JEREMY ROGERS, the third resident of Portland’s Moishe House, stands in the home’s common area, which now features foosball, air hockey and pool, as well as comfortable sofas, thanks to the generosity of donors. Rogers said house residents are still hopeful someone will donate a piano.

Moishe House grows

By Jewish Review

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Even before moving into Moishe House as its third housemate, Jeremy Rogers, 26, has brought his own twist to the events the house will offer each month for young Jewish adults.

Moishe House opened in Portland Jan. 1, the 14th such house in the United States. Moishe Houses provide subsidized housing for residents and a programming budget based on the number of young-adult events planned each month. The home’s founding residents, Jodi Berris and Matt Peterson, signed up for the maximum of seven plus events each month.

Rogers, who has a bachelor’s degree in political science and who “likes opportunity to do athletic things,” has drawn on his interests to create “Super February at Moishe House.”

“Come participate in two American traditions in early February,” said Rogers.

Moishe House will be the setting for a Super Bowl Party, 3:30-9 p.m., Feb. 3, and Super Tuesday, 6-10 p.m., Feb. 5. Jews in their 20s and 30s are invited to watch football and election primary results at the parties, while also enjoying games, kosher snacks and kosher beer.

Moishe House is funded by the Forest Foundation, the Center for Leadership Initiatives and the Schusterman Foundation. Moishe House programming funds cannot be used for alcohol, so the local house has teamed up with He’brew Beer of the Shmaltz Brewing Company to provide kosher beer for many events at the home.

Rogers said he hopes to draw on his experiences as a native of the area and as an active volunteer and professional in the general community to connect young Jewish adults with the community. He said he hopes Super Tuesday is just the first of many events with a political focus.

Growing up in Tigard, Rogers attended Congregation Neveh Shalom and served as president of the CWAZA chapter of B’nai B’rith Youth Organization.

He is now project manager for the Oregon Business Plan, a public-private partnership exploring methods to empower Oregon’s economy.

For details on the Super February events, contact Rogers at 503-484-8678 or jeremyscottrogers@gmail.com.