(Above: The Sanders family in 1915.)
The History of CBB
The Jewish community in Santa Barbara began with a few families immigrating to a new land with the hope of fresh opportunities. Approximately 20 Jewish immigrants arrived in Santa Barbara from France in 1875, but for years there were not enough Jewish residents here to organize a congregation with a house of worship.
The first documented services were held at the Recreation Center (still on the corner of Carrillo and Anacapa Streets) in 1920, and in private homes. Max Rosenthal hosted the first High Holy Day services at his home in 1924 with a Torah donated by Max Friedman. Services were led by Marie Levy, the only person in Santa Barbara that could be found who could read Hebrew. The first Bar Mitzvah was Maurice Rosenthal, at his home in 1925. Rabbi Trattner of Los Angeles officiated.
B’nai B’rith was organized in 1926, according to some accounts, with the first meeting taking place in the home of Henry O. Swartzberg. In 1927, a charter for the congregation was procured and non-profit status was applied for by a group of residents including Irving Firestone, Max Friedman, Lester Girsh, D.H. Hein, Louis Kaplan, Nathan Leeker, Julius Liker, J. Ross, Joseph Safina, Leo Sanders, A. Snyder, Henry Swatzberg, Max Washer, Nathan Weides and I. Wilensky.
Dr. Lester Girsh bought the Parmalee property in the 2300 block of State Street, which later was traded for a grocery store and lands on the corner of Garden and Figueroa Streets, and remodeling work on the building began. After hoping for a home of their own for meetings and social gatherings, the group moved into their place of worship and community center in May 1932. The sisterhood held their first meeting on May 12, and, according to the newspaper article, this was followed by serving refreshments to the men of the congregation, and “a general jollification ensued as a result of the completion of their community center.”
The original intent of this body was to build a synagogue on the 50 by 75-foot adjoining lot when the Jewish population had grown and the congregation was financially able to erect it. However, at the end of World War II, with many more Jews settling in Santa Barbara, larger quarters were needed, and “the Leo Sanders House” at 2112 Santa Barbara Street was secured in 1950.
Ten years later, the congregation began planning a temple, and after searching for suitable land for some time, under the leadership of Yale Coggan and finances provided by several of the founding families, CBB acquired a five-acre site at 900 San Antonio Creek Road. There was some consternation about the location of the site, being so far from the rest of the city, but the land and purchase price made it ideal for our needs, and indeed the success of several other houses of worship in the same neighborhood suggested that it would work for our congregation as well. So, construction began and in 1968 the building was formally during Rosh Hashanah services led by Rabbi Israel Koller. Rabbi Jonathan Kendall became spiritual leader in 1979, and it was in the mid 1980’s that Sam Cohon, our first Cantor was hired, as well as our first full time Director of Education, Bev Abrams. At this time, there was an incredible swelling of the membership numbers, which allowed for expanded programs, including the opening of Beit ha’Yeladim Preschool and the creation of a vibrant Havurrah program. The leadership and yiddishkite of Judy Meisel would be a major factor in the swelling numbers of children enrolled in the preschool and served as an effective recruitment resource for young families to join and energize the congregation.
In 1990, Rabbi Arthur Gross-Schaefer was installed as Rabbi, followed in 1992 by Rabbi Richard Shapiro. In 1991, Mark Childs became our second Cantor and was hired to be co-clergy of the congregation. Our focus on social action became a high priority and interfaith activities also filled our volunteer time. Rabbi Rick created the Beit Midrash and engaged many of our youth in the activities of SBORTY.
Another decade arrived with more incredible changes. At more than 400 families in 2000, many of them young families, our need for a larger pre-school was evident and the new classrooms and playground took form with the strong financial backing of William and Lotte Daniels for whom the school is named, and members of the congregation. The new building was dedicated in 2001 with 6 classrooms and the ability to enroll up to 72 children. With the departure of Rabbi Shapiro, the 2003-2004 school year began a year of transition and renewal for our congregation under warm and inspiring leadership of our interim Rabbi, Alvin Sugarman.
Stephen Cohen, the long-time Executive Director of our local Hillel chapter, became our Rabbi during the summer of 2004 and once again our membership reached new heights. Today we over 800 family memberships and programs that fill our calendar just about every day of every month. This enormous growth and increased programming necessitated our hiring our first Executive Director, Richard Silver, in 2005 followed by his successor, Deborah Naish, in 2007. Our main building was refreshed in time for Yom Kippur evening services in 2008, almost 40 years ago to the day, that an earlier gathering of Jews had entered that same building to commemorate its initial opening.
In 2009 we engaged Alyson Solomon, our first Assistant Rabbi, followed by Associate Rabbi Suzy Stone in 2012, and then Associate Rabbi Daniel Brenner in 2018. Our current Executive Director, Elizabeth Gaynes, has served in her position since 2015, supported by a dynamic and inspired team of professional staff.
In 2025, after years of planning, fund-raising, and construction, our Building Dreams project was completed including a brand new, state-of-the art Center for Jewish Life, a new Leadership Hub, all new outdoor spaces and accessibility enhancements throughout. The tradition continues – L’Dor v’Dor – from generation to generation. The longevity and vitality of this congregation are a living testimony to the Jewish spirit that has contributed so much to both the Jewish community and the greater community of Santa Barbara.
Welcome to CBB. Be a part of this wonderful history. Get involved and forge the path for our children. They will continue Santa Barbara’s Jewish traditions.
A special thank you to the people who filled our synagogue with Torah scrolls between 1924 and 1965: Max Rosenthal, Joseph Safina and Harry Kirsch, and Alex and Gloria Shustin. We also thank Barney and Valerie Abrahams for their donation of a Czech Memorial Torah Scroll and the Temple’s Outdoor Chapel, dedicated in 1983. We thank the Girsh-Hochmans – one of the founding families of CBB – for their continued generosity over the years and the many congregants who contributed their time, expertise, and financial support to help maintain and build the Jewish home that we call CBB.
To read reflections from Rube Boxer, Board President from 1960 – 1961 please click here.