L.A. Fires Emergency Resource Guide

For those who’ve been impacted by the current wildfires in L.A. County, the Journal has compiled resources that’ll hopefully be helpful. The list below is by no means exhaustive, and we’ll continue to update it. Community members are also encouraged to reach out to their synagogues, which are providing various forms of assistance.

To suggest an organization or resource not listed here, please email ryant@jewishjournal.com.

Animals

• Pasadena Humane: The animal shelter organization is actively providing for pet-support needs in disaster-affected areas. https://pasadenahumane.org

Emergency Shelters 

• Palisades Fire evacuees: Westwood Recreation Center, at 1350 S. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles, 90025. The shelter also accepts small animals.

• Hurst Fire evacuees: Ritchie Valens Recreation Center, 10736 Laurel Canyon Blvd., Pacoima, 91331.

• Eaton Fire evacuees: Pasadena Convention Center, at 300 E. Green St., Pasadena, 91101.

Financial

• Federal Emergency Management Agency: According to FEMA, federal assistance is available to eligible individuals and families affected by the fires. Jewish Federation Los Angeles is working with FEMA to provide support to those eligible for assistance. gov, http://jewishla.org/fema

• Jewish Free Loan Association: The nonprofit, interest-free loan organization is offering emergency loans to cover evacuation expenses, such as hotel or motel rooms, short-term rentals and travel outside of the area. Available to eligible applicants of up to $15,000. There are also a limited number of loans for up to $2,000 for applicants without access to guarantors, available on a first-come, first-served basis. org 

• National Council of Jewish Women: NCJW/LA is addressing immediate clothing needs by offering displaced individuals and families $100 vouchers to The Council Shop locations in Los Angeles.org/lafire/ 

Food

• A. Regional Food Bank: The organization is working with government agencies and nonprofit partners to respond to the needs of those impacted. https://www.lafoodbank.org

Housing

• Hotel Association of Los Angeles: The self-described voice of L.A.’s hotel industry is demonstrating how to use Google to find competitive hotel rates. hotelassociationla.com

Legal and Social Services

• Bet Tzedek: The pro bono legal aid agency – which has Jewish roots – is providing free legal aid to those impacted by the fire. For more information, contact Jessica Ayon at (661) 425-9509 or visithttps://bettzedek.org 

• Jewish Family Service LA: JFSLA is aiding all those affected by the catastrophic fires. This includes emergency financial aid, emotional support and housing assistance. If you or someone you know needs help, call (877) 275-4537 or email services@jfsla.org. 

 Opt-in Notification Programs, Hotlines and Apps

• Alert LA County: Los Angeles County system allows individuals to receive emergency alerts by text, email, and/or phone call.https://lacounty.gov/emergency/

• Chai Lifeline Crisis Services Department: 855-3-CRISIS, crisis@chailifeline.org 

• Jewish Federation Los Angeles’ Community Call Line: (855) JFED-HLP, org

• Los Angeles Fire Department: Real-time alerts from LAFD. https://lafd.org/alerts

• NotifyLA: City of Los Angeles’ mass notification program. http://NotifyLA.org.

• Watch Duty: A free fire-tracking app run by a Bay Area nonprofit, which has seen its userbase grow exponentially since the outbreak of the Los Angeles fires. org

Donate, Support and Volunteer

• Chabad of Pasadena: The Chabad is offering daily daycare for kids whose schools burned down, distributing meals to the displaced and providing gift cards for essentials, among other services. To support this work, visit https://www.charidy.com/fires

• Holy Smokes Kosher Barbecue: The kosher catering company, led by small business owner Danielle Goldblatt, has mobilized to feed firefighters and displaced families. Volunteers are chipping in. Learn more at https://www.instagram.com/holysmokeskosherbbq/ 

• Jewish Federation Los Angeles: L.A. Federation has compiled listings of community spaces and support, volunteer opportunities, mental health services and government resources. https://www.jewishla.org/wildfire-crisis-relief/
•  Jewish Silver Lake (JSL): An initiative of Chabad Jewish Silver Lake, JSL has established an emergency relief fund to support Angelenos facing a difficult time. Additionally, JSL and East Side Kitchen are coordinating volunteer opportunities, including meal prep and distribution for displaced families and firefighters. More details at https://jewishsilverlake.com/fire1

• Kehillat Israel (KI): The Reconstructionist synagogue in Pacific Palisades, was miraculously unscathed by the Palisades Fire. Many of the congregation’s members, however, lost their homes. In response, KI has launched a Fire Assistance Fund. https://www.ourki.org/firefund

• Nourish LA: Support Nourish LA’s ongoing efforts to fight hunger and build community. https://www.nourish.la

• Our Big Kitchen Los Angeles: The Pico-Robertson-based organization is providing freshly prepared meals to anyone affected by this emergency. Volunteers are needed for this ongoing effort. For additional details, contactinfo@obkla.org

• Operation Teddy Bear: A volunteer initiative, inspired by a similar, post-Oct. 7 effort in Israel, is bringing teddy bears to families displaced by the fires and currently living in hotels. Organizers are requesting new or very gently used teddy bears. They’re also seeking delivery volunteers. To arrange drop-off, text Courtney at (310) 447-4714 or Chava at (818) 518-6762.

• • Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center: PJTC, which was destroyed in the Eaton Fire, has launched a GoFundMe that has raised nearly $100,000 as of press time. To learn more, visithttps://www.gofundme.com/f/help-pjtc-rebuild-after-the-eaton-canyon-fire