Proposal for a Next Generation Jewish Community Hub

Jewish young adults (post-undergraduate, pre-family) don’t have a place to gather. The existing organizations either do not have a space at which to reliably host events, have spaces that aren’t targeted to this demographic, or aren’t set up to cater to a wide variety of interests and backgrounds.

I know that I've outlined this assessment in previous posts, and I know that I hinted at some things to come as well.

That is why I am publishing my proposal for the Next Dor project's implementation in St. Louis. Let me know if I'm way off base here, or maybe on to something.

Purpose: To outline an ideal usage of the space provided by the house

Goal: To create a post-denominational, non-institutional space in which Jewish young adults can connect with one another.

Requirements: Monetary and programmatic support of CRC at minimum and the wider community at best.

Background: Jewish young adults (post-undergraduate, pre-family) don’t have a place to gather. The existing organizations either do not have a space at which to reliably host events, have spaces that aren’t targeted to this demographic, or aren’t set up to cater to a wide variety of interests and backgrounds

Proposal: I envision a space that acknowledges the various roles that Jewish young adults find themselves in. Whether academic, artistic, or professional in nature, the space should provide a place in which people feel comfortable engaging with other young Jews in an informal environment.

The first floor will be the informal social gathering place and should have couches set up in an entertainment area, as well as a dining room table at which to hold Shabbat dinners.

The second floor will be a quieter place for graduate students to study, or for small groups to have a cup of coffee and connect, or learn Hebrew.

In the basement will be studio/gallery space for artists to create, collaborate, and showcase their art. Also, this would be a great space to hold larger social gatherings.

The third floor will house a live-in care taker/program manager whose role it will be to balance all of the different groups who want to use the space and ensure that the house is maintained and properly cared for in exchange for free rent.

There will be a garden dedicated to growing herbs and vegetables both for use at the house, as well as for donation.

This space will not be ‘owned’ by a particular organization or movement and will be open to all.

The space should be fairly well stocked with basics like coffee and tea, and perhaps more as per a programming budget would allow.

As communal meals, particularly Shabbat dinners, will be an important asset to the success of this endeavor, sufficient seating and place settings will be essential.

The initial investment in the space will be reasonable, given that it is likely that the vast majority of the furniture can be donated.

Weekly blog and Gcalendar entries will keep the events interactive and will open them up to collaboration and participation.