Moishe House Great Neck - Joey Yadgar

"When I was a young man, I wanted to change the world. I found it was difficult to change the world, so I tried to change my nation. When I found I couldn't change the nation, I began to focus on my town. I couldn't change the town and as an older man, I tried to change my family. Now, as an old man, I realize the only thing I can change is myself, and suddenly I realize that if long ago I had changed myself, I could have made an impact on my family. My family and I could have made an impact on our town. Their impact could have changed the nation and I could indeed have changed the world."

It's no coincidence that our organization is called Moishe House. The Torah teaches us about the greatest Jewish leader in our history, Moshe Rabenu. When Moshe was given the task of leading the Jewish nation to go out of Egypt, Moshe asks Hashem, "Who am I?" By asking "Who am I" is Moshe showing a lack of self confidence, and if Moshe lacks self confidence, why would Hashem choose a person with no self confidence to lead us out of Egypt. Our Rabbis teach us that Moshe did not lack self confidence; Moshe was known for his unmatched humility, and because of his humility, Hashem chose him to be the one to lead us out of Egypt. True leadership comes from humility, and true humility comes from personal change and growth.

As Moishe House residents, we are given the challenge of creating and leading a strong Young Professional Jewish community. To be effective leaders, we have to be humble and focus on our personal growth. What good qualities do we have? What qualities do we lack and need to develop? As leaders, we must not aspire to greatness as perceived by others, but rather develop our inner greatness and inspire others. 

I can confidently say that as a Moishe House resident, I have learned about this important lesson about leadership. The Moishe House staff, residents, and members have inspired me to constantly develop myself and change myself for the better, and through my personal growth, I can only hope that I was able to inspire others and be an effective leader.

Shabbat Shalom,

Joey Yadgar

Allison Zionts - MoHo London

The time has come, the walrus said, to talk of many things.

Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (now home to MoHoPitt!), then moved to Montreal, Canada, I have now lived in London, England – and in MoHo London – for two and a half years. I came to London knowing absolutely no one; it was an experiment to see whether I could make a life for myself away from family and friends. I never imagined that the life and family I would make would fit so perfectly with what I need.

Rosh Hashana 5771: three weeks into my London experiment and unsure how to celebrate one of my favourite chaggim without the support and traditions of my family. Grassroots Jews set up a giant marquee (tent) with close to three hundred committed young adults who wanted to celebrate the beginning of the year with each other and exploring spirituality of the year. Not only did it allow me to explore and meet the community, but it showed me a different side of my own religion: experiential Judaism. There was not a moment during the 48 hours where I felt passive, but rather I actively engaged and explored my own religious beliefs.

It was during Rosh Hashana, the time to remember the promises and deeds done within the year, that I set myself the goal to welcome newcomers into MoHoLo in a way that they will feel engaged, welcome, and like it is their own community. Sukkot, a time to remember our history as wandering Jews, became a holiday where I opened up our home to the nomadic among us. I have organised events to explore London, especially its Jewish roots, and have introduced both native Londoners and newcomers to the multifaceted history of this city.

I am now preparing, mentally and emotionally, for my eventual departure from the House. There is a large part of me that can’t imagine London without being in the epicentre for alternative and spiritual young Jewish life – where people seem to know me before meeting me. In thinking where to move, I am reflecting on the number of couples and individuals who have moved closer to Moishe House throughout the last two or three years because they wanted to be more within the Moishe House community. I feel like I have been a part of something big, important, and worthwhile, and have made a difference within my new community. I will miss Moishe House, and am cherishing my last few months here. 

Blog series by Lacko - MH Budapest

Sitz im Leben[1] of Moishe House

How does Moishe House fit into the everyday life of a local community? What is the historical and cultural context, and how can Moishe House relate to it, add to it? In a series of blog posts over the coming months I will be looking for answers to questions such as these.

It’s worth pointing out that at the moment I would have trouble giving in-depth answers to these questions. However, it is my hope that meaningful answers will emerge by the time we get to the last piece of the series. I hope so because I believe that these are the questions that leaders of every community (and every Moishe House community) have to continuously keep in mind, and one should never be satisfied with partial solutions.

Every Moishe House community is in some way part of the local Jewish community and the local community in general. To be a succesful organisation, all Moishe House residents must be aware of the potential that active communication with the wider community holds, as well as the rules and limitations involved. People don’t simply appear on the doorstep of Moishe House out of thin air. Most of them are already members of other communities, or at the very least, they’re all determined by the cultural context of the city and country they live in. If our aim is to make Moishe House into a place where visitors can take part in a variety of creative and colorful programs, and embrace their own (jewish) identity in a stress-free environment, then we must have a clear knowledge of the needs and expectations of current and potential members of the community.

These needs and expectations can be quite varied, some more easily defined and expressed than others. The more tangible expectations (good food, quality films, etc.) are relatively easy to assess, even if at times they may be difficult to satisfy. The more profound needs pose a greater challenge. Few people can pinpoint what they are in need of as Jews, as members of a Jewish community, or just as individuals with an interest in Judaism. What exactly helps them develop and express their own relationship with Judaism. Our job is to help bring these internal proccesses to the surface, gather our shared stories which then can foster the sort of atmosphere and mentality that Moishe House is built upon.

I myself have begun this work starting a bit far back, with the story of our grandparents. I hope my findings will help shed some light on some of these important issues, and maybe inspire other young Moishe House leaders to begin their own research.

To get closer to an understanding of the contemporary Jewish community of Budapest, we first have to reach a couple of generations back. Therefore, the next post will tell the story of our grandparents, the World War and the long era of silence that followed.

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[1] (German, “setting in life”)

In biblical hermeneutics (methods of interpretation) or biblical criticism, this refers to the “situation in life” that gave rise to the various genres or literary forms used to communicate the message of Scripture in a particular sociological context.

Elazar - Moishe House Vienna

It´s been already more than two years since I got into Moishe House.

Crazy how fast time passes. I am sitting here now with my notebook and remembering some things I have been through. Ups and downs, lows and highs. It was a lifetime experience. It made understand certain things in life and also understand myself a bit more. Through many events I got to know many people and made many new friendships. 

When I look back at these 2 years of Moishe House Vienna I just can say that I am so proud of the whole experience here. It was and is still a great time hosting so many people over the years. A special thanks for all the people who support this great community of Moishe House.

This is it, now I have to get back to plan new events :) looking forward ...

Elazar, Moishe House Vienna

Sukot in the (semi)Desert - Joel MHSD

The sun rises peeks through the palm fronds, illuminating the white cotton sheets as they wave in the breeze. The air, dry and warm, fills the Sukah and wafts over the chillies and avocados hanging from its beams. Our table sits at the center, its surface decorated with bread crumbs and wine glasses from the previous evening's Shabos get-together.

At the western end of the Sukah one sheet hangs loosely, its corner flapping in the breeze to reveal the sunlit mountains on the horizon. Over the last two years, the founders of Moishe House San Diego have devoted themselves to the construction of not just a Sukah, but a community. Their continual efforts and sacrifices have led us through times both jubilant and dry - many a Moishenik who surprises us with their presence, and one Moishenik who passed away just as suddenly; goodbyes to friends moving on to other cities, and greetings to the interesting experiences that newcomers bring; late nights of disharmony and sunny mornings full of gratitude for having one another.

As the new year comes, that sheet flaps in the breeze and we lose two of our founding members: Dovi and Natalie. Gabi and I feel the growing pains. We are excited to broaden what Moishe House means to San Diego and to add our own dash of spice to the mix. We have tsores, of course as any Jew must always have, but tsores about losing the leadership, consul and warm presence of our companions. But as they move on, a new community member steps into the Sukah, makes this semi-desert experience a little cooler, a little more brave.

I remember happening upon Moishe House two Yom Kipurim ago. It was by chance. Surfing the web, I learned about and then attended my first Surf-dalah, catching some waves before praying around the Havdalah candle. I had never heard of such a cool idea before. As I attended more events and got to know Moishe House better, my involvement grew. As we put out the call for new residents this season, we met people in the wider community that we thought we might never connect to. Our new residents enter our lives just as surprisingly, and we are excited they have brought with them.

Despite the harshness of the San Diego semidesert, the aridity loneliness and the heat of responsibility, we gain shelter in our community.

Filip - MH Warsaw

It's already 3 years here, but it feels like one. As times go by many things happen but you don't actually feel it, it's just inside you. Through this time there have been four changes in residents, dozens of guests, some for one night, some for more. Girl- and boyfriends came and went. It's just a good lively place, that's what I can say.

More and more people are coming, getting to know what MH in Warsaw is. Some stay, some go. But for all, I hope it is an open house. I feel we're hosts, warmly welcoming any guest who wishes to drop by. And that is an idea for what I would like MH to be – an open house. That is for me a real challenge.

Thanks to more visits from MH staff we know now that it's a thing we do along with the people the same as we are. David, Joel, Zvi, thanks for your work! And all the rest, keep it up guys!

Anyway MH Warsaw has been a guesthouse so far. More and more people getting to know about it and more and more guests. Which is really great and works as it should.

People – more and more people. That's what I recall after 3 years.
But my room didn't change much...

PS we still can't believe what David told us about beginning of Moishe House. It was worth it to live here for these years just to hear that story David!!! :-))

Filip

Sukkah Portland - Ancient Tradition, Contemporary Design

Emly Oren

Moishe House Portland

On October 5th, 2012 Moishe House Portland had the privilege of partnering with Oregon Jewish Museum and Portland Young Adult Shabbat for a spectacular event that featured six beautiful sukkah's created from artists around the country. The sukkah is a temporary communal dwelling place, traditionally created each fall in the observance of Sukkot. These shelters are created for protection and allow us to observe nature, joy, harvest, and the prayer for rain. As we head into the Fall and Winter, we hope rain will come to replenish our planet. We ask for actual rain but we all ask for all of forms of blessing to be showered upon us for the coming year.

The sukkahs held for this event were put in competition with many other sukkahs around the country; however, only six creative and original sukkahs were chosen to best symbolize and provide contemporary responses to the traditional challenges of sukkah design. Once these six sukkahs were chosen, they were put on display in the parking lot of Oregon Jewish Museum  for a week-long series of events that seek to place this ancient holiday within a modern context. One such event took place on this special Shabbat evening where we came together as a community for a yummy vegetarian potluck dinner, featuring a live band, and the display of the winners of this year's sukkah competition. Participants were given the opportunity to stroll, schoomze, and nosh their way through the sukkahs with family and friends.

Coming together as a community during this time of year reminded me of many things -Dwelling in a sukkah forces us to remove ourselves from the materialistic things that normally fill our environment. We surround ourselves day to day with our materialistic accomplishments but Sukkot forces us to leave those behind and return to a much simpler existence where our priorities refocuses onto affirmations of nationhood, spirituality, and the importance of communal living. Moishe House Portland was given the special opportunity to bring our community together, inviting others to dwell in our sukkahs and share a meal together. This Sukkah event reminded me of how lucky we are to be given the commandment of creating a peaceful and important dwelling place where participants have the privilege of learning, growing, and come together in the time of rejoicing.