About The Santa Barbara Jewish Film Festival

Organized by the Jewish Federation of Greater Santa Barbara, the SB Jewish Film Festival features EIGHT DAYS of unique, high quality films to showcase a wide range of DOCUMENTARIES, DRAMAS, COMEDIES, and SHORTS by American, European, and Israeli filmmakers.

Eighteen programs including Q&As with filmmakers and panel discussions, special guests, live performances, and a VIP opening night reception honoring the festivals founder, Barbara Greenleaf.

All net proceeds support the Jewish Federation of Greater Santa Barbara’s cultural programming, Portraits of Survival Holocaust education, and social support services.

This year, the 2026 Jewish Film Festival will be honoring its founder, Barbara Greenleaf

Barbara is best known in Santa Barbara as a humorous writer and speaker, but for most of her career she was a serious researcher, author of 10 books, crafter of speeches, contributing editor at “Working Mother” magazine, corporate communicator, and university administrator.

Barbara grew up in Hewlett, NY, and graduated from Vassar College. She started her career at “The New York Times” and ended it at CBB with a sermon entitled “The 10 Commandments of a Long-Term Marriage.” Barbara and her husband, Jon, have 2 daughters, 2 sons-in-law, and 4 grandchildren. She considers founding the SBJFF one of her proudest achievements.