1715 21st Street, Santa Monica, CA 90404 / (310) 829-0566
January 19, 2025, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Kehillat Ma’arav
1715 21st St
Santa Monica, CA 90404
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At a tragic time, such as ours, we’re reminded of the Psalmist who wrote: “We have endured fire…but You (God) brought us out to (a life filled with) abundance.” (Ps. 66:12)
Never to speak for those who have endured the unimaginable loss of their homes and with them, their personal prized possessions, let us pray the Psalmist, is right. The biblical poem alludes to an “abundant,” optimistic-filled, time to come; may it be so.
In the meanwhile, we have work to do–holy work. Our synagogue community has been particularly hard-hit. We know of at least 10 of our families who are without their beloved homes, all destroyed in the fires. Others cannot yet return to their intact houses due to restrictions. Even when the restrictions are lifted it will take months for those congregants to rid their homes of damage.
Over the last week, it comes as no surprise that our community is eager to support those affected by the fires. In an effort to better meet the urgency of the moment, we have decided to move our KM Mitzvah Day, originally scheduled for February, to this coming Sunday, January 19 from 10am to 2pm.
We will be running a drop-off donation drive to benefit our neighbor, Westside Food Bank, an organization that is both actively supporting disaster victims as well as meeting the needs of their regular clientele. The list of DIRECT FIRE RELIEF ITEMS can be downloaded here .
Please come to KM to drop off your items! We will have curbside volunteers that can take donations from your car and bring them into the Sanctuary for sorting.
It is a mitzvah to donate, but it is also a mitzvah to volunteer to help that day! Sign up here to assist onsite at KM with the donation drive.
Thank you for supporting our fellow congregants and the greater community during such a critical time.
Sincerely,
Rabbi Michael Gotlieb
Kate Flanagan, Executive Director