January in Chi-City

is cold. very cold. I'm biking through this winter, which is refreshing and gets me to work wide awake, but this winter is just not letting up!

We've been having events where we go to shows lately. This is good for a few reasons. One is that it is nice to get out in winter. it is really easy to just get cooped up and have all of the events at our house. also, a friend of ours has been producing the shows, so we get really cheap tickets (vip baby) and support him by bringing a big moishe crowd.
Last weekend we went to this show, Prefuse 73, RJD2, and Disco Biscuits. I was real excited about it. Prefuse 73 was supposed to be really good, even though I don't really know them (and we ended up missing their set), RJD2 i kind of like even though last time i saw him he decided to pull out his acoustic guitar and sing, and that's never what you want a DJ to do. Then Disco Biscuits, which I was actually excited about, but then immediately disappointed. It wasn't until the next day that I realized I was thinking about the Flaming Lips the whole time before the show, and actually excited about them, not the disco biscuits at all. I don't know how I made this mix up, but it was so resolved in my head it still took me 24 hours after the show to figure out why reality was so far from my expectations. weird. anyway, flaming lips would have been a much better show, i'm sure.

that's it for now. happy february everyone!

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!

Intellectual Stimulation at MHP

I have been blessed by interesting housemates. For some reason I often mind myself standing/sitting around my kitchen/common room with them just talking about nothing in particular, when all of a sudden, we dive into a really rich and interesting topic and continue sharing our thoughts on it for half an hour or more. It could be free trade, communal living situations, global politics, etc - I just find it amazing that this happens on a consistent basis and that we all enjoy it.

Sometimes my other friends come over and hang out long enough to get a glimpse at what these conversations are like - and they become slightly jealous. One friend in particular longs for the kind of conversations we have here on an almost-daily basis. During my undergraduate years it was fairly easy to find a lecture or discussion group to join and increase my understanding of global issues but, as I waltz into the professional world I find it more difficult. I thank my luck and my housemates every day for this kind of intellectual stimulation.

If you want to take part - just come visit!

Doggie Delight- January, Rae MHP

This month has been monumental for a number of reasons: with the inauguration of President Obama America has set our country on a new course, the Eagles went further than most people thought they ever would in this rather inconsistent season, and I started serving on the Moishe House Board of Directors.  While all of those things are exciting and wonderful, they aren't what I want to discuss here.  What I want to talk to you about is the happy occasion of dog sitting.  While my friend Cody is out of town I'm watching his super sweet dog, Chica, and it is a total joy.  Just walking around the city is so much more fun with a dog by your side.  On the practical side she's always warm, so even though we keep our thermostat set at frigid for environmental and economic measures, with Chica snuggled up next to me I can think about shedding my third layer of sweaters.  The only possible negative about this dog watching gig is it makes me want a dog more than ever.

January in the iladeph

January in Philly is generally cold. Not arctic tundra cold, or maybe Warsaw cold, but cold nonetheless. This year was no disappointment, it was colder then it has been in several years. However, with the cold comes the warmth of my family, city, Eagles, MH community, and fireplace (mmm). So despite the ice outside and on my car (which was thick enough to break my ice scraper when i attempted to dismount it) the iladephia remains full of warmth and light. I think I may even feel bad for those of you in the southern hemisphere that are likely basking in the heat of the sun, cause the heat in BA or the Cape cannot match the beautiful weather of Philly.

january among books

Hello everybody!

Having 6 events already and 1 upcoming (today evening) we are succesfully ending January. Now I am sitting in library and reading. All MH Warsaw residents are having exams now. On Wednesday I got one on antropology. What is funniest- I am reading about antropology of amusements :) So hopefully the exam will be just fun! Same fun as last month at MH was.

I cannot wait for February events. we are planning so many iteresting things! I hope everything will go allright and there will be also some time for resting and relaxing after exams. I wish everybody who is having his examination session now- good luck!!!

Today it is snowing in Warsaw. What I am waiting for is Spring, but for now:

best,
Ania C, MH Warsaw

change has come to MH Providence

Firstly, MH Providence has moved to a new new space! The new building is a classic Providence home, restored through the Preservation Society, with a charming and homely exterior. The interior space is huge (!) with high ceilings, spacious social area and larger kitchen.

Secondly, MH Providence has relocated to a new neighborhood on the west side of Providence. With its funky patchwork culture, the west side is home to many twenty-something Jews. The new house is right across from a giant park for outdoor events in the Spring and Summer.

And saving the best for last: we've got a new Moishe House resident. World meet Stephanie Gerson. Stephanie, world. Stephanie simply cannot help herself from hosting themed gatherings. She has worked professionally with social media technologies and already has ideas about how to use the web to extend the Moishe community. Stephanie has already brought a burst of energy and creative freshness to MH Providence.

The re-vamped, Moishe House will be known as Moishe House Providence 2.0 - or MHPVD 2.0 - in honor of our second iteration and our intention to better utilize Web 2.0 technologies. I have confidence that all three changes will be very positive for Moishe House!

Much love,
Nathaniel