JEWISH FAMILY SERVICE Caring Visitors Program
“ Look at how a single candle can defy and define the darkness.”
— ANNE FRANK [1929-1945]
Jewish Family Service is committed to serving the needs of our community — and reaching those who may be unable to reach us. We are also passionate about empowering compassionate volunteers who are willing to help lift the hearts of those who are lonely and isolated to feel a vital human connection to another. It is in that spirit in which we created the Caring Visitors Program,
Rabbi Debi Lewis officiating at a Santa Barbara wedding.
of matches and those served in the community. Having been a volunteer herself with the program starting in 2010, this has not only come full-circle for her, but it has allowed her to understand the experience and role of the visitor, with the
pairing volunteer visitors
additional professional pastoral
with those who would benefit
knowledge that her years of
from a weekly visit — a chat,
rabbinic chaplaincy have given
a game of cards, an exchange
her. Now, after her rabbinic
of stories or a laugh about the
ordination at the end of May
events of the week. This single
2021, we are beyond blessed
hour in the week of an isolated
that she will stay on in this role
senior, or an otherwise lonely
as our full Rabbinical Chaplain
individual who is unable to
for Jewish Family Service, one
leave their home, can often
of the few JFS agencies in the
make all the difference in a
country who are fortunate to
life in which minutes stretch
have such an important asset
into hours. And thus, this kind
on their professional staff. At
of mitzvah is undefinable, the
JFS, we are open to serving all
impact, possibly immeasurable.
members of the community,
Heading up the Caring Visitors
but always want to be ready
Program is the wonderful Rabbi
to address the spiritual needs
Debi Lewis, an extraordinary
of the Jewish community
human being and treasured
— an important priority.
member of the Jewish Family
Rabbi Lewis’ journey of becoming
Service clinical team. We were
a rabbi is an inspiring one – and
extremely fortunate when Debi
explains a great deal about who
joined our team as a Chaplaincy
she is and the passion she has for
Intern in 2018, taking over the
her work. Soon after relocating to
leadership of Caring Visitors and
Santa Barbara from her native Los
professionalizing the program,
Angeles about 25 years ago, she
adding crucial accountability,
felt the call to volunteer at Cottage
while increasing the number
Hospital in the area of Spiritual
Dr. Stan Ostern
Holocaust Surv
Rabbi Debi Lewis studying with Neil Goodman, a Santa Ynez Valley Jewish Community congregant. 20 | SHALOM SANTA BARBARA | 2021–2022
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