In a sense, at least in St. Louis, Moishe House is fighting an uphill battle. As I see it, our mission in St. Louis is to show post-college Jews in St. Louis a side of the city and the community that they have not seen, in an effort to get them to stay in the city. I don't know if retention is such a problem in other cities, but it underlines everything that goes on here in St. Louis. It is such a problem that Washington University in St. Louis, the "premier" university in the region, serves as a net drain on the area. What this means is that, somewhere around 25% of Wash U students come from the St. Louis region, and only 15-20% actually stay after graduation.
The reasons why this is are numerous, ranging from a lack of jobs to poor infrastructure and public transportation and (I am convinced) a lack of oceanfront property. Just as relevant a question, however, is what to do about it. Moishe House is the perfect example of what to do. More than anything, everyone is just looking for a sense of community, for something to do after the work day, for a place to go for a no-questions asked, no responsibility Shabbat dinner. We have been able to provide that at MH STL, and while the jury is still out on whether or not we are actually making a difference in keeping people in St. Louis, I can say for a fact (and from my own experience) that we are making a difference in people's enjoyment and access to the city while they are here.
Posted by Dave
Moishe House St. Louis
Friday, April 3, 2009
Meta-Moishe
As residents, every month we lead, follow, and support the whims of a local Jewish community at event after event. There we get to know each other, share our visions and dreams of life, love, and Judaism. More than twenty groups around the world experience a steady flow of community, creativity, and cash affectionately known as "Moishe".
Then, once or twice a year, the appointed Moisheniks gather at national and regional retreats, where two things happen: 1) We connect as representatives of local Moishe Houses. In this capacity, we tell stories of events, ideas, and experiences. But these are second-hand, used experiences. They sound nice, but lack the inspiration and power of a direct experience. 2) Friendship are made between various Moisheniks -- new relationships and exchanges spark spontaneously. The latter category is simply way more fun.
But what if members of one Moishe House community could have direct experiences with members of another? This month, at MHPVD2.0 we hosted an organizational meeting of Sukkat Shalom -- a collaborative project of three Moishe House -- where the Moisheness flows freely between MH residents and community members from multiple locations.
Next month (May 15th) Moishe House will have its very experiment with tele-shabbat. Where a video chat portal will remain open between multiple shabbats taking place simultaneously between Moishe Houses across the country. Guests at each location will be able to interaction with guests at other locations. Direct experience. If you haven't already -- be in touch with us!
-Nathaniel (MHPVD2.0)
Then, once or twice a year, the appointed Moisheniks gather at national and regional retreats, where two things happen: 1) We connect as representatives of local Moishe Houses. In this capacity, we tell stories of events, ideas, and experiences. But these are second-hand, used experiences. They sound nice, but lack the inspiration and power of a direct experience. 2) Friendship are made between various Moisheniks -- new relationships and exchanges spark spontaneously. The latter category is simply way more fun.
But what if members of one Moishe House community could have direct experiences with members of another? This month, at MHPVD2.0 we hosted an organizational meeting of Sukkat Shalom -- a collaborative project of three Moishe House -- where the Moisheness flows freely between MH residents and community members from multiple locations.
Next month (May 15th) Moishe House will have its very experiment with tele-shabbat. Where a video chat portal will remain open between multiple shabbats taking place simultaneously between Moishe Houses across the country. Guests at each location will be able to interaction with guests at other locations. Direct experience. If you haven't already -- be in touch with us!
-Nathaniel (MHPVD2.0)
Work, fun, work, fun
Well work consumed much of my March, and I am happy that this month will be filled with much more fun! I started the month having to go to Oklahoma City for work. Besides the fact that I am already biased against Oklahoma because I am a huge Longhorn fan, the city itself is completely boring. If I wasn't there with my brother I would have gone mad. We were there for about 4 days for a swim meet before coming home. The welcoming home was nice because we had a joint Purim party with another Jewish organization. It was a great event, and there were so many people who came in and out throughout the night! I worked that weekend as well besides sneaking away for our St. Patty's day party. Drinking at 9 am leads to headaches later....
I just got back from Miami because I went to Ultra Music Festival and also visited some family What an AMAZING weekend!!! The concert was fantastic and so much fun. I saw the craziest and most colorful people in my entire life while I was there!!
That rounded up March, and April is going to be the best month of the year---or so I hope!! I had the Britney Spears concert with my roomie--we had a crazy time. I have a wedding this weekend for my boyfriend's brother, leaving for Florida at the crack of dawn on Sunday where I will be until Thursday for work. Straight to Passover Seder, then bday dinners and parties for me--woo woo the BIG 2-5!!! I am also going to Mexico and am really looking forward for Jeremy to come visit. I hope he likes our cooking for the shabbat dinner :)
Ok, I am sure you have heard enough for now. I'll let you all know how my exciting April goes :)
~Shana
I just got back from Miami because I went to Ultra Music Festival and also visited some family What an AMAZING weekend!!! The concert was fantastic and so much fun. I saw the craziest and most colorful people in my entire life while I was there!!
That rounded up March, and April is going to be the best month of the year---or so I hope!! I had the Britney Spears concert with my roomie--we had a crazy time. I have a wedding this weekend for my boyfriend's brother, leaving for Florida at the crack of dawn on Sunday where I will be until Thursday for work. Straight to Passover Seder, then bday dinners and parties for me--woo woo the BIG 2-5!!! I am also going to Mexico and am really looking forward for Jeremy to come visit. I hope he likes our cooking for the shabbat dinner :)
Ok, I am sure you have heard enough for now. I'll let you all know how my exciting April goes :)
~Shana
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
MH CLE, first one in last one out
Its, that time of the month again, no no, not a gift from mother nature but blogs. This month we have had an epiphany that we as a community are more prone to hanging out at the house and kicking back afew then really going out and spending money. It kinda sucks that we are in a place where people are age are afraid of spending money. Kyle from southpark said it best. dont be afraid to spend money. Thats whats going to help our economy. Anyways we will start hanging out more and doing stuff more locally based then city wide based. We had some great dinners and great programs. I am looking forward to doing more with the weather. Maybe some ultimate frisbee. Maybe creek walking, who knows. I look forward to the warmed weather.
cheers
Shiah
cheers
Shiah
MHSeattle, Neal Schindler, 4/1/2009
It's amazing how much bacon we've been eating lately. More than that, I'm astonished by how many raw oysters Joel has managed to consume each night of the past week. These occurrences, plus our decision to change Shabbat dinner to Tuesday nights, have really shaken up the house.
Or perhaps it's simply April Fools' Day. :-)
Our recent MH Seattle events have gone well. Sunday's sushi lunch (which I should have billed as Jewshi when I had the chance) attracted some diehard fans of raw fish (no oysters, of course) and extremely sticky rice, and the most recent bowling excursion was a pretty big hit, too. (Skating has been phased out now that spring is supposedly here, though it snowed today -- and that's no April Fools' joke.) Next month there'll be an African Music Night at the local Eritrean restaurant Hidmo; I'll probably pass, in order to avoid event burnout. Our MH Shabbatot have been successful in both Russian and generic Jewish flavors, and we have a MH seder planned as well for Passover, which should be quite the three-ring circus at our house, between the epic cleaning, epic grocery runs, and epic hosting duties.
I think the 22-to-30-year-old set is starting to really get what makes Moishe House, and MH events, different from the other events we plan, and I think expressing that distinction consistently, clearly, and firmly is what will keep MH Seattle afloat in the future. There really are plenty of Jewish twentysomethings in town who have somewhat offbeat taste in social and cultural events, and I think we can bring in a rising number of them. Word of mouth is still an important tool for us, but people also find us via Facebook, or via other Moishe Houses. We may have a friend of MH Philly staying with us after Passover; she's checking out Bastyr University in Kenmore and looking for a couch to crash on for a few nights. It's always fun getting to know someone from another part of the country, with unique experiences to share, and I'm looking forward to meeting and hosting her.
Based on my wonderful experiences at MH D.C. earlier this year, I could really get behind a slightly more organized MH exchange program whereby Moisheniks visit a few Houses other than their own each year. It's probably too much to ask, at this stage, for MH HQ to underwrite our travel expenses for such a venture, but maybe in the years to come...
Aliyah House
I have started working at the Jewish Agency for Israel (JA or JAFI for short) yesterday. So far so good. I'm usually a cynic about, well about everything, but my first day was great. Everyone here is warm and welcoming, friendly and fun loving. The work is great too, I'm working in the Aliyah Department and we have some great programs. I am working with the express goal of targeting college studentim (that's ivrit for students) and young adults/professionals. And I'm excited. I may even get a twitter acount! Its all about the people to people connections, both in the marketing aspect and in everything the JA does. Even the programs are like that, they are all there to help new olim (immigrants) develop personal relationships in Israel and of course develop Hebrew and professional skills.
I've been talking about Moishe House alot here. Its the beginning of my second day and I've had 50 conversations about it already! I've told people about all our events, from the shabbus diners, to hooka bars, to just social events. Everyone loves the idea of making you're own community, being responsible for programing, and having a great time with Jewish friends. Honestly, I think the Israeli's (whom make a significant portion of the office) are reminded of the heyday of Israel's kibbutz movement and the garinim (seed groups) which helped build the State of Israel both physically but also communally and spiritually. And you know what? They are right. We are doing some of the same things the chalutzim (pioneers) did back in the day in the State of Israel. Okay so we don't plow fields or hoe gardens (good beer! lol) but we are creating a whole new conceptual community, a new model for Jewish life and its amazing.
Many of the Aliyah programs are similar to Moishe House. More like mini-Moishe Houses because they are 5 months long or a year long. Then again they are sort off like mega-moishe houses because instead of a few housemates you live in an apartment style building / absorption center with a whole bunch-o-people. They have activities like ulpan and job placement programs, but also programs like we have at our houses like events for chagim (holidays), trips, and more.
Anyhow I actually have to do some work now so I'm off but if any Moishe Houser out there wants to make aliyah (literally to "ascend" or move on up {to the east side with a deluxe apartment in a sky rise!}) or have some fun chill time in Israel or even volunteer go to: http://www.jewishagency.org/JewishAgency/English/Aliyah/Israel+Programs or you can haler at me at Joshuae@jafi.org.
Alright Moishe House, this is Einstein signing off!
Make love not war!
I've been talking about Moishe House alot here. Its the beginning of my second day and I've had 50 conversations about it already! I've told people about all our events, from the shabbus diners, to hooka bars, to just social events. Everyone loves the idea of making you're own community, being responsible for programing, and having a great time with Jewish friends. Honestly, I think the Israeli's (whom make a significant portion of the office) are reminded of the heyday of Israel's kibbutz movement and the garinim (seed groups) which helped build the State of Israel both physically but also communally and spiritually. And you know what? They are right. We are doing some of the same things the chalutzim (pioneers) did back in the day in the State of Israel. Okay so we don't plow fields or hoe gardens (good beer! lol) but we are creating a whole new conceptual community, a new model for Jewish life and its amazing.
Many of the Aliyah programs are similar to Moishe House. More like mini-Moishe Houses because they are 5 months long or a year long. Then again they are sort off like mega-moishe houses because instead of a few housemates you live in an apartment style building / absorption center with a whole bunch-o-people. They have activities like ulpan and job placement programs, but also programs like we have at our houses like events for chagim (holidays), trips, and more.
Anyhow I actually have to do some work now so I'm off but if any Moishe Houser out there wants to make aliyah (literally to "ascend" or move on up {to the east side with a deluxe apartment in a sky rise!}) or have some fun chill time in Israel or even volunteer go to: http://www.jewishagency.org/JewishAgency/English/Aliyah/Israel+Programs or you can haler at me at Joshuae@jafi.org.
Alright Moishe House, this is Einstein signing off!
Make love not war!
March full of Tikkun Olam
Wow, just reviewing the calendar and noticed we were busy with Tikkun Olam events. We started the month with our monthly JUFJ Fair Purple Line campaign meeting. We did a lot of strategy planning and identifying persons to interview and continue our research. I'm looking forward to our next meeting (tomorrow) to determine our 'ask' and then start doing coalition building.
Not even a week later MHSS and MHDC partnered up and hosted Ari Hart, co-director of NYC-based Uri L'Tzedek, to speak about their new grassroots initiative, the Tav HaYosher, to bring workers, restaurant owners, and community members together to create just workplaces in kosher restaurants. I'm excited to hear that various jewish groups are fighting for worker justice, especially after learning about the awful raid at AgriProcessors. The discussion of Kashrut and ethic is complicating and challenging, but I'm glad it's begun.
The next week, Rachael worked with a local and historical synagogue 6th & I to show "As We Forgive" and hosted the director Mrs. Waters-Hinson. The film was incredible powerful and incredible to see how Rwandan community is responding to the release of thousands of killers into the community. They are trying to rebuild this community in peaceful ways, through dialogue and conflict resolution. I think many community can learn a lot from the practices Rwanda is doing.
And we finish the month with an equally powerful and special evening, the JUFJ Labor Seder. I was thrilled to receive an email the day before the event saying it was sold out! 200 people was capacity. It's always been a family tradition to invite persons of other religions and backgrounds to our seders and I'm glad to continue this tradition on my own. And on top of that, we focused on labor rights and invited local day laborers to join and share their stories. I don't think we could have ended the month with any better event.
It's great to share my interests and work towards justice in my jewish community.
Not even a week later MHSS and MHDC partnered up and hosted Ari Hart, co-director of NYC-based Uri L'Tzedek, to speak about their new grassroots initiative, the Tav HaYosher, to bring workers, restaurant owners, and community members together to create just workplaces in kosher restaurants. I'm excited to hear that various jewish groups are fighting for worker justice, especially after learning about the awful raid at AgriProcessors. The discussion of Kashrut and ethic is complicating and challenging, but I'm glad it's begun.
The next week, Rachael worked with a local and historical synagogue 6th & I to show "As We Forgive" and hosted the director Mrs. Waters-Hinson. The film was incredible powerful and incredible to see how Rwandan community is responding to the release of thousands of killers into the community. They are trying to rebuild this community in peaceful ways, through dialogue and conflict resolution. I think many community can learn a lot from the practices Rwanda is doing.
And we finish the month with an equally powerful and special evening, the JUFJ Labor Seder. I was thrilled to receive an email the day before the event saying it was sold out! 200 people was capacity. It's always been a family tradition to invite persons of other religions and backgrounds to our seders and I'm glad to continue this tradition on my own. And on top of that, we focused on labor rights and invited local day laborers to join and share their stories. I don't think we could have ended the month with any better event.
It's great to share my interests and work towards justice in my jewish community.
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