Flames rapidly approached the Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center as Cantor Ruth Berman Harris and three others hurried to retrieve the sacred Torah scrolls. Sadly, the 80-year-old synagogue was lost to wildfires that also devastated a mosque, a Catholic church, and several Protestant congregations. This tragedy left many members of these faith communities among the thousands of Angelenos who lost their homes. With the ongoing threat of new fires looming, clergy members face daunting tasks in providing comfort and contemplating paths toward rebuilding.
Melissa Levy, executive director of the Pasadena Jewish Center, lamented the loss, stating, “There’s absolutely nothing except for a few walls and the empty space.” Despite their grief, many congregants have visited the site to bid farewell to the location where they commemorated significant life events in their faith and family journeys.
In a race against time, Berman Harris, her spouse, another church member, and the custodian managed to secure the Torah scrolls and transport them to safety before the flames engulfed the synagogue on Tuesday night. “It’s the heartbeat of any Jewish community,” she remarked about the Torah. After being alerted by a congregant living nearby about the approaching flames, Berman Harris felt compelled to act despite road closures.
In addition to the Pasadena Jewish Temple, various places of worship in Pasadena and Altadena were also lost, including Masjid Al-Taqwa, which deeply saddened its tight-knit community. The mosque served as a gathering place for many families, and according to volunteer Imam Junaid Aasi, some members also lost their homes in the fire. Aasi recalled, “So many families called it their second home,” highlighting the mosque’s rich history of fostering community celebrations, especially during Ramadan.
Samar Ghannoum, a long-time congregant, was heartbroken upon learning from her daughter that the mosque had burned down. “When she called and said, ‘Mom, the masjid is burned’ and was in tears, my heart broke,” she shared. Earlier that day, Ghannoum had attended prayers at another mosque, where congregants prayed for rain, reflecting their hope for divine mercy in their time of need.
In light of this crisis, community members have already initiated fundraising efforts surpassing $100,000. During Friday prayers, Aasi provided a list of nearby mosques where worshippers might congregate during Ramadan, expressing hope that they could once again come together as a community.
The wildfires also resulted in the destruction of Altadena Community Church, which supported approximately 60 members, and their pastor, Rev. Paul Tellström, reflected on the shock of the situation, stating, “It’s a reminder to us of all of the fragility of life.” This church, known for its vibrant stained glass and musical choir, shared images of its building consumed by flames on social media. They emphasized the importance of community over physical structures, expressing, “WE are the church! We can worship anywhere.”
Rev. J. Andre Wilson confirmed that Altadena United Methodist Church also succumbed to the devastation, and amidst the loss, he reassured his congregants, stating, “But YOU and US, are the church.” Ricardo Springs II, a church member, lamented the heartbreaking loss, noting they had scheduled a wedding for a couple who had recently joined the church.
St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Altadena also faced a similar fate, with Rev. Carri Patterson Grindon announcing on social media the sorrow of losing their church building. Acknowledging that numerous community members have lost their homes, she emphasized the necessity of mutual support during these trying times.
While the Parish of St. Matthew in Pacific Palisades reported that its sanctuary and other buildings remain intact, all clergy residences were lost to the flames. The church continues to hold online gatherings, finding solace in shared prayers. The school’s chaplain expressed gratitude for the concerns and prayers received from both near and far.
Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Pacific Palisades also suffered total destruction, as did Pacific Palisades Presbyterian Church, with both congregations conveying their heartbreak through social media updates.
Faith leaders across the region are particularly concerned about congregation members who have lost their homes and are now seeking temporary shelter. However, there remains a spirit of hope as individuals derive strength from their faith communities. Levy, from the Pasadena Jewish Center, conveyed that her faith has only grown stronger amidst the adversity: “If anything, it’s been bolstered by the support we have received and we can give.”
The Greater Los Angeles area hosts over 600,000 Jewish individuals, marking it as the second-largest Jewish community across the United States. In addition to the loss of the Pasadena synagogue, other synagogues and a Chabad center suffered damage. Leaders at neighboring places of worship are stepping forward to provide temporary services for those unable to attend their usual congregations. Volunteers are mobilizing resources, ranging from food and monetary aid to establishing communication lines for displaced families eager to learn the fate of their homes.
Rabbi Zushe Cunin expressed his sense of devastation as nearly all members of his neighborhood have lost their homes. He described the recent events as nothing short of apocalyptic, noting how he and his staff ensured the safety of about 100 children from their school. While they managed to preserve their sanctuary, classrooms and other facilities faced destruction, but the hearts of congregation members remain focused on supporting one another during this overwhelming time.
Their shared determination to rebuild is evident, but immediate efforts are focused on assisting congregants and community members impacted by the fires, many of whom have lost everything. “Even with the people of means, everything is gone,” Cunin stated poignantly.
