and more.

International Mission Statement: To set up and establish grassroots community centers dedicated to the post-college Jewish community that provide these Jews with a social, inclusive, fun and enriching atmosphere conducive to building the Jewish community in the specific area by offering a rent subsidy along with a programming budget to execute events.

Throughout Sunday school, Judaica studies, Bar/Bat Mitzvah lessons, trips to Israel and everything in between, the term "Jewish community" has always come with the Tikkun Olam principle in mind. It is inevitable that each Moishe House include multiple programs for "repairing the world" which in turn also contributes to Jewish learning through these programs and events.

~MH STL