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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.

Jan 16, 2021

A Sabbath Message: The Legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness – only light can do that.
Hate cannot drive out hate – only love can do that.”
– Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (1929–1968)

As we await Sabbath’s blessed arrival this evening, many of us find the shock of last week’s violence still with us. I…

Jan 8, 2021

A Sabbath Message: Showing Up and Being Present in the New Year

“Earth’s crammed with heaven,
And every common bush afire with God:
But only he who sees takes off his shoes.”
– Elizabeth Barrett Browning, Poet (1806–1861)

Sabbath arrives this week – and not a moment too soon it seems, after a most challenging and chaotic week for our nation.…

Jan 1, 2021

A Sabbath Message: Reflections on a New Year

“You live life looking forward. You understand life looking back.” – Soren Kierkegaard (1813–1855)

“Hindsight is 2020.” Boy…isn’t that the truth! As we move forward into the first Sabbath of 2021, that old saying seems to be a recurring refrain in my mind. Although we canno…

Dec 29, 2020

A Sabbath Message: At Year’s End, Light and Wonder Above Us

"Keep looking up…that’s the secret of life.” – The Wisdom of Charlie Brown

As the final Sabbath of 2020 approaches, we might be tempted to focus on the darkness and despair of the departing year, but instead, in the final days of this most unusual year, let us choose to see light a…

Dec 21, 2020

A Sabbath Message: A Final Hanukkah Tribute in Praise of Women

“A woman is like a tea bag – you can’t tell how strong she is, until you put her in hot water.” – Eleanor Roosevelt, (1884-1962)

When Sabbath arrives this evening, Hanukkah will depart – but before it does, there is more to say about the history, or I should say the “her-stor…