A contemporary congregation serving the entire Ojai Valley. Offering a wide array of services to Jews of all denominations.
Your Temple in the Ojai Valley
The weekly Torah portion can be found at the Union for Reform Judaism website.....click here
or, get another point of view at the United Synagogue for Conservative Judaism...click here
Interested in the dates of the Jewish Holidays? Click here
Todah Rabah!
Want to thank someone who has done something special for the Temple and our members? You can do it by simply sending us a note. Click here to see how it works...
Your donations are always appreciated. If you wish, you can use your credit card to pay your membership dues, purchase commemorative plaques, enroll in our special classes, or just make a contribution to our general fund. Click here for more information...
You've asked us to provide a means for telling other congregants about things of personal interest to you. You can post items of interest to you, and others may add comments to your postings.
Visit the Bulletin Board by clicking here or on the menu button on the left side of the screen.
Wanna go for a Walk with Sheila?
It's never too late to start exercising and what better way than with a group friends. You can catch up on their lives, gossip a little and enjoy the fresh Ojai morning air. We do a different walk every day...usually about 3 miles or 7-8,000 steps, almost a whole day's quota. Hope to see you at 8am on the west side of the Ojai Valley Museum courtyard on Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday mornings, rain or shine.
Become a Member
Please read a message from the Chairman of our Membership Committee that explains how you can greatly benefit from becoming a member of our Jewish Community of Ojai. Access our message by clicking here....
Please consider leaving a bequest to Jewish Community of Ojai in your will or estate plan. This is an excellent way to help ensure the long-term economic strength of our congregation. For more information, please email us at info@ojaitemple.org
Monthly Food Collection-HELP of Ojai Food Pantry
Sponsored by the Social Action Committee, JCO will collect non-perishable foods & household supplies for the HELP of Ojai’s Food Pantry -- one of its Community Assistance Programs for low income and homeless residents.
Food collection bags will be distributed at the last Friday Night Service of each month. They should be returned before or at the first Friday Night Service of the next month and will be be stored in the Rabbi’s Study/Library. A continuous supply of bags will be available there. Guidelines for food & supplies purchases are printed on the bags.
We hope that members of the JCO community will combine shopping for this valuable program with their regular shopping trips. Every little bit helps someone in need in the Ojai Valley.
One of the most important issue we have taken up is having a full set of committees, as they are the underpinnings of our organization. JCO members approved the concept that every member should serve the JCO a minimum of 2 hours per year.
Serving on a committee will certainly satisfy this obligation. Please join a committee. Your JCO needs your talents, your assistance, and your participation. You can decide just how much energy you want to put forth to benefit the committee you choose and the JCO.
The Social Action Committee was formed to create projects that benefit the general community and to participate in ongoing social action projects led by other local groups. Click here to read more...
JCO has a service for our members. This service will alert you whenever a departed loved one's Yahrzeit date is approaching.
In addition, the name of your relative or friend will be spoken by the religious leader on the Friday Shabbat service that is closest to the Yahrzeit date.
This is a FREE service that depends on you to complete the information about your departed loved ones.
We are pleased that in 2019-2020 we re-launched an active Kids Hebrew School taught by Israeli native Gil Ramot. If you know of children who would benefit from this program, please contact info@ojaitemple.org.
Gil Ramot is currently offering zoom Hebrew education, if you are interested please contact him at (805)833-1023
Due to health concerns,
JCO facilities are currently closed to most events.
Let's celebrate Purim on Friday, February 26, at 6pm on Zoom!
Rabbi Lisa will direct a Purim spiel (play) with some of your Temple friends as players. Please come in costume and bring a gregor (noisemaker) to drown out wicked Haman's name. You can make one with an empty coffee can or other container partly filled with dried beans or with stones.
On Purim we observe the emancipation of the Jews from under the rule of the evil king and his sidekick Haman. We also honor one of the first liberated women who stepped up to save her people, along with her brave uncle Mordechai. It is a story of courage and justice.
It is customary to drink alcohol, so bring your favorite libation. Let the fun begin!
