How the Jewish Community Stepped Up During the LA Fires
This week's d'var Torah connects Moses' call to action to help free the Israelite slaves and Jews rushing to help Los Angelenos in need.
Welcome back to another Drop!
This chilly Friday brings you a d’var Torah (“word of Torah”) relating this week’s Torah portion, Shemot (“Names”), to how the Jewish community stepped up to help other Jews (and non-Jews!) during a time of crisis during the fires that raged across LA last week.
This parsha introduces Moses, the Hebrew prophet who shows up on Pharaoh’s doorstep as a baby. We’ve all seen The Prince of Egypt (I’m listening to the soundtrack as I write this!). Even if you haven’t read the Torah, we know Moses witnesses the injustices the Israelite slaves face at the hands of the Egyptians.
After killing an Egyptian taskmaster for beating a slave, Moses flees to Midian, finds himself a sweetie who bears him a son, and plans to live out the rest of his quiet days tending sheep. But as they say, man plans and G-d laughs.
Or rather… G-d commands, for when G-d appears to Moses in a burning bush, G-d calls on him to help deliver his people out of affliction and into “a good and spacious land, a land that can flow with milk and honey.”
After some Imposter Syndrome, Moses agrees to help free the slaves from the house of bondage. This part is powerful, because though Moses had fled to Midian and started a new life, he heeded G-d’s call, stepping into danger and discomfort to help his people.
His return to Egypt symbolizes deep responsibility—choosing to act when others are suffering, even at great personal risk. It’s at this specific moment that he embodies the principle of kol Yisrael arevim zeh bazeh—all Jews are responsible for one another.
You know who else exhibits this trait? All the Jews who stepped up and helped one another during the recent LA fires. Greater Los Angeles is home to more than 600,000 Jews, the second-largest community in the country. As soon as news of the wildfires broke out, members of the local Jewish community, as well as Jews across the country, and Israelis, jumped in to help in anyway they could.
Whether they scoured a burnt synagogue looking to save its Torahs, or checked in on their fellow Jews from across the country asking how to help, here’s a culmination of their compassionate efforts.
Opening Doors for Worship
After the Pasadena Jewish Temple & Center was destroyed overnight and many Jews lost their homes, 16 synagogues and Jewish schools opened their doors for shelter, prayer, and to host b’nai mitzvahs as planned.
The Chabad of Pasadena has been hosting families displaced by the fires, providing communal meals and essential supplies. Rabbis have actively checked on community members, even extinguishing fires to protect homes.
Sinai Temple hosted a Shabbat service last week for 200 people, many of whom were not regular service attendees. It’s inspiring how, despite the devastation and trauma, Shabbat goes on. Cue one of my favorite Broadway songs, “Prayer,” from Come From Away.
Rescue Efforts by Rabbis
In courageous Moses-like fashion, rabbis like Zushi Rivkin and Laibel Hanoka took direct action to save homes in Altadena. They used available resources to extinguish flames, rescue Torahs, and protect personal artifacts, including a 100-year-old chair of sentimental value.
What Jews Do Best… Feeding People
Local restaurants like Yeastie Boys Bagels provided firefighters and anyone in need with bagels. They also distributed bagels at evacuation centers.
Financial Support from Jewish Organizations
The Jewish Federation of Los Angeles initiated a wildfire relief campaign to assist those affected by the wildfires. The Jewish Federation of the Sacramento Region launched a fundraising campaign for the victims. The Jewish Free Loan Association is giving out funds to people who must start from scratch. These are just some examples of many Jewish organizations looking to help. Click here to find an extensive list and donate today!
Israel Sends Aid
From Syria to Haiti, Israel has provided rapid aid in times of global emergency. When the fires broke out, Israel sent a delegation of firefighters to LA help extinguish them and provide expertise on preventing fire spread.
Jews Reaching Out to Other Jews
I know so many Jews who have reached out to those in LA for support to see what they can do. This is what it means to be Jewish: rolling up your sleeves, jumping in, and heeding the call.
Here is a great quote from Monica Osborne of The Jewish Journal that encapsulates her love of LA and the Jewish call to action:
“I’m reminded that God and history often speak from fire. The bush that burned before Moses contained both a promise and a threat. When he heard his name emanating from the flames, Moses answered, “Here I am,” three words signifying responsibility. Here I am. I think, now, that this is what we — those who have not lost homes and livelihoods — are called to offer in the face of the flames, in the face of tragedy so great we dare not put words to it. We can say here I am to give, to help, and to love.”
May we continue to reach out to those in need, may the victims use their Jewish resilience to repair and rebuild their lives, and may we soon hear good news.
Shabbat Shalom,
Clever comparison
Shabbat shalom!