Contact: jodiberris@aol.com, aviva@moishehouse.org
Generously Sponsored By: Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation

The Moishe House Portland was born when the House Dad, Steve Bloom, talked to an old friend that was connected to the Tel Aviv House. Being the tactical community organizer that he is, Steve thought that Portland too needed a place for the young, hip, Jewish crowd to get in touch with their roots. Steve then offered the idea to Jodi Berris. Jodi had already been planning Jewish programs for young Portlandites for three years without a steady budget. When Steve mentioned a rent subsidy in addition to the program budget, Jodi refused to hear more, but acted on pure gut instinct and the Moishe House Portland's seed was officially planted. Jodi recruited her long-time friend and Shabbat table compatriot Matt Peterson by offering him free Torah learning every Wednesday night. The wily pair found the perfect party house in the heart of the Jewish Ghetto of Portland, just a stone's throw away from some of the hottest night clubs and synagogues. Yet, there was something missing: a brazen political spirit with a dodgeball arm faster and stronger than Roger Clemens's lies. Steve, Jodi, and Matt approached Jeremy Rogers about filling in the threesome that would soon be a Jewish force in Portland. At first apprehensive about paying two rents in the early months of the year, Jeremy soon realized that only together could the Moishe House Portland succeed. The Moishe House officially opened its doors on the first day of 2008 and since then has planned sports leagues, Torah and Hebrew lessons, political debates, and other great social and religious activities for the young Jews of the Northwest.