Cohousing-L Mailing List: Cohousing in Israel

[Bob Trachtenberg (BOBT]

My wife and I recently moved to Jerusalem from NYC after being 
tangentially involved in the Westchester Cohousing Network. 
(tangentially because we were already planning our move.) We came 
here with the dream of creating the first cohousing community in 
Israel, a land of kibbutzim, communal villages of various kinds and 
other alternative housing styles galore.

We started having meetings with some like-minded people about a year 
ago. Our group quickly grew from two families to nearly 10. However, 
when it was time to make some basic decisions - where to live, 
primarily - the group fell apart. That was OK. 

We are now regrouping with the same original members and one other 
family at the core. We have been interviewed by the local Jerusalem 
weekly and are to be interviewed by one of the major dailies. right 
now, we are planning an open public meeting for the 23rd. Towards 
that meeting, we would like to receive advice about how to run a 
successful first public meeting. We will be showing the US cohousing 
video, but beyon that and a brief introduction to what we want here 
in Israel, we are not sure which is the best way to proceed. All 
advice and help will be much appreciated.

In addition, we are wondering if anyone has any words of wisdom on 
what one does when someone joins the group who is inappropriate for 
the group but does not respond to "vibes" telling him/her that fact. 
We have been told that most groups end up being self-selecting, but 
we are concerned about the damage that an inappropriate person can do 
to a group. Ideas on "admission" and "de-admission" would be 
welcomed.

Thanks.

Bob Trachtenberg
Ruth Mason