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Let’s wrap up the Year in Grand Style at the Annual Meeting on Sunday, June 12th


Please join us at 11 am at a private home – address to be given when your RSVP is received – and enjoy a bagel lunch courtesy of SYVJC.  We’ll review the year at the meeting then have lunch. And there will be plenty of time for schmoozing.

If you have not submitted your vax cards thru 1 booster, please send those along with your RSVP to susanmori2@aol.com no later than Wednesday, the 8th.  There will be security, and for all of our safety, please DO NOT share the address with anyone who is not attending.
 
See you there!

From our President….
Come one, Come all to our Annual Meeting on June 12th!

Enjoy a scrumptious lunch provided just for you, hear what is on board for next year, meet your board members, provide your input and mostly, enjoy kibbutzing with friends old and new!!

Please see the article in this issue with all the details to RSVP. 

At the Annual Meeting, you will have an opportunity to sign on to participate on a committee that fulfills you! This could be a yearlong commitment or just for one event -- your choice. Among many there will be the Religious Practices Committee (which includes input on High Holiday Services, how to be more inclusive especially of our younger members and those finding it difficult to drive at night and more); the Safety & Security Committee, the Programming Committee, etc.

In July we are going on a Lake Cruise at Lake Cachuma…..watch for details on that in an upcoming newsletter. There will be a Meet and Greet the Rabbi in August. This provides an opportunity to engage with Rabbi Debi, board members and learn more about upcoming events.

Should you need the Rabbi urgently during July (illness, death, birth…) please contact Susie Pierson @ spierson@syvjc.org)

Lately I’ve had a few queries as to why we don’t list in the newsletter the address or venue of various events. This is for security, your security. Though we do provide armed security, we add another layer by keeping the venue location known to only those attending. Hostile acts are not limited to synagogue gatherings, so every effort is made to provide protection. We ask you TO NOT share the location of any event outside of your family. It’s for your safety.

As always, I am available via email for any concerns you may have. If you prefer the telephone, provide a phone number and I will return the call.

Shalom and be safe,

Susie Margolis Pierson
President, SYVJC
spierson@syvjc.org 

 

SYVJC and St. Mark’s Security Training Event and Collaborative

 

By Jeff Winter, SYVJC Board Member


On Wednesday, May 18th at the St Mark’s Community Room we held a joint education and training event with the St. Mark’s Congregation. About 40 people were in attendance that evening to learn from Detective Anthony Kouremetis of the Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Department Special Investigations Bureau. 
 
A big THANK YOU to all those who contributed delicious hors d’oeuvres and nosh for the community to enjoy. The Detective talked with everyone about the recent events throughout the country where active shooters and terrorism were involved. These events included anti-semitic events, but also school shootings, church shootings, and tragedies that were the result of guns getting in the hands of people who are mentally unstable. 
 
The Detective reminded us that these events have escalated in the past few years and have occurred in urban, suburban and rural settings. Most importantly was advice on what we can do to create a safer environment for the community and reduce risk…..those items include:
 
  1. Train ourselves to be very aware of our surroundings whenever we enter a building or attend an event.
     
  2. Make a point to identify all entrances and exits. In the event of an emergency, 90% of people run to the exit where they entered…..even though there may be safer and quicker exits closer. 
     
  3. Train ourselves to “not deny” that a serious event may be in progress…..if you hear something that sounds like a gunshot or other threat, assume that it is and act accordingly……most people tend to “deny” first, because they want to believe it is just fireworks or a car backfiring!
     
  4. If you find yourself in a threatening environment and you can’t get to an exit…..find a safe hiding place and barricade yourself. He reminded us that most places in a building will not stop a bullet.
 
For example, a bullet will easily go through a car door or house door or refrigerator ….but hiding behind the engine block of an automobile or behind an oak tree may possibly offer some protection.
 
  1. If all else fails…..fight as best you can to save yourself. 
     
  2. Finally, he reminded us that the strategy of “playing dead” is likely the worst thing you can do. The best thing is get out and run! 
As your Board….we take the issue of your and the community’s safety to be our highest priority. The privacy of our events, the hiring of armed security guards as needed…assuring the community has responsible insurance that includes coverage for acts of terrorism and appropriate umbrella policies plus incorporating all of the above thinking and best practices into the planning of all of our community events will help keep us all safe and secure.
 
The world is an unsettled place these days….and we have to remember that just like in Texas…..horrible events can happen even in small communities like our bucolic Santa Ynez Valley. So, let’s be aware, vigilant of our surroundings and incorporate “Best Practices” of safety and security and together we will help keep each other safe and secure. 
 


If you would like to share something humorous, inspirational, and/or thought provoking please send it to Shoshanah Schwartz at susanmori2@aol.com  for the next newsletter.  We are looking forward to some VERY interesting submissions.

Love Nature? Enjoy Working with People? 
Here’s an opportunity to do both in a beautiful setting!  Come join the volunteer corps at The Neal Taylor Nature Center at Cachuma Lake and become a part of a wonderful community asset that has reached thousands of kids, families and visitors over the past 34 years! The Nature Center is a non-profit museum with exhibits on local flora, fauna and highlights the rich cultural history of the area. If you are interested, please email julie@clnaturecenter.org to request an application.

Blood Drive June 21st
Please note the blood drive information below. There is a critical shortage of blood, and the Jewish Federation is doing its part to help.

Mark Your Calendar

 
 
 
 
  • June 12th 11 am Annual Meeting
  • July 10th Cachuma Boat Cruise
The Santa Ynez Valley Jewish Community offers Adult Education and other Jewish activities for all in our community. If you require financial assistance to participate in any of these non-fundraising activities, we welcome you to contact our board President,  Susie Pierson. 






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SYVJC · PO Box 135 · Los Olivos, CA 93441-0135 · USA