A Message from Rabbi Berkman

Dear Friends,

Across the country, many thousands of our Jewish sisters and brothers are experiencing the horror of having lost loved ones, homes, businesses, and several Jewish institutions including camps and a Jewish day school. (See this article for more information on the impact on the Jewish community.) The devastation of the fires came directly after many were directly and indirectly impacted and traumatized, and 12 were murdered, in shooting at a bar in Thousand Oaks, California. Those in that vicinity are experiencing a surreal sense of apocalyptic disaster with these back-to back-traumas. Throughout the week, those even within many miles of the fires themselves have been experiencing unsafe air quality from these unprecedented fires. As our hearts ache for those directly impacted by these catastrophic events, we are compelled to ask what we can do to help the process of healing and rebuilding. My colleague Rabbi Paul Kipnes, Rabbi of Reform Congregation Or Ami in Woodland Hills, California, suggests the following ways to donate:

1. Money for our Fire Response Fund – already helping the worst hit

And

2. Gift Cards from Target, Home Depot, Ralph’s Grocery and Trader Joe’s. They can be sent to our temporary offsite mailing address:

Congregation Or Ami
20058 Ventura Blvd. #304
Woodland Hills, CA 91364

With prayers for continued strength and unity to rebuild in the aftermath of disaster and trauma of all kinds.

Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Berkman