Please help us with some Moishe House research

Dear MoHoLo community, friends and visitors -

As many of you know, MoHoLo are able to build creative, open, non-denominational Jewish community, partly through the help of the larger international Moishe House organisation.

Moishe House are currently conducting a major external evaluation and would like MoHoLo participants to help out by filling in an online survey.

If you have benefitted at all from what we do at Moishe House London, please do share your thoughts and opinions via the survey. It will take about 20 minutes to complete. The findings will help Moishe House evaluate the organisation's impact for our funders and partners, which is crucial to our future.

The survey is anonymous. No one will be able to associate your responses with your identity. Only aggregate results will be analysed and possibly be used by Moishe House in future publications.

 

To access the survey, please use:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/GGBBPF5

 

Please complete the survey in one sitting. Responses are due 21st January 2011.

If you have any questions about this survey or have any difficulties accessing it, please contact PeiYao Chen at pchen@tccgrp.com

Thank you so much!

MoHoLo

Welcome Welcome Welcome!

Imagine you're home. You're at a surreal comfort level. You have your family around you. You feel loved. You love those around you. Everything is pure joy and all you feel is happiness. Now picture yourself at Moishe House LA. Welcome to my life.

Having now lived at Moishe House for 4 months I've experienced a new type of joy. I've moved around a lot and lived with many people before, forming different communities...but never one that's felt quite this homey. Our Moishe House in LA is truly turning into a home and each member and new person who comes in through our doors becomes a family member. Over the past few months we've grown so much and members of our community are beginning to be our friends not only on a MoHo level...but a more personal one. This feeling of comfort and community is one that makes planning events, living with my roommates, and building our community so simple.

A few weeks back, I called a Moishe House participant/member who has become one of our friends and we made plans. Hanging out with her and spending the day together made me really see the impact Moishe House makes in each city it's in. Not only would I have never met this girl, but she might not have had friends like my roommates and I who are in this city excited and ready to form new friendships and grow as individuals with the people around them.

The beauty of the Moishe House community, in which ever city you live in, is the need and excitement for meeting new people. Who ever enters into a Moishe House is ready for something new, something exciting, something inspiring. Moishe House inspires me to work hard and make our home a fun environment and one that is welcoming to our future friends!!

I'm excited for where this adventure will take me. I feel so much potential and so much growth in a house and community that grows each week. There's never a dull moment and I look forward to exploring.

Moishe House San Diego - Noah's Blog

Moishe House Blog: Dec. 2010

Noah Ben-Aderet

Hey, this is Noah writing the first blog for the San Diego Moishe House. Our 3^rd full month as MHSD was BUSY! Hanukkah coincided with Finals Week for Jonathan (Yoni fat tony) and me. With 3 house events that week, plus the rest of the Hanukkah festivities meant that by the end of the week, we were exhausted. With Hanukkah out of the way, we were lucky to have Zvi come visit for the weekend of the 17^th. While the usual San Diego sun failed to show (it rained the whole weekend), it was great having him in our house for Shabbat and getting to know him better.

As a new house, every event we do (besides Shabbat dinners) is a new experience and we are constantly figuring out better ways to reach the community or tailor events to people who are interested. This being said, we have been really fortunate to develop great connections and collaborations with Hillel’s graduate student group at UCSD, San Diego Birthright NEXT as well as the San Diego Young Adult Coalition. Our partnership’s with these groups has made our entry into the community really successful and the support has been amazing. We at MHSD are looking forward to a great 2011, and to many more delicious meals and good friends. Shana Tova and Tzom Kal.

MH Hoboken

       Things are going well in MH Hoboken. We have recently returned from our yearly Winter Development Mountain Retreat and it was awesome. We took 35 people - Planning Committee Members, super involved community members, a MH alum formerly of Silver Spring, a current MH Silver Spring member, and 2 people from different Jewish organizations that we have partnered with in the past - and we had a fantastic weekend of development and bonding. From Social Barometer, to leadership quotes from historical leaders, to a modified game of memory with the cards being things in our world today that are shaping our present and future we learned alot about how we perceive the world, how others have made it a better place, and how we can continue to do the same.  Moreover it was important to create a sense of espri d'corp for the inner most circle of active people in the community. With over 1/3 of the participants having a history, whether current or past, of community building even the topic of informal conversation was programs we can do in Hoboken to expand the community.

        On another note we are working on an exciting project to bring together the Jewish groups from the NJ and NYC region together for a meet. Being a part of the Moishe House has allowed me some really good opportunities to discuss with others doing the same sort of community building, its allowed me to be part of a network of people who I've chatted with, discusses issues with, and who've helped me think through problems. Now its time to build that support network for the independent Jewish groups in NJ and NYC. These groups exist because their leaders took initiative and built them on their own and their communities have their own unique identities so we won't do anything top-down. Rather we are creating a creative meet up, a common space, for the leaders of these groups to learn about one another and their groups, talk about their trials and tribulations, issues they have dealt with, and programs they have done.

Thank you,
Joshua Einstein
MH Hoboken
Greater Hoboken Area

Joining up with Russian Moishe House - Chicago

I first attended a Moishe House event in April of 2010. I have heard of this organization for some time but was never able to make it out for a collection of reasons. Finally one Friday, as I sat at work pondering my Friday evening plans, I decided I wanted to shake things up - branch out, do something different, and meet new people. I noticed the invite to a shabbat dinner and immediately jumped on the opportunity.

My first reaction to walking in was the same as anyone who has been to the Russian Moishe House - Chicago. Amazed at the size, location, and the views of the apartment. I was also slightly surprised that I did not know anyone there except for Rostik, the housenik that introduced me to the organization. I always thought of the Russian Jewish community as being a small group of people in which I already had met most of them.

After enjoying the shabbat (an experience I've only had once before), I began talking to the roommates who expressed their interest in attaining new roommates. Resistant at first, I slowly began to realize that not only was this opportunity at reach, it was the perfect set-up for what I wanted to do - become a community leader and host various events where networking and a thriving social circle was inherent.

Just 3 months later, after a few more meetings with the houseniks and several more events, I moved into the Russian Moishe House. So far its been over 6 months and I can say thats its one of the best decisions I have made. I learned so much about Judaism as well as what it takes to create a community of like-minded people. My transition into this project was smooth. It did not take long for me to take the lead of events and help set up and brain-storm for future events. Some of my favorite and most memorable events have been our little field trips to see the sites around Chicago, the shabbat dinners, the yoga classes, and of course our socials. It seems like every single time we host an event, there is always someone that attends for the first time, and some of those first timers are now my close friends. A lot of our attendees have little to no Jewish involvement and its always a pleasure to re-introduce them to their roots.

As the year continues and we begin to understand better what drives our community, our programming develops and our participants are gaining that much more from our events. I am excited for what the rest of the year has in store for the Russian Moishe House and how we can grow our community.

JHTee tours 2011 Invitation

Hi,

 

I wish you all a fantastic 2011, and am thrilled to announce JHTee plans for next year. Starting with a truly wonderful sold out trip to Morocco in February and new exciting trips planned for Romania/Moldova, now fixed for 15^th September. Trips to Rome and Vilnius are currently in the planning stages.

The final trip for the year is truly awesome - 8 days on an exclusive luxury river cruise boat [kosher] down the Danube from Budapest visiting Bratislava, Vienna, Salzburg, Krems and Linz in Germany. A once in a lifetime opportunity to cruise the Danube on a Jewish Heritage tour at a price you can afford - so please express an interest !

Marrakesh, Meknes & FEZ Morocco 22nd to 27^th February 2011 – Now full

Due to huge demand, JHTee plans to run this trip either in November 2011 or February again 2012 with some additions. If you are interested please express your preference. We also intend increasing the trip to a full 10 days, covering the desert & mountain areas plus Casablanca , Rabat & Tangiers in 3 stages.

The 3 stages proposed allow you to choose either a short visit, arriving in Fez and returning to the UK via Fez [3 day trip], Marrakesh [6 day trip], or Agadir [10 day trip] with a final 2 days relaxing in a 5 star luxurious spa hotel.

Krakow – 3 Chazons & choir week-end opening of Jewish heritage festival 24^th June 2011

This will be the 21^st Jewish music festival recognized the world over as the best for the quality of the invited performers. See the website for a film of last year's 20^th anniversary and schedule of events, which include films and lectures www.jewishfestival.pl (...think Edinburgh festival with a wholly Jewish interest). The ruach in Krakow pours out of its cobbled streets and lends itself to make the experience of this week-end one that you will never forget.

The Bobover Chazan Ben Zion-Miller is a mainstay of the week-end, and our group spend their shabbos eating with him, plus Israel Rand, Alberto Mizrachi, and Sephardi Chazan, Payton Lior Elmalich, and accompany them to the Melavaeh Malka in the Temple shul.

See Tour 8 on our website with a full programme for the weekend which includes an Auschwitz-Birkenau trip on Sunday and shtetl tour on Monday.

KRAKOW Klezmer climax conclusion of festival 1^st July 2011

A lot of fun culminating with the world famous Jewish music extravaganza, starting  on Saturday in the main Jewish square at 6 p.m. and ending in the early hours of Sunday morning. This will be enjoyed by some 15,000 people...a site to behold. We also visit Auschwitz-Birkenau on the Sunday – See tour 9 on our website for the full programme and cost – all you need to do with JHTee tours is to book your flights (EasyJet or RyanAir), and e-mail us with confirmation so we can reserve your room (payment will be requested 1 month prior to trip).

Romania, Moldova & Bessarabia trip for 7 days leaving on 15^th September 2011

This is in the planning stages, so we are asking you if you have heritage in this area or you know anyone who has ? Please pass on this e-mail to them as we are planning a trip that covers the North East and North West of Romania including the picturesque Transylvanian region. Then across the border into Moldova, and Kishinev its capital.

The plan is to fly using a low cost airline to Cluz airport in the North West of Romania and returning from Bacau in the North East. We will have the use of a minibus and guide at all times, staying in 3+ star hotels in interesting towns and areas of natural beauty.

If you are interested please indicate ASAP which towns or areas you wish to visit in order that we may plan and cost what promises to be a great trip.

If you definitely wish to come, I will be taking bookings for flights before the end of this year (currently £70 return), so I can book yours [thus saving additional booking fees], then bill you for that cost, plus a £75 deposit per person.

Week-end Trip staying in Oswiecien 8th October for YOM-KIPPUR

2 nights - Friday visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau, Yom Kippur davening in the shul, staying in Galicia Hotel, with kosher food. On Sunday visiting Krakow. We will need people to take the services, so please express an interest !

DANUBE Luxury 8 day river cruise from Budapest from £999 per person in November 2011

JHTee is proud to announce that we have negotiated with a leading cruise Company a truly exciting trip on an exceptional boat, and at an affordable price. This amazing offer will navigate 4 countries and the 3 capital cities of Budapest, Bratislava, and Vienna before concluding in Germany, and flying home from Munich.

An option to spend Shabbos in Budapest, before the boat leaves on Sunday, is available and as always on a luxury cruise, the price includes all food and wine, and all trips, plus entertainment,...absolutely no extras. The full programme is available on request, but for this trip to proceed, we will need to sell all 70 cabins, so it is vital that you ask your family and friends to join us.

Rome week-end will on our site by Mid February after our visit plus agenda for Vilnius trip.

Please indicate any other Towns or areas you wish JHTee to organise on future trips ?

    Marcel Manson
 

Jewish Heritage Tours

6, Golf Close

Stanmore

Middlesex

England    HA7 2PP

Tel No   0044 0 208 9545074

Fax No 0044 0 208 954 5074

Mobile N0 0771 2290520

e-mail:     marcel@jewishheritagetours.co.uk

Web site: www.jewishheritagetours.co.uk

 

Eszter from Moishe House Budapest

Three reasons for a happy goodbye

I moved out of Moishe House Budapest yesterday…but some of my stuff is still there, dozens of books, my plants – and things I could not fit into my suitcases, objects that piled up in the last 15 months…. The fact that they are still there has for me a symbolic significance: its actually not possible to move out from the Moishe house totally, and not only because I cannot put my memories of laughter, joy, lights and shadows in my suitcases for they being immaterial, but because I take them away with me. While part of me remains there forever – or at least I wish it would, I wish my dreams and my energies I have invested, my work and efforts by now have become part of the edifice, the walls and air, the ambient – and I know that I can trust Anna, Zsófi and Lackó to really preserve remember it – the good moments we had together, and the difficulties we defeated together.

Two years ago it was a dream only – and it’s still hard to perceive what we have achieved and created together. A vibrant, diverse community with all of its realities – the creation of something that has never existed before in this form – experimenting while always also trying to connect with the tradition of Judaism – get inspired – first and foremost to experience Community – with a big C – an entity that has always interested me so much, something that I essentially need for existing and something that I still need to explore more, even if I have learned soo much about it (and myself) in the past months.

I would like to thank to everyone who enabled me to be part of this unique endeavor – the team and supporters of the Moishe House, my flat-mates, and people who belong to our community – Marom, Dor Hadash the Social Acion group, our landlord and those I cannot list here.

Leaving is always a bit sad and sentimental, and of course when the time of moving out was approaching, two months ago I started to feel odd about it. I was walking around in the apartment and whenever I looked at furniture or stuff, I immediately started to make thoughts about it - if it was mine and if I wanted to leave it or take it… it felt strange…a bit like in the movie “My life without me”. But there were three things that eventually diverted me from falling into some kind of sentimental and sad farewell-mood:

1. we had a crazy amount of programs in the past months – as usual – so I did not have time for lamenting about such things so much

2. during this many programs I observed how the Budapest Moishe House community -with my flatmates in the center - are more and more committed, and how things start to evolve “on their own”

3. I have the lucky situation when I am not only moving out of the Moishe house, but I’m actually moving to Jerusalem where I will encounter new challenges, and thinking about this is both inspiring and exciting. I also hope to experience a different, intense –spiritual - aspect of Judaism, and last but not least love