Our house has relied pretty heavily on Facebook to make people in our community aware of our events. Perhaps, at times, we've leaned too heavily on it. If we had the Moishe House experience to do over again, we might call more people personally around the time of the event to rally the troops, but also to make people feel more included and desired as members of a vibrant community.
On a related note, we'd like to thank David, Summer, and everyone at Moishe House HQ who made this a rewarding experience for us during the past couple years. We wish you all the best in the years ahead.
Showing posts with label MH Seattle. Show all posts
Showing posts with label MH Seattle. Show all posts
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Neal, MHSeattle, 10/1/09 (personal blog post)
Change is in the air -- literally. As if on cue, the weather here in Seattle recently changed from summery to chilly, windy, and wet. Fall started Sept. 23, and already it's off to an ambitious start. I've apparently lost my beloved red North Face jacket, which means I need to buy another one. The Moishe House Seattle sukkah is well on its way to completion in the backyard, and I hope our scheduled mini-golf trip in late October isn't rained out, especially because I'm leading it.
Zara is, as expected, a great addition to the house. Her enthusiasm and sensitivity are wonderful to have around, and she made our living room look as though civilized people actually inhabit the house. I'm not a neatnik, and she likes things reasonably clean, but we're working on a compromise that we'll both be pleased with. Also, she's leading an ingenious program wherein we'll build sukkot out of cookies (like gingerbread houses). I can't wait!
I'm 30, so I'll be leaving Moishe House soon. No organization is perfect, just as no person or house is, but MH has helped me find my way back to Jewish life, and for that I'll always be grateful. I'm also glad to know that as a Moishe House alum, I'll likely have somewhere to stay across the country, and even around the world. I want to also mention the efforts of Summer Shapiro, who has done her best to work with MH Seattle's unconventional approaches to various matters. I wish the MH Seattle of the future, whatever shape it may take, a great deal of luck. And of course I'll always be around as a resource, in case my wisdom is needed or desired. Shana tova, everyone, and happy Sukkot!
Zara is, as expected, a great addition to the house. Her enthusiasm and sensitivity are wonderful to have around, and she made our living room look as though civilized people actually inhabit the house. I'm not a neatnik, and she likes things reasonably clean, but we're working on a compromise that we'll both be pleased with. Also, she's leading an ingenious program wherein we'll build sukkot out of cookies (like gingerbread houses). I can't wait!
I'm 30, so I'll be leaving Moishe House soon. No organization is perfect, just as no person or house is, but MH has helped me find my way back to Jewish life, and for that I'll always be grateful. I'm also glad to know that as a Moishe House alum, I'll likely have somewhere to stay across the country, and even around the world. I want to also mention the efforts of Summer Shapiro, who has done her best to work with MH Seattle's unconventional approaches to various matters. I wish the MH Seattle of the future, whatever shape it may take, a great deal of luck. And of course I'll always be around as a resource, in case my wisdom is needed or desired. Shana tova, everyone, and happy Sukkot!
Saturday, September 5, 2009
MHSeattle, 9/5/09: Lesson Learned
Lesson Learned - Please describe an instance where your house has had an issue (e.g. trouble with events, house dynamics, logistics etc.) and discuss how the house resolved the issue, and what was learned.
An issue we've struggled with since the beginning of the year is keeping the fourth room of our house filled. Rebecca, who moved in just before spring, and Nicole Guidry, who arrived at the start of summer, both ended up leaving the house, and we didn't want the turnover to happen a third time.
While both Rebecca and Nicole were and are bright, energetic people with great ideas and a lot to offer a project such as Moishe House Seattle, we may not have done enough to determine how good of a fit they'd be with our house. Rebecca was very busy with her job at a local nonprofit, about which she was passionate, and rightly so. She found herself having to balance the demands of her challenging work life with the not insignificant demands of a committed romantic relationship. A person only has so much energy, and at the end of the day, while Rebecca always contributed what she could to our programming, living here was beginning to burn her out. Nicole, also a busy person and also committed to a relationship, was similarly at a place in her life where she might be better as an event attendee than as a resident-organizer.
Zara, like the other residents of that fourth room, has a lot going on in her life, but she seems to be at a place, emotionally and otherwise, where living at Moishe House Seattle makes sense. Though Masha, Steven, and I don't have crystal balls, we think the third time will be the charm. Zara is excited to join MHS the way we were when we first applied and were accepted, and she seems very committed to finding the right balance in her life between non-Moishe personal activities and Moishe programming and community-building. Her recent return from Israel also makes her an excellent resource on matters Israeli, which our house had to some extent in Steven but obviously has even more of now.
All in all, the lesson learned was to take a little more time in choosing a new resident-organizer, and to really think about whether the person we choose is likely to be in it for at least the semi-long haul. And we think Zara is going to be an excellent fit.
An issue we've struggled with since the beginning of the year is keeping the fourth room of our house filled. Rebecca, who moved in just before spring, and Nicole Guidry, who arrived at the start of summer, both ended up leaving the house, and we didn't want the turnover to happen a third time.
While both Rebecca and Nicole were and are bright, energetic people with great ideas and a lot to offer a project such as Moishe House Seattle, we may not have done enough to determine how good of a fit they'd be with our house. Rebecca was very busy with her job at a local nonprofit, about which she was passionate, and rightly so. She found herself having to balance the demands of her challenging work life with the not insignificant demands of a committed romantic relationship. A person only has so much energy, and at the end of the day, while Rebecca always contributed what she could to our programming, living here was beginning to burn her out. Nicole, also a busy person and also committed to a relationship, was similarly at a place in her life where she might be better as an event attendee than as a resident-organizer.
Zara, like the other residents of that fourth room, has a lot going on in her life, but she seems to be at a place, emotionally and otherwise, where living at Moishe House Seattle makes sense. Though Masha, Steven, and I don't have crystal balls, we think the third time will be the charm. Zara is excited to join MHS the way we were when we first applied and were accepted, and she seems very committed to finding the right balance in her life between non-Moishe personal activities and Moishe programming and community-building. Her recent return from Israel also makes her an excellent resource on matters Israeli, which our house had to some extent in Steven but obviously has even more of now.
All in all, the lesson learned was to take a little more time in choosing a new resident-organizer, and to really think about whether the person we choose is likely to be in it for at least the semi-long haul. And we think Zara is going to be an excellent fit.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Moishe House Seattle, July 2009
One factor that seems to make an event work well is choosing some activity that the local Jewish twentysomething community already wants to do, like outdoor activities (this varies seasonally, of course) and eating together. When we discussed the July prompt, it seemed pretty clear to us that while it's wonderful to attract a lot of people to an event, including new people, the number of attendees alone is hardly the reason an event is successful.
Our May and June kayaking trips are good examples of fun, seasonal events that got people out into the city, kept them active, and included a strong social element. (People went out in two-seater kayaks, which allowed for one-on-one bonding, and then we all had dinner together at Agua Verde, the Mexican restaurant that rents out the kayaks.) We had one kayak participant from Orange County who made it clear that we were successful. She was visiting Seattle and wanted to hang out with young Jewish adults, and she said that she wasn't really religious. She thought that kayaking was a great way to be with the community without the “how observant are you?” element.
Some people came just for the dinner, but most of the participants kayaked, and we got a range of people, from the naturally outdoorsy (Nicole) to the stubbornly indoorsy (Neal). While there wasn't anything specifically Jewish about the activity, any event that helps our community bond in such a fun, easy way can only enhance those times, such as the two Moishe House Shabbat dinners each month, when we DO gather Jewishly.
Our May and June kayaking trips are good examples of fun, seasonal events that got people out into the city, kept them active, and included a strong social element. (People went out in two-seater kayaks, which allowed for one-on-one bonding, and then we all had dinner together at Agua Verde, the Mexican restaurant that rents out the kayaks.) We had one kayak participant from Orange County who made it clear that we were successful. She was visiting Seattle and wanted to hang out with young Jewish adults, and she said that she wasn't really religious. She thought that kayaking was a great way to be with the community without the “how observant are you?” element.
Some people came just for the dinner, but most of the participants kayaked, and we got a range of people, from the naturally outdoorsy (Nicole) to the stubbornly indoorsy (Neal). While there wasn't anything specifically Jewish about the activity, any event that helps our community bond in such a fun, easy way can only enhance those times, such as the two Moishe House Shabbat dinners each month, when we DO gather Jewishly.
Saturday, June 6, 2009
MHSeattle, 6/6/2009: Introducing the new Moisheniks!
As summer comes to Seattle in the form of 80- and even 90-degree days, we at Moishe House mourn the upcoming departure of Joel Rothschild, one of the house's founders and a reliable source of original music, delicious stir fries, and illuminating insights about the day's news. Joel is moving to House Bet, which is a block away from Moishe House and hosts all-ages events under the Ravenna Kibbutz banner. By the end of June, Masha and Neal will be joined by Steven Blum and Nicole Guidry, two wonderful additions to the house and the Moishe House program.
Steven is a writer whose work appears regularly online and in print; he's written for The Stranger, one of Seattle's weekly newspapers, as well as Seattle Metblogs. He has a blog of his own, too, and is knowledgeable and opinionated (in a good way) on subjects cultural and political.
Nicole is an adventurous person who recently skydived and wants to do it again in August, possibly as a Moishe House event. She has boundless energy and tons of ideas for future events, which is great to see in a new member.
We MH "elders" anticipate great things from these promising newbies, and it'll be fun to report on the doings of the "rebooted" Moishe House Seattle during the coming months. Shabbat Shalom!
Steven is a writer whose work appears regularly online and in print; he's written for The Stranger, one of Seattle's weekly newspapers, as well as Seattle Metblogs. He has a blog of his own, too, and is knowledgeable and opinionated (in a good way) on subjects cultural and political.
Nicole is an adventurous person who recently skydived and wants to do it again in August, possibly as a Moishe House event. She has boundless energy and tons of ideas for future events, which is great to see in a new member.
We MH "elders" anticipate great things from these promising newbies, and it'll be fun to report on the doings of the "rebooted" Moishe House Seattle during the coming months. Shabbat Shalom!
Friday, May 1, 2009
MHSeattle, Neal Schindler, 5/1/2009
Since Moishe House's West Coast director, Summer Shapiro, will be visiting us starting Wednesday, and she hopes to get to know us better and more fully understand what our house is trying to achieve, this seems like a good moment to reflect on my time thus far at Moishe House Seattle. I became a resident at a time (last August) when I was still hurting from a fairly recent breakup and in need of community more than ever, and I found a tremendously lively, enjoyable group of people -- new friends, in practically no time -- at the little house on 23rd Avenue Northeast.
The first event I attended was Coffeehouse, and I remember thinking: Who are all these passionate, interesting, smart, wonderfully nutty people? I'd been attending a potluck at another communal house for a couple of years, and I liked the people there and came to expect great food every Tuesday, but my experience didn't always end up being greater than the sum of its parts -- I was recognized and appreciated, but I didn't quite belong. Almost immediately at MH Seattle, I realized that my sense of humor, my point of view, and my idiosyncrasies would all be "gotten" by pretty much everyone, whether Russian, American, Israeli, or Iranian. I'd never understood how spending time with a group of Jews could be more comfortable, at least in certain ways, than being in a random crowd, but it finally made sense by the end of Coffeehouse. When Tamar and one of the guests performed a number from Fiddler on the Roof that elicited gales of laughter from the audience, I saw a liveliness and humor and ease of being -- the sign of people who have let their guard down -- I'd rarely witnessed in group settings in Seattle.
For me, MH Seattle has been not only the answer to the questions "How do I take part in the Jewish community without feeling uncomfortable?" and "How do I find a community where I feel like I belong?" but also a solution to the problem of Seattle's notorious social chilliness, which means superficial friendliness without a deeper, more lasting warmth (and investment of energy) to follow. At Moishe House, residents and regular guests alike have committed to building a community unlike all the others in town, a place where people who don't fit in elsewhere, or simply want a quirky alternative (or supplement) to the other Jewish events they frequent, can feel at home. Because a sense of home is what our Moishe House has given me, as well as the countless people who have come through our door. And in these turbulent times -- amid economic recession and swine flu -- the ability to feel happy at home is a true privilege.
The first event I attended was Coffeehouse, and I remember thinking: Who are all these passionate, interesting, smart, wonderfully nutty people? I'd been attending a potluck at another communal house for a couple of years, and I liked the people there and came to expect great food every Tuesday, but my experience didn't always end up being greater than the sum of its parts -- I was recognized and appreciated, but I didn't quite belong. Almost immediately at MH Seattle, I realized that my sense of humor, my point of view, and my idiosyncrasies would all be "gotten" by pretty much everyone, whether Russian, American, Israeli, or Iranian. I'd never understood how spending time with a group of Jews could be more comfortable, at least in certain ways, than being in a random crowd, but it finally made sense by the end of Coffeehouse. When Tamar and one of the guests performed a number from Fiddler on the Roof that elicited gales of laughter from the audience, I saw a liveliness and humor and ease of being -- the sign of people who have let their guard down -- I'd rarely witnessed in group settings in Seattle.
For me, MH Seattle has been not only the answer to the questions "How do I take part in the Jewish community without feeling uncomfortable?" and "How do I find a community where I feel like I belong?" but also a solution to the problem of Seattle's notorious social chilliness, which means superficial friendliness without a deeper, more lasting warmth (and investment of energy) to follow. At Moishe House, residents and regular guests alike have committed to building a community unlike all the others in town, a place where people who don't fit in elsewhere, or simply want a quirky alternative (or supplement) to the other Jewish events they frequent, can feel at home. Because a sense of home is what our Moishe House has given me, as well as the countless people who have come through our door. And in these turbulent times -- amid economic recession and swine flu -- the ability to feel happy at home is a true privilege.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
MHSeattle, Neal Schindler, 4/1/2009
It's amazing how much bacon we've been eating lately. More than that, I'm astonished by how many raw oysters Joel has managed to consume each night of the past week. These occurrences, plus our decision to change Shabbat dinner to Tuesday nights, have really shaken up the house.
Or perhaps it's simply April Fools' Day. :-)
Our recent MH Seattle events have gone well. Sunday's sushi lunch (which I should have billed as Jewshi when I had the chance) attracted some diehard fans of raw fish (no oysters, of course) and extremely sticky rice, and the most recent bowling excursion was a pretty big hit, too. (Skating has been phased out now that spring is supposedly here, though it snowed today -- and that's no April Fools' joke.) Next month there'll be an African Music Night at the local Eritrean restaurant Hidmo; I'll probably pass, in order to avoid event burnout. Our MH Shabbatot have been successful in both Russian and generic Jewish flavors, and we have a MH seder planned as well for Passover, which should be quite the three-ring circus at our house, between the epic cleaning, epic grocery runs, and epic hosting duties.
I think the 22-to-30-year-old set is starting to really get what makes Moishe House, and MH events, different from the other events we plan, and I think expressing that distinction consistently, clearly, and firmly is what will keep MH Seattle afloat in the future. There really are plenty of Jewish twentysomethings in town who have somewhat offbeat taste in social and cultural events, and I think we can bring in a rising number of them. Word of mouth is still an important tool for us, but people also find us via Facebook, or via other Moishe Houses. We may have a friend of MH Philly staying with us after Passover; she's checking out Bastyr University in Kenmore and looking for a couch to crash on for a few nights. It's always fun getting to know someone from another part of the country, with unique experiences to share, and I'm looking forward to meeting and hosting her.
Based on my wonderful experiences at MH D.C. earlier this year, I could really get behind a slightly more organized MH exchange program whereby Moisheniks visit a few Houses other than their own each year. It's probably too much to ask, at this stage, for MH HQ to underwrite our travel expenses for such a venture, but maybe in the years to come...
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
MH Seattle, Neal Schindler, 3/4/09
Our recent planning meeting for March events went more smoothly than previous ones, and my hope is that our "reboot" of MH Seattle is starting to pick up momentum. That is, we're creating new programs for the MH contingent because we've turned some old MH events into all-ages events that are outside our subsidized programming.
Moishe House Bowls, which happened last month and was tremendously fun, is coming back in March, and I hope to break 125 this time around. February's bowling excursion was highlighted by spontaneous jumping jacks, excellent disco music coursing through West Seattle Bowl's sound system, and a group of female bowlers who were wearing their underwear outside their clothes.
Also planned for March: a "pi" party, aptly scheduled for 3/14. I believe it is our thematic duty to serve pie at this party, not just because it's a homonym but because pie is circular, so pi is relevant to it. And while I'm likely to skip this month's round of Jews on Ice, our monthly ice skating event, I wish those who participate a lovely, chilly time.
Moishe House Bowls, which happened last month and was tremendously fun, is coming back in March, and I hope to break 125 this time around. February's bowling excursion was highlighted by spontaneous jumping jacks, excellent disco music coursing through West Seattle Bowl's sound system, and a group of female bowlers who were wearing their underwear outside their clothes.
Also planned for March: a "pi" party, aptly scheduled for 3/14. I believe it is our thematic duty to serve pie at this party, not just because it's a homonym but because pie is circular, so pi is relevant to it. And while I'm likely to skip this month's round of Jews on Ice, our monthly ice skating event, I wish those who participate a lovely, chilly time.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
MHSeattle, Neal Schindler, 1/31/2009
I just returned on Monday from my ten-day East Coast trip, which included two nights in Washington, D.C., where I witnessed the Inauguration, albeit on a Jumbo-Tron in a crowded field of people just north of the Washington Monument. The mood was, as you might expect, distinctly joyous, and it's worth mentioning that my companions at the event were Rivka, Adam, and Steven of Moishe House D.C., plus their friend Maura. Our toes were cold, but we still enjoyed the festivities, and when President-elect Obama finally stood opposite Chief Justice Roberts to become President Obama, we weren't paying attention to how chilly it was. If you're interested in my experience, I suggest you check out the article I wrote for Jew-ish.com.
Winter is proceeding fairly comfortably here in Seattle; today there's even sun. I have a new part-time job, at Childhaven, a nonprofit that provides therapeutic child care for kids one month through five years old who have been affected by abuse or neglect. It's a great organization that does really good work, and I like my coworkers a lot. It's also the first job I've ever had that requires business casual attire, something I've grown to appreciate in the last few weeks, since almost everyone looks better in a dress shirt and slacks than in jeans and a sweatshirt. I think not looking like a college student every day of my life is a plus, not a burden.
Anyway, I have to go upstairs and bake some chocolate-chip cookies for a friend, and then maybe watch Mad Men in my room, unless the sunshine compels me to get back outside and enjoy it. Hope all's well at your various Moishe Houses!
Thursday, January 1, 2009
MHSeattle, Neal Schindler, 1/1/2009
In the last few weeks alone, I've been impressed by how many different kinds of people find their way to Moishe House Seattle, and how many ways there are to end up here. One person found us on Facebook and decided to stop by after giving Jconnect (an organization connected to Hillel and targeted at a similar post-college, pre-family demographic) the old college try; my impression is that she won't stop attending Jconnect events but simply wants an alternative for times when Jconnect isn't serving all her Jewish social needs. MH Seattle also seems to have enough staying power in people's minds that they come back to us, even if they've been out of town for months. What others enjoy about our community is fairly simple: unforced fellowship, genuine warmth, and the kind of rich, stable home environment that can be hard to find between college and marriage. It's not that any of this is news, just that I start 2009 with renewed appreciation for it all. As my life begins to change in certain ways -- a likely new job, a return to (the terrifying and exciting world of) dating -- I'm grateful for a home that supports and nurtures my development, personal and professional. And of course for my housemates, who are worth more than their weight in gold, or latkes. (Speaking of which: I think I've had about enough latkes.)
Our calendar for January offers the triumphant return of "Jews on Ice," albeit this time at a proper rink rather than the rinky-dink specimen we found last month at Seattle Center. (Though the sight of little kids skating with "walkers" -- don't worry, they weren't actually disabled, just unsure of themselves on the ice -- amused us all, I think it's safe to say.) We'll also be bringing back the Havdalah-and-Spicebox combo event that Snow-mageddon '08 managed to spoil in December (Spicebox is a belly-dancing event that a number of MH Seattle regulars are into). There'll also be a couple of Shabbatot, including our signature Russian Shabbat, and I'll be leading an excursion to Town Hall Seattle's "Jewish in America" series -- specifically, to an event on Jewish film and music that will include live performances and the screening of four short movies. With the new year come changes, but MH Seattle's certifiable awesomeness remains delightfully intact.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
MHSeattle, Neal Schindler, 12/2/2008
December promises to be a month of exciting events at Moishe House Seattle. There'll be an ice-skating afternoon, a Russian evening, a night at "Spicebox" (a regular local belly-dancing event), and a Chanukah outing to a burlesque show, plus a Shabbat in high MH Seattle style. In my life, Jewish doings abound; I'm working on a freelance piece for Jew-ish.com on the afterlife, I saw "Milk" (one of the year's best films, in my opinion) last night with a bunch of friends, and I'll be turning my attention soon to choosing December's selection for Israeli movie night. (I think it's between "The Band's Visit" and "Bonjour, Monsieur Shlomi" -- I want something heartwarming after last month's "Late Marriage," which is a bit of a downer).
Though I haven't managed to nail down a day job yet, I've had some encouraging advances in the process, like applying for a writing position at PCC that I'd actually want to do, and gearing up for an informational interview on Friday at the HIV Vaccine Trials Network. Where the various job sites left me in a state of mild despair before, now I'm thinking that persistent effort, and a decent bit of networking, could actually pay off eventually -- and a job would bring a sense of balance to my life that I could really use.
Though I haven't managed to nail down a day job yet, I've had some encouraging advances in the process, like applying for a writing position at PCC that I'd actually want to do, and gearing up for an informational interview on Friday at the HIV Vaccine Trials Network. Where the various job sites left me in a state of mild despair before, now I'm thinking that persistent effort, and a decent bit of networking, could actually pay off eventually -- and a job would bring a sense of balance to my life that I could really use.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
MHSeattle, Neal Schindler, 11/4/2008
Election fever has consumed my social circle, and more and more of my Facebook friends' statuses are reflecting either having voted already or intending to vote very soon. Last night at the house we hosted an Election Eve discussion that included all the down-ticket items, which gave a number of people a chance to learn about measures and local candidates they had little knowledge of. One attendee in particular spends a lot of time doing local political activism, and he was extremely thorough and eloquent in talking about the pros and cons surrounding each initiative and candidate.
I have to admit, it's hard to focus my energy today; I scheduled a call from a friend in Jerusalem for this morning, and all I want to do is vote. I will, of course, but it's hard to calm the urgency I'm feeling about it. It's also a poignant day for me, as I'm missing people -- my father, who died in 2003 and would have loved to see this day; my ex-girlfriend, with whom I followed the Obama campaign from its beginning until this past August, when we decided to break off communication; another ex-girlfriend, from college, with whom I've just recently gotten back in touch, and who traveled from Oakland, where she lives, to Nevada to canvass; my mother, though I'll certainly call her during the returns tonight; and my friends in New York, whom I miss without always realizing how much.
I have to admit, it's hard to focus my energy today; I scheduled a call from a friend in Jerusalem for this morning, and all I want to do is vote. I will, of course, but it's hard to calm the urgency I'm feeling about it. It's also a poignant day for me, as I'm missing people -- my father, who died in 2003 and would have loved to see this day; my ex-girlfriend, with whom I followed the Obama campaign from its beginning until this past August, when we decided to break off communication; another ex-girlfriend, from college, with whom I've just recently gotten back in touch, and who traveled from Oakland, where she lives, to Nevada to canvass; my mother, though I'll certainly call her during the returns tonight; and my friends in New York, whom I miss without always realizing how much.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
MHSeattle, Neal Schindler, 10/2/2008
Whew! The Rosh Hashanah rush was very fun and very wearying. I started a part-time temp job on Monday, and even though I'm sure most of you out there get up early every morning, rising at 7:30 a.m. to catch an 8:11 bus to start at 9 was a shock to the system for a few days there. (Now that I'm more used to it, I'm very grateful that my internal clock has been realigned to conform to, you know, employed people time.) Anyway, helping to host a Sunday night re-screening of the presidential debate and then co-hosting two RH dinners in a row (after last week's Wednesday potluck and Thursday movie night, yet!) left me needing some R&R.
Happily, I'm back to functional mode, and tonight I'm off to a VP debate-watching party being hosted by friends of friends of the Kibbutz. And Friday night's Shabbat dinner should be a smaller-than-usual, relatively quiet affair, which suits me fine. After all, October brings Sukkot -- days of gathering materials, multiple potlucks in the sukkah, and so on. I love the familial vibe of the house, but it's also reminding me that family means obligations. However fun those are, they have to be fit in around whatever else is going on in one's life. Mine is still pretty un-busy, which makes me wonder how things will be when I eventually land another full-time job. I'm also feeling a little guilty about not helping on RH prep as much as the other house members, but I guess the new job is a somewhat decent excuse. And I think communication in the house is open enough that if somebody thought I was slacking, they'd let me know. (I also worry all the time that I'm a big slacker, so often it's mostly my worries that are the problem, not the objective situation.)
P.S. Organizing the Nextbook salon about Jews and sex is continuing apace. Today I put together Elana's and my submission for the readings packet and deliver it to our co-coordinator, Jacob Fine, at Hillel.
Happily, I'm back to functional mode, and tonight I'm off to a VP debate-watching party being hosted by friends of friends of the Kibbutz. And Friday night's Shabbat dinner should be a smaller-than-usual, relatively quiet affair, which suits me fine. After all, October brings Sukkot -- days of gathering materials, multiple potlucks in the sukkah, and so on. I love the familial vibe of the house, but it's also reminding me that family means obligations. However fun those are, they have to be fit in around whatever else is going on in one's life. Mine is still pretty un-busy, which makes me wonder how things will be when I eventually land another full-time job. I'm also feeling a little guilty about not helping on RH prep as much as the other house members, but I guess the new job is a somewhat decent excuse. And I think communication in the house is open enough that if somebody thought I was slacking, they'd let me know. (I also worry all the time that I'm a big slacker, so often it's mostly my worries that are the problem, not the objective situation.)
P.S. Organizing the Nextbook salon about Jews and sex is continuing apace. Today I put together Elana's and my submission for the readings packet and deliver it to our co-coordinator, Jacob Fine, at Hillel.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
MHSeattle, Neal Schindler, 9/24/2008
Food is a big part of the Moishe House Seattle experience, and I've found that four weeks among people -- and not just people, mind you, but Jewish people -- who like to cook has inspired me to do more inventive and exciting cooking than I've done in many, many years. Tonight my friend Elana came over and we made a dessert whose recipe we'd gotten from Rabbi Jacob Fine (of UW Hillel and Jconnect) and his wife, Julie. It was Mexican mocha pudding with pumpkin cream, something I'll surely make again in time for Halloween, if not before.
Being in a kitchen that's well stocked, and working with a pantry that has a lot of basic ingredients already in it (haven't had such a thing at my disposal for, again, many years), is thrilling. I've been eating too much lately, moving steadily toward the dreaded "Freshman Fifteen" that Masha warned me about, but hopefully I'll be able to straighten myself out fairly soon and eat in greater moderation. It is nice, however, to eat so well and to witness such passion for food and cooking on a daily basis. And I'm so, so grateful to live in a house where I can wander upstairs hungry around lunchtime and find that Tamar has made beans and rice, quinoa tabouli, and hummus for everyone to enjoy. I'm one lucky Jew.
Being in a kitchen that's well stocked, and working with a pantry that has a lot of basic ingredients already in it (haven't had such a thing at my disposal for, again, many years), is thrilling. I've been eating too much lately, moving steadily toward the dreaded "Freshman Fifteen" that Masha warned me about, but hopefully I'll be able to straighten myself out fairly soon and eat in greater moderation. It is nice, however, to eat so well and to witness such passion for food and cooking on a daily basis. And I'm so, so grateful to live in a house where I can wander upstairs hungry around lunchtime and find that Tamar has made beans and rice, quinoa tabouli, and hummus for everyone to enjoy. I'm one lucky Jew.
Friday, September 5, 2008
MHSeattle, Neal Schindler, 9/5/2008
It's September, and the Nextbook literary salon series, which I hope to land at the Kibbutz (aka Moishe House Seattle), won't arrive anywhere until at least October. So I need to plan and lead an event, and I want that event to be a cinema night. I've been looking at Israeli movies online lately, and except for a few films (Broken Wings, Late Marriage), I'm pretty unfamiliar with Israel's cinematic output. But not for long, I hope. I visited Scarecrow Video -- Seattle's premier video store -- yesterday in search of Israeli movies, and I rented two: Sweet Mud, about life on a kibbutz, and Or, which is about prostitution and promises to be a tad intense. I definitely want to program a series that isn't a total downer, and I could be wrong, but Israeli films seem to visit dark themes more frequently than, say, French films.
Anyway, I'm seeing Sweet Mud because a kibbutz-themed movie, provided it's good, would be an apt kick-off selection, and Or because it looks terrific and has an actress from Late Marriage, which I'm also considering screening, though it's devastating -- heartbreaking -- and contains a very, very graphic sex scene. Maybe I'll work my way up to programming that one. It's funny to feel like I have to warn people -- adults like me -- about graphic sex scenes. But of course, everyone has different sensibilities, and we don't want a very awkward room -- we want a room that's been warned about potential awkwardness and has made an informed choice to participate in it. But I digress.
My hope is to have an Israeli film series -- maybe a half-dozen films, maybe a few more -- followed by a series of Jewish films that aren't Israeli. I'll introduce each film, screen it, and then facilitate a discussion. There will be popcorn and sometimes thematically relevant food. My main obstacle is technological: We have a smallish screen that we can transfer DVD playback to, but no projector, and no large-screen TV. We need to either borrow something for the September screening or purchase a projector for the house. A worthy investment, to be sure, but not a cheap one. I'll start looking online at projector prices, and I'll also see if anyone has a projector we can borrow in the meantime. Worst-case scenario, we have the first screening at the house of people with a big-screen TV. But I'm hoping it doesn't have to come to that, because it's nice to have events at the house. Reinforces the whole concept that it's the destination for all -- or at least a significant portion of -- your Jewish cultural needs.
Okay, I'm operating on too little sleep. (I took Masha to the airport this morning, leaving me alone in the house until Monday night. Ah, the crazy parties I'll have here while my fellow Kibbutzniks are away! No, no -- just kidding.) Time to sign off. If anybody out there has run a film night and has helpful hints, let me know. I'm at neal.schindler@hotmail.com.
Anyway, I'm seeing Sweet Mud because a kibbutz-themed movie, provided it's good, would be an apt kick-off selection, and Or because it looks terrific and has an actress from Late Marriage, which I'm also considering screening, though it's devastating -- heartbreaking -- and contains a very, very graphic sex scene. Maybe I'll work my way up to programming that one. It's funny to feel like I have to warn people -- adults like me -- about graphic sex scenes. But of course, everyone has different sensibilities, and we don't want a very awkward room -- we want a room that's been warned about potential awkwardness and has made an informed choice to participate in it. But I digress.
My hope is to have an Israeli film series -- maybe a half-dozen films, maybe a few more -- followed by a series of Jewish films that aren't Israeli. I'll introduce each film, screen it, and then facilitate a discussion. There will be popcorn and sometimes thematically relevant food. My main obstacle is technological: We have a smallish screen that we can transfer DVD playback to, but no projector, and no large-screen TV. We need to either borrow something for the September screening or purchase a projector for the house. A worthy investment, to be sure, but not a cheap one. I'll start looking online at projector prices, and I'll also see if anyone has a projector we can borrow in the meantime. Worst-case scenario, we have the first screening at the house of people with a big-screen TV. But I'm hoping it doesn't have to come to that, because it's nice to have events at the house. Reinforces the whole concept that it's the destination for all -- or at least a significant portion of -- your Jewish cultural needs.
Okay, I'm operating on too little sleep. (I took Masha to the airport this morning, leaving me alone in the house until Monday night. Ah, the crazy parties I'll have here while my fellow Kibbutzniks are away! No, no -- just kidding.) Time to sign off. If anybody out there has run a film night and has helpful hints, let me know. I'm at neal.schindler@hotmail.com.
Friday, August 29, 2008
MHSeattle, Neal Schindler, 8/29/2008
I'm all moved in, and even in the few days I've been here I've been struck by how nice it is to come home to a place where people are likely to be watching The Daily Show on someone's laptop, listening to an NPR analysis of the Democratic National Convention, or cooking something lusciously aromatic in the kitchen. Or building an IKEA table. Or playing Brazilian music for no reason other than that the house has a record player and it's a fine day for Brazilian music (and isn't every day?). In other words, this is a real home, and I haven't lived in one for more than 4 years -- and even then, there was less intention behind the homemaking.
What's also struck me is how easy it feels for me to dedicate my Friday nights to Shabbat dinner. Maybe it's because I'm just coming out of a two-and-a-half-year relationship and my weekend evenings are mysteriously free; maybe it's really because I'm at a stage of life where I don't feel like I need to rush out to the bars or some nightlife-ish event on a Friday night. Maybe it's actually more nourishing to spend one night of the weekend with my housemates and members of the lovely and growing community they've established in, impressively, less than a year's time. The feeling that led me to become a resident of Seattle's Moishe House in the first place was one of familial comfort -- a sense of belonging that hit me immediately, even though I didn't really know anyone yet. Perhaps it's largely because I'm finally trying to embrace, rather than run away from, Jewish identity and connection. Perhaps it's because intentional community is something I've sought since 2001, when I graduated from college, and am only now rediscovering -- coming home to, if you will. Whatever the reason(s), I'm glad I live here. Tuesday night potlucks and Friday night dinners never fail to raise my spirits, which these days is no small thing.
One last note: Today I was at PCC, shopping for Shabbat-dinner salad ingredients, when a middle-aged woman pulled over in her car and asked me about my Obama bumper sticker (it says "Barack Obama" in Hebrew). Specifically, she asked where I got it, and I told her it came from the Ravenna Kibbutz. She said: "I didn't know Ravenna had a kibbutz!" (Common response.) So I explained the Moishe House organization to her very briefly and gave her the Kibbutz's Web address. I've never been much of a proselytizer for anything -- certain movies, maybe, and my college co-op system -- but it's nice to be able to promote a place I believe in and actually call home, too.
What's also struck me is how easy it feels for me to dedicate my Friday nights to Shabbat dinner. Maybe it's because I'm just coming out of a two-and-a-half-year relationship and my weekend evenings are mysteriously free; maybe it's really because I'm at a stage of life where I don't feel like I need to rush out to the bars or some nightlife-ish event on a Friday night. Maybe it's actually more nourishing to spend one night of the weekend with my housemates and members of the lovely and growing community they've established in, impressively, less than a year's time. The feeling that led me to become a resident of Seattle's Moishe House in the first place was one of familial comfort -- a sense of belonging that hit me immediately, even though I didn't really know anyone yet. Perhaps it's largely because I'm finally trying to embrace, rather than run away from, Jewish identity and connection. Perhaps it's because intentional community is something I've sought since 2001, when I graduated from college, and am only now rediscovering -- coming home to, if you will. Whatever the reason(s), I'm glad I live here. Tuesday night potlucks and Friday night dinners never fail to raise my spirits, which these days is no small thing.
One last note: Today I was at PCC, shopping for Shabbat-dinner salad ingredients, when a middle-aged woman pulled over in her car and asked me about my Obama bumper sticker (it says "Barack Obama" in Hebrew). Specifically, she asked where I got it, and I told her it came from the Ravenna Kibbutz. She said: "I didn't know Ravenna had a kibbutz!" (Common response.) So I explained the Moishe House organization to her very briefly and gave her the Kibbutz's Web address. I've never been much of a proselytizer for anything -- certain movies, maybe, and my college co-op system -- but it's nice to be able to promote a place I believe in and actually call home, too.
Tuesday, January 2, 2007
MH Seattle ushers in a new year
Hey, all. Stephen writing here, just reflecting on the last month and this new solar-based year. It has been pretty crazy lately, as I started a new, full-time job at a counseling center at the beginning of December. Throw in all of the end o' year craziness and you have a recipe for minimal sleep and maximum festivities.
I really enjoyed our erev xmas brunch; we had a busy kitchen and many satisfied tummies. We had an excellent french toaster preparer and many lively conversations. It was a nice chance to relax after all the food was prepared and enjoy the weekend.
We are looking forward to this next year and some winter wonderment and new programming ideas.
Stephen Singer
I really enjoyed our erev xmas brunch; we had a busy kitchen and many satisfied tummies. We had an excellent french toaster preparer and many lively conversations. It was a nice chance to relax after all the food was prepared and enjoy the weekend.
We are looking forward to this next year and some winter wonderment and new programming ideas.
Stephen Singer
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