December 2025

​

Winter here on the floor of the Ojai valley rarely turns white with snow, but I am looking forward to being able to see our surrounding mountains covered.  It's always so beautiful and gives us yet another reason to be so grateful for where we live.

​

As we enter into the last month of the secular calendar, I take pause that there are only 6 months left in my presidency to complete all of the goals I gave myself 3 1/2 years ago.  It certainly has been a full few years and I have totally grown as an individual and have formed so many rich and wonderful friendships as a result.  Thank you for this opportunity.  And I can't encourage you enough to consider giving back to JCO by joining the Board of Directors as a member of the governing body.  The minimum obligation is a meeting once a month; it just feels so good to be a part of the sustainability of our Jewish life in Ojai, trust me.

​

I would be remiss if I didn’t share about my friend and JCO member, Barbara Nelson.  Barbara and I became friends through our connection with JCO.  She enriched my life; she enriched our Jewish community.  Barbara was an active member of our Board of Directors, participating every month.  She was eager to take charge of our Speaker Series bringing unique programs to entertain and educate us.  Barbara stayed connected to her JCO family by attending our weekly Shabbat services, playing Bunco each month, being involved in our Red Tent monthly activities.  Outside of JCO, Barbara and I met for walks, for lunch, for Bunco games outside of JCO’s monthly game and many conversations on the phone.  Without a doubt, I am feeling a void and I know her memory will, indeed, be a blessing for me:  I hope for you, too.

​

And life goes on….

​

Chanukah is coming soon!!  Such a fun, warm and bright holiday for us to enjoy.  My childhood memories of Chanukah with my core family are rich with warmth and it just tickles me that we get to create our own new memories with our JCO family.  Please mark your calendars for an early Shabbat service at 5:30pm on Friday, December 19, followed by our Chanukah Party.  Register on line for yourself and your family, plan on being in our homemade latke contest, be wowed by our magician, and come to participate in the lights of all of our menorahs burning brightly.

​

If you haven’t heard, our Torah School is growing---and moving!...to Sunday mornings at 9:30a (until 11:30a) beginning in January 2026.  We listened to our parents and we acted! Information of our Torah School is located online on our website.  Or give our temple a call at 805.646.4464 and we will answer any questions you may have.

​

One last tidbit from me---something that you can’t find on the online calendar since its more of an observation:  Torah Study that is scheduled for Saturdays at 9:30am is truly rocking with observations, commentaries and conversations.  Here’s a chance for you to increase your connection to Judaism and our Jewish community.  Please join us!!

 

Here’s to a bright, warm and glowing December…

 

b’Shalom