The Ravenna Kibbutz

Aish haTorah evidently thinks the Kibbutz is a headliner for the "outrageous, odd and interesting." Sounds about right!

"WOULD IT KILL YOU TO FIND A NICE JEWISH COMMUNE?"

The Seattle-based Ravenna Kibbutz, also known as a "neo-shtetl."

When you think of the word Kibbutz, images of tanned Israelis in shorts, living together for protection, unification, and the development of agriculture and greenery in a once barren land leap to mind. But there's a new model right here in United States. The Seattle-based Ravenna Kibbutz, also known as a "neo-shtetl," is one of the very few outside of Israel. (Others are in Brooklyn and Toronto.) Unlike the Israeli model, Ravenna is primarily urban, though they grow as much food as possible – and are gearing up for chickens! Founded in 2007 by Joel Rothschild, 30, from Olympia; Masha Shtern, 25, from Moscow; Tamar Libicki, 24, from Columbus, Ohio; and Azura Newman, 31, from southern Michigan, the Kibbutz, home to over a dozen Jewish residents, is a cluster of three houses located on a quiet residential street near Bagel Oasis and Tree of Life Judaica at Seattle's North End. They maintain kosher facilities for Orthodox members and the Kibbutz is in walking distance of Seattle synagogues representing nearly every denomination. Residents share chores and pay rent based on room size and event-planning duties.

Perhaps more Jewish "co-housing" than Kibbutz, they share an objective: to bring Jews of all denominations together toward unity, empowerment, and the development of a vibrant Jewish cultural life for themselves and others. Ravenna is multi-generational, but the spirit is young. The founders and residents alike are eager to keep Jewish youth in the fold. By providing co-sharing living, with lower prices, and connection to other young Jews, they seem to be doing just that!

Of course, Jewish holy days are celebrated, but Kibbutniks also reach out to the community at large with bagel bakes, coffeehouse nights, pot luck dinners, kayaking, pita-making classes, and open Shabbat dinners. These are becoming so popular, "the three founders have two opinions!" Keep the crowds down – or buy bigger tables!

So, when we ask, "Would it kill you to find a nice Jewish commune?" Now you can! While living and working together, debating, eating, sharing Jewish cultural life – and singing a rousing rendition of "Hava Nagila" – to the "rafters" of the Space Needle.