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JFGSB Blog

Explore news and featured stories about Jewish Federation programs, volunteers, donors, special events and updates from our partners in Israel. Learn how you can become more in engaged with the Jewish Federation of Greater Santa Barbara.

Apr 9, 2021

A Sabbath Message: Reflections on Yom HaShoah – From Horror to Hope

“Suddenly, all of my ancestors were behind me and they were saying:
‘Be still, watch and listen, you are the result of the love of thousands.’” 

– Actress Helena Bonham Carter, from the documentary My Grandparent’s War

As Sabbath approaches this week, I write you this message…

Apr 2, 2021

A Sabbath Message: The Song of Songs – Love, Music, and Memory

“Set me as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm – for love is as strong as death… Many waters cannot quench love, nor rivers drown it.”

– The Song of Songs (8:6-7)

As Sabbath arrives this week, so do the closing days of the week-long Passover festival. As I write this…

Mar 26, 2021

A Sabbath Message: The Passover Holiday – A Lesson in Humility & Gratitude

“On Passover, we recall that as a people we were all enslaved – and we forever remain only one small march away from that state of bondage – so we must always feel gratitude for our redemption. And gratitude is the overflow of a humble heart.”

– Rabbi David Wolpe

To my dear Feder…

Mar 19, 2021

A Sabbath Message: Spring Moves Us Forward – Preparing for Passover

“There’s a crack in everything – that’s where the light comes in.” 

– Leonard Cohen (1934–2016), singer and poet inspired by the words of author Ernest Hemingway

With the arrival of Sabbath this week, we also usher in the first day of spring – and with it, the season of ne…

Mar 12, 2021

A Sabbath Message: One Year into the Pandemic – The Compassion Chronicles

“Compassion is a breakdown of all of the barriers between us – A heart-to-heart bonding. Your pain is my pain. It’s mingled and shared between us.”

– Nomadland filmmaker Chloe Zhao, quoting nomad, Bob Wells

As Sabbath approaches this week, I reflect back upon this unusual year …