Miami Welcomes Moishe House
Many young Jewish adults fresh out of college leave behind the security of their Hillel house or other Jewish campus program that was readily available to them. For the first time, these 20-somethings are making critical life choices. The Miami Jewish community’s hope is that they make these choices Jewish ones. But how do they and where do they turn to for support? Enter Moishe House, an international organization providing meaningful Jewish experiences to young adults in their twenties.
Numbering 18,000, post-college Jewish young adults account for about 16% of the Jewish population in Miami-Dade County. Miami’s active young professional population, numerous universities and colleges with post-graduate programs and diverse, multicultural community make it a perfect city for a Moishe House. This venue will serve as a hub for young adults to become part of a stronger, larger Jewish community.
Currently there are limited engagement opportunities for Jewish young adults, according to the Jewish Engagement Commission, an initiative of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation Planning and Distribution Committee, whose goal is to make the Miami community more welcoming and open to Jews from all different backgrounds. To fill the need for programming and services available, the Commission reached out to Moishe House.
The set-up is simple: three to five young Jews (typically young professionals or graduate students) live together in a home, are provided with a rent subsidy, a Jewish library and a programming budget in exchange for hosting at least 60 programs that will annually draw over 1,000 participants in total attendance. Programs include: Jewish holidays and culture, social, Jewish learning and social action and community service activities.
Founded in 2006, Moishe House has grown from four friends building a Jewish community for young adults in Oakland, California to successful branches in 31 cities spanning 14 countries. In 2009, Moishe Houses hosted more than 2,200 programs for more than 42,000 total participants. From Shabbat dinners to book clubs to sporting events, residents continually find ways to reach out to their peers and connect with the Jewish community wherever they are. Moishe Houses have been featured in more than 25 publications including: The New York Times, Baltimore Jewish Times, The Jerusalem Post, The Washington Post and more.
The four residents set to live in the Miami Moishe House plan to move in early June, with an open house in a couple of months once they are up and running. For more information on Moishe House and how to be a part of the Miami Moishe House, visit MoisheHouse.org.
