GOLETA, Calif. – A local Santa Barbara resident with two family members currently being held hostage in Gaza since Oct. 7, Ilan Ben-Yehuda, addressed a community gathering Tuesday night about the ongoing crisis in the region and joined a demand for the release of hostages. Read more » »

SANTA BARBARA, Calif.— Members of the Jewish community celebrated Israel’s 75th anniversary with a beach barbecue at Leadbetter Beach. But this 75th anniversary brought forth growing concerns from students, activists, and locals about what it means to celebrate the birth of Israel. Read more » »

SANTA BARBARA, Calif.- A Thanksgiving week gift of $1-million came early from Montecito Bank & Trust to non-profits on the Central Coast. Because of the coronavirus, the Community Dividends lunch was not held in person. Instead it was in a Zoom presentation with more than 300 attendees. Read more » »

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — Santa Barbara’s Jewish community is kicking off its High Holiday Days with a twist on tradition. Despite the coronavirus pandemic moving many events online, members of Congregation B’nai B’rith — the oldest and largest synagogue in Santa Barbara — were not going to let COVID-19 get in the way its Rosh Hashanah festivities. Read more » »