CORONAVIRUS COMMUNITY RESOURCE GUIDE
By Ryan Torok and Ari Noonan
This space will constantly be updated. Keep checking back for additional information.
WHERE YOU CAN GO FOR HELP
ALZHEIMER’S ASSOCIATION
The Alzheimer’s Association offers a 24-7 helpline at (800) 272-3900, connecting people with dementia and their caregivers to support groups and education classes. The California Southland chapter is available during normal working hours at (323) 309-8821. alz.org.
AMUDIM ANONYMOUS SUPPORT LINE
For those experiencing stress and anxiety, crisis response organization Amudim is partnering with multiple organizations and private practice clinicians, including L.A.-based therapists, to offer professional guidance via an anonymous support line available to the public at (888) 726-8346. 5 a.m.-8 p.m. Those who prefer to communicate in writing can do so via email at support@amudim.org. amudim.org.
BACK ENGAGED NOW
Back Engaged Now, a Jewish suicide prevention program, is providing support by offering people access to the following resources: Secular psychotherapy at the Southern California Counseling Center at (323) 937-1344; low cost and free Jewish counseling at the Valley Beth Shalom Counseling Center at (818) 784-1414; and the JQ Helpline for the LGBTQ community at (855) 574-4577. Email Jonah Sanderson at jonahsanderson2@aol.com for more information.
I CAN HELP
Focused on but not exclusively serving the modern Orthodox Pico community, the I Can Help task force aims to match those in need with those able to volunteer. The website includes a donation link to an emergency Passover and Pandemic Crisis Tzedakah Fund, which is distributing funds to people in need under the direction of Rabbi Yonah Bookstein. To request assistance or for additional information about these efforts, email kavodforeldersla@gmail.com or visit icanhelp.site.
JEWISH FEDERATION OF LOS ANGELES WARM-LINE
The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles has launched a community warm-line, referring people in need of social services to the appropriate service agencies. Call (323) 761-8305 from 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. on Fridays. For more information, visit jewishla.org.
JEWISH FREE LOAN ASSOCIATION
For those who have lost wages because they cannot go to work, have accumulated childcare costs because of the schools being closed or have lost funds due to cancelled travel plans, Jewish Free Loan Association (JFLA) is offering emergency loans up to $3,000 to residents of L.A. and Ventura Counties who are U.S. citizens. Must have at least one person who can sign on your loan and guarantee repayment. Must be 18-or-over to apply. People of any faith are eligible. For more information, visit jfla.org.
JEWISH FAMILY SERVICE LA
Jewish Family Service Los Angeles (JFSLA) is delivering meals to homebound seniors and people with disabilities and maintaining and stocking its SOVA pantries, which are distributing pre-packed bags of groceries to minimize risk to clients and volunteers. Anyone in need of help can receive telephonic support at the JFSLA Community Response Line at (877) 275-4537. For more information, visit jfsla.org.
JEWISH TOGETHER
Jewish Federations of North America provides information to Jewish nonprofit agencies about how to apply for a government loan. The site also features virtual meet-ups, daily videos and additional resources. For more information, visit jewishtogether.org.
RENTAL EVICTION INFORMATION
While Los Angeles tenants are still obligated to pay lawfully charged rent, landlords are prohibited from evicting their tenants for non-payment of rent if their inability to pay is due to circumstances from COVID-19. The current emergency declaration protections, which were issued in March, continue through the expiration of the emergency. Protections apply to all residential and commercial rentals in Los Angeles. Read more here. Eviction complaints can be made at (866) 557-7368 or hcidla.lacity.org/File-a-Complaint.
SHOPPING HELPERS L.A.
Sisters Kayla Newman, 19, and Leeat Hatzav, 20, have created WhatsApp groups to connect elderly people and the immunocompromised with young and healthy folks who are able to provide them with shopping assistance. Serving Pico, La Brea and the Valley. For more information, call (323) 628-7017, email shoppinghelpersla@gmail.com or visit myshla.com.
SINGLE JEWISH MOMS CONNECT
Single Jewish Moms Connect, a project of Chabad’s Bais Chana Women International, offers support to women who are divorced, widowed and single-by-choice and are dealing with the coronavirus. The organization is hosting twice-weekly Zoom meetings, connecting women to resources in their communities and launching a program to pair volunteers with mothers to give their children 30 minutes of homework help and other entertainment via video conferencing. For more information, visit the website.
PASSOVER
Sell your chametz online, stream Passover preparation events and take part in virtual seders at the following places.
IKAR VIRTUAL SEDERS
Members of progressive egalitarian congregation IKAR hold small seders from their homes on the first night of Passover, and other members of IKAR can sign up to join them virtually. On the second night, everyone is invited to join IKAR on Zoom for a community seder, featuring the homespun musical sounds of IKAR Cantor Hillel Tigay. Sign up at ikar-la.org/holidays/pesah.
JWW SECOND SEDER PLATE GUIDE
Anti-genocide organization Jewish World Watch’s third-annual Second Seder Plate outlines unusual objects people can put on their seder plates to spark conversations about the challenges facing refugees today. jww.org.
PASSOVER LISTINGS
For those who have booked Passover retreat programs, have experienced cancellations and are looking for resources to guide them through this unpredictable time, Passover Listings, a Yelp-like resource for Pesach retreats, has a blog on the topic as well as Facebook group for people to share information. Passoverlistings.com.
VBS PASSOVER 2020
Valley Beth Shalom’s Passover 2020 hub’s features live-streamed Passover prep events, virtual seders, a portal for selling your chametz online and an array of resources to ready you for the holiday. vbs.org/passover.
WAYS YOU CAN VOLUNTEER
AMERICAN RED CROSS
There is an ongoing critical need for blood donations due to the coronavirus pandemic. To schedule an appointment to donate blood, visit redcrossblood.org.
L.A. EMERGENCY COVID-19 CRISIS FUND
Help support families, healthcare workers, un-housed neighbors and others with a contribution to the Mayor’s Fund for Los Angeles, a nonprofit dedicated to improving the life of Angelenos. To make a donation, visit mayorsfundla.org/covid19.
ONLINE JEWISH ACTIVITIES
Minyans, Shabbat services, book clubs, topical discussions, mediation and yoga are just a few of the dynamic virtual Jewish programmed being offered at the following places.
AJC ADVOCACY ANYWHERE
American Jewish Committee provides online content and programs to inform and engage on global political issues during this challenging period. ajc.org/events/advocacyanywhere.
AMERICAN JEWISH UNIVERSITY B’YACHAD TOGETHER
An online portal at American Jewish University (AJU) features online immersive and experiential learning opportunities delivered via Zoom. aju.edu/byachad-together.
FIDF ENGAGE
Friends of Israel Defense Forces (FIDF) has launched FIDF Engage, a hub of digital events includes falafel cooking classes, Krav Maga workouts and other ways to connect with IDF soldiers. fidf.org/covid19/engage.
JEW IT AT HOME
More than one dozen synagogues and Jewish organizations are curating online events and resources, including Shabbat services, daily meditation and yoga and book clubs, appropriate for kids, adults and families. jewitathome.com.
LOS ANGELES MUSEUM OF THE HOLOCAUST
Los Angeles Museum of the Holocaust offers virtual educational resources, including live-streamed events, recorded survivor testimonies and a digital archive. lamoth.org.
SINAI STREAMED
Conservative congregation Sinai Temple has shifted its programming to an online platform dubbed “Sinai Streamed.” For more information, visit sinaitemple.org.
SKIRBALL AT HOME
While Skirball Cultural Center remains closed, the museum has launched online resources, including a virtual tour of the Jewish deli, book recommendations and more. skirball.org/Skirball-At-Home.
STEPHEN WISE TEMPLE
Reform congregation Stephen Wise Temple provides live-streamed services and events at its website, wisela.org.
VALLEY BETH SHALOM AT HOME
San Fernando Valley Conservative congregation Valley Beth Shalom is offering a variety of online programs, from morning minyans to Torah study, at vbs.org.
VIRTUAL SHABBAT COMMUNITY
Hollywood Temple Beth El celebrates Shabbat online in song and study, every Saturday morning, from 10:30 a.m.-noon, through April. Click on the Zoom link to join in.
WILSHIRE BOULEVARD TEMPLE @ HOME
The Reform community is now an online community where people can pray, play, learn and connect with one another. For more information, visit wbtla.org.
KOSHER FOOD
BIBI’S BAKERY AND CAFÉ
Bibi’s Bakery and Café is open for pickup and delivery only. Customers may order through the bakery and cafe’s website or on the phone. Owner Dan Messinger is updating the menu with traditional walk-in items. Normal operating hours may change but are: Monday-Thursday 7 a.m.-9 p.m., Friday 7 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Sunday 8 a.m.-9 p.m. 8928 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 246-1788. bibisbakerycafe.com.
PAT’S RESTAURANT AND CATERING
Pat’s is offering Passover take-out as well as take-out and delivery through Pesach. Passover menu items include gefilte fish with carrots; matzah balls; roast brisket and braised short ribs. Orders need to be received by April 3 at noon. With questions or orders call (310) 205-8705 or email patsrestaurantla@gmail.com.
PICO KOSHER DELI
For the first time ever, Pico Kosher Deli and MGM Caterers are merging to offer a take-out Pesach menu. Servicing the entire state of California and under the supervision of the RCC, the order cutoff date is March 31. Come visit the new store at 8947 W. Pico Blvd., which will be open from 2-6 p.m. April 6 and 7 for order pickup. (424) 309-7676. thepesachstore.com.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
ONLINE SHABBAT MATERIAL
Education organization Builders of Jewish Education is curating digital content to help with celebrating Shabbat at home. Reform, Conservative, Orthodox, Reconstructionist, Humanistic and interfaith families can view the wealth of material at bjela.org/shabbat-resources.
FACEBOOK GROUPS
Several Facebook groups are responding to the outbreak of COVID-19. In the Jewish community, these groups include Parnassah Task Force L.A. and Jewish Crisis Response Task Force, which are providing advice, networking, temporary job or business referrals and information on volunteer opportunities. Learn more about these groups from their public pages at facebook.com.
MEDITATION CLASSES
Author, teacher and speaker Gilla Nissan leads meditation classes via Zoom. Sun. 10 a.m.-noon, Tues. 7-9 p.m., Wed. 4 p.m., Thurs. 9:45-11:30 a.m. By donation. Zoom meeting ID: 548 712 0394
Rabbi Jill Zimmerman leads “Spiritual Toolkit in a Time of Crisis,” a three-session course on staying grounded in anxious times. March 30, April 6 and 13. $45 per person. Details provided upon payment. Classes recorded.