Flames consumed the Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center, leaving behind only walls and the precious Torah scrolls that Cantor Ruth Berman Harris and her companions valiantly rescued. This 80-year-old synagogue, along with a mosque and several Christian churches, was ravaged by wildfires that have displaced thousands of families in the Los Angeles area. As the risk of new fire threats looms, clergy members face daunting tasks of providing comfort and plotting a course for rebuilding and healing within their devastated communities.
“What remains is just an emptiness where once our congregation celebrated significant events in life,” remarked Melissa Levy, the executive director of the Pasadena Jewish Center.
In a race against the flames, Berman Harris, aided by her husband, a fellow congregant, and a custodian, succeeded in transferring the Torah scrolls to safety before the temple was engulfed on Tuesday night. “The Torah represents the heart of our community,” she said, explaining her urgent decision to act when informed by a nearby congregant of the approaching danger.
Among the other places of worship that perished were Masjid Al-Taqwa, where the imam lost his home as well, as outlined by Enjy El-Kadi from the Council on American-Islamic Relations in Los Angeles. The Altadena Community Church was also lost to flames, with its pastor, Rev. Paul Tellström, noting that members of the small congregation saw their homes destroyed as well.
“It’s a stark reminder of how fragile life can be,” Tellström commented. Built in the 1940s, the church was celebrated for its stained glass and vibrant choir. In an expression of resilience, the church’s Facebook page featured a photo of parishioners singing outside, accompanied by the message: “WE are the church! We can worship anywhere.” Tellström insisted that despite the loss, the spirit of the church remains strong: “We will persevere, for the church is comprised of its people, not just its building.”
Altadena United Methodist Church met a similar fate, with both the church structure and many congregants’ homes lost. Pastor Rev. J. Andre Wilson shared via social media that their service would continue online, proclaiming, “While the building is lost, we are still the church.”
Ricardo Springs II, a member of the Methodist congregation, expressed heartbreak over the impact of the fire. The church had planned a wedding for a couple this Sunday, showcasing the personal losses intertwined with the community devastation. “This community has deep roots, and together we will endure,” he remarked.
St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Altadena was similarly destroyed. Its rector, Rev. Carri Patterson Grindon, acknowledged the heartbreak in losing their place of worship while highlighting that community support remains strong. “During these challenging times, we will need to lean on each other,” she stated.
In Pacific Palisades, St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church reported that while all clergy residences were lost, significant structures like the sanctuary remained unharmed. The church has turned to virtual gatherings to maintain community ties, with Rev. Stefanie Wilson emphasizing the importance of prayers for strength and comfort during this difficult time.
Other faith communities, including Corpus Christi Catholic Church, also experienced destruction, leaving little more than remnants of their once vibrant places of worship. The community leaders exhibited determination, expressing that while losses are profound, their faith remains unshaken.
The Los Angeles area boasts over 600,000 Jews, the second-largest Jewish population in the nation. The Pasadena synagogue also lost its preschool, while other nearby synagogues sustained damage. Congregations that remained unscathed have stepped up, offering services to those affected and providing necessities for displaced families.
“The impacts are catastrophic,” said Rabbi Zushe Cunin regarding the losses in his community. He shared the harrowing experience of guiding children to safety while attempting to salvage sacred scrolls. Although their structures have been threatened, leaders like Cunin, Levy, and Rabbi Noah Farkas remain focused on prioritizing immediate support for those who have suffered significant losses. “Even those with resources have seen everything taken from them,” Cunin reflected.
