(Josh Edelson/AFP via Getty Images)
On Wednesday, January 8th, all across North America, USCJ leaders and communities followed the news of the catastrophic wildfires in the Los Angeles area with deep concern. We were devastated to hear that the Pasadena Jewish Temple & Center, a cornerstone of our Conservative/Masorti community in Southern California, had suffered an unimaginable loss due to the wildfires raging in Los Angeles. Their cherished building had been reduced to ashes. As the fires raged, we continued to communicate with our communities about the devastation. In response to this tragedy, our USCJ community joined together to support the Greater Los Angeles Jewish communities by raising over $170,000 of Emergency Funds with over 1,100 gifts.
We deeply appreciate everything our generous donors have contributed, enabling us to support the immediate needs of the Greater Los Angeles Jewish community through the USCJ Emergency Fund. Being a USCJ-affiliated synagogue means being able to rely on USCJ for support when communities need us most. Approximately 80% of the funds have been allocated already. Here are all the ways that this support has been used so far:
- Within the first week, we made an immediate $20,000 distribution to the Pasadena Jewish Temple & Center. We are on stand-by to support their further needs and will make other similar distributions when called upon as the enormity of the devastation is fully assessed in the coming days.
- We have made ad-hoc distributions to support families affected by the fires, including one to a family who lost their home but went forward with their son’s bar mitzvah celebration that weekend.
- We authorized $100,000 in direct aid allocations to families from eight of our member congregations who have lost their homes. Funds will be distributed directly to their congregations, which will follow up with these families individually.
- Additionally, we received and granted an urgent request from the Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center to supply their community with a brand new set of chumashim (books), to replace those lost to the fire.
- Remaining funds will be used for a combination of USY/Ramah-related scholarships for affected teens in the area as well as new needs and requests that arise in the coming weeks.
- In addition to our fundraising efforts, USY is proud to donate new mezuzot to our California families who suffered the loss of their homes. If you know of one of these families, please direct them to our website.
As a reminder, we will distribute 100% of the funds received. We are truly grateful for the support of our USCJ community, allowing us to provide resources and support to the Greater Los Angeles Jewish community. We wish this work was not needed, but we are thankful for the generosity of our community.
