HILLEL HONORS: LOCAL ELITE TO PAT THEMSELVES ON THE BACK (AGAIN!)

Noozhawk, ever the diligent chronicler of all things brunch-worthy, breathlessly reported this week on Santa Barbara Hillel's upcoming Hall of Fame event. Apparently, a select group of "outstanding leaders, community members, and alumni" are being inducted – presumably for their tireless efforts in making sure Santa Barbara remains exactly as it is: an exclusive enclave where virtue-signaling and self-congratulation are elevated to an art form.

One must wonder what Herculean tasks these 'honorees' completed to earn such a storied distinction. Did they successfully navigate the labyrinthine bureaucracy of local planning commissions? Did they courageously stand firm against yet another bike lane proposal? Or perhaps, and this seems more likely, they simply wrote enough hefty checks and attended the right galas. The real challenge, we suspect, was choosing which shade of organic kale smoothie to serve at the inevitably catered affair.

It’s not just Hillel, of course. This tradition of the local establishment circling the wagons to collectively applaud their own magnanimity is a grand Santa Barbara pastime. Every non-profit, every civic organization, and particularly every board of directors seems to have its own 'Hall of Fame' or 'Distinguished Service' award, ensuring that the same dozen or so individuals will be ritually fêted year after year. It's a closed loop of back-patting, where the 'community' they 'serve' often feels more like background scenery.

While we applaud anyone who genuinely contributes to our community, one might hope for a little less fanfare and a little more actual, tangible impact beyond the polished veneer of a champagne brunch. Or, at the very least, could these organizations find some new faces to honor? It's getting tough to feign surprise when the usual suspects are trotted out for their latest accolades. Perhaps next year they could honor someone who actually managed to get a building permit approved in under a decade.