ENCINITAS, California (Press Release)– With growing demand from eager 20-somethings passionate about creating Jewish community for their peers, Moishe House, which has a branch in this San Diego suburb, is expanding its presence around the world. Due to significant interest from young Jewish communities, Moishe House opened 16 houses last year, including several across Europe and South Africa.
Following the recent launch of a Global Community Fund with matching support from the Sabrina Merage Foundation, Moishe House was able to accommodate three outstanding groups of young leaders in Europe and South Africa, opening locations in Cape Town, Paris, and Prague this past fall. Since opening, these three hubs of Jewish life and their residents have already held 87 programs, engaging 1,339 young Jews.
With recent anti-Semitic violence in Paris, Moishe House Paris has played a particularly important role as a gathering space for young adults in the community. “I realized there was a gap for young Jews like me to find a place where I could feel comfortable,” said Aurélie, 29, Moishe House Paris founder, resident, and a native Parisian. “I wanted to create a place where people know that they will learn and have fun. I love to meet and establish relationships with new people from the community and hope to create something that will last.”
As Moishe House works to increase the initial global fund of $100,000 to more than $200,000 in 2015, along with other donations from local supporters, the organization plans to open four new houses abroad and is exploring new locations in Europe such as Amsterdam, Berlin, Marseilles, Munich and Vienna while considering communities in South America such as Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo.
Also, in the planning stages, are specialized houses in either Australia or Germany for Russian-speaking Jews (RSJ), and a new third Moishe House in Israel (in addition to the houses in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv).
“This fund ensures that groups of young Jews in communities all over the world will have the opportunity to open a Moishe House in their city without having to worry about the challenging task of raising local support,” said Sabrina Merage, founder of the Sabrina Merage Foundation. “It takes dedication, hard work, and a ton of time to be a Moishe House resident. If you are willing, I, and many others, will support you.”
Currently, Moishe House maintains 75 houses in 17 countries involving more than 5,200 young Jews in year-round programs such as Shabbat dinners, Jewish holiday celebrations, sporting events, book clubs, social events and community service.
“International demand for Moishe House is expanding and we are committed to saying ‘yes’ to the growing network of incredible global community builders,” said David Cygielman, Founder and CEO of Moishe House. “We want to support groups of young and dynamic leaders in places that are well positioned for a Moishe House, but who may lack the initial local financial resources to get it off the ground. Through the Global Community Fund, we hope to open many more international houses in 2015.”
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Preceding provided by Moishe House