About Community Shul of Montecito and Santa Barbara

Led by Rabbi Arthur Gross-Schaefer, we are an innovative and caring community that enjoys learning and celebrating Judaism together.

Our mission statement is: “Building together a warm and vibrant home of living Judaism. This is our shared work, the task that binds us together as a community.”

• We have a unique approach to celebrating and studying Judaism.
• We think of our Shul as a large family. Thus, everyone associated with us become members of our Shul family.
• We recognize that everyone’s financial situation is different and do not want to preclude people from becoming part of our Shul for financial reasons.
• We purposefully do not have a permanent building, and therefore, none of the associated constraints and costs.
• We rent beautiful facilities to hold our events, and have also enjoyed services and celebrations at the beach, park and people’s private homes.
• Many of our events or celebrations are user-pay, while others may be potluck, or free of charge.
• We welcome Jews of all backgrounds as well as interfaith and blended families.

From our Hebrew School children to our families attending our High Holy Day services, we want to make everyone feel welcome and respected while observing the Jewish tradition.

We welcome members to participate in as many or as few activities as desired—no guilt!

We offer a multitude of ways to be involved, from Religious School to adult B’nai Mitzvah class, from Kabbalah Study to a Woman’s Group to the Social Action Committee or just come celebrate holidays with us in a warm, caring, and spiritually uplifting way.

Our fabulous religious school meets only once a week— no Sunday school necessary. Our very strong religious school for children in 1st grade through bar/ bat mitzvah age meets on Mondays at the JCC for two hours without having to give up family time on Sundays. The classes are small and designed to give children the individualized attention they deserve. Students learn Hebrew and Jewish culture and tradition in a fun, positive way. Our graduates are very prepared for their bar and bat mitzvahs and to participate in the Jewish community.

Please contact Itzik Ben-Sasson, Executive Director , to learn more about any of the Community Shul programs or to sign up for Religious School.

Phone: 805-895-6593

Address: PO Box 994 Santa Barbara, CA 93116

Email: [email protected]