The Ravenna Kibbutz

An intentional community. An urban kibbutz. Jewish cohousing. An insurgent new neighborhood. A non-denominational gathering place. An intimate venue dedicated to Jewish culture. A neo-shtetl. A great place to live and hang out!

The Ravenna Kibbutz is a denominationally-unaffiliated Jewish intentional community in Seattle, where member households cooperatively maintain commons spaces and public programs for the greater Jewish community.

Over the summer of 2007, a group of friends made plans to start a new Jewish community in the city -- one that would bring diverse backgrounds together for a common cause: simply, to make together a beautiful and vibrant place to live. That autumn we rented a sweet old craftsman in the north-end Seattle neighborhood named Ravenna for its enchanting natural ravine. Two years later the Ravenna Kibbutz consists of three houses on the block of 23rd Ave NE between Ravenna's commercial district and the ravine. The houses contain both the private homes of residents and Commons facilities that we invite each other and the whole Seattle community to enjoy together.

Since our first potluck dinner in October of 2007, the Ravenna Kibbutz has opened its doors every week to some of the most colorful and spirited gatherings to be found at any Jewish place in the city. Maintained by the residents and other volunteers from the community, the Ravenna Kibbutz Commons spaces and programs are open to all and never require a fee for admission. Through one of our houses, we also host Moishe House Seattle events especially to bring together twenty-somethings in the community.

How is the Ravenna Kibbutz like a kibbutz?

From the dawn of modern Israel, kibbutz settlements inspired countless Jews, from the very religious to the most secular, because the experience of working together toward common goals unites us as a people; and the efficiency, mutual support, and combined resources of a strong collective empower every member to prosper through challenging times. The Ravenna Kibbutz offers this experience of unity and empowerment to Seattle Jews ready to pool resources and work together toward a vibrant Jewish cultural life for ourselves and others in our city.

Is the Ravenna Kibbutz communistic?

No. Every resident of the Kibbutz keeps his or her own private living space and property. Only the Commons spaces (indoors and out) are communally shared. This is not really a commune. It is a form of cohousing. For their stewardship of the Commons facilities, residents benefit from partial grant subsidy to the cost of renting living space in a desirable Seattle neighborhood, on top of daily access to a rewarding social scene.

Is the Kibbutz like a synagogue or a Hillel?

Not really. Residents can choose to help host public programs at the Kibbutz, in exchange for which they receive additional rent reduction, but the programs tend to focus on home life and social life: shared meals, group discussions, arts and music, gardening, recreation, and watching films or Jon Stewart together.

Is the Ravenna Kibbutz agricultural?

The Ravenna Kibbutz is urban. We're growing as much food as much as we can, and we're gearing up for chickens, too. All are welcome to help tend our gardens and greenhouse -- but our main crop is Jewish cultural life in Ravenna.

Is the Ravenna Kibbutz religious?

Some kibbutzniks are religious, some are not. All Commons facilities are maintained to traditional religious standards -- our kitchens are kosher (dairy), and programming on Shabbat and Jewish holidays is conducted to be equally accessible to adherents of all denominations of Judaism -- however programs at the Ravenna Kibbutz are grounded overall in Jewish culture, irrespective of any one approach to religious practice or another.

The Ravenna Kibbutz does not offer prayer services or rabbinic pastorship. Within walking distance are synagogues representing every major denomination of American Judaism. (See our neighborhood map.) Our community dinners on every Shabbat and Jewish festival are centered around good food and being together as Jews. You may find yourself seated next to a religious kibbutznik who has something to say about Torah or Jewish law, or you may just as easily find yourself next to a secular kibbutznik with greater enthusaism for another topic. What we all share is our common dedication to this community where we can eat, drink, sing, talk passionately, and enrich each other's lives as Jewish Seattleites.

Is there an age limit?

No. The Ravenna Kibbutz is proud to be a multi-generational community. One of our houses offers special programs just for twenty-something Jews in the community, as part of the international Moishe House network, a groundbreaking independent Jewish philanthropy. Anything happening at the Ravenna Kibbutz not identified as Moishe House Seattle is open to all ages.

Are there families?

Many families with children participate regularly in our community, and there are couples without children living on the Kibbutz. No children currently reside on the Kibbutz, but we are committed to accommodating any families with children who want to move in.

Who can join the Ravenna Kibbutz and how?

Anyone enthusiastic to hang out with some cool, fun, smart, talented Jews should check out our calendar, join our facebook group, and come on by!

Anyone ready to live full-time in a wonderful cooperative Jewish community is encouraged to check out the residential opportunities and apply to become a resident!