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Where will the Moishe House be located?

We will rely upon local students in each city to find a suitable location for the House, but the basic qualifications are that it be centrally located in an area near the university or where students and young adults live.  Basically, where it's at!

How much of the rent will be subsidized?

The amount will vary by location, but will, in any event, be substantial.  The idea is that the rent subsidy will enable the residents to dedicate more time to programming and community building, rather than working to scrape together basic living expenses.  The subsidy will not fully cover those expenses, but will significantly alleviate their burden.

How much will the monthly programming budget be?

The amount will be determined together with the residents, according to their programmatic needs and within budgetary limitations.  A supplemental holiday budget will be made available in order to allow for heightened programming.

What are my responsibilities vis-à-vis the apartment?

Responsibilities such as cooking, cleaning, grocery shopping, etc., will be divided fairly amongst the residents, according to a system to be devised collectively.

Will I have my own bedroom or will I have to share it with a roommate?

That depends on the configuration of the House.  Our hope is to afford each resident maximum privacy, while also maintaining a fair amount of common space for activities and programming.  You will, in all likelihood, have your own bedroom.

Will I be permitted to have overnight guests?

Like all other issues affecting the House as a whole, that is a decision that will have to be made collectively by the residents.

I'm concerned that the other residents of the House will be more religious than me... or not religious enough.

The House will be a pluralistic environment -- that is, residents will be expected to respect one another's religiosity and relationship to Jewish life.  It is likely that residents will vary in their degrees and manners of religious observance, and we hope you will engage one another and develop your own individual interpretations of religious life together.

Will the House be kosher?  Will Shabbat be observed?

Decisions on such matters as kashrut ("kosherness") and Shabbat observance will be made collectively by the residents, who will be be urged to bear in mind all sensitivities and preferences.

Will religious services be held at the House?

That is entirely up to the residents, and is a decision that, like all others, will have to be made collectively.  If a House chooses to hold religious services, each service can be considered one of the required monthly activities.  The format and style of the services, as well, are subject to collective decision making.

6-12 monthly activities sounds like an awful lot...

The idea is to utilize the required events and activities as a means of building community.  The 6-12 activities can include Shabbat meals, holiday activities and parties, group study sessions, and pretty much anything else bringing together House residents and other young adults in a Jewish context.  You will find that the requirement really is not too cumbersome.

My friend will be studying in the same city as me and we would like to live in the House together.

Please make a note of your preference when you submit your application.  It will be taken into account and we will make every effort to accommodate you.

I have a question you haven't answered...

No problem!  Just email Avi at amayer@hillel.org.


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