Jewish Santa Barbara
A host of Jewish resources are available throughout the Santa Barbara area. Here's the lowdown on some of them.
The Santa Barbara Jewish Federation and Bronfman Family Jewish Community Center
Located downtown, at 524 Chapala Street, the Federation/JCC offers a range of Jewish social, educational and cultural programs for all ages. This is a place you can come to shmooze with senior citizens, help out with the Super Sunday phonathon, get a job with Mahane Halom: The Dream Camp, and more. The Center's programs are constantly changing and expanding. Call the Federation at (805)957-1115 for more information.
The Isla Vista Minyan
This informal, traditional-egalitarian service meets at Hillel every Shabbat morning. Services start at 10am and conclude around noon. Lunch follows. Services are led by different members each week. Members include UCSB + SBCC faculty, students, grad students and others from the broader Jewish community. Contact Hillel for more info at (805) 968-1280.
Chabad at UCSB
Chabad at UCSB is just down the block form us at 779 Camino Pescadero, offering services and exciting Jewish programs all throughout the year - Chabad style. For details, contact Rabbi Mendel Loschak at (805) 685-3348 or email rabbi@jewcsb.com.
Congregation B'nai B'rith
This is the one large synagogue in town a medium-sized Reform congregation at 1000 San Antonio Creek Road, near the Turnpike Exit off Highway 101. Friday night services outdoors in the summer are particularly popular. The religious school often hires UCSB students as teachers, youth group advisors, etc. Contact Rabbi Steve Cohen or Religious School Director Ruth Steinberg at (805) 964-7869.
Young Israel of Santa Barbara
This is a small, Modern Orthodox shul on the Mesa, near Santa Barbara City College at 1826 Cliff Drive. Phone (805) 966-4565. Services every Saturday morning at 10:00am are followed by Kiddush at 12:30pm. A family who will put you up overnight for Shabbat if you like,or the Hillel staff can place you with a Young Israel family.
The Community Shul of Montecito and Santa Barbara
This brand new, small spiritually-based community meets for holidays, Friday nights once-a-month, havdalah, and offers religious education for their children. Contact Rabbi Arthur Gross-Schaefer at (805) 683-4561.
The Santa Barbara Jewish Festival
The biggest annual Jewish event in town, the Festival happens every spring, right around Israel Independence Day, at Oak Park which is not far from downtown Santa Barbara. It's a day filled with Jewish music, art, food and dance, and over 3,000 people. You can help with one of Hillel's booths, or contact the Jewish Federation at (805) 957-1115 to volunteer to assist with the planning of the Festival.