Shalom Santa Barbara 2023-2024

A Message from Executive Director Cyndi Silverman

It is wonderful to have our fourth edition of Shalom Santa Barbara hot of the press for the High Holidays. I am grateful to our community partners who participate every year to make this Jewish Community jewel come to life. I have met with people since our first publication who have marked pages with sticky notes or commented about how the first and third editions differed. It is a wonderful engagement tool for our community members and an important resource for newcomers.

I think it is fitting that this year the theme for the magazine is L’dor V’dor, from generation to generation. This is an exciting time in our community with the expansion of two of our main Jewish institutions with both the Jewish Federation and Congregation B’nai B’rith under major transformations. We are building for generations to come like the previous generation did for us. There will be numerous beautiful Jewish community spaces for learning, praying, simchas, and of course eating, lots of eating! There are so many ways to be Jewish in Santa Barbara and Shalom Santa Barbara gives you a flavor for all the possibilities. Federation has two shuls that meet in the Adam Bronfman JCC and a Hebrew school . I love Saturday morning when you have the modern orthodox Mesa Shul holding services in what was the media room, soon to be transformed into the Bollag Events Pavilion , and the reform Community Shul , in the soon to be Marion and Aaron Gural Arts and Culture Center. I cannot wait to greet you in our new Luria-Budgor Welcoming Center and to meet you for matzoh ball soup at Etty’s Delicatessen . So many newly transformed spaces for us to be together for generations to come.

Between these covers you will learn more about Beit HaYeladim , CBB’s longstanding pre-school where many of the young families first met; what Hadassah has been up to lately with Sissy Taran, their mover and shaker at the helm; a teaching from Chabad of Montecito, and our newest Chabad in town led by Rabbi Chaim and Mushkie Loschak. You will join Ruth Rubin and her daughter, Alix and granddaughter, Rachel in Ruth’s kitchen to make a delicious brisket, and you will be inspired by our digital expansion of Portraits of Survival which will breathe new life into the exhibit enabling students and visitors to have meaningful engagement with survivors and their stories. There is so much more, so sit down, get a cup of coffee or tea, and enjoy all there is to offer. I promise you will not be disappointed.

Meet you at the deli!

Cyndi Silverman

Cyndi Silverman Executive Director Jewish Federation of Greater Santa Barbara

19 | A L’dor V’dor Recipe: “Knish Me”

20 | Artist Baret Boisson: A Passion for Fostering Mutual Understanding and Respect Between People

22 | Putting Young Families at the Center of CBB

24 | Mesa Shul: Come for the Services, and Stay for the Kiddush and the Schmoozing

25 | Community Shul: L’dor V’dor Offers a Spiritual Place Where the Past, Present, and Future Converge

27 | Hillel: The Next Generation

38

| Hadassah Reunion Celebrates Israel’s 75th

32 | Santa Maria Temple Beth El: The Heart of Jewish Life in Santa Maria 33 | Santa Ynez Valley Jewish Community: Goodman’s Goodies Recipes and Recollections

35 | 27 Years: Taubman Endowed Symposia in Jewish Studies at UCSB

36 | Ventura County Jewish Federation: Sustaining Our Community from Generation to Generation

37 | The Israel Committee: The Return of the Annual Communitywide Teach In on Israel

| Community Directory

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

E ric Berg, President

Lauren Katz, Immediate Past President

Jillian Wittman, Vice President

Jeff Mintz, Treasurer

Ron Zonen, Secretary

Joan Rothenberg, Member-at-Large

Cyndi Silverman Executive Director

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Ashley Snell Goldstein

Paul Harrison

Michael Holland

Deborah Samuel

Jason Saltoun-Ebin

EMERITI

Marshall Abrams, z”l*

Steven Amerikaner*

Ralph Baxter, z”l

Martin Bernstein, z”l*

Yale Coggan, z”l*

Jeffrey Dinkin*

Jeri Eigner, z”l*

Stanley Eigner, z”l *

Ron Fox*

SANTA BARBARA

Bronfman Family Jewish Community Center 524 Chapala Street Santa Barbara, California 93101 805.957.1115

Dr. Sanford E. Gerber*

M. Howard Goldman*

Gerald Harter, z”l*

Arthur Kroot*

Richard Kux, z”l

Cynthia Luria*

Eli Luria, z”l Dr. Maurice I. Mendel*

Mike Nissenson*

James Scheinfeld, z”l *

Joseph Scher, z”l

Maureen White

Alan J. Wyner, z”l*

* Past President

STAFF

Cyndi Silverman

Executive Director

Briana Sapp

Chief Operating Officer

Itzik Ben-Sasson

Executive Director, Camp Haverim

Ruby Vargeson Director of JCC Programs and Community Outreach

Samantha Silverman Director of Lifelong Learning

George Levinthal

Project Manager

Mike Witt Volunteer Services Facilities Manager

Pam Rice Bookkeeper

JEWISH FAMILY SERVICE

Carolyn Geiger Community Resources Specialist

Rabbi Debi Lewis

Community Rabbi

The Jewish Federation of Greater Santa Barbara is delighted to have the artwork of local artist Baret Boisson illuminate the cover of the fourth edition of Shalom Santa Barbara magazine.

Read more about this accomplished arts on page 20. Enjoy learning more at baretboissonart.com

Shalom Santa Barbara is a publication of the Jewish Federation of Greater Santa Barbara.

Subscribe

Please join the Jewish Federation of Greater Santa Barbara email list. You’ll receive weekly e-newsletters with invitations to events and programs as well as Jewish Community gatherings and announcements. Sign up at jewishsantabarbara.org

Advertise

Advertising in Shalom Santa Barbara extends throughout the tri-counties and supports the programing of the Jewish Federation of Greater Santa Barbara.

We welcome your interest and participation. For information regarding advertising rates and specifications please contact Jewish Federation of Greater Santa Barbara at shalomsb@sbjf.org .

Shalom Santa Barbara design: Victoria Torf ART! Fine and Graphic

YOUR LEGACY, OUR FUTURE.

The Jewish Federation’s core mission is to build a vibrant, inclusive Jewish community in Santa Barbara and beyond.

One way we do that is by gathering the community in a warm inviting space. Whatever brings you to the Bronfman Family Jewish Community Center, be it a lecture, Portraits of Survival program, Hebrew school, holiday celebration, or Mah Jongg, when you walk through the door, we want you to feel safe and welcome – part of the Federation family. Jewish life is built around the family coming together – to eat, to learn, to celebrate, to mourn, and most importantly to pass on our shared values to the next generation, L’dor, V’dor. And the next generation is made stronger by support from those who have come before them.

If you’ve already included Federation in your plans, please let us know. If you’re interested in learning more, please contact Executive Director Cyndi Silverman at csilverman@sbjf.org or 805.957.1115.

Supporting a strong Jewish future has never been more urgent. By including Federation in your estate planning, you can ensure that your grandchildren and others like them enjoy the same rich traditions and closeness of community that have given your life so much meaning and purpose.

Written by Briana Sapp Chief Operating Officer Jewish Federation of Greater Santa Barbara

PJ Library® celebrates the joy of Jewish culture, values, and tradition by providing free story books to families with children 6 months through 8 years old. No matter your Jewish background, PJ Library helps your family create cherished Jewish moments from the simple act of reading stories together, all at no cost.

PJ Library offers families:

• A free book with Jewish themes delivered to your home each month

Bonus family activities in the mail and online

• Local family events organized by our community partners

• Activity ideas, recipes, and parenting resources on pjlibrary.org and facebook.com/pjlibrary

Use

Yes , sign us up!

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Are you the child’s primary parent/guardian?  Yes  No Delivery address of Child(ren) City State Zip Code Phone

PJ Library books are only sent to the child’s primary residence. Listing delivery addresses for family members or other part-time caregivers may result in a denied subscription.

Child name (1)

Birthday: (mm/dd/yy)

Child name (2)

Birthday: (mm/dd/yy)

Child name (3)

Birthday: (mm/dd/yy)

Or mail this completed form to: Ruby Vargeson, 805-957-1115 x106

524 Chapala Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101 Email rvargeson@sbjf.org

Each eligible child will receive an age-appropriate book each month based on their age at the time of enrollment.

How did you learn about PJ Library?

CELEBRATING THE END OF A JOURNEY

By Itzik Ben-Sasson Executive Director, Camp Haverim

It is with a mixture of joy and nostalgia that I retire from the role of executive director at Camp Haverim. After many fulfilling years of running this exceptional Jewish day camp, it’s time to pass the torch and embark on the next chapter of my life. Reflecting on my time at Camp Haverim, I am overwhelmed with gratitude for the countless memories, lasting friendships, and the unwavering support. Truly, it took an entire village to make our camp thrive, and each and every one of you played an integral part in our success.

First and foremost, I want to express my heartfelt appreciation to the remarkable support we received from the staff at the Jewish Federation led by Executive Director Cyndi Silverman, and our Camp Director Samantha Silverman who dedicated her time, energy, and passion to create an environment where campers could grow, learn, and have the best summer experiences possible. Your unwavering commitment and creativity have left an indelible mark on the hearts of our campers, shaping their lives in meaningful ways.

Of course, none of this would have been possible without the ongoing support of our donors, parents, guardians, and volunteers. Your generosity, trust in our team, involvement in camp activities, and encouragement have been priceless. You have shared in the joys and challenges of creating an exceptional camp experience, and for that, I’m forever grateful.

To our amazing campers, past and present, thank you for filling our days with laughter, curiosity, and a great sense of adventure. Your enthusiasm and eagerness to learn about Jewish culture and values have inspired us year after year. It has been an honor to witness your growth, both individually and as a close-knit community, as you formed lifelong friendships and embraced the spirit of Camp Haverim.

To the larger Santa Barbara community, thank you for embracing Camp Haverim and recognizing the importance of fostering Jewish identity and values within our youth. Your generosity and collaboration have allowed us to expand our programs, develop innovative initiatives, and maintain a nurturing environment where children can thrive.

As I bid farewell, I am filled with a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction. Together, we have built a camp that has touched the lives of countless individuals, instilling values, and creating lasting memories. The impact of Camp Haverim will continue to resonate for generations to come.

While I may be stepping back from my position, the spirit of Camp Haverim will endure. I have full confidence in the capable hands of Samantha Silverman, who will carry on the traditions, values, and magic that have defined our camp over the years. I encourage all of you to embrace this transition, as change brings new opportunities for growth and innovation.

Finally, I want to express my deepest gratitude to everyone who has been a part of Camp Haverim. Together we have truly made a difference in the lives of our campers and their families. The memories we have created, the friendships we have forged, and the love we have shared will forever hold a special place in my heart.

May Camp Haverim continue to shine brightly, enriching the lives of countless campers and strengthening the bonds of our Jewish community.

Camp Haverim, Built with Love and Dedication Throughout the Decades

By Samantha Silverman Director of Lifelong Learning Jewish Federation of Greater Santa Barbara

NOTHING EXEMPLIFIES L’DOR V’DOR in our community more than our homegrown Jewish day camp, Camp Haverim. And no single individual has been more essential to Camp Haverim’s very existence than its founder and Executive Director, Itzik Ben-Sasson. In Itzik’s final year as Camp Haverim’s Executive Director before his retirement in the fall, we want to thank Itzik for his invaluable contributions to our community and honor him for the lasting impact he has made. For over twenty years, Itzik has dedicated his life to creating a vibrant Jewish day camp culture for our community’s children. The outcome: a warm, inviting,

Kelsey Crews Photo

and engaging environment where campers build lasting friendships, have loads of fun, and deepen their connection to and pride in their Jewish identities.

After two decades of watching our community’s children grow from wee babes to real adults and keeping in close touch with their parents along the way, Itzik seems to know everyone in this town. His Rolodex rivals that of all the local Jewish community organization directories combined — if you ever need a Jewish Santa Barbara resident’s phone number, ask Itzik — and his accompanying intel rivals that of the Mossad. How does he use this wealth of information? To build community.

And he does so with unwavering dedication and a seemingly endless supply of energy. While Camp Haverim’s college age counselors are heading to bed very early at the end of a day at camp, Itzik is up late into the night speaking with parents and camp vendors and printing out schedules and rosters in preparation for the next day.

L’dor V’dor can be seen in many ways in and around camp, from the meaningful intergenerational connections forged between campers and counselors, to the fact that so many of our counselors were once campers themselves. A true and lasting tribute to the man who started it all.

SPEAKING BETTER. TOGETHER.

November 1-30, 2023

cleanspeech.com/santabarbara

Our world, and our communities, can often feel divided and at odds. From social media and cable news to our own homes and relationships, it is not hard to find hateful, hurtful, and disrespectful language. Words are important, and the way we speak to each other can either be part of the problem or part of the solution. Fortunately, Jewish beliefs and traditions can help. 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, thanks to support from community member Mark Shevitz, several 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.

Registration is free and participants will receive a daily short video along with a workbook to guide them through the program. Each video will feature one of our amazing community members offering powerful messages to teach and inspire you.

Please join us by registering at cleanspeech.com/santabarbara.

CARING VISITORS

A MITZVAH THAT KEEPS ON GIVING

Judy and Beverly are part of the Jewish Federation’s Caring Visitors program which pairs homebound individuals with a weekly visitor. Led by Rabbi Debi Lewis, Caring Visitors touches the lives of those involved in profound ways, offering companionship and something meaningful to look forward to each week.

By Judy Mannaberg-Goldman, Caring Visitors Volunteer

You know how you crave that piece of flourless chocolate cake after a scrumptious meal? I do! And that is how I feel about my weekly visits with Beverly. She is my award-winning flourless chocolate cake craving, absolutely no comparison, but you get my meaning!

Beverly has graciously been inviting me into her home since November 2022, regaling me with accounts of her life filled with meaning, accomplishments, hilarity, wisdom, love, empathy, and

above all, compassion. I want to be like Beverly when I grow up! Her understanding of human nature and eloquence in sharing her knowledge and wit is selfless and I feel so privileged to be the receiver, if only I could retain all her insight.

I’m truly blessed to have this opportunity to fulfill my weekly craving!

To learn more about Caring Visitors, contact Rabbi Debi Lewis at dlewis@sbjf.org.

“ I feel so privileged to be the receiver.”

By Samantha Silverman Director of Lifelong Learning Jewish Federation of Greater Santa Barbara

This November will mark the twenty-year anniversary of our Portraits of Survival Exhibit, twenty-years of Holocaust education and invaluable connection building between our local survivors and community members of all ages and backgrounds. Human connection is at the core of changing hearts and minds. Portraits of Survival exemplifies this approach.

As fewer and fewer survivors are able to share their stories, we are faced with the critical task of preserving their memories in a manner that is relatable and impactful for generations to come. One of the many offerings in our newly renovated Jewish Community Center will be our expanded Portraits exhibit integrated into an interactive digital museum.

Our digital expansion of Portraits will breathe new life into the exhibit and enable students and visitors to have meaningful engagement with survivors’ stories. With the needs and interests of younger generations in mind, the expanded exhibit will be housed on a trio of large interactive touchscreens. This advanced technology will enable students to follow survivors on their journeys through a series of succinct and captivating thematic video clips.

Moving these stories off the written page to an interactive digital experience will enable students to form a deeper emotional connection with survivors — previously only possible through personal interactions. Recent Holocaust education research has shown that presenting survivors’ stories in this manner cultivates kinesthetic

empathy in the viewer, a deep form of human compassion that will ensure lasting connection and impact.

In the spirit of L’dor V’dor, we will also be turning to our second- and third-generation survivors to share their parents’ and grandparents’ stories. This fall we will launch two speaker training programs; one for docents, open to all interested community members, and a second-generation speaker training program. Both trainings will equip presenters and tour leaders with the knowledge necessary to answer a range of historical and local survivor questions, and the skills to create a safe space for students and visitors to share personal reflections and engage in difficult discussions.

If you are interested in participating in one of our Portraits trainings, please contact Samantha Silverman at sams@sbjf.org.

The Federation’s Jewish Education Summer Fellow and 3rd generation survivor, Zoe Silverberg, catalogs Ken Hurtoch’s (z”l) testimonial for the upcoming digital expansion of Portraits of Survival.

Four days of unique, high quality films showcasing a wide range of documentaries, dramas, comedies, full length features, and shorts by American, European, and Israeli filmmakers.

LET JEWISH FILMS TRANSPORT YOU

By Briana Sapp, Chief Operating Officer, Jewish Federation of Greater Santa Barbara

Films have a powerful way of transporting us to a place, time, or perspective we’ve never experienced. While stories of love and tragedy can move us to tears, documentaries can open our minds, and comedies can open our hearts.

Moving into the sixth year of the Santa Barbara Jewish Film Festival, we see how watching these films in a theatre, with friends and our community, creates a welcoming space to showcase the many facets of the Jewish experience. Regardless of your level of observance or where you live in the world, our religion and culture depend on the next generation learning who we are, where we’re from, and why our beliefs and traditions are important.

Film is a wonderful medium to communicate these values.

Many of you may remember last year’s opening film, the moving Leonard Cohen documentary Hallelujah. Through his incredible talent, he transformed the biblical psalm Hallelujah into a universal, modern anthem that has spread worldwide inspiring countless younger artists to make the song their own.

As we reflect on films that transcend us from generation to generation — L’dor, V’dor — we hope you’ll join us at this year’s festival from November 1-5, 2023. Visit sbjewishfilmfestival.org for a full listing of films, trailers, and showtimes. We’ll see you at the theatre.

Celebrating the diversity of Jewish history, culture, and identity, SBJFF hopes that the films and their stories will resonate beyond these settings and speak to universal experiences and issues that confront our common humanity.

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Ruth’s Brisket Recipe

INGREDIENTS

3-4 pounds Beef brisket, first cut or flat cut with a thin layer of fat

2 Chopped yellow onions

6-8 Cloves of garlic, sliced

1 tablespoon Sweet paprika (look for it at Israeli grocery stores)

1/2 cup Chopped basil

1/2 cup Chopped parsley

Kosher Salt

1-2 Chopped roma tomatoes

A handful Dried cranberries

1-2 teaspoons Brown sugar (1 teaspoon per tomato)

3 cups Amontillado sherry

Ample amounts of love

DIRECTIONS

1. In a deep saucepan over medium heat, add all ingredients except for the beef and sherry.

2. After a few minutes of stirring, add the meat to the pan and sear it on both sides, flipping it over every few minutes.

3. Once the meat is nicely seared, add a generous amount of sherry, covering the meat about halfway.

4. Lower the heat and cover the pan, flip the meat every twenty minutes for 2-2.5 hours. You may add water as it cooks if needed.

5. Once cooked, turn off the heat and let it cool in the pan, then remove the layer of fat and cut against the grain.

6. Serve immediately or freeze and reheat. You can do this on the stovetop or covered in the oven at 350 °F for 30 minutes, then lower to 300 °F for another half hour.

JFLA client Kristen JFLA client Derek

JFLA client Adam JFLA client Mariella

Passing on a Delicious Tradition

By Briana Sapp, Chief Operating Officer Jewish Federation of Greater Santa Barbara

Ruth Rubin loves to cook, as her daughter Alix and granddaughter Rachel will attest. And it’s no mystery why. Famous for her beef brisket, which she lovingly makes for Jewish holidays and special family occasions, the Federation was lucky enough to be invited to her home as she taught Alix and Rachel the recipe.

Ruth grew up in Manhattan across from Bloomingdales, and learned to cook by watching her mother Pauline, who was fondly called GG by the family — short for great grandma. Soon after Ruth married her husband Lewis, who was doing his medical residency in New York, Ruth took some of her mother’s recipes and made them her own. Her beloved brisket recipe is based on her mother’s pot roast, which Ruth didn’t care for much as a child.

When we walked through the door, we were immediately greeted by the delicious, warming flavors of onions, garlic, slow roasted beef, and an ample amount of sherry from the brisket Ruth had prepared in advance. Just like a cooking show, she had all of the ingredients measured in little bowls, so it was easy to follow along as she prepared the second brisket.

With a base of onions and garlic, Ruth uses some surprising ingredients like sweet paprika she bought at a market in Israel, fresh basil, dried cranberries, brown sugar, and plenty of dry sherry. The combination of savory and sweet perfectly balances, creating a moist, flavorful, and incredibly tender brisket. She stressed the importance of using a good cut of meat and recommends going to a butcher who knows how to trim a “first cut” or “flat

cut” with a thin layer of fat. Ralphs in Goleta, Gelsons, and Bristol Farms do a pretty good job. When Ruth and Lewis were newlyweds, she found chicken on sale for $0.19/lb at the local A&P grocery store and was inspired to learn how to cook it like she would her brisket. It turned out really well!

Ruth and Lewis have four daughters: Alix, Jeri, Ricki, and Bobbi, and nine grandchildren: Rachel, Jesi, Ari, Elia, Siana, Zev, Benjamin, Addison, and Hannah. Whether the whole family is gathered or just a few, she always infuses the brisket with love, the most important ingredient.

It was an honor to spend time in Ruth’s beautiful, cozy kitchen with Alix and Rachel enjoying some of the best brisket we’ve ever tasted. We hope you enjoy this recipe and share it with your family.

Ruth Rubin flanked by her daughter, Alix, and granddaughter, Rachel.

“KNISH ME”

“KNISH ME” POTATO FILLING INGREDIENTS

2½ pounds Russet potatoes

4 large Yellow onions

2 tablespoon Vegetable oil

1 large Egg

1 teaspoon Salt and pepper to taste

½ cup Chopped parsley

DIRECTIONS

1. Slowly cook the onions in the oil in a skillet, covered, over a low heat. Let the onions “sweat” for about 20 minutes or until they are soft, then remove the cover and fry over a medium heat until golden brown. Don’t drain.

2. Meanwhile, peel the potatoes and cut them in half. Put them in a large pot filled with cold water and salt to taste.

3. Bring potatoes to a boil, then turn the heat down, and cook until soft, about 15 minutes.

4. Drain and cool potatoes for 5 minutes.

5. Mash the potatoes and add the egg, the parsley, salt, and pepper.

6. Add the cooked onions and mix well with your hands.

7. Fill the knish dough and cook as indicated in the recipe.

“KNISH ME” CURRIED POTATO AND CAULIFLOWER FILLING INGREDIENTS

2 tablespoons Oil

one half Red onion, chopped

“KNISH ME” DOUGH INGREDIENTS

2½ cups Flour (extra for rolling)

1 teaspoon Baking powder

1 teaspoon Vinegar

½ tablespoon Salt

2 Eggs (one for egg wash, one for dough)

½ cup Lukewarm water

½ cup Olive oil

DIRECTIONS

1. Stir together your dry ingredients in the bottom of a medium/large bowl.

2. In a small bowl, whisk together the egg, oil, vinegar, and water. Pour it over the dry ingredients and stir them to combine.

3. Once the mixture is a craggy, uneven mass, knead it until smooth, about a minute.

4. Place the dough back in the bowl and cover it with plastic wrap. Set it aside for an hour (or in the fridge, up to 3 days) until needed.

2 teaspoons Ginger, minced

4 cloves Garlic, minced

Juice of ½ Lime and lime zest

1 teaspoon Cumin

1 teaspoon Ground turmeric

1 tablespoon Ground coriander

½ teaspoon Paprika

½ teaspoon Red pepper flakes

2 cups Russet potatoes, cubed

1 medium Cauliflower head, destemmed and florets broken up

½ cup Tomato paste

¾ cup Coconut milk

Salt and pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS

1. In a large deep frying pan, heat the oil over moderate heat. Add the onions, coriander, garlic, ginger, cumin, turmeric, lime juice, lime zest, paprika, and red-pepper flakes and stir.

2. Add the cauliflower and potatoes and cook, stirring frequently, until the vegetables start to soften, about 5 minutes.

3 Add the tomato paste, coconut milk, and salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer, reduce the heat to low, and cook, covered, until the vegetables are tender, about 15 minutes. Mix well and fill knish as indicated in the knish recipe.

ASSEMBLE AND BAKE THE KNISHES DIRECTIONS

1. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and preheat your oven to 375°F.

2. Divide the dough in half. On a wellfloured surface, roll the first half of the dough into a very thin sheet, roughly in the shape of a 1- foot square, but really, no need to be rigid about it.

3. Roll the filling up in the dough like you were rolling a cigarette but not too tight. A tiny amount of slack will keep the dough from opening in the oven. Keep rolling until the log has been wrapped twice in dough.

4. Trim any unrolled length and add it to the second half of the dough; it can be used again.

5. Repeat the process with the second half of your dough and second half of filling.

6. Trim the ends of the dough so that they’re even with the filling. Then, make indentations on the log every 3” to 3½” (you’ll have about 3, if your log was 1 foot long) and twist the dough at these points, as if you were making sausage links.

7. Snip the dough at each twist, then pinch one of the ends of each segment together to form a sealed knish base.

8. Use the palm of your hand to flatten the knish a bit into a squat shape and from here, pinch together the tops as you did the bottom to seal them; indenting them with a small dimple will help keep them from opening in the oven.

9. Arrange knish on prepared baking sheet so that they don’t touch.

10. Whisk egg yolk and water together to form a glaze and brush it over the knish dough.

11. Bake knish for about 45 minutes rotating your tray if needed for them to bake into an even golden brown color.

The thrill of a L’dor V’dor recipe is recalling experiences with those dear to us — along with the heartfelt process of creating something special to share with those we love. Enjoy another Jewish soul food favorite from our Santa Barbara Jewish Federation cookbook.

Recipe from David Schulbaum, z”l, Beloved Schmooze Room Chef

Nigella seeds, which garnish these knishes, have a strong aroma and a flavor profile that has notes of onion, oregano, and black pepper.

SHALOM SANTA BARBARA

ARTIST BARET BOISSON

A Passion for Fostering Mutual Understanding and Respect Between People

By Cyndi Silverman, Executive Director Jewish Federation of Greater Santa Barbara

I had the distinct pleasure of meeting artist Baret Boisson at a friend’s birthday party and was immediately taken by her quick wit and fun personality. After learning more about her life and work, I knew one of her colorful and moving abstract pieces would be perfect for the cover of Shalom Santa Barbara . I love finding talented Jewish artists, and our meeting was nothing short of kismet.

communication between people and to share their stories, Baret imagined a career in international politics, but later found that her passion for fostering mutual understanding and respect between people was better expressed as an artist.

Born in Florence, Italy, Baret moved with her family from Italy to Barcelona to Suriname and later to French Guyana. Her diverse and multicultural upbringing has become a key component of her artistic vision.

As a self-taught painter best known for portraits, her works portray a wide range of people, from historic icons to present day luminaries to private individuals who are out of the public eye. She combines an optimistic, vibrant palette, witty use of text and the aesthetics of folk art to create artworks that exuberantly declare her belief in a better tomorrow. With a keen desire to encourage

In 2016, Baret’s powerful portrait series Inspiring Greatness was the subject of a solo show at the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, Tennessee. This series — which features paintings on canvas, ceramics, and painted cigar boxes — combines the image of a notable figure with painted text, whether excerpts from biographical information to a speech or a phrase for which they are known. Attended by more than 100,000 visitors, the exhibition brought together over 25 of her portraits of men and women who have advanced the cause of social justice, including Gandhi, Rosa Parks, and Billie Jean King. Following the exhibition, Boisson’s painting of

Martin Luther King, Jr. was acquired by the museum and is now part of its permanent collection. The National Civil Rights Museum is a fitting permanent home for this portrait as it is located at the Lorraine Motel, where Dr. King was assassinated in 1968. As Inspiring Greatness is an ongoing series that keeps pace with living history, she has recently completed portraits of gun control activist Emma Gonzáles, climate activist Greta Thunberg, and the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, among others. Baret currently divides her time between Southampton, New York, Santa Barbara, California and Paris, France.

A sampling of paintings from the Inspiring Greatness Series: Mother Teresa, 2013 acrylic and glitter on canvas, 36 x 60 inches. Collection of Danny Kwock. Ruth Bader Ginsberg portrait painted on found cigar box. MLK, Jr. — “I Have a Dream”, 2007, acrylic and glitter on canvas, 60 x 72 inches. Collection of the National Civil Rights Museum, Memphis, Tennessee.

A Lifetime of Learning at CBB

THE BHY PRESCHOOL (PreK)

Is an inclusive school that embraces students from all religious, cultural, and family backgrounds. Discover how our program can provide a vibrant setting for your child’s early educational experience and first friendships.

JEWISH LEARNING PROGRAM (K-12)

We’ve created a truly exciting program for young Jewish learners from Kindergarten through the end of high school, where they can learn the history and rituals of our religion and faith in a way that makes them proud to be Jewish.

LIFELONG LEARNING (Adults)

Join us for classes, lectures, book clubs, art workshops, and other educational opportunities, where adults discover and recover the deep tradition of Jewish Learning.

PuttingYoung Families at the Center of CBB

By Rabbi Steve Cohen

If I ever feel tired or discouraged, there is one thing that never fails to lift my spirits: a visit to our Beit HaYeladim (BHY) preschool.

Seeing those little children playing in the sand and the water, furiously driving their big wheel tricycles around the playground, or quietly sitting in a circle and listening to a story, reminds me that the world is still wonderful and beautiful, and that the future is full of infinite possibility.

At CBB, a family with young children finds a full menu of opportunities for joining together with other families to live Jewishly together:

Our Beit HaYeladim (House of the Children) Preschool is widely recognized as one of the finest early education programs in Santa Barbara, with a student population at full capacity and a long waiting list. Once a month, all families with preschool-age children are invited to a Friday night Tot Shabbat led by Cantor Mark and either Rabbi Brenner or me, geared directly to our littlest kids, followed by a simple BYOB Shabbat dinner.

Every year in the fall, our community of young families goes off together for Family Camp Weekend, usually at Camp Ramah in Ojai. It does not take long for the fresh air, the freedom,

and the relaxed camp setting to work their magic and start creating new and life-long friendships.

The Library Minyan meets every Saturday morning, out on the BHY playground, for a very informal, very abbreviated but deeply spiritual traditional-style Shabbat morning service.

Our celebrations of the Jewish Festivals are at the heart of our work to create lasting Jewish memories for our young children, including: the creative and hilarious Purim schpiel and carnival; the Young Family services on the High Holy Days, donuts and hot chocolate on the beach at sunrise on Shavuot; a magical Hanukkah candle-lighting; casting breadcrumbs into the ocean at Tashlich on Rosh Hashanah afternoon; frenzied dancing with the Torah on Simchat Torah, and much more!

As a rabbi, parent, and now as a grandfather, I feel more strongly than ever that our Jewish community is a powerful source of strength and encouragement and wisdom for our young families. We all need the wisdom of our elders, and the love of our friends, and the emotional grounding that comes with community and tradition.

… reminds me that the world is still wonderful and beautiful, and that the future is full of infinite possibility.

ABOVE

Rabbi Steve Cohen with his granddaughter Laila Jules Eilon-Cohen.

PAGE 22, TOP LEFT

Danielle, Henry, and Louie

Drossel celebrate Henry’s Torah Portion at the Parsha Ceremony.

PAGE 22, TOP RIGHT

Noa Margalith and Fanny Horowitz enjoy the 3rd-8th grade retreat in Ojai.

PAGE 22, BOTTOM RIGHT Jen Lewis and several of our Jewish Learning Program children.

MESA SHUL

THE MESA SHUL of Santa Barbara, formerly Young Israel Santa Barbara, is a warm, welcoming, lay-led, traditional Modern Orthodox synagogue. Founded in the 1970s, the Mesa Shul has deep roots in Santa Barbara and continues to grow and embrace our community. The congregation is open, inclusive, warm, and welcoming.

COME FOR SERVICES, AND STAY FOR THE KIDDUSH AND THE SCHMOOZING

cantor to lead Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services. Holiday celebrations are a beautiful part of our congregation’s rituals — Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Simchat Torah, Purim, Pesach, and more. Highlights for our congregation include our weekly Shabbat kiddush, our monthly Shabbat dinners, Shaloch Manoth, and our beloved Yom Kippur Break Fast. Of course, we love eating together, schmoozing with our friends, and building community and lifelong friendships. Food bonds us, sustains us, and fills our hearts and stomachs.

in a small community like ours. We have also welcomed back the adult children of members who have discovered or rediscovered their love for traditional Judaism. Mark Raphael, the son of members David and Lisa Raphael, who was trained under Cantor Mark Childs, has become an expert reader of the Torah and honored us on many a Shabbat with his reading when in town. The family of David Kohl, one of our board members, donated a beautiful new bimah covering designed by local artist Laurie Gross-Schaeffer.

Lay-led Shabbat services are open to everyone and held at the Jewish Federation building. Shabbat and holiday services follow traditional ritual with a full Torah reading weekly, however we no longer have a mechitza except during the High Holidays. With or without the mechitza , men and women continue to sit separately. We invite and encourage our members to lead discussions and share their thoughts on the weekly Parsha and are welcoming to different interpretations. We welcome to our congregation a rabbi and

In terms of L’dor V’dor, MSSB has been both traditional and innovative in keeping with the trends of the past and the changes of the present. Especially heartening this year has been an increase in membership as people have discovered our welcoming place in the Santa Barbara community. We are especially grateful to CBB who donated a Sefer Torah to us so that we can continue to read the weekly portion. Such cooperation between different branches of Judaism is heartening

We have also welcomed Cantor David Childs whose beautiful voice has led us in services when he is in town. To see young people continue their devotion and their learning is indeed the essence of the meaning of L’dor V’dor and our shul is honored to lead this path. We love our congregation and encourage everyone of any age to join us for Shabbat services and holiday celebrations. Come once in a while or attend them all and become a regular. Our Santa Barbara Jewish Community is invited and welcome to be a part of the Mesa Shul family.

The Mesa Shul is a big tent and everyone is welcome — people observe at the levels they are comfortable and able, and we strive to create an environment where all can participate and learn from each other.

– Mesa Shul President Mashey Bernstein

To see young people continue their devotion and their learning is indeed the essence of the meaning of L’dor V’dor.

MSSB New Bimah Cover by Laurie Gross Schaefer in honor of David Kohl’s 80th birthday.

Community Shul of

Montecito & Santa Barbara

L’dor V’dor, from generation to generation, is much more than a concept at the Community Shul of Montecito and Santa Barbara; it is a lived reality. When I take out our Torah to have it passed from generation to generation before finally passing to the Bar or Bat Mitzvah being honored, I often share the following story based in our midrashic rabbinic tradition.

The Jewish people, standing at Mt. Sinai, were ready to receive the Torah. G-d stated, “I will give you the Torah if you have good guarantors.” The people answered, “Our ancestors will be our guarantors – Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob as well as Sarah, Rebecca, Leah, and Rachel.” G-d responded, “I like your ancestors, but they are not good enough.” The people of Israel thought for a moment and then offered, “Our prophets — Isaiah, Amos, Elisha, Elijah, and Hosea.” G-d replied, “I like the prophets as well, but they are still not good enough.” Puzzled, the people tried one more time, “Our children – if we guarantee to pass down the tradition to our children, will that work?” G-d was satisfied and said, “For your children’s sake I will give you the Torah.”

The passing down of our heritage from one generation to the next is a central part of the Jewish tradition. This is understood to encompass our rich heritage of core Jewish values, rituals, traditions, and our history.

L’dor V’dor offers a spiritual place where the past, present, and future converge. When I perform a wedding, I will bless the couple with the priestly blessing after having them face each other, enwrapping them with a large tallit over their shoulders. I will share with the couple that this tallit represents the history and Jewish traditions of their ancestors that is being passed down to them as a blessing, as a legacy.

L’dor V’dor reminds us that the flame of our traditions continues to illuminate the path for generations to come. When I am conducting a funeral, before placing a tallit around the shoulders of the individual we are burying, I will cut off the four long

fringes at the corners and pass them to a surviving spouse, children, and relatives. I will note that these fringes represent their connection to the previous generation and ancestor’s eternal connection to them.

The Community’s Shul innovative, welcoming, and inclusive gatherings as well as our individualized teaching at our religious school, our creation of Camp Haverim, and our various community social action involvements foster deep relationships and create a strong and impactful community. In this way we fulfill our promise for L’dor V’dor — the transmission of our Jewish tradition to future generations.

L’dor V’dor offers a spiritual place where the past, present, and future converge.

The Next Generation

The hub of Jewish student life at UCSB and SBCC brings together college students from all walks of Judaism during the most formative years of their lives. Students participating in our community are actively choosing the way they want to practice Judaism going forward. Through diverse programs of education and engagement, we empower these young people to dig deeper as they explore their Jewish identities.

TOP

The Hillel student board gathers at the home of trustee Janet Wolf for a Shabbat dinner. Connecting community members and students to impart leadership skills and tradition is at the core of Hillel’s mission.

BOTTOM

Jewish students share stories and experiences with the larger student community to combat antisemitism on campus.

RIGHT

UCSB student Sonya Raytburg has her bat mitzvah in the Jeffrey L. Friedman Sanctuary before friends and community members. Sonya sought out this opportunity with our Senior Jewish Educator after several one-on-one learning sessions to deepen her knowledge of Jewish practices and tradition.

OUR GUARANTORS

IN A FASCINATING MIDRASH, G-d demanded guarantors from the Jewish people before giving them the Torah at Mount Sinai. The Jews offered their forefathers, prophets, and even their children as guarantors. Surprisingly, G-d rejected the first two options but accepted the children as worthy guarantors. This midrash raises some intriguing questions. Why did G-d require guarantors in the first place? If the Jews desired the Torah, wouldn’t they naturally keep it? Furthermore, why did G-d reject the elder generation and the prophets? And why did He ultimately accept the children as guarantors?

The Lubavitcher Rebbe offered an interpretation in 1952 that shed light on these questions. The Jews initially suggested that the older generation would guarantee the Torah since they had more time and nostalgia for religious practices. However, G-d rejected this idea, emphasizing that Judaism is not solely for the elderly but for people of all ages.

The Jews then proposed that the prophets and Rabbis would serve as guarantors. They believed that if they provided financial support to the Rabbis, they would ensure the continuity of the religion. However, G-d rejected this option, too,

affirming that Torah is not limited to Rabbis and scholars but belongs to every Jew.

Finally, as a last resort, the Jews offered their children as guarantors, hoping that their involvement in Jewish education would suffice.

Surprisingly, G-d accepted this offer, recognizing the potential of young children to carry on the tradition and instill a love for Torah in future generations.

This midrash teaches us that Judaism is not confined to a specific age group or limited to religious professionals. It is a heritage meant to be embraced by every Jew, from the youngest child to the oldest adult. Each generation has a role to play in preserving and passing

down the Torah, ensuring its continuity in Jewish life.

CONTINUING

OUR

CHABAD OF MONTECITO

Children — An Integral Part of Our Story

Have you ever had the feeling that you don’t matter? That the world would be pretty much the same if you were or weren’t here?

Well, our children need to know they absolutely do. The world needs them, and they really make a difference. If we want our timeless heritage to continue, we must ensure our children know, feel, and relate to the fact “that they are an integral part of the story.” The story of Judaism has been going on for over 3,000 years, and they are the next link in this story.

Rabbi Shmuel Levitin, a Chabad Rabbi from Russia, moved to New York in the 1930s. In 1945, he visited Chicago, where he made an appointment to see a local business leader, Mr. Lisner.

When he entered the office, Mr. Lisner assumed Rabbi Levitin had come for a donation. He removed his checkbook and asked to whom he should make out the check. Rabbi Levitin replied that he did not come to receive; he came to give. He was there to help Mr. Lisner with any Jewish needs he might have. Shocked, Mr. Lisner asked Rabbi Levitin why he would come all the way to Chicago to help a Jew he never met! Rabbi Levitin explained that every Jew is a letter in the Torah and that the Torah is only kosher if all the letters are complete.

In New York, said Levitin, there is a Rebbe who cares for the entire Torah. He is the sofer — scribe. He sent me to help you ensure your letter is whole. Mr. Lisner was moved, and a lifelong relationship ensued.

When Rabbi Levitin returned to New York, he reported his conversation to the then Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok Schneersohn. He perceived that the Rebbe was displeased, and he asked if he had erred in his creative response. The Rebbe replied: every Jew is, indeed, a letter, but it is not written with ink on parchment. It is engraved in stone. The difference is that a written letter can erase or crack. An engraved letter can never be erased. It can just be covered over. And that is what we need to feel ourselves and convey to our children. They are a part of the scroll. And they are not just an added element of it — they are baked in. It’s always in them, a part of them, waiting to be revealed and blossom into the world.

As much as it is a responsibility, it is exceptionally empowering: G-D believes in you. He made you unique however you are and eagerly awaits for you to be the best you can be! If G-D didn’t believe you were necessary, He wouldn’t have made you. Like the famous expression about one’s birthday, “The day you were born is the day that G-D decided the world couldn’t exist without you.” Contemplate that. Let’s tell it to our children and, most importantly, live by that idiom.

When our children see how much we believe in our own worth in G-D’s mission of engaging more in our Judaism, spreading this light to our friends, we can be sure that Judaism will continue through them and for eternity.

“The day you were born is the day that G-D decided the world couldn’t exist without you.”

A NEW GENERATION OF ACTIVISM

By Isaac Babus

WHEN my (now former) girlfriend posted an antisemitic Instagram post on her story, I realized how potent online antisemitism could be. She had met my family, gone with me to the Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C., and experienced me embracing my Jewish identity. Yet, she shared a post that essentially held Jews around the world responsible for the actions of the Israeli government. I was shocked that someone as focused on social justice and activism would push the ideology and biased rhetoric that she shared. That’s when I realized that activism is the point.

Activism is a widespread commonality in Gen Z, amplified even more thanks to the internet. We see injustice anywhere, anytime. Whether it was Black Lives Matter protests, Roe v. Wade protests, or climate change protests, we were there. Our generation feels a strong need to be socially aware and that if we aren’t reposting or sharing about injustices in the world on social media, then we aren’t “doing our part” or are being ignorant of what’s going on around us.

This mindset has led to problems. People blindly share posts about social justice or activism without checking the facts or learning more

about the situation that they post. This problem occurs often in connection with the Israel-Palestinian conflict. Few who share information about the conflict actually know what is happening or the history behind it. Most posts I see in the U.S. put a harsh spotlight on very specific events, whether it be a bombing, shooting, or other violence, and make rhetorical and inflammatory general claims without any reference to the context and history behind the conflict. They also present events with an American spin of political perspectives, cultural norms, and domestic media lenses that differ from those in the region of conflict. Though well-intended, these activists contribute to misinformation rather than clear it up.

These problems with current activism were on my mind as I joined my parents in attending a conversation with ADL’s CEO Jonathan Greenblatt, hosted by UCSB Arts & Lectures in May 2023. As Greenblatt talked about how the antisemitism my parents’ generation experienced has spread exponentially due to social media, it occurred to me that online platforms have also contributed to blurring lines between activism and bias. It became clear to me that

addressing these online problems and their very real offline consequences are my generation’s responsibility. Rather than falling to the pressure to be doing something to help by sharing information, it is our job to respond to Greenblatt’s call to action by checking facts, thinking critically about what we share, and promoting such critical thinking generally in order to combat the new wave of unintentional misinformation, intentional disinformation, antisemitism, and other forms of bigotry that have spawned and are spread by online activism on both sides of the political spectrum. While the battleground has changed from in-person to online, education remains the best solution. It is my generation’s job to use the positive values and historical lessons we learned from the past generation, combined with information and resources from ADL and other experts to counter this new manifestation of an age-old problem. I am fortunate that my parents involved me in Jewish life and gave me the strength and resources to continue the fight and pass the knowledge I’ve gained onto the next generation beyond me. I am not only up to this task, it is in my DNA.

A rising sophomore at Lewis & Clark College, Isaac is pictured here with his mother, ADL Santa Barbara/Tri-Counties Regional Board Member Deborah Naish, and his father, Howard Babus.

HADASSAH REUNION Celebrates Israel’s 75th

On a beautiful June morning in 2023, Mark and Cyndi Silverman Harris welcomed over 55 people to their tropical oasis in Hope Ranch for a brunch to celebrate Israel’s 75th anniversary. Hadassah members and supporters heard updates on the good work being done with cutting edge technology at Hadassah hospitals in Israel and had a chance to catch up with friends after a 3-year hiatus.

One way Hadassah members support these projects is through fundraising, and guests were invited to help purchase a hospital bed and convertible chair that unfolds into a bed for those staying with their loved ones, which would cost $6,000. The local Hadassah committee, led by Sissy Taran, is looking for new, younger leadership to continue their work into the future. If you are interested in learning more, please contact her at sbtar@cox.net.

Hadassah, The Women’s Zionist Organization of America, is a volunteer organization that inspires a passion for and commitment to the land, the people, and the future of Israel. Through education, advocacy, and youth development, and its support of medical care and research at Hadassah Medical Organization, Hadassah enhances the health and lives of people in Israel, the United States and worldwide.

LEFT TO RIGHT

Past Hadassah Southern California (HSC) president Sandi Sadikoff, HSC president Audrey Levine, Sissy Taran, Sally Gordon, Sherry Shultz, Sandra Brown, Brenda Tarr, and Hadassah North Area president Cheryl Stark at Sunday’s brunch.

Photo by Helene Glassman

LEFT TO RIGHT Sissy Taran, Past Hadassah Southern California (HSC) president Sandi Sadikoff, Hadassah North Area president Cheryl Stark, and HSC president Audrey Levine,

SANTA MARIA AT TEMPLE BETH EL

The Federation’s northern most outpost.

The Heart of Jewish Life in Santa Maria

The Santa Maria congregation was established in the late 1950s, and after holding services in a small, donated building for several years, on April 16, 1967, they broke ground at its permanent home on East Alvin Avenue. It was a prime example of what a small group of dedicated people willing to work can accomplish, and the Temple opened in time for the High Holidays on October 4 that year.

Temple Beth El is the heart of Jewish life in Santa Maria. It holds Reform services on Friday evenings in English and Conservative services in Hebrew and Spanish on Saturday mornings which are either led by Rabbi Dov Gottesfeld or qualified lay leaders. On Saturdays, children attend Etz Chaim Hebrew School taught by Amber Medina. For adults, Joel David teaches conversational Hebrew over Zoom. Temple Beth El is an inclusive community and interfaith families are always welcome.

GOODMAN’S GOODIES

GEFILTE FISH RECIPE

INGREDIENTS (approximate)

2 Pounds of whole whitefish, trout, pike or carp (or a mixture of two)

2 Onions

3 Carrots

1-2 Parsnips Parsley

2 Stalks of celery

PREPARING THE BROTH

5-6 Packets of George Washington Bouillon

Lawry’s Seasoned Salt

Salt and white pepper

Sugar to taste

Small rutabaga

2 Eggs

¼-½ cup Matzo meal

1. Take 2 big pots (6 and 8 quart.) Rinse heads and bones, then put them into pots.

2. Add whole onions, carrots, parsley, a little bit of celery, 1-2 turnips and a little rutabaga (it has a strong taste but it enhances the flavor).

3. Add spices to taste: George Washington Bouillon (about 5-6 packets in the 2 pots) and even a little Lawry’s Seasoned Salt. Add additional salt and white pepper first to get the right amount of saltiness, then add sugar to get the right amount of sweetness. If you add both at the same time, you will NOT be able to achieve the correct balance.

4. Boil, cook, and skim off scum from top of the broth. Cook at least 1 hour so flavor penetrates. While broth is cooking start on fish.

PREPARING THE FISH

1. Use about 2 eggs and half of a medium onion finely ground for each pound of fish (add a couple more onions if you want to).

2. Use a couple of carrots (also finely ground) for color (makes it look nicer).

3. Put ground fish in a standing electric mixer. Add eggs to fish while beating it. Add onions, carrots, salt, white pepper, sugar (to taste…some people like sweeter fish), matzo meal (maybe only ¼- ½ cup depending on consistency of fish), and a little water if necessary).

4. I also chop my fish with my old chopper (No. 2 blade hand chopper) for that extra touch.

5. When it tastes okay, dampen your hands in water and make fish balls.

5. Place balls gently in boiling fish broth. Cover tightly with lid and cook about 2 ½ hours.

6. Remove balls, placing them in a shallow dish.

7. Strain broth and pour over fish.

8. Slice the carrots and place around.

9. Cover immediately with aluminum foil, maybe so people won’t eat it, or maybe to increase the cooking time once it’s out of the pot. Personally, it could probably cool a little before covering and refrigerating it.

Recipes and Recollections

By Neil Goodman, Board Member SYVJC

My mother was smart, pretty, and an excellent cook. My parents were second generation Eastern European Jews, and we grew up in a kosher home in a small Northwest Indiana town. My father was a dentist and married my mother shortly after returning from overseas at the end of World War II. Together they raised four children in a warm and loving home and enjoyed a long and happy marriage. Although we attended synagogue on a regular basis, our holidays equally revolved around food. For Purim we had hamantaschen, for Rosh Hashanah we had brisket, and on Passover we had gefilte fish and matzah ball soup. My mother was also an excellent baker, and for me, her poppyseed coffee cake was legendary. The Jewish calendar created both the assurance of a defined menu as well as extended family gatherings. My mother also taught my wife JoEllyn how to make gefilte fish,

which in many ways, is the gold standard of Jewish cooking. I can still picture them together in the kitchen, although the memories seemed to have softened over the years.

In her later years, facing the challenges of aging, the desire to remember and record increased, which resulted in both she and my father gathering recipes and family photographs for a cookbook entitled Goodman’s Goodies. The corresponding images in the book include her parents, grandparents, children, spouses, and extended family. In this way, it is a diary of her life, filled with both recipes and important family events. The cookbook is also bittersweet, as it is a poignant reminder of the passing of time and of the impossibility of making all that is fluid solid. The recipes are like the stories that we share with those that we love, ours to remember, and to pass from one generation to the next.

“ The recipes are like the stories that we share with those that we love, ours to remember, and to pass from one generation to the next.”

Our entire experience with SB SOS was exceptional! Everyone we met and worked with was professional, kind, efficient and dedicated to providing the best possible experience during a difficult transition for our family.

– Laura Denny

These two handle a huge project with enthusiasm, competence, kindness, energy, integrity, good humor, and any other good adjective you can think up!

– Heather Brodhead

All staff was friendly & professional & courteous. Good balance between not overwhelming me & getting things done. Very responsive to my input. Set up in new place was outstanding & thoughtful.

– Brian Johnson

At the end of moving there was not one box left in our new home. I can’t imagine going through this difficult process without the SB SOS team, they were a godsend.

– Alice Branstrom

There are more than one hundred videos of the speakers that can be accessed through the Taubman Symposia’s website taubman.ucsb.edu.

The Academic Program Committee, made up of community members and faculty at UCSB, sets out the annual program on the eve of Rosh Hashanah each year. The Taubman Foundation provided the initial endowment, but the symposium continues to be supported by members of the community through private gifts.

THE HERMAN P. AND SOPHIA TAUBMAN ENDOWED SYMPOSIUM IN JEWISH STUDIES AT UCSB WILL BEGIN ITS TWENTY-SEVENTH YEAR IN FALL 2023.

From the very first year that featured Art Spiegelman speaking on his graphic novel Maus and the visit by Leah Rabin (z”l ), the symposia have had a large following among the students, faculty, and staff on campus, as well as the larger community.

More than 250 speakers, musical performances, and films have been organized by the Taubman Symposium for the campus and community. This past year began with a presentation by Professor Michael Hoberman from Fitchberg State University on paradise remembered and lost in the novels of Philip Roth and Allegra Goodman. He was followed by Professor Graciela Mochkofsky, Director of the CUNY School of Journalism, on her award-winning study, The Prophet of the Andes: An Unlikely Journey to the Promised Land. During winter, we listened to Professor and Rabbi David Ellenson, Emeritus Chancellor of the Hebrew Union College and Jewish Institute of Religion on Who is a Jew in Israel . Ambassador Martin Indyk, Distinguished Fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, spoke on his book Master of the Game: Henry Kissinger and the Art of Middle East Diplomacy Rachel Barenbaum spoke on her second novel, Atomic Anna , which focuses on a Jewish nuclear scientist in the Soviet Union in 1986 working on equations that can bend time and space. Professor Marjorie Agosin from Wellesley College spoke on the History of Chilean Jews and the memoirs of her mother and father. Professor Jack Zipes from University of Minnesota discussed the Viennese Jewish author Felix Salten’s original narrative of Bambi and its elements of antisemitism as well as the version popularized by Walt Disney. In spring 2023, we marked Yom HaShoah with Jason Langer’s discussion of his photographic exhibit Berlin: A Jewish Ode to the Metropolis. Benedetta Jasmine Guetta discussed the intersection of Italian Jewish history and Jewish cuisine in her new book Cooking alla Giudia: A Celebration of the Jewish Food of Italy. And we ended the year with Tom Freudenheim, a longtime director and curator of Jewish museums and a regular contributor on art for the Wall Street Journal, speaking on his Life in Jewish Art.

Sustaining our Community from Generation to Generation

THE JEWISH FEDERATION OF VENTURA COUNTY is present in time of emergency and need, as well as in celebration of Jewish life. The Jewish Federation of Ventura County has sustained our community from generation to generation. In 2024, the Jewish Federation will open its doors to a brand new home. It promises to be a center for Jewish arts and cultural events, educational programming, and a multitude of activities for all ages.

FOR FAMILIES WITH YOUNG CHILDREN , seeking Jewish community, Mishpacha Families offers, creative, fun, and engaging events.

JEWISH FAMILY SERVICE provides social services and counseling to the most vulnerable in our community.

For decades, the Jewish Federation has been the steadying force that maintains and unites us. It’s mission of nurturing and caring for our past, present, and future generations, L’dor V’dor, continues for all who call Ventura County their home.

… steadying force that maintains and unites us.

THE RETURN OF THE ANNUAL COMMUNITYWIDE TEACH IN ON ISRAEL

By Laini Millar Melnick, Chairperson

IN THE SUMMER OF 2006 , Israel was fighting the second Lebanon War and Israel was getting pummeled by the media. At that time, there was no local Jewish organization focused on media bias, so a group of us in Santa Barbara found ourselves asking what we can do to educate ourselves and our friends to have an informed and nuanced response to criticism of Israel.

THANKFULLY, THE TEACH IN RETURNED ON JUNE 4, 2023 , and what a thrill it was for the Israel Committee to be back at Hillel with a day of community learning, schmoozing, and of course, eating, with more than a hundred people in attendance.

We came together as the Israel Committee of Santa Barbara and organized the first Annual Communitywide Teach In on Israel in the fall of 2006. The event was so well received we decided to do it again the next year; and we kept on doing it until the pandemic canceled plans in 2020.

David Bernstein, founder of the Institute for Liberal Values, gave a thought-provoking presentation addressing the question Does Radical Social Justice Ideology Fuel Antisemitism? Professor Eilon Adar of Ben Gurion University of the Negev inspired us with his presentation on Israel’s innovative approach to water resources in the desert, Israel’s Solutions for a Better Future: Water for Life & Peace. And after lunch in Hillel’s courtyard, Santa Barbara’s own Steve Zipperstein gave us the lowdown on The Legal War Against Israel at the United Nations and the International Courts.

The Israel Committee’s motto is "Knowledge is power, power is action, we learn in order to do." We also learn in order to teach, L’dor V’dor. For more information, visit israelcommitteesb.org.

Professor Eilon Adar

Steve Zipperstein

Rabbi Daniel Brenner introducing speakers

COMMUNITY DIRECTORY

Aleph Bet Preschool

6047 Stow Canyon Road Goleta, CA 93117

sbchabad.org

805.275.4083

American Friends of the Hebrew University

16633 Ventura Boulevard Suite 715

Encino, CA 91346 afhu.org

western@afhu.org

310.843.3100

Anti-Defamation League (ADL) Santa Barbara/Tri-Counties

1528 Chapala Street

Santa Barbara, CA 93101 santabarbara.adl.org

805.564.6670

Beit HaYeladim Preschool

1000 San Antonio Creek Road

Santa Barbara, CA 93111 cbbsb.org

805.967.6619

Camp Gan Israel S. Barbara

6047 Stow Canyon Road Goleta, CA 93117

myjewish.camp

Rabbi Zalmy and Shterna Kudan

rabbizalmy@myganisrael.com

805.275.4083

Camp Haverim

524 Chapala Street

Santa Barbara, CA 93101

camphaverim.org

info@sbjf.org

805.957.1115

Chabad of Montecito

1482 E Valley Road

Montecito, CA 93108

Rabbi Chaim Loschak

rabbi@jewishmontecito.org

805.613.7199

Chabad of S. Barbara

6407 Stow Canyon Road Goleta, CA 93117 sbchabad.org

Rabbi Mendel Loschak

rabbimendel@sbchabad.org

805.683.1544

Chabad UCSB

779 Camino Pescadero Goleta, CA 93117 jewishucsb.com

Rabbi Gershon Klein rabbi@jewishucsb.com

805.668.1024

Chevra Kadisha

McDermott-Crockett & Associates

Mortuary

2936 De La Vina Street

Santa Barbara, CA 93105

805.569.2424

Community Shul of Montecito & Santa Barbara PO Box 994

Santa Barbara, CA 93116

communityshul.com

Itzik Ben Sasson

communityshul@gmail.com

805.895.6593

Community Shul Religious School

524 Chapala Street

Santa Barbara CA 93101 communityshul.com

805.895.6593

Congregation B’nai B’rith

1000 San Antonio Creek Road Santa Barbara, CA 93111 cbbsb.org

Elizabeth Gaynes Executive Director elizabeth@cbbsb.org

805.964.7869

Hadassah

1000 San Antonio Creek Road Santa Barbara, CA 93111 hadassah.org

Sissy Taran sbtar@cox.net

805.455.4557

Hillel Santa Barbara

781 Embarcadero del Mar

Isla Vista, CA 93117

santabarbarahillel.org

Rabbi Madeline Anderson manderson@sbhillel.org

805.968.1280

Israel Committee of Santa Barbara

1187 Coast Village Road Suite 1-573

Santa Barbara, CA 93108 israelcommitteesb.org

Laini Millar Melnick israelcommitteesantabarbara @gmail.com

805.886.4953

Jewish Community Relations Committee (JCRC)

524 Chapala Street

Santa Barbara, CA 93101

jewishsantabarbara.org

info@sbjf.org

805.957.1115

Jewish Family Service

524 Chapala Street

Santa Barbara, CA 93101

jewishsantabarbara.org

info@sbjf.org

805.957.1116

Jewish Federation of Greater Santa Barbara

Bronfman Family Jewish Community Center

524 Chapala Street

Santa Barbara, CA 93101

jewishsantabarbara.org

805.957.1115

Jewish Federation of Ventura County

7620 Foothill Road Ventura, CA 93004 jewishventuracounty.org

Cheri DeKofsky Executive Director federation@jewishventuracounty.org

805.647.7800

Jewish Free Loan Association

6505 Wilshire Boulevard Suite 715

Los Angeles, CA 90048 jfla.org

323.761.8830

Mesa Shul Santa Barbara 524 Chapala Street

Santa Barbara, CA 93101 mesashulsb.org

805.699.6580

Mikvah Chaya Mushka

6045 Stow Canyon Road Goleta, CA 93117 sbchabad.org

Chabad Rebbitzens: Rochel, Shterna, or Miri

805.683.1544

Rosh Chodesh Society

Devorah Loschak

dloschak@gmail.com

805.324.3584

Santa Ynez Valley

Jewish Community

PO Box 135

Los Olivos, CA 93441 syvjc.org

Susie Pierson

spierson@syvjc.org

805.693.4243

Talmud Torah Hebrew School

6047 Stow Canyon Road

Goleta, CA 93117 sbchabad.org

805.275.4083

Herman P. and Sophia Taubman

Endowed Symposia in Jewish Studies

Department of Religious Studies

University of California

Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, CA 93106 taubman.ucsb.edu

805.893.2317

Temple Beth El of Santa Maria

1501 E. Alvin Avenue

Santa Maria, CA 93454

P.O. Box 5217

Santa Maria, CA 93456

tbesantamaria.com

templebethel@verizon.net

805.928.2118

SHALOM

In 1975, Montecito Bank & Trust was founded on the principle that banks should give back to their local community.

Whether it’s through our thousands of volunteer hours, financial literacy program, or support for local nonprofits: with you, we imagine what’s possible.