This month we conquered a party idea a long time in the making............a moustache party!!! The idea is that every guy SHOULD arrive with a pre-grown moustache groomed to his own tastes and every girl should arrive with a fake moustache glued onto her face. Let me tell you now......there are some scary and convincing moustaches for girls out there!!!!!! The guy's moustaches were only mildly creepy (because growing an amazing moustache can take a lot of time as we found out). Nate came in as one of my favorites, the MySpace pedophile look. Anyways, we all had great time and even had a performance on the deck by "The German Show" who incredibly enough had a moustache as well. Tom Selleck would have been proud!!!!!!!
So finally, after months of playing and giving in my ten to twenty dollars, I won some cash at our poker games. I'm not really sure if the months of playing up to this point were covered in my winnings but it's been fun playing every week with the crew. I must say I've become a better player up to this point and I've picked up a lot of skillz (oh yes, skills with a z type of skills) but just getting together with friends as well new faces is really a great way to stay social and talk about your week with people.
Hope everyone had a good month and I'm looking foward to the new year. Have a fantastic Apples N' Honey party to those who are throwing them!!!
~Dave
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
A Comment on Community
Moishe House is an amazing project and opportunity for all of us to great community. And the best part is that we get to decide what that means to us. This is great, but I also find it to be the most difficult aspect. From the beginning, I have asked myself: What does community mean in the Moishe House context? I am not sure if even after 2 years I have a complete answer. I am proud of the work I have done with MHSF and I am really pleased with individual events which have successfully connected new community members with each other and exposed them to fun and cultural happenings. But I still wonder if MHSF is community with a "c" or a "C".
I just read Margie Klein's blog from MHBO and I was really impressed. From the time that I met her and the other Boston House members I was always impressed by the fact that they really seemed to know what community means to them. She talks about getting house members and community members together to take care of another community member whilst they are mourning and sitting shiva. This is community with a "C".
While I was in Israel during July. I had the great opportunity to visit a few kibbutzim and there I also felt a sense of community with "C". Day in and day out people lived with each other, knew about each others lives, and helped build their community together.
In the coming months at Moishe House SF I want to really think about community again. To try and set a definition for myself and my house mates. I would love it to come from us, but I would also be interested to know if the rest of the Moishe Houses have their own definitions or for that matter if the Forest Foundation has one.
Ranting in SF
I just read Margie Klein's blog from MHBO and I was really impressed. From the time that I met her and the other Boston House members I was always impressed by the fact that they really seemed to know what community means to them. She talks about getting house members and community members together to take care of another community member whilst they are mourning and sitting shiva. This is community with a "C".
While I was in Israel during July. I had the great opportunity to visit a few kibbutzim and there I also felt a sense of community with "C". Day in and day out people lived with each other, knew about each others lives, and helped build their community together.
In the coming months at Moishe House SF I want to really think about community again. To try and set a definition for myself and my house mates. I would love it to come from us, but I would also be interested to know if the rest of the Moishe Houses have their own definitions or for that matter if the Forest Foundation has one.
Ranting in SF
Sunday, September 2, 2007
yay!
another month at moishe!
well, what a month it has been.
many people over, many late nights, lots of pizza and lots of jews
i must say, at last i have finally felt at home here, and can call this place 'my home'
so it's sad that we will probably be moving to a new place at the end of this month....
but that's another issue for the next blog (assuming we move)
as it stands, we've been working hard on university and other obligations, we've been enjoying each other's company and we've yet to threaten death upon any of the other housemates.
so essentially, all has been peachful and calm in this abode of moishe.
on a personal note, i had to spend two hours today at the 'yom tov' market looking after 3 year old kids. i might commit suicide in my sleep after that.
sleep... hmmmm zzz
another month at moishe!
well, what a month it has been.
many people over, many late nights, lots of pizza and lots of jews
i must say, at last i have finally felt at home here, and can call this place 'my home'
so it's sad that we will probably be moving to a new place at the end of this month....
but that's another issue for the next blog (assuming we move)
as it stands, we've been working hard on university and other obligations, we've been enjoying each other's company and we've yet to threaten death upon any of the other housemates.
so essentially, all has been peachful and calm in this abode of moishe.
on a personal note, i had to spend two hours today at the 'yom tov' market looking after 3 year old kids. i might commit suicide in my sleep after that.
sleep... hmmmm zzz
Pulling together in Hard Times (Margie in Boston)
Another amazing month here at Moishe House Boston, including our first annual color war an an affordable housing campaign where our community members hit the streets and helped prevent low income people from losing their homes.
But what is most notable for me is actually a really terrible thing that happened, which is that, Sarah, a member of our community tragically lost her father last weekend. Sarah - a school teacher and just generally sweet and caring person who just graduated from college - called me late on last Saturday night to tell me that her father had passed away earlier that day, and she just needed to talk to someone. She said that our house was her community, and she hoped she could come to us for support.
I am proud that our community functions to support one another in general - through Shabbat and holidays, birthdays and new jobs, even romantic break ups. But we've never had the challenge of needing to be there for someone when they need it most, when they are dealing with real loss and grief. I was immediately moved that Sarah turned to us, but after that, I got kind of overwhelmed. I kept asking myself - is our community strong enough to really be there for someone whose life seems so unfairly turned upside down, who is dealing with this much pain?
As I've learned to do over the past two years, I decided to share my questions with housemembers and key leaders, asking folks what we could do. The response was incredible. We decided to organize 2-3 people a day to call Sarah while she is out of town for the funeral and shiva, to coordinate people to cook for/visit Sarah each day for the two weeks after she gets back, to organize places for her to spend the various days/meals of the high holidays, and to host a memorial service for her father when she is ready. When we posted these ideas to our larger email list, literally dozens of people responded and offered to help, and everything we thought of got covered. In addition to Sarah's friends, who are helping to organize everything and are real mensches, all sorts of people who don't even really know Sarah have also stepped up to the plate, cooking, calling, opening their homes.
Though I never would wish for this situation, this tragedy is teaching all of us the power of community. As I keep being moved by the outpouring of kindness, people repeatedly say to me that they have wanted to in a community where people are there for each other through ups and downs, where they are needed, where in the face of pain there is something they can do. As for Sarah, she said to me on Thursday, "It is weird. Life is just still going. I can't believe my dad is gone, but this whole thing is also making me realize how much love I have in Boston, and how many good people I have to come home to."
Though none of our efforts can fix Sarah's loss, I felt like, if building this community can get such a sweet person though such a hard time, dayeinu, it would have all been worth it.
But what is most notable for me is actually a really terrible thing that happened, which is that, Sarah, a member of our community tragically lost her father last weekend. Sarah - a school teacher and just generally sweet and caring person who just graduated from college - called me late on last Saturday night to tell me that her father had passed away earlier that day, and she just needed to talk to someone. She said that our house was her community, and she hoped she could come to us for support.
I am proud that our community functions to support one another in general - through Shabbat and holidays, birthdays and new jobs, even romantic break ups. But we've never had the challenge of needing to be there for someone when they need it most, when they are dealing with real loss and grief. I was immediately moved that Sarah turned to us, but after that, I got kind of overwhelmed. I kept asking myself - is our community strong enough to really be there for someone whose life seems so unfairly turned upside down, who is dealing with this much pain?
As I've learned to do over the past two years, I decided to share my questions with housemembers and key leaders, asking folks what we could do. The response was incredible. We decided to organize 2-3 people a day to call Sarah while she is out of town for the funeral and shiva, to coordinate people to cook for/visit Sarah each day for the two weeks after she gets back, to organize places for her to spend the various days/meals of the high holidays, and to host a memorial service for her father when she is ready. When we posted these ideas to our larger email list, literally dozens of people responded and offered to help, and everything we thought of got covered. In addition to Sarah's friends, who are helping to organize everything and are real mensches, all sorts of people who don't even really know Sarah have also stepped up to the plate, cooking, calling, opening their homes.
Though I never would wish for this situation, this tragedy is teaching all of us the power of community. As I keep being moved by the outpouring of kindness, people repeatedly say to me that they have wanted to in a community where people are there for each other through ups and downs, where they are needed, where in the face of pain there is something they can do. As for Sarah, she said to me on Thursday, "It is weird. Life is just still going. I can't believe my dad is gone, but this whole thing is also making me realize how much love I have in Boston, and how many good people I have to come home to."
Though none of our efforts can fix Sarah's loss, I felt like, if building this community can get such a sweet person though such a hard time, dayeinu, it would have all been worth it.
Saturday, September 1, 2007
Ilan Strauss Moishe House CT - O how the seasons change: exploits of wondering Jews
DP's we shall soon be (Displaced Persons) - living in the gutter, like every other poor South African, many who live below the poverty line, and many ( 40%) who have no job. The only difference is we will be getting 500$ a month plus another 1400$ rent money...but these are minor details., minor, irrelevant and docile. Back to the imagery - we will be like the wondering Jew once more, our belongings being mopped along in a sheet tied to a wooden stick (or possibly a removal van but that is neither here nor their).
Yes, the vicious rumors that you have all heard about and been wondering with baited breath when this event would occur is happening on September the 30th, we are moving.
Like sand rushing through the hour glass of time - we, Moishe house CT, are going through the (last) days of our lives. (in this house)
On a brighter note Brady Gil, is visiting us over the Rosh Hashana. We gonna throw a killer party and entertain him till he wants to become a beetroot.
Love, Peace and Bush (I mean war)
Strauss
Yes, the vicious rumors that you have all heard about and been wondering with baited breath when this event would occur is happening on September the 30th, we are moving.
Like sand rushing through the hour glass of time - we, Moishe house CT, are going through the (last) days of our lives. (in this house)
On a brighter note Brady Gil, is visiting us over the Rosh Hashana. We gonna throw a killer party and entertain him till he wants to become a beetroot.
Love, Peace and Bush (I mean war)
Strauss
Becky Coren, Moishe House Philly, August
Illadelphia and MH has been treatin' me right
New York treated me well in my undergrad years. Although I was ready
for a change, I didn't expect that that change would be back in my old
digs. Last year I lived in a Hemmingway-esque home in Manayunk, a town
outside the City. Sure, it was romantic at times; sitting in my office
looking out at the steeple of a near-by church, saying "Hi" to each
and every neighbor, the local gang of kids crowded on the corner
asking me for homework help...but I needed a change.
I've lived in MHP for a little over a month now, and it's been dope.
First, we live three blocks from a dog park. It's always awesome to
observe the wacky-dog-park parents and Jack has a good ol' time
getting his run on. Secondly, our house is in an unbelievable
location; right near the Italian Market, Washington Square Park, and
the HOTGO (aka: PATCO = high speed line into Camden where school is).
We're surrounded by the best BYOs, bars, and coffee shops. Lastly,
word on the street is that we are now considered to be the coolest
Jews in Philly. After being interviewed by the Jewish Exponent and
then the Inquirer, our listserve is bursting from all the publicity.
On top of all of that, our house is thriving internally too. Although
still not sure how frequently we have to go to the grocery store, what
day of the week our weekly meeting will be, and who keeps leaving the
lights on... the Moishe Mamas are the bomb. We share clothes, throw
amazing shabbatot, hang out, and especially, we support each other.
Everything is "fabo"--the new adjective we've all been hooked on.
So, to Philly-- thanks for being a fantastic place to sink our roots.
To the girls-- for being 2 sisters an only child dreams about. And to
the Forest Foundation and Lynn Shusterman-- for making it all happen!
You rock.
New York treated me well in my undergrad years. Although I was ready
for a change, I didn't expect that that change would be back in my old
digs. Last year I lived in a Hemmingway-esque home in Manayunk, a town
outside the City. Sure, it was romantic at times; sitting in my office
looking out at the steeple of a near-by church, saying "Hi" to each
and every neighbor, the local gang of kids crowded on the corner
asking me for homework help...but I needed a change.
I've lived in MHP for a little over a month now, and it's been dope.
First, we live three blocks from a dog park. It's always awesome to
observe the wacky-dog-park parents and Jack has a good ol' time
getting his run on. Secondly, our house is in an unbelievable
location; right near the Italian Market, Washington Square Park, and
the HOTGO (aka: PATCO = high speed line into Camden where school is).
We're surrounded by the best BYOs, bars, and coffee shops. Lastly,
word on the street is that we are now considered to be the coolest
Jews in Philly. After being interviewed by the Jewish Exponent and
then the Inquirer, our listserve is bursting from all the publicity.
On top of all of that, our house is thriving internally too. Although
still not sure how frequently we have to go to the grocery store, what
day of the week our weekly meeting will be, and who keeps leaving the
lights on... the Moishe Mamas are the bomb. We share clothes, throw
amazing shabbatot, hang out, and especially, we support each other.
Everything is "fabo"--the new adjective we've all been hooked on.
So, to Philly-- thanks for being a fantastic place to sink our roots.
To the girls-- for being 2 sisters an only child dreams about. And to
the Forest Foundation and Lynn Shusterman-- for making it all happen!
You rock.
Rebecca Karp, Moishe House Philly, August
Our first full month in the Philly house is up today, and I'm totally loving it thus far! We've had a ton of great events - our kickoff BBQ was a blast - and are really starting to become a name known in the community. I also really love my house, and my housemates. Rachel, Becky and I have a great friendship, bolstered by all of the time we spend together working on making our home an awesome place for us to live and host, and it's only getting better. Thanks girls!
August is also my birthday month. I just turned 25 and am so excited about the year ahead! I had a great party (thank you Moishe!) with lots of wonderful friends wishing me a happy day. It's amazing to realize that in just one year of being back from Israel (oh how I miss you!) I really do have a community here that I cherish and people who I know cherish me.
For me, August is always a month of new beginnings. I think it's that feeling of gearing up to go back to school, even if we're not in school anymore. Something about the end of summer (sad!) and the start of the "school year" is so fresh and invigorating. Elul also usually falls in August, which is the month leading up to Rosh Hashannah and is supposed to be a time of stock-taking (thank you to my Australian professor for forever changing the order of the phrase for me!) and reflection on your past year. It's a chance to look at where you've been and see where you want to go.
I'm psyched to discover what this year holds, and am looking forward to sharing my journey with all of you! Shana Tovah!
August is also my birthday month. I just turned 25 and am so excited about the year ahead! I had a great party (thank you Moishe!) with lots of wonderful friends wishing me a happy day. It's amazing to realize that in just one year of being back from Israel (oh how I miss you!) I really do have a community here that I cherish and people who I know cherish me.
For me, August is always a month of new beginnings. I think it's that feeling of gearing up to go back to school, even if we're not in school anymore. Something about the end of summer (sad!) and the start of the "school year" is so fresh and invigorating. Elul also usually falls in August, which is the month leading up to Rosh Hashannah and is supposed to be a time of stock-taking (thank you to my Australian professor for forever changing the order of the phrase for me!) and reflection on your past year. It's a chance to look at where you've been and see where you want to go.
I'm psyched to discover what this year holds, and am looking forward to sharing my journey with all of you! Shana Tovah!
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