Community Shul of Montecito and Santa Barbara

School Vision

At Community Shul of Montecito and Santa Barbara we strive to provide students with a positive, dynamic, and fun experience that instills a love for Jewish thought, practice and spirituality. We want our students to enjoy a sense of awe and wonder about the world. Egalitarian practices will convey the philosophy that men and women should be equal partners in family, religion, and society. Classes will mix the arts, dance music, hands-on activities and study to give students a strong basis in Jewish literacy (holidays, traditions, Hebrew language & stories), Jewish ritual practices, a personal understanding of God, the Jewish soul, and Jewish ethics. Jewish tradition is a vibrant culture that is nurtured by family and Community. As such, we strive to provide family and Community- oriented experiences that enrich our vocabulary and skills for making jewishly informed decisions. We respect the choice of the parents regarding the level of observance at home. We look forward to building on the strong program started by our founding families.

B'nai Mitvah Program Grades 6, 7, 8

The B'nai Mitzvah program is an enriching program that is designed to prepare each student for a once in a lifetime experience. The program is divided into two parts. The first half of the study period we learn Hebrew and prayers, and during the second half we focus on Jewish Ethics, Holidays, Customs, and the Thirteen Mitzvoth Program. Some of this year's planned activities are: periodic field trips, a retreat, and some special social events. In addition the students will enjoy monthly meetings with Rabbi Arthur Gross-Schaefer.

A vital and important part of the success of this program is the family active involvement. By participating in community Sabbath and holiday services the bar/bat mitzvah student will have a personal connection and familiarity with Jewish worship and a sense of belonging to the larger community.

Itzik Ben Sasson - Religious School Director/Camp Haverim Director
Itzik Ben Sasson is a career Jewish educator who brings his life-long love of Judaism and education to the students he loves. Itzik was born in Israel and served as a Sergeant in the Israeli Army for three years. Since 1992, he has lived in Santa Barbara and served nearly every major Jewish organization in a leadership role. From 1993 through 1998 Itzik taught Judaism and Hebrew at Congregation B'nai B'rith. From 1999 through 2004, Itzik served as the Youth Director, Jewish Festival Director, and the founder and Director of Santa Barbara's Jewish day camp - Mahane Halom at the Santa Barbara Jewish Federation. He has created, supervised and run an array of programs providing social and educational values for our community and our children, including four highly successful Jewish Festivals, and four summers of our wonderful summer camp. In 1998 Itzik's commitment to Jewish education became the seed that has since blossomed into the Community Shul of Montecito and Santa Barbara. Today he directs and teaches the Community Shul's B'nai Mitzvah program, and is proud to stand beside his dozens of bar and bat mitzvahs each year. Itzik is very proud of all the students he has had the joy of working with - but his greatest pride and joy are his two wonderful boys, 19-year-old Eetai, a sophomore at UC Berkeley, 17-year-old Ari, a Junior at Dos Pueblos High School.
Email Itzik at itzik7@cox.net

For information about Summer and Winter camps visit camp Haverim's website: www.camphaverim.com

Adult Education

More information coming soon.

Judaism 101

More information coming soon.

Monthly Kaballah Discussions/Activities

More information coming soon.