The greater Los Angeles area is struggling with a brutal wildfire that’s brought devastation to thousands of homes and buildings, and left roughly 130,000 people under evacuation orders. The death toll is unknown but expected to rise.
Many are in need, including in the Jewish community. The Pasadena Jewish Center and Temple, a more than 100-year old synagogue, was destroyed by the blaze, though the synagogue managed to get its Torah scrolls out safely.
So how can you help? Here’s a quick resource list for your donations:
The Pasadena Jewish Center and Temple – Donate here to support the synagogue.
Chabad of Pasadena – The Chabad of Pasadena is helping to assist Jews who have been affected by the wildfires.
The Jewish Federation of Los Angeles – The JFLA has organized a wildfire crisis relief fund. This page has a list of resources you can send to friends and family in L.A., and a place to donate to the fund.
World Central Kitchen – An organization that helps feed people in need in crisis zones around the world, WCK is responding to food insecurity in the wake of the L.A. wildfires.
Jewish Free Loan Association – The JFLA is offering interest-free emergency loans of up to $15,000 for those in need in the L.A. area.
Dayenu: A Jewish Call to Climate Action – A Jewish advocacy organization focused on addressing climate change. Wildfires have gotten more destructive and are now occurring year-round in California as a result of climate change. See below for a statement from Rabbi Jennie Rosenn, founder and CEO of Dayenu.
“While this fire follows a string of others that have ravaged large swaths of America’s west coast, we need not let this become ‘the new normal,’” Rosenn said.
“We are not powerless to confront this reality,” she said. “We must demand action from policymakers at all levels of government: transition away from fossil fuels (stop funding new projects, hold the industry accountable for the damage, refuse subsidies), and invest in clean energy solutions.
“Now is the time to rally support for the communities being ravaged by these ferocious fires. It is also the time to use our radical imagination to envision and build a different future – one that is just, livable, and sustainable – free of this kind of rampant and devastating destruction.”
