Wikipedia defines socialism as a broad set of economic theories of social organization advocating public or state ownership and administration of the means of production and distribution of goods, and a society characterized by equal opportunities for all individuals, with a fair or egalitarian method of compensation.  And whether you like it or not, it looks like we heading in that direction (see full article). But the movement is not new. Here are some  organizations that have been promoting community, equality and collective ownership for decades.

Build yourself a House As the housing crisis is on everyone’s mind, you can build yourself a house for a fraction of the cost of buying one. Habitat for Humanity, a Christian non-for-profit, builds and rehabilitates simple, decent houses through volunteer labor and donations of money and materials with the help of the homeowner (partner) families. Habitat houses are sold to partner families at no profit and financed with affordable loans. The homeowners’ monthly mortgage payments are used to build still more Habitat houses. An average home in United States will cost you about $60,000. Applications are now accepted for a Brooklyn project. Happy with your Upper East Side studio but like the idea? Volunteer and help someone else own a home.  http://www.habitat.org/cd/frame/frameset.aspx?url=www.habitatnyc.org

Join a Food Coop New York has several of these “kibbutz” type of enterprises, the most famous being The Park Slope Food Coop (www.parkslopecoop.org). It has over 13,000 members and is in operation for over three decades. A food co-op is a member-owned and operated food store-- an alternative to commercial profit-oriented business. As members, you contribute labor; in return you get really cheap and really good food. There are also smaller members of the same species like the 4th Street Coop (http://www.4thstreetfoodcoop.org/twiki/) and Flatbush Ave Coop (http://www.flatbushfoodcoop.com/index.html).    Power Trip Do uniforms turn you on? Join the auxiliary police squad – “civic-minded men and women who volunteer to assist their local Police Precincts, Housing Police Service Areas, and Transit Districts, by performing uniformed patrol in their communities.” You get a uniform, a radio and a whistle (sorry, no gun) and of course the authority to “face control” the crowd. Drug test and good moral character required. Hey, even utopias need someone to “keep an eye” on things. Call 212-289-1000 or visit your local precinct to sign up. http://www.nyc.gov/html/nypd/html/careers/auxiliary_police.shtml   Become a Socialist Missionary There is nothing wrong with little self-interest.  You can travel abroad, save the world and promote the same values of equal economic opportunities to our brothers and sisters across the globe. (and may be a stipend for doing it, too). Check out Jewish Coalition for Service (http://www.jewishservice.org) for current opportunities. My favorite – help build a community center in Northern Tanzania, at the foot of Mt. Kilimanjaro. Just think how that will sound once you are back and trying to impress your date.