A Message from Rabbi Bellows

January 12, 2025 /12Tevet 5785 

Dear Friends,

In difficult times, our tradition urges us to help others. For those who wish to help others, we encourage you to explore a selection of resources:

• JFedLA’s Wildfire Crisis Relief: Resources, volunteer opportunities, and more.

• Jewish Free Loan Association: No-interest emergency loans available for those impacted.

• World Central Kitchen’s Relief Team is supporting first responders and families impacted by wildfires in the Los Angeles area. They are mobilized across the region to provide nourishing meals to people in need.

• Women of Reform Judaism (WRJ). WRJ is collecting funds through their YES Fund with plans to make an emergency allocation to support our impacted congregations. 

• Los Angeles Fire Fighter Foundation will help get firefighters additional materials and supplies to help them do the truly heroic work that they are doing around the clock right now. Donate Here

We Pray for the Victims of the Los Angeles Fires

By Rabbi Naomi Levy

God, our Rock and our Comfort

Hear our prayer.

Our hearts break for all those

Who have lost their homes in this deadly blaze.

The victims are in shock.

Life as they knew it,

All their treasured possessions,

Beloved heirlooms,

Touchstones for so many cherished memories

Were swept away in an instant.

Their sense of place and home

Their safety and stability have been shaken.

Help us, God, to anchor them,

To shelter, support and steady them with love.

As the numbness wears off,

The enormity of the loss sets in

And the work before them begins.

Be with them, God,

Be their strength and their comfort,

Shield them from despair,

Let them know You are near.

Fill them with the courage they will need to begin again.

Bless the firefighters and first responders, God,

And watch over them

As they put their own lives at risk

To protect our beloved city.

Work through us, God,

Transform our helplessness into action,

Inspire us with the determination

And the perseverance we will need

To bring devastated neighborhoods back to life.

Fill us all with the vision of the new days that lie ahead,

A dream of our city restored.

Let Jeremiah’s prophecy of hope enter every heart and soul:

“The city shall be rebuilt upon its ruins!”

So may it be,

And let us say, Amen.

We send our love, support, and prayers to our Beth Am members, family, friends, and all who are in harm’s way.

Please reach out if you would like me to give you a call to talk about the current situation in California and beyond. If you would like to add a name(s) to our Mi Shebarach prayer list, please email me.

With prayers for the safety of all,

Rabbi Bellows