More than 40 years ago (already, this sounds Biblical!), a group of about 10 Jewish families living in the Santa Ynez Valley determined that its ranks were likely to grow. Those families organized a socially-oriented group in order to offer selected Jewish holiday events, such as Hanukkah and Passover, to Santa Ynez Valley people with one or more family members of the Jewish faith.

In the 1990s, the ranks of that group HAD grown to about 50 member families and the first High Holy Days services were held in the Valley. In 2003, The Santa Ynez Valley Jewish Community was incorporated as a tax exempt 501c3 non-profit religious corporation and formally affiliated with the Union of American Hebrew Congregations, the predecessor organization of URJ.

Membership has continued to grow to 60 member families. Services have similarly expanded. In 2003, SYVJC was the very proud recipient of a donation of an historical Torah, thanks to the auspices and the efforts of URJ. In 2008, SYVJC hired its first part-time Rabbi. Our current Rabbi is Pearl Barlev. Read more about Rabbi Barlev on our Home page.

Currently, SYVJC offers a full range of religious services, religious schooling, adult education, Bar/Bat Mitzvah training, High Holy Days services, a community Passover Seder, a Hanukkah Party, a Sukkot party, a weekly bulletin to members, social action and charitable activities both within and outside the community, and participates in a variety of social and community events. For more information, please email: thesyvjc@gmail.com.

Welcome to the Internet home of The Santa Ynez Valley Jewish Community. Among our nearly 60 member families, you will meet doctors, lawyers, business men and women, artists, wine makers, judges, engineers, civil servants, architects, restaurateurs, educators, therapists, retirees, students, parents, grandparents, and grandchildren. We are children of Orthodox, Reform and Conservative parents. Some of us have embraced our "Jewishness" late in life, some of us have always held it dear; all of us are exploring what it means to be a Jew, NOW. Among our members you will find an outpouring of opinion, affection, and above all, support for one another. The mission of The Santa Ynez Valley Jewish Community is To maintain a viable and active Jewish Community in the Santa Ynez Valley dedicated to increasing religious and social activities, Jewish education opportunities, community interaction and philanthropy. In 2003 the SYVJC was created as a non-profit corporation and was formally affiliated with the Union of Reform Judaism (URJ). Our community is engaged in many activities, from our monthly Shabbat and Torah study to our annual community Passover, Hanukkah, Sukkoth festivities. Over the last few years The Santa Ynez Valley Jewish Community has also celebrated seven Bar and Bat Mitzvahs. We have also sponsored numerous social and educational activities, including field trips, films and lectures. Our new Hebrew School aims to feed the minds and souls of its young charges.We are deeply connected and involved in the local, larger community and participate in significant community charitable events.

We sponsor a full complement of High Holy Day Services, with our Rabbi and Cantor.

We invite you to contact us for more information about our congregation.

Donations to the The Santa Ynez Valley Jewish Community are deductible from Federal and State income taxes. The SYVJC is a member of UAHC, the Union of American Hebrew Congregations.