We have some guiding principles that are key to the kinds of intentions we want in the Commune. Here are some ways we can act through the creation of this community.

• Building Relationships to Fight Racism

        We commit ourselves to acting bravely alongside marginalized communities.
Many of the people who help to create the OJC will be newcomers to an area where many people live already, notably many Chicanos and Chicanas. This will take tremendous effort, honesty, sincerity, forgiving ourselves over mistakes we will make, forgiving others in their lack of knowledge about us. We will need to creatively approach communities on their terms and do what it takes to enable our communities to build lasting mutual support.

• Discovering Our Connection to Jewishness

        We commit ourselves to supporting people's connection to Jewishness.
For the Jews connected to the Commune, whether they are a friend or a core member, we commit to supporting the ways they choose to connect to Jewish culture. This could be anything from taking on Orthodox practice to learning Ladino to memorizing a Shel Silverstein anthology. We will be a bulwark of support in a society that de-emphasizes the importance of being connected to your history and culture.

• Connecting to the Land

        We commit ourselves to honoring the land and our inherent connection to it.
Historically, many Jews have not had good opportunities to connect to the land, which is a core way that we have been hurt as a people, a hurt that continues to affect us. For all people, given the current economic and prevailing cultural situation, being connected to land and the growing of food is a really good thing, and something that we have to fight for. We are people of the earth, and while modern culture successfully confuses us into thinking that people come from hospitals and food comes from plastic packages, we can fight the ways these messages affect our lives, and we can live deeply connected to the earth.

• Fostering Economic Interdependence

        We commit ourselves to supporting each others' ability to live well.
Once someone becomes of member of the Commune, their welfare will be in part a communal responsibility until they formally leave the community. The Commune willl be responsible to provide members good options for health care (including mental well-being), access to safe shelter, and food.
In order to accomplish this, the Commune will collect a percentage (for example 50%) of all personal income of each member.

• Creating Intergenerational Community

        We commit ourselves to honoring every stage of life.
We will build an intergenerational community, and look to bring people into the Commune who will increase our age and lifestyle diversity. By having elders and young people living in the same community, we work with the gifts and challenges each of us brings to a life together.

Page updated July 2010.