FAQ
1. Is Mesa Shul of Santa Barbara (MSSB) an orthodox synagogue?
We are a traditional congregation with Modern Orthodox roots. Men and women sit separately without a M’chitza. Services are conducted in Hebrew. Prayer books with English translations and transliterated Hebrew are available (Art Scroll).
2. Does MSSB have a rabbi or cantor?
We do not have a rabbi or cantor. Services are conducted by MSSB members. However, on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur we hire a rabbi and cantor to officiate our services.
3. Is there an Eruv in Santa Barbara?
There is no Eruv in Santa Barbara.
4. Does MSSB have a daily minyan?
We do not have a daily minyan. Services are held regularly on Shabbat mornings, starting at 10 AM. Services for those wishing to say kaddish can be arranged.
5. What time do services begin?
Shabbat morning services begin at 10 AM, as do all services for the Shalosh Regalim, whether on weekdays or weekends. Register to attend on Shabbat. A lunch-style Kiddush is provided each Saturday. On one Friday each month we hold a Carlebach-style Kabbalat Shabbat and Ma’ariv service, beginning at 6:30 PM, followed by a Shabbat dinner. Please email us in advance to make sure a dinner is scheduled, and to notify us of your plans to attend.
6. Does MSSB hold High Holyday services, and if so, is there a charge to attend?
Holyday services are held on the two days of Rosh HaShanah, and on Yom Kippur. There is no charge for attending. Services are open to our community to join us.
7. Does Santa Barbara have kosher restaurants?
There are no rabbinically supervised, fully kosher restaurants in Santa Barbara. However, there are vegetarian/vegan restaurants, Olivers, Rascal’s Vegan Food, Modern Times Kitchen, Vegan GreenGo, though not rabbinically supervised. There are many restaurants that serve vegetarian dishes, but also serve non-kosher foods (like Spiritland Bistro and The Natural Cafe).
8. Where is the closest kosher restaurant?
The closest kosher restaurant is the Tierra Sur, at the Herzog Winery, in Oxnard. The restaurant is roughly 42 miles from Santa Barbara, a drive of about 45-50 minutes. The address is 3201 Camino Del Sol, Oxnard, CA 93030. The telephone number is 805.983.1560.
9. Are kosher items available at Santa Barbara grocery stores?
Many local grocery stores carry a variety of kosher items, particularly at Trader Joe’s, which carries kosher meats, poultry, and many other items. Other grocery stores that carry kosher products are Albertson’s, Lazy Acres, Ralph’s, Von’s, and Gelson’s. The closest fully kosher grocery is Ventura Kosher Meats in Los Angeles (818.881.3777), a drive of about an hour and a quarter from Santa Barbara (ca. 77 miles).
10. Are there hotels within walking distance of MSSB?
Please google “closest hotels to 524 Chapala Street, Santa Barbara, CA” for a current list.
11. How do I contact someone?
Send email to [email protected].
12. How do I make a donation to MSSB?
MSSB is grateful for donations of any amount. Click here to check our donations page to review the sorts of services we provide. Many thanks for your generosity!
We are a traditional congregation with Modern Orthodox roots. Men and women sit separately without a M’chitza. Services are conducted in Hebrew. Prayer books with English translations and transliterated Hebrew are available (Art Scroll).
2. Does MSSB have a rabbi or cantor?
We do not have a rabbi or cantor. Services are conducted by MSSB members. However, on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur we hire a rabbi and cantor to officiate our services.
3. Is there an Eruv in Santa Barbara?
There is no Eruv in Santa Barbara.
4. Does MSSB have a daily minyan?
We do not have a daily minyan. Services are held regularly on Shabbat mornings, starting at 10 AM. Services for those wishing to say kaddish can be arranged.
5. What time do services begin?
Shabbat morning services begin at 10 AM, as do all services for the Shalosh Regalim, whether on weekdays or weekends. Register to attend on Shabbat. A lunch-style Kiddush is provided each Saturday. On one Friday each month we hold a Carlebach-style Kabbalat Shabbat and Ma’ariv service, beginning at 6:30 PM, followed by a Shabbat dinner. Please email us in advance to make sure a dinner is scheduled, and to notify us of your plans to attend.
6. Does MSSB hold High Holyday services, and if so, is there a charge to attend?
Holyday services are held on the two days of Rosh HaShanah, and on Yom Kippur. There is no charge for attending. Services are open to our community to join us.
7. Does Santa Barbara have kosher restaurants?
There are no rabbinically supervised, fully kosher restaurants in Santa Barbara. However, there are vegetarian/vegan restaurants, Olivers, Rascal’s Vegan Food, Modern Times Kitchen, Vegan GreenGo, though not rabbinically supervised. There are many restaurants that serve vegetarian dishes, but also serve non-kosher foods (like Spiritland Bistro and The Natural Cafe).
8. Where is the closest kosher restaurant?
The closest kosher restaurant is the Tierra Sur, at the Herzog Winery, in Oxnard. The restaurant is roughly 42 miles from Santa Barbara, a drive of about 45-50 minutes. The address is 3201 Camino Del Sol, Oxnard, CA 93030. The telephone number is 805.983.1560.
9. Are kosher items available at Santa Barbara grocery stores?
Many local grocery stores carry a variety of kosher items, particularly at Trader Joe’s, which carries kosher meats, poultry, and many other items. Other grocery stores that carry kosher products are Albertson’s, Lazy Acres, Ralph’s, Von’s, and Gelson’s. The closest fully kosher grocery is Ventura Kosher Meats in Los Angeles (818.881.3777), a drive of about an hour and a quarter from Santa Barbara (ca. 77 miles).
10. Are there hotels within walking distance of MSSB?
Please google “closest hotels to 524 Chapala Street, Santa Barbara, CA” for a current list.
11. How do I contact someone?
Send email to [email protected].
12. How do I make a donation to MSSB?
MSSB is grateful for donations of any amount. Click here to check our donations page to review the sorts of services we provide. Many thanks for your generosity!