As you can see, I've been reading Ron Wolfson's book "Relational Judaism" and have been intrigued by the paradox that it presents. Reading the book has been a very solitary act for me thus far. But Dr. Wolfson's thesis, "Judaism in its very essence is a relational religion…" has me longing to be around others. So…do I read the book or do I go out and engage in relationships? Then I remember the words of Kohelet, "There's a time for every purpose under heaven... a time to read and a time to sew." My plan is now to read as much as I can so that I will be ready to enter into a relational dialogue with Dr. Wolfson this coming weekend during his stint as our Rieger Scholar-in-Residence (check the schedule). I'll then be inspired to get to know each and every CBB member on a deeper level and to make sure, in a host of ways, that you get to know each other. As it is written, "You don't REALLY know someone until you watch him eat soup."

In just 10 days on Wednesday night, November 27th, we'll begin to celebrate Hanukkah and then Thursday we celebrate what has become known as Thanksgivukkah.  
"Math geeks say the last time it happened — at least since President Abraham Lincoln declared Thanksgiving a federal holiday — was 1888. And by one calculation it won’t happen again for another — hold onto your latkes — 79,000 years."
Read more here.

ReformJudaism.org, a great resource site, has info on history, blessings, recipes and more including family activities and some fun videos from Shalom Sesame, and a blog: Celebrating Thanksgivukkah with an Interfaith Family. Click here. 

The Sisterhood gift shop is open during Sunday Morning Live, Sunday, November 24th from 9 am – 12 pm and Jessica Glick will be available by appointment for other times, call 696-6289 or email her.

Todah Rabah:

To Natalie Gaynes for hosting our special guest, Rabbi Chaim Seidler-Feller, and to Judy Meisel for preparing a delicious kosher Shabbat dinner. 

The Bronfman Family Jewish Community Center offers a wide variety of activities. Some are listed below. Please contact the JCC at (805)957-1115 or email them here, or view the JCC website for more information.

Shalom Baby Baskets 
Expecting a baby or know someone who is? Contact Holly Chadwin or sign up here.

JCC Teen Comedy Club Live
Monday, November 18
6:00-7:30 p.m.
With Emcee Weezy Palanker, at the Boys & Girls Club of SB, 632 E. Canon Perdido Street, Santa Barbara. Free and open to all.
Come support and enjoy these budding comedians!
For more information click here.

Family Chanukah Party!
Thursday, December 5
5:00-7:00 p.m.
At the BFJCC. Latkes, stories, crafts, movement games with Justin Iroff of Just 4 Fun Fitness.
Families with children of all ages welcome. FREE!
Bring toiletry and personal items to donate to Angels Bearing Gifts and receive a free raffle ticket to win a fun Chanukah-themed basket or $5/ticket at the party. For information or to RSVP, contact Holly Chadwin at 805-957-1116 x109 or click here.

7th Annual YAD (Young Adult) Vodka Latke: Lucky 7s, Latkes & Lights!
Saturday, December 7
7:00-11:00 p.m.
Maritime Museum, 113 Harbor Way Featuring DJ Audio 77 & dancing, gourmet latke bar, appetizers, open bar, dreidel & casino games, Glohoop light performance! Cost: $21 by 11/21, or $27 after. Ages 21-45. For more information click here.

Art at the JCC: Around the World Through Time with the Peace Corps
Sunday, December 8
2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Opening Reception: Promoting international peace and understanding toward diverse ethnic and culture groups, SB Peace Corps Association members will share photos, artwork, and folk art from the 1960’s to the present. For more information click here.

Latkes & Laughter Chanukah Comedy Night
Wednesday, December 11
6:00–7:30 p.m. 
With L.A. Comedian Shawn Pelofsky, plus NBC Weatherman & Stand-Up Comic Fritz Coleman. Also: Emcee Louise “Weezy” Palanker and special performances by JCC Teen Comedy Club students. At the door: $10 (students/seniors $5) For more information click here.

Please email Bulletin Board submissions by Wednesday for inclusion in the following Monday email. Ads will run for three weeks, at which point they must be re-submitted for continued inclusion on our website.
Click here for more information and to view past ads.

Financial Aid Process and Scholarship Search
Wednesday, November 20
7:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m.
FAFSA, EFC, COA, WUE: Find out what these acronyms mean to the cost of a college education. Join temple member Betsy Heafitz to review the financial aid process and learn some simple strategies to maximize your education dollars. Get a great tool to identify where your student will be most competitive for scholarships at Goleta Library, for questions email Betsy.

Book reading and signing
Carmen a gypsy geography by Ninotchka Devorah Bennahum.
Tuesday, December 10
7:00 p.m.
At Granada Books 1224 State Street. (805) 845-1818.
“A significant study of the intersections between historiography, musicology, arthistory, literary theory, religious, cultural and dance studies, consolidated in the moving figure of Carmen, the Gypsy dancer.” —Michelle Heffner Hayes, author of Flamenco: Conflicting Histories of the Dance.

Upper East/Lower Riviera Duplex for Rent
Beautiful, spacious upstairs duplex with ocean and city views. 1920’s Spanish building with 3 bedrooms, 2 baths and a relaxing ocean view deck. Large, open living and dining areas.  Large closets, laundry and carport. Water, trash and gardener are included, $3100 per month.
Contact Matt Fineberg or call at 403-5826.

Jewish Genealogy Interest Group
Tuesday, November 19
10 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Sahyun Genealogy Library, 316 Castillo Street
“The New Family Search.”  Norma Eggli will explain and demonstrate this revamped and invaluable free website for access to billions of records, many of which pertain to Jewish genealogical research.  She will also make it personal with examples from among us.  Norma teaches computer classes at City College.  Free and open to all.  No RSVP needed.

Taubman Symposia: Gideon Raff
Sunday, November 24
3:00 p.m. at UCSB Campbell Hall
Creator, writer and director of the award-winning Israeli television drama series, Prisoners of War (hatufim), and its critically aclaimed US adaptation, Homeland.

Interfaith Thanksgiving Sevice
Tuesday, November 26th
7:00 p.m. At the First United Methodist Church
(Corner of Garden St. and Anapamu St.)
A communal worship service of gratitude, celebrating our common appreciation for living in this country using the various languages of our faith traditions.

To get more information on any of the events or minyanim listed, please click on the name or visit www.cbbsb.org

Monday, November 18
6:00 p.m. Israeli Dancing at CBB
7:30 p.m. Beginning Hebrew
(Class enrolement closed)

Tuesday, November 19
12:00 p.m. Lunch and Learn
At Sylvia Glass' home, 862 La Milpita.
Please contact Sylvia with any questions at (805) 687-5654.

6:30 pm. CBB Israel Trip Information Night
At the home of Nina Gelman-Gans and Ron Gans.
Join Rabbi Cohen to learn about the CBB trip to Israel, June 17 - 29, 2014. There will be ice cream sundaes for all!

RSVP here or if you have questions contact Rabbi Cohen.
See details about the trip here.
7:00 p.m. Studio Toby

Wednesday, November 20
11:30 a.m. BHY Gratitude Lunch
3:45 p.m. Religious School
5:45 p.m. Religious School/Academy Dinner. $5/person
RSVP to Ben.
6:45 p.m. Academy/Confirmation
8:00 p.m. Intermediate Hebrew
(Class enrolement closed)

Thursday, November 21
12:00 p.m. Short Story Group with Mashey Bernstein
For a copy of the story email Audrey.

Rieger Scholar-in-Residence Dr. Ron Wolfson
Visionary Jewish educator, author and inspirational speaker.
Friday, November 22
5:30 p.m. Pre-neg - Join us for wine and cheese
6:00 p.m. Shabbat Evening Service with
Shabbat sermon: Building Good Tents: Envisioning the
Synagogue of the 21st Century.
7:30 p.m. Oneg Shabbat

Saturday, November 23
9:00 a.m. Torah Study with Ron Wolfson
10:30 a.m. Shabbat Morning Service

Sunday, November 24
Sunday Morning Live
8:45 a.m. Best Darn Breakfast, Period!
9:45 a.m. Rieger Scholar-in-Residence Ron Wolfson.
Relational Judaism: Using the Power of Relationships to Transform the Jewish Community
9:30 a.m. Religious School
10:45 a.m. Fundamentals of Judaism with Rabbi Stone

Monday, November 25
7:00 a.m. Cottage Hospital Minyan in the Sacred Space on the 2nd floor.
6:00 p.m. Israeli Dancing
7:30 p.m. Beginning Hebrew

Look for more info about these events as the dates get closer:

First night of Hanukkah
Wednesday, November 27
No Religious School or Academy.


Young Family Hanukkah Party at BHY
Wednesday, December 4
5:00-7:00 p.m.
A festive Hanukkah celebration for families with Young Children
(New born-6). Crafts, food, games and more!

Hanukkah Concert with Rick Recht
Wednesday, December 4
7:00 p.m.
An energetic concert and celebration.
Free and open to all.

Shabbat Guest Rabbi Samuel K. Joseph
Chinese Food and Jewish Identity…
What is the Connection?
Friday, December 6
6:00 p.m.

Discover Your Roots: Research Strategies for Tracing your Ancestors
Sunday, December 15th 
From 1:00 p.m. -3:00 p.m. at CBB
Sponsored by CBB, Sisterhood & the Jewish Genealogy Interest Group of the SB County Genealogical Society.
Join Karen Franklin, a professional genealogist and an exhibit researcher for the Museum of Jewish Heritage in NYC for a captivating event that will teach you how to find out more about your ancestors. Novice and expert researchers alike will enjoy Karen’s “case study” approach to investigating your family history through online resources and archives. There is no guarantee that she will not find a black sheep in your family! Featuring a case study of the families of Rabbi Stone, Rachelle Geiger and Jane Honikman.
RSVP here.