You’re invited to our Hanukkah celebration!
Hi friends,
Tonight at City Hall, we’ll be celebrating major milestones and new beginnings.
First, we’ll be honoring the service of our retiring City Manager, John Nachbar, who has helped guide Culver City through over 15 years of growth and challenges. This is our chance, as a community, to say thank you.
At the same time, we’ll be looking to the future and welcoming Culver City’s next City Manager, Odis Jones, who was just announced as the unanimously selection of the Council.
During the interview process, I was struck by Odis' decades of city government experience, his deep commitment to inclusion and collaboration, and the optimism he brings to tackling complex challenges. I’m looking forward to the energy and perspective he’ll bring to our city.
We’ll also be recognizing Mayor Dan O’Brien for his service as Mayor over the past year, and officially swearing in Freddy Puza as Culver City’s very first LGBTQ+ Mayor.
Our city is at its best when our leadership reflects the diversity of the people who live, work, and play here. I’m honored to serve alongside colleagues who are not only breaking barriers but continuously working to move our city forward.
How you can participate
Here’s how you can plug in tomorrow:
Attend in person at Culver City Hall if you’re able, to be part of these moments in the room.
Watch online via the city’s YouTube channel if you prefer to join from home.
Make a public comment to share your thanks to John Nachbar or Mayor O’Brien, welcome Odis Jones, or congratulate soon-to-be Mayor Puza.
Come celebrate Hanukkah with us! 🕎
I’m also thrilled to be hosting my 3rd Annual Hanukkah Celebration next week — and you’re invited!
A Very Culver Hanukkah
Thursday, December 18 | 6-8PM
Industry Cafe & Jazz
6039 Washington Blvd
Culver City, CA 90232
We’ll be gathering at Industry Cafe & Jazz, the beloved Ethiopian/Eritrean restaurant and jazz hub in the Arts District. I’m incredibly grateful to them for opening their doors and hosting us.
And special thanks to a growing list of co-hosts (Shifra Teitelbaum, Melissa Minkin, Phoebe Kiekhofer Garfinkel, and Sonia Garfinkel) for all their help!
You can expect:
Hanukkah treats – gelt, latkes, and sufganiyot (jelly donuts!)
Live jazz and community – we’ll sing and schmooze
Menorah lighting – we’ll light the candles and reflect on what it means to bring more light into our city
This will be a family-friendly space, open to all ages, faiths, and backgrounds. You don’t need to be Jewish or know the blessings – all are welcome!
A small ask: supporting ICE-impacted families
In addition to celebrating, we’ll be collecting $10 (or whatever you can) to support West Los Respuesta Rápida, a mutual aid organization assisting families impacted by the horrific ICE kidnappings.
You can donate when you RSVP.
As we celebrate a holiday about liberation and resilience, it feels especially important to show up for our immigrant neighbors who are facing fear and uncertainty right now.
To close out, I invite you to:
Show up for Culver City’s future at tomorrow’s Council meeting, as we honor outgoing leaders and welcome new ones.
Show up in community at my Hanukkah celebration, as we share food, song, and solidarity — and raise funds for families who need it.
I’m incredibly grateful to represent you, and I’m excited to close out the year together: with love, joy, and with a whole lot of light. 🌟
With love for our community,
Bubba