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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.

Aug 20, 2021

A Sabbath Message: Continuing on the Journey of Elul

“Do not be daunted by the enormity of the world's grief. Do justly, now. Love mercy, now. Walk humbly, now. You are not obligated to complete the work, but neither are you free to abandon it.”

– The Talmud

As Sabbath approaches, we are all aware it has been a difficult week – the w…

Aug 13, 2021

A Sabbath Message: Looking Inward to Determine our Unfinished Business

“Where is this thing called Teshuvah – Repentance – located? the Torah asks…
Don’t look off in the distance, and don’t look outside yourself either, the Torah is telling us, to look at your own heart. Don’t look out the window; look at the window itself.” 

– Rabbi Alan …

Aug 6, 2021

A Sabbath Message: Month of Elul Dawns with Mindfulness & Self-Forgiveness

“Human, rise above, rise, because a fierce strength is part of you, wings of spirit animate you; the powerful wings of an eagle. Don’t deny your wings, seek them. Seek them, human, and they will be revealed to you, promptly.”

– Abraham Isaac Kook, “Rav Kook,” a father of Religi…

Jul 30, 2021

A Sabbath Message: Sh’ma – The Importance of Truly Listening

“Listening is a profound affirmation of the humanity of the other. A leader is one who knows how to listen: to the unspoken cry of others and to the still, small voice of God.”

– Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks (1948-2020)

With the arrival of Sabbath this evening, this week’s Torah porti…

Jul 16, 2021

A Sabbath Message: Tisha B’Av – The Jewish Journey of Mourning

“Al naharot Bavel, sham yashavnu, gam bachinu, b’chochreynu et Tziyon.”
“By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat and also wept, as we remembered Zion.”

– Book of Psalms, 137: 1   

Sabbath’s arrival this week comes during a time of communal mourning, the “Nine Days of the …