Often an Oleh arrives to Israel and seeks out their new community.  Not often are they the ones to create that new community.  Building a new community is no easy task, but that hasn’t stopped Olim from being a part of the developing Moishe House communities in Israel.

The idea came about in 2011 when a few young Nefesh B’Nefesh Olim were looking for a place to find real connection in Tel Aviv.  After making Aliyah without their families, they felt something was missing in their new Tel Aviv life- the comfort of a close community.  Remembering a community model from their hometown in California, they reached out to Moishe House for assistance.

Founded in 2006, Moishe House was developed in the United States to help post-college Jews create and connect to a Jewish community.  What is unique to the Moishe House model is that the residents of each house are the ones to determine what their community needs are and what programs should be offered for their interests.  The idea started with one house in California and is now currently made up of 75 communities all over the world, two of which are in Israel.

“Why Moishe House in Israel?” was asked when the Olim turned to the higher ups of the community organization.  Perhaps it doesn’t make sense to create a Jewish community in the Jewish state, but to these Olim it was clear.  The model of the Tel Aviv Moishe House was to create an intentional community in order to bridge the gap between Olim and Tzabarim (Israelis born and raised in Israel) and to create a comfortable environment for young Tel Avivim on all points of the “Jewish spectrum.”

With determination and vision, the first Tel Aviv Moishe House opened its doors in 2012.  To fit the envisioned model, the house residents consisted of two Nefesh B’Nefesh Olim and a token Tzabar.  To cater to the needs of the community, a wide variety of weekly programs are developed to build community connections.

A candid shot from a Moishe House event.

As the community fits into the Nefesh B’Nefesh aim of assisting Olim through their acclimation and integration in Israel, Moishe House acts as a perfect partner for programming.

Olim pioneering of the Moishe House communities in Israel continues as two houses, the second being in Jerusalem, carry on with weekly community events, drawing through their doors anywhere between 10-100 young Israelis weekly.

Young singles are moving to Israel as they realize it’s a great place to live.  And Moishe House is the living example that they have the vision and motivation to make it their perfect community.