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Our Coordinated Response to this Historic Crisis

Our entire Los Angeles community continues to reel from the devastation of the past few days. With miles of land burned, thousands of buildings gone, and casualties rising, our wonderful city faces a historic catastrophe. As the crisis intensifies, our Federation’s central purpose is to put our values of strength and community in action to ensure that anyone and everyone who needs help is taken care of and protected.

And we have.

We deployed our new Emergency Text Alert System to connect us directly with impacted community members.

We also shared our Community Call Line — (855) JFED-HLP — directing those in need to the resources we are providing.

We expanded our communication to coordinate with local rabbis, faith leaders, elected officials, and partner organizations who are coming together to help.

Early Wednesday morning, we shared a Wildfire Crisis Resource Guide, which compiles contact info for support services. From tree removal to animal shelter locations to quiet places for displaced members of our community to work, the Resource Guide provides up-to-date info aimed at helping those affected by this unimaginable tragedy.

On Thursday afternoon, we hosted a webinar with local elected officials and Jewish community leaders on the current situation, our coordinated response to the fires, and resources available. Nearly 1,000 community members joined us for this critical briefing. Councilwoman Traci Park provided a live update on the government’s response. Our Caring for Jews in Need team (the nerve center of JFEDLA’s support system), our Ezra Network (mental health support), the Jewish Free Loan Association (financial assistance), Bet Tzedek (legal services), and Jewish Family Service LA (emergency needs, etc.) came together to provide vital info to support individuals and institutions impacted by the crisis.

We have begun to allocate funds for emergency needs, including food and cash assistance and support to firefighters and first responders. We are at the beginning of this long journey, but together we will recover.

As we go into Shabbat, we are strengthened by the words of the Prophet Elijah, who left his home as he feared for his life. Taking refuge in a cave, God showed him a mighty desert wind, a powerful earthquake, and a monstrous fire. However, God was not in fire, nor in the wind, but in the “still small voice” that comes after. (1 Kings 19:12).

Our life-sustaining support and guidance is the “still small voice” that comes after this heartbreaking tragedy. To those who opened their homes, to those who brought food and support to firefighters, to those who have donated to enable our community to recover, we thank you.

We continue to receive many inquiries from concerned members of our community asking how they can help. If you wish to donate, we’ve created a Wildfire Crisis Relief Fund located at the bottom of this page. One hundred percent of all donations will go directly to those who need it most.

Wishing you a calm, safe Shabbat. May we all go from strength to strength together.

Shabbat Shalom,

Orna Wolens
Chair of the Board

Rabbi Noah Farkas
President & CEO

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