The Rubin Family Foundation Continues Their Support of Moishe House St. Louis with a Second Year of Full Sponsorship - posted 2/4/2010 1:46:17 PM

Author - Jeremy Moskowitz

St. Louis MO, January 25th, 2010 – In a move that allows post-college, pre-family Jews to continue to create vibrant Jewish community on their terms, The Rubin Family Foundation announced that they were donating $22,500 to the Moishe Foundation for full sponsorship of Moishe House St. Louis in 2010.    

Moishe House St. Louis, located in Clayton, is home to three emerging adults who are dedicated to creating a vibrant young Jewish community out of their home. With the announcement of the generous support given by The Rubin Family Foundation, (insert names) are able to build upon their success last year to further the excitement and programming being created at Moishe House. In addition to their full times jobs, Moishe House St. Louis residents host 5-6 programs every month for the young adult Jewish community in St. Louis. Moishe House St. Louis is part of the larger Moishe House network, which now spans 29 locations in 10 countries and is the largest program internationally for emerging Jewish adults in their 20’s. Programs range from Shabbat dinners to movie nights but all succeed in drawing a young and excited crowd. Notable about Moishe House’s model is its cost effectiveness. A typical Moishe House is able to attract an attendance of 130 people to 6 programs a month, all for about half the cost of a full-time program manager.

“After visiting with the residents at Moishe House, St. Louis, and seeing their dedication and passion towards fostering community involvement for local Jewish young adults, the decision to sponsor the Moishe House St. Louis relatively simple. It is no surprise that Moishe Houses across the country continue to succeed in the organization's major tenet of ‘providing a way for young Jews to feel part of a Jewish community.’ I only wish Moishe House was around when I finished college! We look forward to our continued involvement with such a great program, both nationally, and locally!” Julie Rubin Lieberman

“Moishe House’s partnership the Rubin Family Foundation is truly exciting,” said Moishe House Executive Director David Cygielman. “Having a forward-thinking local sponsor that is excited about developing the next generation of Jewish leaders is really wonderful.”

Moishe House has been creating a rich and vibrant Jewish community in St. Louis since July of 2008 when it was founded by Ross Silverman, and Yoni Sarason. Silverman is continues to live in Moishe House with new housemates, Jordan Mandel and Heather Paperner. Sarason, still active in Moishe House, no longer lives in the house and has created Next Dor, a new venture for post-college Jews in St. Louis.

“We are thrilled that Yoni is passionate enough about Jewish life after college to launch an effort like Next Dor” continued Cygielman, “ I think it really speaks to the quality of leaders we are developing that one of our alumni would decide to follow up his experience in Moishe House with such an entrepreneurial endeavor to serve this population.”

Now going into its third year, Moishe House St. Louis has seen its community expand since opening its doors. Increased attendance has led them to relocate to Clayton, where they can accommodate the extra demand.  In 2009, Moishe House St. Louis was able to host 66 programs for an attendance of 1,130.  

Through Moishe House, the young Jewish Population in St. Louis feels much less overwhelming,” said newest Moishe House Resident Jordan Mandel. “We are able to organize programs that encompass the interests of young St. Louis Jews across the board. From ‘Torah n’ Turf Football’ to concerts to Shabbat dinners, we’ve seen our numbers grow which only means that new attendees are becoming familiar faces.”

More information on Moishe House St. Louis can be found on their house page at www.moishehouse.org.  

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About Moishe House

Moishe House is a network of homes throughout the world that serve as grassroots community centers for the young adult Jewish population aged 21-30. Moishe Houses are designed to create a Jewish communal space for vibrant young lives. Moishe House currently has 29 locations worldwide and is continually expanding. For more information and to apply to open a Moishe House in your area visit www.moishehouse.org