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Fire Relief Updates-old

  • TUESDAY UPDATE

    • This week our JUDA Care Camp opened to all children whose schools are closed this week.  The kids are served breakfast and lunch.  Fun activities keep them happy and engaged.  Thank you to Menucha for organizing on such short notice.
    • We are distributing over 100 kosher meals daily through pick ups at Chabad and home deliveries.  Thank you to Holy Smokes for the delicious meals.
    • We are also delivering kosher meals to the Red Cross evacuation center here in Pasadena for evacuees and for staff who request.
    • We are open all day for people to stop by for a cup of coffee, a meal or just for a listening ear with one of the Rabbis or Rebitzens.
    • We are distributing essentials to people who need. From new bedding, toilet paper, to new toys, toiletries and more.  
    • We are distributing gift cards so people can purchase what they need most now.
    • The Rabbis are providing first responders with To-Go bags filled with protein bars, lip balm, snacks, water and more.
    • This Shabbat we will once again be hosting a CommUnity Shabbat Dinner.  We look forward to spending Shabbat together.


    THURSDAY UPDATE

    I just want to share with all of you some updates from today. It has been another whirlwind of a day and I have a lot to share.  Amidst the terrible smoke and tragic losses, Chabad of Pasadena has been a beehive of activity as we do our part to help the community during this crisis.  People were in and out of the Chabad center throughout the day, coming for a meal or just to connect with other community members. Meals were served throughout the day to people of all walks of life and many N95 masks were distributed. 

    Although The Gan preschool is technically closed, we opened up to families with children to spend the day.  The children enjoyed playing, doing crafts, lunch and snacks, and just hanging out together.  The parents appreciated having a safe place to bring their children with schools being closed and some of them currently living in hotels.  The Gan became a sanctuary for families to escape the stress of displacement and lives turned upside-down.

    All the Rabbis and Rebitzens have been reaching out to community members, checking in with people, seeing how they are doing, what their needs are and how best we can help.  Sadly we are hearing of more people who lost their homes.

    In addition to helping the many people who came through our doors, the Rabbis drove through the city distributing water, meals and much needed N95 masks to individuals as well as first responders on the front lines.

    A big shout out and Yasher Koach to the Emek Hebrew Academy parent body for mobilizing and delivering to Chabad carloads of food, water, snacks, masks, toiletries, pillows and blankets and more.  Thank you to the community members who donated much needed supplies.  Thank you to all who have donated to our fire relief campaign enabling us to assist so many others.  Sadly the need is great and we are doing whatever we can to help people with clothing, food, transportation and finding shelter. 

    Please spread the word that we have masks, food, water, toiletries and more available.

    Chabad is hosting a CommUnity Shabbat dinner this Shabbat.  Let us all gather together and uplift each other as family and friends.  Join for delicious food, good company as we sit together as an extended family and enjoy our beautiful day of rest. RSVP appreciated at chabadpasadena.com/rsvp.  Please don't hesitate to join.  This Shabbat dinner is open to the entire community, not just those directly impacted by the fire.

    As we all grapple with the events of the past few days there is a lot to process for all of us, including the many people who Baruch Hashem did not lose their homes. These are difficult times for our community and professional guidance is helpful. On Sunday morning at 10:00 am, Robyn Sheiniuk, LCSW will be conducting a group session at Yaakov’s Library titled "Emotional First Aid."  This group session is open to the community.

    Please stay safe, and know that we are here for you and those in need. Together we will overcome these challenging times.

    With gratitude, blessings and prayers for the safety of the community.

    Rabbi Chaim Hanoka


    WEDNESDAY UPDATE
    I am writing to you after at the end of a very difficult day for our community.  The horrible and tragic loss of the Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center was shocking news for the entire Jewish community.  Our hearts and prayers are with you in this very challenging time.

    My deep apologies at not having sent an email earlier; myself and my fellow Rabbis and Rebbitzens have been running most of last night and all day today assisting our community, the firefighters, and law-enforcement in any way that we can and in turn this is the first moment I’ve had to compose a difficult email.  

    The devastation locally has been beyond the imagination of most. Hundreds of homes destroyed, some belonging to our community members.  Together with Rabbis Zushi and Laibel, and volunteers, we spent a number of hours today driving around checking on community members' homes, even helping put out fires threatening homes.

    For many, we find ourselves in unprecedented times, times of devastation and sorrow but also times of survival, resilience, and Ahavat Yisrael in ways we probably would never of imagined just 36 hours ago.

    Why Hashem (G-d) brought this upon us, I do not know, but I do know that he will give us the strength and fortitude to bounce back better and greater than before. Let us be there for each other and no doubt Hashem will reciprocate in kind.

    As mentioned in an earlier email, Chabad of Pasadena has its doors open to the community with meals, hot coffee, a place to bond, a listening ear, or just hang out.  Please drop by, we are here for you.  Please, please reach out if there is anyway we can be of assistance to you.

    We are making every effort to help as many people as we can during during this crisis. Please consider joining this effort by generously donating to help those who are desperately in need. The need out there is great!!

    Together we will overcome these challenging times.

    With gratitude, blessings and prayers for the safety of all those affected by the fires.

    Rabbi Chaim Hanoka

    PS This page will be updated throughout the day as we navigate this evolving situation.

    If you would like to make a donation to our Fire Relief efforts, please visit our page at charidy.com/fires.  Thank You.

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