Jewish Federation of Greater Santa Barbara

01/23/2024

Next week, the SB community will welcome eight women from Kibbutz Kfar Azza, one of the settlements in the south of Israel that suffered the worst of the Hamas terror attacks on October 7th.  

We hope to provide them with a sense of normalcy and create a safe space for them to relax, shop, discover the beauty of Santa Barbara, and hopefully feel a bit restored. 

The women from Kibbutz Kfar Azza will speak to us at  Friday night Shabbat services on February 2, and will meet with us in a relaxed conversation on Saturday afternoon, February 3. We hope you'll join us.

Many thanks to everyone who worked to make this happen.

12/07/2023

"Each of us is one small light. All together we shine bright." – Banu Choshech

Happy Chanukah from our Federation Family to yours.

11/22/2023

Dear Federation Family,

The paradox of tragedy is that it can and should lead us into the heart of gratitude. Though in Israel, around the world, and at home we are facing unbearable heartbreak, we as a worldwide and local Jewish community stand stronger and more united than ever. For this and so many other things, I am deeply grateful.

This Thanksgiving holiday, I encourage us all to dwell upon and give thanks for the many blessings that fill our lives. There are so many.

Thank you all for being part of our Federation Family!

With warmth and gratitude,

Cyndi Silverman
Executive Director

11/21/2023

Thank you for your generosity to the community! We love attending the luncheon every year and seeing how wide the impact of these gifts reach.

11/16/2023

"As leaders of organizations and initiatives within Santa Barbara’s thriving and diverse Jewish community, we have come together to express our perspective and concern about recent events.

We grieve for the victims of the barbaric massacre on October 7, and we agonize for those who remain hostages of and affiliated groups. We are also pained that the unfolding war has led to death, harm, and displacement of innocent in . We have compassion for all those who are suffering in the region.

While we support a peaceful two-state solution, it is essential to distinguish between a Palestinian people seeking recognition of a state of their own and Hamas’ stated mission to destroy and the people, so horrifically exhibited on October 7.

Our primary purpose in writing now is to express our concern about the deeply troubling anti-Israel bias occurring locally in the name of social activism and its translation to . Rather than focusing on Israeli government policies, recent demonstrators chanted 'From the River to the Sea,' meaning the elimination of Israel. Students at even chanted, 'We don’t want Zionists here.' Some educators and activists are weaponizing offensive and factually incorrect labels like 'Genocide,' 'Apartheid,' and 'Settler Colonialism' to justify violence and to inflame anger at Israel and the local Jewish community.

The anti-Israel bias and inciting rhetoric is increasing antisemitism and compromising the safety of Jewish communities..."

Read the full letter in today's Santa Barbara Independent and Montecito Journal

Signed by representatives of Congregation B'nai B'rith, Community Shul of Montecito and Santa Barbara., ADL Santa Barbara/Tri-Counties, Jewish Federation of Greater Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara Hillel, and the Israel Committee of Santa Barbara

11/13/2023

Join us for Festival of Lights on Mon, 12/4 at the SB Library Faulkner Gallery from 6:30-8:30 pm for a special interfaith event showcasing the rich and diverse faith and identity-based celebrations of light that occur during this darkest time of year.

Gather in unity to celebrate the light that each of our communities shares with the world and help us amplify our light together.

For more information, contact Ruby Vargeson at [email protected].

11/10/2023

Thank you to Congregation B'nai B'rith for organizing a wonderful screening last night of "Open Door: Holocaust Haven in the Philippines" which is dear to the heart of our Director of JCC Programs Ruby Vargeson.

From Ruby: "Vicky PinPin-Feinstein did a wonderful job putting together a beautiful program in honor of the director Noel (Sonnie) Izon who died only two weeks ago. Honored by his cousin who introduced the film and Dr. Bonnie Harris the co-producer. It is an inspiring movie about how welcoming President Manuel Quezon was to the Jews, and Rabbi Cohen encouraged us to strengthen the relationship between the local Jewish and Filipino communities.

Ralph Preiss, survivor and his two daughters attended from New York and San Juan Capistrano attended the event. Ralph is interviewed in the film.

My uncle, Frank Ephraim, z”l wrote a book 'Escape to Manila' and I was told by Dr. Bonnie Harris that it was his book that started the research and ultimately the creation of this movie. Frank’s only daughter, my cousin Michelle Ephraim, is also interviewed in the movie."

Federation was proud to co-sponsor the event along with Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation and ADL Santa Barbara/Tri-Counties

11/09/2023

In honor of , we gathered a group of local Holocaust survivors to reconnect and feel supported and safe during this difficult time amid growing . Many had not seen each other since before the pandemic.

Today marks the 85th anniversary of Kristallnacht (Night of Broken Glass) when N***s unleashed an orchestrated wave of violence against Jews in Germany and Austria to force them out of the country. More than 100 Jews were murdered and thousands of Jewish institutions, synagogues, shops, and homes were ransacked and destroyed.

Photo credit Amy Katz/Zuma Press

11/09/2023

https://www.noozhawk.com/hundreds-gather-at-goleta-beach-park-to-call-for-release-of-israeli-hostages-held-in-gaza/

Local residents reflect on the impact of the Hamas attacks on the Jewish community while trying to remain hopeful

11/07/2023

Antisemitism is on the rise across the United States. Show you’re against hate by
joining the March for Israel in Washington, DC on 11/14. www.marchforisrael.org

11/03/2023

Tuesday, November 7th marks one month since 239 Israeli hostages were kidnapped by Hamas in the deadliest attack against Jews since the Holocaust.  

To stand in solidarity with these hostages and advocate for their release, the Jewish community will gather at Goleta Beach Park, Area D on Tuesday, November 7 at 4:00 pm.

The event is sponsored by Congregation B’nai B’rith, Jewish Federation of Greater Santa Barbara, Community Shul of Montecito and Santa Barbara, Anti-Defamation League (ADL) Santa Barbara/Tri-counties, and Santa Barbara Hillel.

10/27/2023

From social media and the news to our own homes and relationships, it is not hard to find hateful, hurtful, and disrespectful language, especially now.

The laws of lashon hara found in the Torah offer timeless wisdom on how to speak with respect and avoid character assault, defamation, gossip, and slander. It teaches us how to be kind and considerate with our words, and model that behavior to our children and grandchildren. 

For the entire month of November 2023, all the local Jewish organizations will embark on Clean Speech Santa Barbara. This month-long community-wide education and awareness campaign aims to unite us in the practice of Jewish mindful speech to improve our lives and relationships, and ultimately build a more positive, respectful, and peaceful world.

Sign up at www.cleanspeech.com/santabarbara