Skip Navigation LinksHome > Volunteer/Social Action

Volunteer Locally
Jewish Family Service offers many ways to get involved in the local Jewish community, as well as the greater Santa Barbara community at large. Join us in our mission of tikkun olam, a Hebrew phrase that means "heal the world," and become a volunteer today! Contact Chantel Braley, Volunteer Services Coordinator & Event Specialist, 957-1116 x113. more info

Volunteer Opportunities

Caring Visitor Program
is a collaboration between Congregation B'nai B'rith and Federation's Jewish Family Service. Homebound or isolated temple members can benefit by connecting with a trained Caring Visitor, who receives training and mentoring from JFS staff.
For more information, contact Harriet Marx, Coordinator of Senior Visitation programs, 957-1116 x 104 or CBB's Debbie Hartzman, 683-1887.

more

Some Jewish Groups Tackle Budget Cuts, but Avoid Tax Cut Fight

By Matthew E. Berger

WASHINGTON (JTA) -- Several Jewish organizations are reaching out to lawmakers hoping to minimize budget cuts that could hurt the bottom line for numerous Jewish social service programs, but many are avoiding a related fight over tax cuts... read more
CapWiz - Click Here!
Ten Things You Can Do to Help Israel

Things You Can Do to Help Israel

Looking for ways to help and support Israel. There are many ways to show you stand with Israel... click here for more

Washington Mission: Build Your Jewish Advocacy Skills

You've mastered the local scene. Now get the national know-how through a Washington Mission. The UJC Washington Missions Program provides a fresh perspective on the influence of the Jewish Community on America's social and political landscape. Raise funds for your Federation's annual campaign. Learn how to advocate on your community's behalf. And get the low-down on the inner workings of Washington. All in three days or less. Interactive, engaging, and designed for those outside the beltway. more
Live Generously
Volunteer Lunch

We have the BEST volunteers!
Our volunteers help to make our community a better place, one person at a time. They came to a delicious lunch at the JCC to be honored.

more photos

Jewish Bone Marrow Donors Needed 
They say the best odds of matching a donor is within the same ethnic community. However there is such a low population of Jewish people registered both domestically and internationally, that many Jews are struggling to find a match. read more

Caring for the Elderly

There are 35 million people aged 65 or older currently in the U.S, representing 12.8% of the general

More than 19% of the Jewish community is over age 65.

About 60% of those over the age of 65 are women

35% of older women live alone, compared to 14% of men

An estimated 40% of all elderly individuals will spend part of their lives in nursing homes

Nearly a quarter of the nation's elderly population requires some assistance with activities of dail

Elderly Jews utilize long term care facilities at 1.5 times the national rate

By 2030, the number of people over the age of 65 in the general population will double to 70 million

The fastest growing segment of the population is those over the age of 85

In 1997, 40% of those over the age of 65 had income that was less than 200% of the poverty level