For Devorah Stein-Roberts and Menashe Roberts, starting a Moishe House was never about numbers. It was about nurturing Jewish identity, building meaningful relationships and helping others take ownership of their faith one event at a time.

Three years ago, the couple moved to St. Louis and began a Moishe House in University City (there is also a Moishe House in South City). Now, they have a year left with Moishe House and are reflecting on the journey, and the community, they’ve helped create.

“Our long-term goal has been to help people shape and take ownership of their Jewish identities,” Stein-Roberts said.

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Moishe house encourages Jewish adults to take a role in their community by leading events like Shabbat dinners in shared living spaces, sometimes referred to as pods. Within each pod connections between members create a community, slowly further strengthening the Jewish community around the globe.

From Oxford roots to a St. Louis home

Stein-Roberts and Roberts had the idea to start a Moishe House began in Oxford, Mississippi, where they were living and regularly hosting Shabbat dinners. “Someone mentioned we could be subsidized to do what we were already doing if we opened a Moishe House,” Stein-Roberts said. There weren’t enough Jews in Oxford to support a pod but they soon learned about an opening in St. Louis and decided to move.

When they arrived in St. Louis, they didn’t know anyone. But over time, their network grew far beyond what they imagined.

“There’s a vast network now of people in St. Louis,” Roberts said. “We have friends in South City, Benton Park, Maryland Heights, Chesterfield, just all over.”

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Each month, the U. City Moishe House hosts around four or five events ranging from traditional Shabbat dinners to more creative options like Havdalah under a meteor shower or silk challah cover making.

Both Stein-Roberts and Roberts grew up in observant households but had limited experience with the institutional side of Judaism before opening the house. They’ve prioritized authenticity and accessibility.

“We chose to niche down rather than worry about numbers,” Stein-Roberts said. “We want the experience to feel organic and easy to join, whether you grew up Orthodox or are exploring Judaism for the first time.”

Watching community members grow and change has been one of the most rewarding parts of the experience, Stein-Roberts said.

“A lot of people ended up in totally different places than they anticipated,” she said. “It’s been cool to see.”