LA MESA, California – It has been devastating to turn on the news or check social media to see the homes lost and evacuations of homeowners and animals due to the wildfires in Los Angeles. San Diego congregations are aiding some of the victims.
Beth Jacob Congregation is in the process of organizing help for the Jewish communities in Los Angeles who have evacuated and need assistance. Its goal is to match Orthodox families from Los Angeles with hosts in La Jolla/San Diego. Hosts will open their homes. Click here if you can be of assistance.
Chabad of Downtown has been fielding calls from individuals who have evacuated and are looking for assistance and shelter. Click here if you can be of assistance.
Congregation Beth Am reports that friends and families in Los Angeles need help and gives two credible resources to help those in need. Click here for the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, and click here for the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles.
Chabad at La Costa reports it has been contacted by several families in the Los Angeles area and is trying to help get people situated in the Omni Hotel and other places nearby. They are offering coffee and meals to those who are affected by the fires. Click here if you can help in any capacity, financial or otherwise.
Women’s League for Conservative Judaism Pacific Southwest Region reports that the Pasadena Jewish Center and Temple has been destroyed in the Los Angeles wildfires. Congregants rescued all its Torah scrolls from the sanctuary and classrooms. Many congregants and Sisterhood affiliate members in the area have lost their homes as well. Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles established a wildfire support website and hotline to help those in need, click here for more information.
Ohr Shalom Synagogue reports that Chumashim, Siddurim and Tallitot will be donated to the members of the destroyed Pasadena Jewish Center and Temple.
For those looking to lend support, there’s a Comprehensive Resource List from Stephen Wise Temple, Los Angeles. Click here for a detailed list of resources including housing relief and mental health services. Additionally, from Mutual Aid Los Angeles, click here for a comprehensive resource document including everything from evacuation shelters to supplies.
Free Meals for Evacuees: click here for a list of restaurants offering free meals to fire evacuees.
California Insurance Claim Assistance: click here for guidance and support in navigating the California Department of Insurance.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
Tifereth Israel Synagogue hosts “The Beauty of Havdalah with Rabbi Hanan Leberman and Neta Laytter” at 6 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 11. Due to current weather conditions, the program will be held indoors. Leberman and Laytter will lead in communal singing of popular Israeli, Jewish and American songs. Click here to rsvp.
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Temple Emanu-El presents “Torah for the Table – Saucy Women of the Torah” at 6 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 15. Rabbi Devorah Marcus will lead a discussion about a different woman, while chef Barry Lander prepares a four-course meal related to the story. Click here to register.
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Congregation Beth Israel’s Men’s Club Speaker Forum presents “Social Class and Mental Illness in California with Professor Neil Gong of University of California San Diego” at 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 15. Gong will address how people and families of different means experience mental illness and its treatment. Click here to register for the Zoom link, click here to pay online and click here to pay at the door.
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Chabad of Downtown’s Rosh Chodesh Society announces its monthly women’s class on “Prayer: A Work of Ascent, Making Sense of Liturgy, One Step at a Time” at 7 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 15. Many attempt to pray but struggle to generate a genuine experience. Others struggle with deciphering the structure and texts of the Jewish prayer book. Click here to rsvp.
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AROUND THE COUNTY
Congregation Beth Israel Men’s Club is supporting a yearlong project of the congregation’s Early Childhood Education (ECE) program to send much needed art supplies to preschools in Israel. Donations accepted include washable markers, crayons, stickers, safety scissors, colored pencils, glue sticks, colored tape/ribbon and construction paper, Play-doh, modeling clay and pipe cleaners. Bring donations any time to the preschool office.
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OBITUARY NOTICES
Ishagh Afari died on Monday, Jan. 6. Graveside services were held Thursday, Jan. 9 at El Camino Memorial Park with Rabbi Ryan Newfield of Muizenberg in Cape Town South Africa, Am Israel Mortuary reports.
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Zvi Bar-On died Monday, Jan. 6. Funeral services were held Wednesday, Jan. 8 at El Camino Memorial Park with officiants Rabbi Levi Raskin of Chabad Rancho Santa Fe and Rabbi Baruch Shalom Ezagui of Chabad of La Jolla, Am Israel Mortuary reports.
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Robert Rosenzweig, husband to Adelle Rosenzweig, father to Kathryn and son-in-law Andrew Garman, father to David and daughter-in-law Ilana Rosenzweig, grandfather to Leah, Sarah, Jason and Audra, died, Congregation Beth Israel reports.
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Cailin Acosta is the assistant editor of the San Diego Jewish World.