LOCAL | YOUNG ADULTS
Moishe House takes grassroots approach
BY ELIZABETH SLONIM MACANUFO,
SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH LIGHT
Last spring, Rabbi Hershey Novack, director of Washington University's Chabad on Campus, presented Yoni Sarason with an intriguing opportunity. As Rabbi Novack explains, "Early in the summer, I was among a select group invited to participate in the ROI120 Global Summit for young Jewish innovators in Jerusalem. I learned about Moishe House and immediately knew that Yoni could bring this to life."
He was correct. Within one week of learning about the prospect, Sarason secured approval from the national headquarters to create a Moishe House in St. Louis.
Founded three years ago, Moishe House's mission includes creating grassroots Jewish community centers in urban environments around the world. Residents receive a rent subsidy and a monthly program budget to host events at the house. St. Louis represents the 26th Moishe House.
According the Jeremy Moskowitz, director of operations and regional development — East Coast and Midwest, "There is a need to organize the post-college pre-family Jewish community. The residents are given the opportunity to create their ideal Jewish Community."
This need resonated with Sarason, a Cincinnati native and recent Washington University graduate.
"When I found out about Moishe House I thought it was an absolutely ideal situation," he said. "It's hard to connect with peers after college so we're trying to create an urban Jewish community center and build a community based on relationships."
Sarason and his roommates, Ross Silverman and Dave Zucker, opened their first Moishe House location in a renovated synagogue in the Tower Grove area, but soon moved to a larger location in the same neighborhood.
Originally commissioned to hold three to four events per month, attendance at Friday night Shabbat dinners quickly grew to 25 people, and occasionally twice that amount. Sarason describes the dinners, a staple Moishe house event, as the highlight of the week for many of those who attend.
"It's an opportunity for people to connect, relax and engage with other young Jewish people," Sarason said.
The St. Louis Moishe House is now on target to offer five to seven events per month, the same expectation for houses in larger cities such as San Francisco.
Moskowitz is pleased with their efforts. "We are so excited about the Moishe House in St. Louis. From what I've seen they've really created a spot that the young Jewish community can rally around. The leaders are truly innovative and motivated individuals. They are gangbusters," he said.
Rabbi Novack is also excited by their success. "The Moshe House model represents a new approach to Jewish programming as it is purely lay-driven. This is an interesting grass-roots approach to observe as we live in an individualistic-ally empowered age.
In addition to weekly Shabbat dinners, the three Moishe House residents have planned outings to art fairs, festivals, salsa clubs, hockey games and concerts.
Although events are designed around the local Jewish population, people of any religion are welcome. "We're doing things that young people do, just with other Jews," Sarason said.
Through social networking technology, including Facebook and blogging, Moishe House events have been pulled together with just 24-hour notice, as was the case with a celebration for Sukkot. Maintaining close contact with the leaders of the Moishe House, Rabbi Novack lent them a sukkah, and his personal lulav and etrog.
Sarason believes the online social networking element of Moishe House has contributed to its success.
Through his Facebook profile, he posts event and blog updates. He uses his blog, stloujew.blogspot.com, as he describes to "stat as online conversation, voice my opinions and disseminate useful information.
A calendar of events and links to other area Jewish organizations are also listed.
Encouraged with the positive response from the young St. Louis Jewish community, Sarason looks forward to growing the program.
"People are reconnecting to Judaism and meeting others in the process. I want to continue making an impact so that more people want to join us," Sarason said.
Rabbi Novack shares the same vision. "A more vibrant young Jewish community benefits the entire community."