A Jewish Torah scroll partially unrolled on a table, with decorated silver handles and a cloth nearby.
A Jewish Torah scroll unrolled on a table with a decorative cover next to it.

a home for jewish life
in the valley

SYVJC is a welcoming, inclusive hub for Jewish life in the Santa Ynez Valley—offering spiritual connection, cultural celebration, and lifelong learning for individuals and families of all backgrounds.

Whether you come seeking ritual, reflection, or community,
there’s a place for you here.

Interested in becoming a member?
A woman with long brown hair, wearing a black and white patterned shirt, is lighting a white candle with a red lighter. She is outdoors, and there are two other white candles in gold holders nearby.

mission

Our mission is to foster a community—rooted in Jewish culture and values and open to all—that offers meaningful opportunities to worship, celebrate, learn, discover, collaborate, share, and grow.

We are guided by the belief that every person is created b’tzelem Elohim—in the image of God—and that each voice adds something essential to the whole.

Our values reflect:

  • respect for all

  • the pursuit of justice

  • empathy for those in need

  • a commitment to tikkun olam

  • openness to differing perspectives

  • collaboration across shared values

Join us for Shabbat and holiday services, learning opportunities, community events, and meaningful connection.

WHO WE ARE

A Tapestry of Backgrounds,
One Community

Among our 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, and some of us are Jew-ish. 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.

Among our members you will find an outpouring of opinion, affection, and above all, support for one another.

Learn more about our community. →

A group of people gathered outdoors on a grassy area, facing upward, possibly for a group photo or event, with a building with a tin roof in the background.

ATTEND

Join us for Shabbat services, holiday celebrations, guest speakers, or Torah study. Whether you come every week or just once in a while, there’s always a seat for you.

See upcoming gatherings →

Child holding a large square piece of matzo covering their face, sitting in a dining area.

WAYS TO GET INVOLVED

ENGAGE

SYVJC is more than a place to visit—it’s a community to belong to. Become a member, volunteer, or support the work we do together. Your presence makes a difference.

Find your way to get involved →

LEARN

Jewish learning is for everyone—at every stage. Join a Torah study, attend Contemporary Conversations, or explore new perspectives in good company.

Explore learning opportunities →

JEWISH OBSERVANCES

  • A Torah scroll with Hebrew text, open on a decorative table, with a silver yad (pointer) and a box of prayer scrolls nearby.

    Tisha B’av

    This solemn day is a reminder of the destruction of the First and Second Temples in Jerusalem, which occurred on the same Hebrew calendar date. It is traditional to fast.

  • Person pouring red wine into a decorative silver wine glass on a dining table with a red ornament and birthday present in the background.

    Rosh Hashanah

    Literally meaning “Head of the Year,” Rosh Hashanah marks the beginning of the Jewish calendar. It begins a 10-day period of repentance and prayer which ends on Yom Kippur. We celebrate the holiday with services and apples dipped in honey to symbolize the hope for a sweet year to come.

  • A hand holding a shofar, a ram's horn, near a Jewish prayer shawl with gold embroidery, outdoors at sunset.

    Yom Kippur

    The Day of Atonement is the holiest day of the Jewish calendar, marking the end of the 10 days of repentance. It is spent in fasting and fervent prayer. Sounding the shofar signals the holiday’s end.

  • Person holding a palm leaf in a small woven basket, wrapped with green leaves, with a yellow object near their hand, indoors near window blinds.

    Sukkot

    This harvest festival is named for the temporary dwellings, called Sukkot, decorated with fruit and vegetables, set up to recall the booths in which the Jews lived during their journey from Egypt. The holiday is marked by processions with the lulav (palm branch with myrtle and willow) and etrog (citron).

  • SHABBAT

    Shabbat is the weekly day of rest, beginning at sundown on Friday and ending at nightfall on Saturday. It is a sacred time to pause from work, gather with loved ones, light candles, bless wine and challah, and embrace peace and reflection.

    Friday evening through Saturday evening—community gatherings periodically.

  • HAVDALAH

    Havdalah, meaning “separation,” is a brief ritual that marks the end of Shabbat and the start of the new week. Using a braided candle, wine, and fragrant spices, the ceremony honors the transition from sacred time back into the everyday.

    Every Saturday evening—community gatherings periodically.

EVENT DETAILS & RSVPs