At its annual meeting on Wednesday, January 19, 2023, the Jewish Federation of Greater Santa Barbara welcomed a new slate of officers and three new members to its board of directors for 2023 including Jason Saltoun-Ebin, Deborah Samuel, and Michael Holland, with Eric Berg as president.
Eric Berg is the founding partner of Berg Law Group, a boutique trial firm representing emerging and established companies and individuals in high-stakes matters throughout California. Eric is the past Board Chair of Anti-Defamation League (ADL) Santa Barbara/Tri-Counties, as well as the former chair of its Civil Rights Committee. In 2012 Eric was presented with ADL’s Harter-Myerson Award in recognition of his service as an outstanding community leader. Eric obtained his BA in Political Science from the University of California San Diego in 1984, where he was selected as Student Commencement Speaker, and then obtained his law degree from the University of Southern California Gould School of Law in 1987. Eric and his wife Shaunah have two sons, Matthew and Henry.
Jason Saltoun-Ebin is a licensed Real Estate Broker and attorney. He is the president of the Mission Canyon Association and an advisory board member of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) where he chaired the Civil Rights Committee. He is married to attorney Jessica Zetley who is the Chief Counsel at Casa Pacifica Centers for Children and Families. They have three children who are all active with the Community Shul of Montecito and Santa Barbara. In his spare time he can either be found on the tennis or pickleball courts.
After an impactful career as a nationally recognized educator, Deborah Samuel has founded multiple successful companies including 15 years at the helm of a custom home construction company and a senior downsizing and estate sales company in Santa Barbara providing vital services to our senior community and their families. In her spare time, Deborah volunteers with the Jewish Federation and she and her wife Kelsey are active members at Congregation B’nai B’rith. She loves to spend time at the harbor sailing, staring at airplanes flying above, and escaping to Mammoth Mountain for outdoor excursions.
Michael Holland was born in New York and attended the City University of New York where he studied engineering. He moved to California in 1969 and began working in communications for the City of Los Angeles and other companies developing medical, communications, and television system devices. In 1989, he started his own company making television and satellite products internationally and sold it when he retired in 2012. After playing guitar in rock bands in the 60s, Michael began playing again 15 years ago and enjoys giving solo concerts for nonprofits and events. He and his wife Christine, a retired lawyer active in the arts locally, have lived on the Mesa for 20 years. Michael is also active with the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) and believes supporting the Jewish community gives it them strength to overcome the many challenges it faces, including antisemitism.
The remaining officers of the board include Lauren Katz as Immediate Past President, Jillian Wittman as Vice President, Jeff Mintz as Treasurer, Ron Zonen as Secretary, and Joan Rothenberg as Member at Large.
For a full listing of the board and more information about the Jewish Federation, visit jewishsantabarbara.org/board.
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