Welcome to Santa Barbara! Whether you are moving to our city or just coming for a visit, we hope you will feel at home in our shtetl-by-the-sea. The information below will answer many of your questions about Jewish Santa Barbara; feel free to contact any of the organizations listed. We look forward to meeting you soon!
Synagogues/Minyanim/Communities
Congregation B’nai B’rith
We are a Reform Temple, affiliated with the Union for Reform Judaism. We have approximately 675 members. We offer Shabbat services every Friday evening and Saturday morning throughout the year; we also offer a weekly minyan on Wednesday mornings.
The Community Shul of Montecito and Santa Barbara
The Community Shul, under the spiritual leadership of Rabbi Arthur Gross-Schaefer, strives to provide family and community-oriented experiences including monthly Shabbat or havdalah services and events around the holidays. For events, times, and locations, please contact Joyce Margolin.
Young Israel
Young Israel is modern Orthodox synagogue, affiliated with Young Israel of America. Located on the Mesa, at 1826 Cliff Drive, the synagogue offers Shabbos Davening on Friday night and Saturday day (Shabbos morning services begin at 9:30 a.m.), as well as adult education classes and an after-school Talmud Torah for children. For more information, please call 805-966-4565.
Chabad
Chabad of Santa Barbara is a Lubavitch Hasidic synagogue. Its mikvah, the only one in the tri-counties (Ventura, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo), is available by appointment. To make an appointment or for more information, please contact Rebbitzin Devora Loschak at 683-1544. For information on services times and programs, contact Rabbi Josef Loschak at 805-683-1544.
Isla Vista Minyan
The Isla Vista Minyan offers a raditional-egalitarian Shabbat morning minyan at 10:00 am, followed by a vegetarian lunch. It meets at the Milton Roisman Jewish Student Center at 781 Embarcadero del Mar in Isla Vista.
Santa Ynez Valley Jewish Community
The Santa Ynez Valley Jewish Community is composed of Reform, Conservative and Orthodox members. The SYVJC meets twice a month for religious services in the beautiful Santa Ynez Valley, 45 minutes north of Santa Barbara. Shabbat services are usually held on the second Friday and the fourth Saturday of the month.
Preschools
Congregation B’nai B’rith: Beit HaYeladim provides a stimulating curriculum which enhances the child’s urge to discover and create, in a richly Jewish atmosphere, in which appreciation and knowledge of Jewish customs, traditions, and values are fostered. The educational program includes: music, art, literature, science, cooking, gardening, dance, drama, sports, Jewish living and community awareness.
Chabad accepts children from two years of age and up. They have both a half day program and a full day program with the option of three or five days per week. Chabad's goal is to give the children a strong, warm positive feeling about their heritage, coupled with a program to have the children ready for kindergarten.
Day Schools
Gan Israel Hebrew Academy, operated by Chabad, serves children from two years old through 6th grade. Contact Chabad for further information.
Congregation B’nai B’rith’s kindergartners through 3rd graders meet for religious school on Sundays; grades 4-6 meet on Sundays and Wednesdays. Academy (grades 7-9) and the Confirmation class (10th grade) meet on Wednesday evenings.
The Community Shul of Montecito and Santa Barbara offers religious school classes from first grade and continuing through B’nai Mitzvah training. For more information, please contact Stephanie Lavine, Religious School Director, at 965-3799, or Itzik Ben-Sasson, B’nai Mitzvah Program Director, at 964-5899.
Young Israel offers an after-school Talmud Torah from first grade to high school. Call 805-966-4565 for more information.
The Santa Ynez Valley Jewish Community offers a religious school program on Sundays. Please see their web site for more information.
Judaism on Campus
UCSB: UCSB’s Jewish studies program provides an opportunity for students to complete an interdisciplinary minor in Jewish Studies. Within the minor, students may study either biblical or modern Hebrew, explore the history, religion, society and culture of the Jewish people, or study the centrality of the Hebrew bible in Jewish history, culture and society. Jewish Studies encourages students to take advantage of the Education Abroad Program, especially the Jerusalem Study Center at the Hebrew University.
Hillel: UCSB hosts is a very active Hillel. Hillel’s goals are to help Jewish students at UCSB achieve Jewish literacy, with regard to Jewish text, ritual, communal issues and ethical values; to provide Jewish students at UCSB with a model of Jewish community to carry with them into adult life; and to train Jewish students in a variety of organizational skills essential for building communities. Hillel also offers an active social program - everything from BBQ’s to movie nights to Israeli dancing in the courtyard!
Jewish Organizations in Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara Jewish Federation
524 Chapala Street, SB 93101
957-1115
Founded in 1974, the Santa Barbara Jewish Federation serves as the central address for Jewish Santa Barbara, and provides a link to Israel and Jews around the work through fundraising for the United Jewish Appeal. The Federation operates a number of programs, including Jewish Family Service, The Jewish Connection (20s-40s), Santa Barbara Jewish Singles (40+/-), and Youth Groups.
Bronfman Family Jewish Community Center
Contact: Leslie Gray
Located at the Jewish Federation offices, the mission of the JCC is to have a strong and vibrant Jewish community. Their vision is to provide and coordinate Jewish educational, cultural, leisure, and social activities and services needed by people of all ages, thereby enriching the lives of all Jews.
Santa Barbara Jewish Community Foundation
The Santa Barbara Jewish Community Foundation (SBJCF) was organized for the purpose of furthering Jewish education, promoting Jewish community interests, and providing increased philanthropic options for Jews in the Santa Barbara area. Central to the Foundation’s mission is the Jewish tradition of “tzedakah,” which requires every Jew to help create justice in an unjust world by sharing the bounty of his or her good fortune with others, and by giving back to the community in which he or she lives and prospers.
B’nai B’rith Lodge
The B’nai B’rith Lodge holds monthly dinner meetings, co-sponsors the annual Jewish Community Picnic and the ADL dinner, and supports Hillel at UCSB.
Hadassah: Women’s Zionist Organization of America, Inc.
The Santa Barbara chapter of Hadassah supports Jewish educational opportunities for women worldwide, health care and social services in Israel, and youth education and camps here and in Israel. The local chapter also hosts general meetings, a monthly book review group, mah jongg tournaments, and major fundraisers throughout the year.
While Santa Barbara does not have a kosher market, many kosher items can be found in local supermarkets, including foods for Passover. Local supermarkets also carry yarzheit, Shabbat, and Hanukkah candles. For other ritual items, contact Chabad, Young Israel, or Congregation B’nai B’rith.
Santa Barbara does not have a Jewish cemetery. However, Jewish burials are performed at the Santa Barbara Cemetery and Goleta Cemetery.
If you would like to know more about Santa Barbara, here’s some links to consider: