This month just blew by. I truly enjoyed the holidays this year. Lots of friends and family. I hope it's just as great of a time next year. New great things are happening at MHLA. Stay tuned to find out. Go Obama we could use a better leader for this country the ultimate community.
Go Moishnicks '08
Friday, October 31, 2008
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Rachael - MHSS - November
It's almost November, so let's just pretend it is and move right along :)
I have applied to staff a Birthright trip to Israel this winter and am hoping that comes through. I keep getting excited about the prospect just thinking about Israel again. :) I think this would be my best trip yet -- Lord knows how the other ones were -- yet the hardest part will be staying in each location less than a day. I'd love an extended Birthright trip: same itinerary, but I get a few extra days in each location I choose to show participants around my favorite places: to give them a chance to explore, as I did (to give myself this chance again, too!!!), to introduce them to the kind people I know, to visit friends and release participants (under my watchful wing -- as if I could see, and protect, but from afar, hidden, unseen.... which I can't -- that sounds more like the job of .. you know, Him -- -- not that such watchfulness or protection is needed, anyway: Israel seems just full of people looking out for you; lonely and sad moments are filled by a new, compassionate friend; strangers on the street grab you to celebrate their simchas with them ... -- or *is* all that the watchfulness of HaShem? -- speculation in philosophy and religion is so much fun...) anyway, to release participants to traipse about and find their way in Israel, if they so choose, yet always being available for encouragement and support.... I'd also want to visit a few places I never have, primarily Haifa.
One day.
So!
Back to Moishe House.
October seems to be bringing with it what March supposedly comes in with but invariably goes out with as well: the weather of a sluggish, half-bored lion: not quite torrents of rain, but solid and steady most of the past few days (Sunday a GORGEOUS exception), whipped about by not-quite-bitter wind, all against the backdrop of beautiful color-changes and a solidly chilly air. The frigidness of my bedroom -- tacked on as an afterthought on this crazy structure of a house, complete WITHOUT insulation in the walls or any perceptible access to the central heating system -- is settling in. Spot (my hermit crab, a very cute critter!) may have to travel to the warmer North (my parents' house) for the winter. I write all this as the wind sings its own lovely chorus through the trees and the leaves dance to the rhythm, wrapped in enough blankets to be almost completely warm, because this past weekend, with the onset of chilly weather, revealed what may be a patterned repeat from last year's cold season: a touch, a HINT, a suspicion of "bad" weather, and people in this area get scared or lazy and don't do anything fun.
Translation: an unsuccessful MHSS weekend.
Hopefully, the super-powers of an MHSS house meeting tomorrow will seep into the minds and hearts of MHSSers everywhere, a surging, subtle community force that will draw the people together, urging folks physically TO our events for the duration of chilled-out weather. (Maybe it will even open car doors for them, start the engines, help them up bus aisles, serve as a general jet stream of mobility / mobile motivation.... I wonder if we could actually hire someone to round people up for us ......?)
I'm looking forward to our November events: lots of new ones, plus an old classic or two.
A sampling:
- composting
(It's about time!!)
- Ghost Tour (& ghosts / supernatural / paranormal in Judaism)
- Swing Dancing
- Shabbat (but of course!)
- Judaism & Astronomy / Astrology -- w/ David Holzel
and more.
And not a SINGLE Jewish holiday!!
Might residents of the MHSS actually be HOME most of the month?!?
Adventure awaits. We shall see!
I have applied to staff a Birthright trip to Israel this winter and am hoping that comes through. I keep getting excited about the prospect just thinking about Israel again. :) I think this would be my best trip yet -- Lord knows how the other ones were -- yet the hardest part will be staying in each location less than a day. I'd love an extended Birthright trip: same itinerary, but I get a few extra days in each location I choose to show participants around my favorite places: to give them a chance to explore, as I did (to give myself this chance again, too!!!), to introduce them to the kind people I know, to visit friends and release participants (under my watchful wing -- as if I could see, and protect, but from afar, hidden, unseen.... which I can't -- that sounds more like the job of .. you know, Him -- -- not that such watchfulness or protection is needed, anyway: Israel seems just full of people looking out for you; lonely and sad moments are filled by a new, compassionate friend; strangers on the street grab you to celebrate their simchas with them ... -- or *is* all that the watchfulness of HaShem? -- speculation in philosophy and religion is so much fun...) anyway, to release participants to traipse about and find their way in Israel, if they so choose, yet always being available for encouragement and support.... I'd also want to visit a few places I never have, primarily Haifa.
One day.
So!
Back to Moishe House.
October seems to be bringing with it what March supposedly comes in with but invariably goes out with as well: the weather of a sluggish, half-bored lion: not quite torrents of rain, but solid and steady most of the past few days (Sunday a GORGEOUS exception), whipped about by not-quite-bitter wind, all against the backdrop of beautiful color-changes and a solidly chilly air. The frigidness of my bedroom -- tacked on as an afterthought on this crazy structure of a house, complete WITHOUT insulation in the walls or any perceptible access to the central heating system -- is settling in. Spot (my hermit crab, a very cute critter!) may have to travel to the warmer North (my parents' house) for the winter. I write all this as the wind sings its own lovely chorus through the trees and the leaves dance to the rhythm, wrapped in enough blankets to be almost completely warm, because this past weekend, with the onset of chilly weather, revealed what may be a patterned repeat from last year's cold season: a touch, a HINT, a suspicion of "bad" weather, and people in this area get scared or lazy and don't do anything fun.
Translation: an unsuccessful MHSS weekend.
Hopefully, the super-powers of an MHSS house meeting tomorrow will seep into the minds and hearts of MHSSers everywhere, a surging, subtle community force that will draw the people together, urging folks physically TO our events for the duration of chilled-out weather. (Maybe it will even open car doors for them, start the engines, help them up bus aisles, serve as a general jet stream of mobility / mobile motivation.... I wonder if we could actually hire someone to round people up for us ......?)
I'm looking forward to our November events: lots of new ones, plus an old classic or two.
A sampling:
- composting
(It's about time!!)
- Ghost Tour (& ghosts / supernatural / paranormal in Judaism)
- Swing Dancing
- Shabbat (but of course!)
- Judaism & Astronomy / Astrology -- w/ David Holzel
and more.
And not a SINGLE Jewish holiday!!
Might residents of the MHSS actually be HOME most of the month?!?
Adventure awaits. We shall see!
Monday, October 27, 2008
Moishe House Beijing
Moishe House Beijing 欢迎你/welcomes you!
Beijing has a population of 18 million people, but only around 1500 Jews live here. The Jewish community here consists of a Chabad and Kehillat, an egalitarian minyan. I’ve met quite a few 20-something Jews here, but it seems like I’m always meeting more- many times I’ll meet them out and about, and not at services.
To me, that means that 20-something Jews need a place to get together. Some people are comfortable going to services, but others aren’t. I wanted to help create a space where Jewish people could get together, but without feeling like the purpose of getting together was to practice their religion. And eat free food. In a way, that is kind of similar to what the Hillel in my college was like, but we’re going to have a lot more Chinese food. I’m already excited for Christmas (who thought a Jew would ever say that?), because I know that we’re going to do Chinese food and a movie. Or maybe we could mix it up and do American food and a movie.
This first month was a whirlwind of events – break fast, sukkah building and decorating. If you haven’t seen our photos, you can check them out here. Making everything come together took a lot of work (and a lot of riding around on our bikes to pick stuff up), but it was worth it. I was so pleased with the sukkah on our roof, although I can’t really imagine what our neighbors thought of it. We’re on the 15th floor, and our sukkah had a great view of the city- I had never been in a rooftop sukkah before. Our break fast, featuring bagels and lox, made me feel right at home in a place that sometimes could not be any more foreign.
I’m excited about planning future events. We want to have a wide range of events, ranging from a Mel Brooks/Woody Allen night, to outings in Beijing to study/discussion events. We’re hoping that we can take advantage of being Jewish in Beijing, instead of trying to trying to separate ourselves from the culture here.
Plug: three of the people who came to our sukkah (including Ali), made a podcast. It’s like listening to a slice of Beijing. Check it out.
Beijing has a population of 18 million people, but only around 1500 Jews live here. The Jewish community here consists of a Chabad and Kehillat, an egalitarian minyan. I’ve met quite a few 20-something Jews here, but it seems like I’m always meeting more- many times I’ll meet them out and about, and not at services.
To me, that means that 20-something Jews need a place to get together. Some people are comfortable going to services, but others aren’t. I wanted to help create a space where Jewish people could get together, but without feeling like the purpose of getting together was to practice their religion. And eat free food. In a way, that is kind of similar to what the Hillel in my college was like, but we’re going to have a lot more Chinese food. I’m already excited for Christmas (who thought a Jew would ever say that?), because I know that we’re going to do Chinese food and a movie. Or maybe we could mix it up and do American food and a movie.
This first month was a whirlwind of events – break fast, sukkah building and decorating. If you haven’t seen our photos, you can check them out here. Making everything come together took a lot of work (and a lot of riding around on our bikes to pick stuff up), but it was worth it. I was so pleased with the sukkah on our roof, although I can’t really imagine what our neighbors thought of it. We’re on the 15th floor, and our sukkah had a great view of the city- I had never been in a rooftop sukkah before. Our break fast, featuring bagels and lox, made me feel right at home in a place that sometimes could not be any more foreign.
I’m excited about planning future events. We want to have a wide range of events, ranging from a Mel Brooks/Woody Allen night, to outings in Beijing to study/discussion events. We’re hoping that we can take advantage of being Jewish in Beijing, instead of trying to trying to separate ourselves from the culture here.
Plug: three of the people who came to our sukkah (including Ali), made a podcast. It’s like listening to a slice of Beijing. Check it out.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Sam - Moishe House Cleveland
Now that we are post-Tishrei holidays, I want to share a few reflections. Rosh HaShanah for us started with a killer potluck dinner and culminated ten days later with our break fast. Building our Sukkah couldn't have happened on a nicer October day here in Cleveland as it was an unseasonably warm 82 Degrees outside. That continued on with an amazing Shabbat around the world on a chilly night. Our Sukkot celebration came to a close with a Hookah in the Sukkah party on Sunday night. I am excited for the rest of our events for the month.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Break-fast at the MHSS
I had a wonderful break-fast with lovely people and yummy food! I was able to plan the food for break-fast and I chose all the foods I grew up breaking the Yom Kippur fast on that remind me of break-fast growing up and my family. The foods including bagels & spreads, kugels, chocolate candy, fruit, and more. Everyone ate until they were full and chatted until it was time to leave and get ready for work. It was really great sharing the meal with the Moishe House community; they don't replace my family, but it sure comes close. I've noticed that our community space gives an energy of comfort and acceptance. People can be themselves in a safe space and just enjoy the company of each other.
MHSS Alan and the Sukkah of Champions
Okay, I can't take credit for the sukkah. (Though I'd love to.)
It was assembled out of 2x4's and nails by myself, a Texan woman, and a rocket scientist, about a year ago. We never took it down (that would have been quite a project), but we did take off most of the tarp walls and the schach roofing materials.
So this past Sunday we had a "Sukkah-decorating BBQ", at which:
1. We swept the yard of leaves
2. We re-attached the tarp walls
3. We tossed fresh leafy bamboo and willow branches up to form the schach roof
4. We barbecued franks, meatburgers, veggies, and veggieburgers
5. We ate franks, meatburgers, veggies, and veggieburgers
6. We helped about 15 friends and neighbors from across Silver Spring (from Chevy Chase to Long Branch!) meet each other
7. We made decorations out of origami paper, scrap paper, pipe cleaners, straws, duct tape, and puffs
8. We decorated the sukkah with our decorations and hung up Christmas lights!
It looks awesome, and it was truly a community project. I am quite proud. Check out our pictures at http://moishehouse.phanfare.com/ in the coming week to see some pictures of our magic hut. (Ignore the one where I look pregnant and spastic though)
The MHSS sukkah is beautiful and open to all who wish to eat in it throughout the course of the holiday.
(Tonight is our field trip to the Big Lebowski celebration at the new Montgomery Cinema 'n' Drafthouse! I can't wait!)
It was assembled out of 2x4's and nails by myself, a Texan woman, and a rocket scientist, about a year ago. We never took it down (that would have been quite a project), but we did take off most of the tarp walls and the schach roofing materials.
So this past Sunday we had a "Sukkah-decorating BBQ", at which:
1. We swept the yard of leaves
2. We re-attached the tarp walls
3. We tossed fresh leafy bamboo and willow branches up to form the schach roof
4. We barbecued franks, meatburgers, veggies, and veggieburgers
5. We ate franks, meatburgers, veggies, and veggieburgers
6. We helped about 15 friends and neighbors from across Silver Spring (from Chevy Chase to Long Branch!) meet each other
7. We made decorations out of origami paper, scrap paper, pipe cleaners, straws, duct tape, and puffs
8. We decorated the sukkah with our decorations and hung up Christmas lights!
It looks awesome, and it was truly a community project. I am quite proud. Check out our pictures at http://moishehouse.phanfare.com/ in the coming week to see some pictures of our magic hut. (Ignore the one where I look pregnant and spastic though)
The MHSS sukkah is beautiful and open to all who wish to eat in it throughout the course of the holiday.
(Tonight is our field trip to the Big Lebowski celebration at the new Montgomery Cinema 'n' Drafthouse! I can't wait!)
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
moishe hobo
Hello and good evening. I'm Josh Brokkaw and this is your news.
Two things are racing up upon us - the 2008 Presidential election and Shabbat Across the World! The question is which one will have more of an effect on the world? A recent Qinipeck poll suggesting 9 out of 10 likely Americans view Moishe house Shabbat Across the World as more important. When asked why, 7 out of 11 likely Americans said they felt Moishe house has a global impact being that is it across the world and brings so many of the much desired youth vote to the community. Likely Americans expressed a worry that Moishe House Shabbat Across the World would be effected by the subprime mortgage crunch because many likely Americans have seen the old Moishe House Hoboken apartment and thought it was "definately definately below par" as one likely American put it. Presidential elections, they said, were old crusty and meaningless because everyone knows that the american "econominy is in shaberbambles and education isnt what it was once along time ago in galaxy far far away."
Likely Americans did have one problem with the upcoming Moishetravaganza though. Infact 3/5 of likely Americans believed as a rule that calling it Moishe House Shabbat Across the World was by far to globo-centric and could have lasting interplanetary ramifications.
In other news, also led by polling, a recent Rasputen Poll shows that 10 out of 5 american moishe house visitors love moishe house hoboken the best and know how to pronounce the world nuclear (n-u-c-u-l-e-r). Moishe House Hoboken has been keeping abreast of its community members feelings towards the political candidates running for chai-er office. As it goes now Baruch (WhoSane) O'Bama has the vast majority of Moishe Housenicks in hoboken. Josh Einstein a prominent Moishe House Member and McPalin supporter advises everyone to visit his new political blog www.responsibledemocrat.blogspot.com to find out why Democrats should support McPalin.
Wait a moment, we have some breakings news. This just in, Joshua Einstein just changed his support to Obama because he needs health insurance!
And achshav we have to eeeeeeeeeeeeeeh go to eeeeeeeeeeh how do you say a comercial break. When we return the new Soap Box scandal - what are they putting in your soap box and who are they? And this special bulliten on products in American that China makes and if you eat will kill you, a shocking expose on Toshiba and the deadly toxins they use that are threatening American live. Last and ofcourse least Iraq the nation everyone complains that we are loosing is experiencing an economic boom because in Iraq they actually require you to have moeny to purchas things. Thats all for today.
I'm Josh Brokkaw, its your world. Erev Tov Moishe House and may the truthyness be with you.
Two things are racing up upon us - the 2008 Presidential election and Shabbat Across the World! The question is which one will have more of an effect on the world? A recent Qinipeck poll suggesting 9 out of 10 likely Americans view Moishe house Shabbat Across the World as more important. When asked why, 7 out of 11 likely Americans said they felt Moishe house has a global impact being that is it across the world and brings so many of the much desired youth vote to the community. Likely Americans expressed a worry that Moishe House Shabbat Across the World would be effected by the subprime mortgage crunch because many likely Americans have seen the old Moishe House Hoboken apartment and thought it was "definately definately below par" as one likely American put it. Presidential elections, they said, were old crusty and meaningless because everyone knows that the american "econominy is in shaberbambles and education isnt what it was once along time ago in galaxy far far away."
Likely Americans did have one problem with the upcoming Moishetravaganza though. Infact 3/5 of likely Americans believed as a rule that calling it Moishe House Shabbat Across the World was by far to globo-centric and could have lasting interplanetary ramifications.
In other news, also led by polling, a recent Rasputen Poll shows that 10 out of 5 american moishe house visitors love moishe house hoboken the best and know how to pronounce the world nuclear (n-u-c-u-l-e-r). Moishe House Hoboken has been keeping abreast of its community members feelings towards the political candidates running for chai-er office. As it goes now Baruch (WhoSane) O'Bama has the vast majority of Moishe Housenicks in hoboken. Josh Einstein a prominent Moishe House Member and McPalin supporter advises everyone to visit his new political blog www.responsibledemocrat.blogspot.com to find out why Democrats should support McPalin.
Wait a moment, we have some breakings news. This just in, Joshua Einstein just changed his support to Obama because he needs health insurance!
And achshav we have to eeeeeeeeeeeeeeh go to eeeeeeeeeeh how do you say a comercial break. When we return the new Soap Box scandal - what are they putting in your soap box and who are they? And this special bulliten on products in American that China makes and if you eat will kill you, a shocking expose on Toshiba and the deadly toxins they use that are threatening American live. Last and ofcourse least Iraq the nation everyone complains that we are loosing is experiencing an economic boom because in Iraq they actually require you to have moeny to purchas things. Thats all for today.
I'm Josh Brokkaw, its your world. Erev Tov Moishe House and may the truthyness be with you.
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