Moishe House Named to Slingshot 08/09 - posted 9/23/2008 1:46:17 PM

Author - Jeremy Moskowitz

(Santa Barbara, CA)---September 17th, 2008-Moishe House has been named one of the nation’s 50 most innovative Jewish nonprofits in Slingshot 08/09, a resource guide to Jewish innovation. Compiled and published by 21/64, the annual guidebook features programs, organizations, and leaders that take innovative approaches to addressing age-old concerns of identity and community in Jewish life today. The first time being mentioned in Slingshot, Moishe House made the cut this year after an extensive evaluation process overseen by 25 foundation professionals.

Each year, the organizations listed in Slingshot offer a glimpse into the trends shaping North America’s Jewish nonprofit sector and the Jewish community at large. Those selected in Slingshot 08/09 are reinvigorating Jewish expression and practice in the areas of ritual, history, language, liturgy, culture, and tikkun olam, healing the planet.


Created by Morris B. Squire and the Forest Foundation in 2006, but now an independent entity based out of Santa Barbara, CA and co-sponsored by the Center for Leadership Initiatives and the Schusterman Foundation; Moishe House sponsors homes that serve as grassroots community centers for young adult (ages 21-30) Jewish communities throughout the world. Currently there are 25 houses in 9 countries and 4 continents.  Moishe House provides a rent subsidy and a program budget to residents, in exchange for the residents holding events at their home designed to create Jewish community for the post college, pre-family set.

“It is a huge honor to be mentioned in Slingshot”, said Moishe House Executive Director David Cygielman. “Moishe House is committed to engaging the world’s next generation of Jews in relevant and meaningful ways and inclusion in Slingshot 08/09 is validation of that work. Plus, it exposes us to a vibrant funding community, a valuable vehicle as we work to grow our capacity and take Moishe House to the next level.”

Moishe House was selected by a group of 25 foundation professionals from hundreds of nominees. All nominees were evaluated based on programmatic innovation, community impact, leadership and organizational efficiency.



“Slingshot 08/09 shows us once again that both fledgling programs and established organizations across the U.S. are teeming with Jewish innovation, said Roger Bennett, co-founder of 21/64. “For years, I’ve heard skeptics say that Jewish innovation is a clever way of describing hip programs that are culturally-driven, but lacking in Jewish substance. Not true. The organizations in Slingshot 08/09 show us clearly that Jewish innovation consists of a profound mix of ritual, history, language and culture.”

Slingshot 08/09 will be unveiled at a launch event in Manhattan on September 18. A subset of the organizations featured in Slingshot will receive funding grants from The Slingshot Fund. Founded by Jews in their 20s and 30s, the Fund aims to provide a new model for raising and distributing grants by engaging young people in Jewish philanthropy who would otherwise not be involved.

“Reinvention and adaptation are the hallmarks of Judaism, and the Slingshot organizations are leading the charge in North America,” said Sharna Goldseker, co-founder and Director of 21/64. “By challenging convention and exploring new ways to bridge the past with the next generation, these nonprofits tell us that our tradition, history, and culture are still central to how we identify ourselves.”

About Slingshot
Slingshot was created by a team of young funders as a guidebook to help funders of all ages diversify their giving portfolios with the most innovative and effective organizations and programs in North America. This guide contains information about each organization’s origin, mission, strategy, impact and budget, as well as details about its unique character.  Now in its fourth edition, Slingshot has proven to be a catalyst for next generation funding and offers a telling snapshot of shifting trends in North America's Jewish community. The book, published annually, is available in hard copy and as a free download at www.2164.net or at www.slingshotfund.org.

About 21/64
21/64 is a non-profit consulting division of The Andrea and Charles Bronfman Philanthropies. Based in New York, it offers services to individuals, families, businesses, foundations and federations in times of generational transition - including consultation, resource materials, networks and communication vehicles. 21/64 specializes in a multigenerational approach to philanthropy. In this era, when there are four generations above the age of 21 around corporate and philanthropic tables, multiple generations must learn to understand each others' “generational personalities,” motivational values, and visions. 21/64 facilitates the process of values clarification, strategic visioning and communicating to help multigenerational families define and achieve their individual and collective goals.

About Moishe House
Moishe House is a collection of homes throughout the world that serve as grassroots community centers for the young adult Jewish Population (ages 21-30). Moishe House provides a rent subsidy (between 30-75%) and programming budget  ($250-$500) in exchange for residents using their home to hold events that create an ideal Jewish communal space for other young adults in their city. Moishe House currently has 26 locations worldwide. Moishe House is sponsored by several partners: including The Center for Leadership Initiatives, The Charles and Lynn Schusterman Foundation, Aaron Edelheit, Morton Meyerson and The Rothschild Foundation, to learn more about Moishe House and its funders, please go to www.moishehouse.org.