A LETTER
FROM DEBE BLOOM,
PRESIDENT
JCO BOARD OF DIRECTORS
January 2026
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Didn’t 2025 scream by us??
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The year of Change has begun!!
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Okay…maybe that’s a bit melodramatic since the year begins tomorrow at the publishing of this letter to you, but the fact remains; there are going to be some changes happening this year.
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For one, my post as your President comes to an end in July. Our By-Laws dictate that. It will have been such a rewarding four years of service to you and all of JCO by the end of this term. You may not have noticed, but the inner growth that I have experienced is beyond anything I ever recognized happening in myself before. Add to that the friends and relationships that I have gained has been totally heartwarming—after all, there’s no point to anything if we don’t have extended friends and family—remember community’d! So, a deep Toda Raba in allowing me to have this experience. To quote Tony the Tiger….It’s (been) G R E A T !!
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I think now is the perfect time to plug a request for you to contact me or any current Board member to help with filling the seats of the incoming Board in July. We meet monthly to help govern the future of JCO. I remember fondly of a gift that our rabbi from northern California gave me 25 years ago. It’s a simple, handmade framed piece of art that says in Hebrew: “knocking on heaven’s door”. I don’t need to look at this piece to remember it: Rabbi Jhos touched me with this gift and every time I do something for the greater good of JCO, I remember this gift and feel as if I’m inching my way closer to ‘knocking’. Imagine the bonus this is---doing something for you and I’m reaping the benefit. That’s what giving is all about. Come join us on the Board. Be a part of JCO’s future.
And if being a Board member is not something you feel you would be happy with, please consider being on one of our many committees. We need people involved in our Programming, Safety, Helping Hands, Fundraising, Religious, Social Action and Membership committees. Seriously…we do. If you like what you’ve seen happening at JCO over the past 3.5 years, and you want it to continue to flourish, please step up.
Did you know that our Torah School is moving to Sunday mornings beginning on January 11th at 9:30AM until 11:30AM? Morah (teacher) Hayley Silvers is anxious to welcome our returning students and new students as well. These kids are flourishing in our Jewish standards with Tikkun Olam, learning Hebrew and doing mitzvah’s for others. They are being prepared to start their Bar/Bat Mitzvah studies -- when the time is right –and are totally soaking up our rituals and practices. What a blessing to be able to offer Jewish education to the children of our Ojai Valley. Blessings all around!
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Keep your eyes out for your Wednesday morning delivery of our weekly eNewsletter. (Leah just never lets us down. Toda Leah) Our events are published weekly…events like our Red Tent, the Men’s Group, Bunco (which we need players for this month…any one? Any one??), our book club (this month’s selection is Goyhood…sounds interesting, eh?), a Tot Shabbat/family service on the 23rd---etc. etc. The newsletter should hit your inbox around 9AM!
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In the newsletter you probably saw a plea for donation funds to help keep our temple building standing in good order. Although this request has been sent for a few months, sadly we have not raised much money towards keeping our very pretty shul in good shape. Therefore, the Board has decided that we need to assess a Building fee to membership dues starting in July. I’m stating this now so it is not a surprise to you come renewal time. You’ll see an automatic $100 Building Fund addition to your invoice. Don’t cringe. It’s for the future of our shul—and for your Jewish way of life in Ojai.
Many thanks to all who donated warm clothing, coats, gloves, hats, etc. for those less fortunate that we are. As our Torah School students know, “A miztvah is a commandent; its something that you do: A middah is a value; it’s something that you are.”
And, we are planning on a special event on February 1st. Keep your eyes open for the announcement of this special event. We’re gonna prove what community’d is all about!!
B’shalom
