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Barbara Gales Miller


We are proud to highlight our members who commit their time and resources to helping VBS thrive. Throughout the year, we will be sharing their stories and hope you will be inspired to learn more about our programs or get involved with a new project at VBS. To view articles written by VBS members, check out our Community News Blog > 

Barbara Gales Miller

Longtime VBS member Barbara Gales Miller had a unique path to Judaism and to Valley Beth Shalom. Raised as a Baptist, she found herself attracted to the Jewish religion at an early age and chose to convert as an adult before she met her husband, Michael.

“I was always fascinated with the Jewish religion from a fairly early age,” Barbara said. “The warmth and the sense of community were very appealing. And Valley Beth Shalom is the personification of that.”

She also loves the fact that Judaism emphasizes and VBS reinforces how important it is to live in the here and now, do mitzvot and make the world a better place.

Barbara works as a nurse in the pediatric nephrology department at UCLA Medical Center. Her husband, Michael, is a radiology oncologist at Kaiser-Permanente’s Los Angeles Medical Center. They met while both were working at USC.

“We chose to join VBS because we liked the educational opportunities for our daughter, Kaitie, now 30, who attended the day school,” she said. “And I like the fact that there are also so many educational programs for adults. I’m always interested in continuing my Jewish education and VBS has so much to offer.”

While she enjoys serving on the VBS Board, she especially likes to roll up her sleeves and help prepare the weekly Shabbat Kiddush. “I love getting in there to assist the staff prepare the food and serve it as well,” Barbara said. “It’s a small way to give back to a community that means so much to me.”

She recalled that in the past, when the Sisterhood prepared Shabbat Kiddush meals, it provided an opportunity for her daughter to work with her each week and that allowed her to interact with the women working with them. “Most of the ladies preparing the meals were older and I found them all to be women of strength and valor. It was a way for Kaitie to have several adopted Jewish bubbies,” she said with a smile.

Barbara came to understand the real importance of being part of a community like VBS when her mom passed away. “The heartfelt caring and warmth shown by everyone really touched my heart,” she said.

She concluded with advice to anyone looking for a community: “VBS is a place where you can really thrive. And because of the vastness of its offerings, just about anyone can find his or her niche.”

Interview conducted by and article written by Jay Schuster 

Thu, March 28 2024 18 Adar II 5784