Congregation Beth David

12/07/2025

06/06/2025

We look forward to seeing this evening for our annual Pride Shabbat celebration! The evening begins with special guest speakers Doug Heumamn and Margaret Johnson, who will be speaking about the issues facing the transgender community, followed by services at 7:00 pm. Food and beverages will be provided by our Social Action Committee.

06/04/2025

An important conversation at Beth David and via Zoom Thursday at 12:30. All are welcome! Bring your vegetarian lunch—beverages provided.

05/07/2025

Join Dr. Joel Schwartz of Total Spectrum Counseling for a special event prior to Erev Shabbat Services.

Autism is now diagnosed in roughly 2-3% of the population—and this is likely an underestimate. Most of us have connections with autistic people, or may be autistic ourselves. This program introduces the neurodiversity paradigm-way of understanding, differences like autism and ADHD from a perspective of acceptance, inclusion, and social justice. We will get to know a few essential experiences of autistic people and clear up some harmful myths surrounding these often misunderstood individuals a Q&A will follow the presentation.
—Dr. Joel Schwartz

04/28/2025

Please join your friends at Beth David or via Zoom for this important discussion of the political state of Israel. We will be joined live from Israel from Professor Baruch Shimoni who is closely involved with the Democratic movement in Israel. Please register in advance—more info at www.bethdavidslo.org

04/17/2025

Join us for our Spring Tribute Fundraiser celebrating our Temple Administrator Robyn Friedman O’Leary for her numerous years of hands-on membership, volunteer work, and dedication as our temple administrator. Tickets can be purchased at www.bethdavidslo.org/event/robyn

03/16/2025

03/11/2025

No plans for Purim? Chill dude! We’ve got you covered with our totally tubular 80s Purim Party this Friday at 5:00 pm. Sign up here: https://m.signupgenius.com/ #!/showSignUp/10C0D4FABAB28A0F94-54731876-ataste

03/05/2025

03/01/2025

For our December Volunteer Spotlight, we are recognizing Susan Dressler, a dedicated volunteer and board member. We appreciate all of your work Susan!

“Susan Dressler is no stranger to the immigrant story. She grew up living with her grandmother, Tillie, and great grandmother, Basha, both immigrants from Kherson in the Ukraine who had been forced to move from Odessa to Kherson. Early twentieth century Ukraine was a bloody time for Jews, many of whom were ordered by the Czar to live in the Pale of Settlements, or ghettos. Economic conditions were bleak, schooling was limited, and Jews conscripted into the Army faced a twenty year term of service. After moving to Kherson, Basha was widowed in her forties with seven children to raise on her own. Her eldest son, Susan’s Uncle Abe, managed to save enough money to get out of the country on a ship to the US.

In 1910, Basha followed him to Chicago. They lived on the west side of Chicago—the poor immigrant side. Immigrants never have an easy path to financial security. Uncle Abe worked as a housepainter who had to use public transportation to get to his jobs and brought his paint and equipment with him. Susan’s grandmother worked as a ticket taker at a movie theater.

“It’s never easy to leave your own country,” she said. “But you do it for your children and future generations.” It is this sentiment and compassion for immigrants that brought her to volunteer with SLO for Home.

When Susan moved to the Central Coast to work at Cuesta College, she joined Rotary de Tolosa where she and her husband, Budd, learned to embody Rotary’s motto, “service above self.” Just this month, they helped build a hundred beds for children who needed them. She’s also served on the Cuesta Foundation Board, on the Board and as President of Congregation Beth David. She’s been active in Bend the Arc, a national Jewish organization focused on social justice, and she is currently on the SLO for Home Board.

Susan and Budd helped resettle the first SLO for Home family, Sophia and Abdullah. When Sophia wanted to start a catering business, Susan invited friends over to the house to meet her, try out the food, and help get her business off the ground. She still sees Sophia often, stops by her business, Kor Kitchen, and chats with her and her husband, Abdullah, about how they’re doing. Recently, they needed a dining room table and recliner for Sophia’s ailing father. Volunteers made that happen. Perhaps it was a small gesture, but meaningful for the family. “Some of their stories are heartbreaking,” Susan said.

Now Susan and Budd are the advocates for the most recent refugees SLO for Home is helping to resettle, the Hassan Zada family with their three children.

“While the initial commitment to these families may end,” she said, “We never let go of them. These families become our family.” “