Jewish Eco Village :: Communities Directory

Forming Formed: 2008

This page last updated:8/24/2010

Jewish Eco Village

El Cerrito, California,

United States

It takes a village...If there is one thing we have learned in this fast-paced, crazy world we live in, it is that our past holds valuable insights to dealing with life’s challenges. Rabbi Art Waskow wrote that we must consider our pre-modern lifestyle in creating our post-modern one. In other words, we need to search our past traditions and rich culture to help guide us in creating our future. The cohousing and ecovillage networks are part of the post-modern movements aimed at creating meaningful, secure, and sustainable communities.

Our vision is to establish a community based on sustainable environmental practices, cooperative community, and Jewish learning and living. In our words, “It takes a Jewish ecovillage.”

We are in the beginning stages of the process, currently gathering interested parties (4 total) for our land located in El Cerrito, Bay Area of Northern California. We are forming a multigenerational, multidenominational, and family-oriented coop community. Our community formation is an evolving process based on the unique individuals and sacred values we share.

Status: land owned and preparing to build

Contact:

Deb and Oren Massey
717 Pomona Ave
El Cerrito, California 94530 United States
Phone: 510-816-0399, 510-558-3105

Community location is placed at the center of the zip/postal code, city/state, or city/country (not based on street addresses)

Former/Other Names: Urban Moshav

This page last updated:8/24/2010

Visitors Accepted

(we have no accommodations beyond our single home at this time)

Visitor Process: Please contact us via email if you are in the area for shabbat.

Network Affiliations:

Fellowship for Intentional Community

Statement of Housing Non-discrimination:

Our community does not discriminate in regards to housing based on race/color, national origin, religion, sex/gender, family status (i.e. having children, not having children, or being pregnant), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, ancestry, source of income, age, creed, personal appearance, political affiliation, HIV infection, military/veteran status, unfavorable military discharge, gender identity or expression, receiving public assistance, or being the victim of domestic abuse.

Our community does not provide land or housing and is therefore not subject to fair housing laws.

Population Members(adults and children): 6 Open to new members: Yes (seeking up to 4 family/couple/single units)	Government Decision Making: By consensus Leadership Core Group: Yes	Labor and Money Financial Style: Members have independent finances Open to Members with Pre-existing Debt: No (cannot at this time and future building involves considerable financial resources) Labor Contribution: Expected (monthly work contribution in a variety of ways) Join Fee: Yes (will be determined in accordance to final group size) Regular Fees: Yes (monthly financial contribution to communal pot)
Land and Buildings Urban Area: 0.4 acres (0.2 hectares) (potential zoning for 3 lots of R-1) Land Owned By: Individual community member(s) (final status will depend on members) Number of Residences: 5 (3 family @1000-2500sf, 2 @750sf & 1 common space- units total)	Food, etc. Percentage of Food Grown: 1-5% (will increase to 20%) Share Community Meals: 1 time/week Dietary Choice or Restrictions: There are some dietary restrictions (communal meals are vegetarian, dairy and as organic as possible...) Dietary Practice: Kosher (Kosher with a wide range of interpretation including ethical kashrut standards) Alcohol Use: Seldom used (shabbat and holidays) Tobacco Use: Prohibited	Social Factors Common Spiritual Practices: Yes Which Spiritual Traditions(s): Jewish (pluralistic, nondenominational) Educational Style(s): (no on site schooling and many options exist locally)

Cohousing Details

Cohousing Status:

Own Site

Number of Units:

Square Feet in Common House:

750

(planned)

Architect:

Feasibility study conducted by Macamant & Durret Architects

Become an Editor Current editor(s): deboren

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