The devastating wildfires sweeping through Los Angeles over the last week have left countless families displaced and communities struggling to recover. We’ve seen Chabads and synagogues step over the provide shelter, food, and other resources for those who’ve lost their homes or those fighting the fires.
Additionally, in the face of this crisis, many of the city’s kosher eateries and caterers, have also risen to the occasion, offering support, food, and comfort to those in need. These acts of kindness highlight the resilience and generosity of the kosher community, coming together to aid first responders and evacuees alike during this challenging time.
From free meals to collaborative donation efforts, kosher businesses across Los Angeles have taken meaningful steps to make a difference. Their contributions not only provide immediate relief but also demonstrate the values of compassion and solidarity deeply ingrained in Jewish traditions. This article showcases the inspiring efforts of several local kosher businesses, each playing a vital role in helping the community heal and rebuild.
Kosher Businesses Providing Relief Efforts in LA
• Holy Grill (8581 W Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA), a kosher Israeli restaurant in Pico-Robertson, took an inspiring initiative to support the community during the wildfires. Owned by Ella and Adiel Nahmias, the restaurant announced on January 10 that they would provide one free meal per day per first responder until January 18. Ella emphasized the importance of extending hope and solidarity, with each meal symbolizing gratitude for the tireless efforts of first responders.
• Lenny’s Casita (9537 W Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA): Lenny Nourafchan, the owner of Lenny’s Casita, showed deep appreciation for first responders and their families. On January 9, he shared an Instagram post offering free food all day to first responders, sending tons of kosher food to fire houses in LA. This heartfelt gesture acknowledged the bravery and hard work of those protecting the community during the crisis.
• Holy Smokes Kosher BBQ, a kosher barbecue Shabbat takeout and catering service out of the Valley helmed by Dani Goldblatt, has shifted its focus to providing thousands of meals for displaced individuals and first responders. They’ve partnered with @ChefBae and are raising funds through Chabad of Pierce to support these efforts. The first batch of meals was delivered to Chabad of Pasadena to ensure anyone displaced—Jewish or not—has access to fresh, kosher meals. The remaining meals are going to first responders. Many firefighters, who are exhausted, specifically requested cooked meals for their stations, so we’re delivering across Los Angeles and Pasadena.
In addition to meals, funds are being used to provide gift cards to help those who are displaced to start getting clothes and other essentials. We’re working closely with Chabad to distribute these cards to those in need who have lost everything.
Donations can be made here: https://donorbox.org/holy-smokes
• Modern Bread & Bagel (1426 Montana Ave, Santa Monica, CA & 6256 Topanga Canyon Blvd, Woodland Hills, CA), a kosher gluten-free bakery and restaurant (also with numerous locations in the NY metro area), announced that they are offering deeply discounted gluten-free food boxes to evacuees and first responders. Struggling to find distribution centers, they reached out to their customers for help in identifying and delivering these meals. Customers have generously sponsored two box options: a sandwich box with a dozen assorted sandwiches for $12 ($1 each) and a pastry box with six or more pastries for $3, ensuring that those with dietary restrictions receive support during the wildfire crisis. Anyone can preorder for a person in need on their website.
• Madela Pizza and Pasta (8555 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA) is partnering with Chabad and has stepped up to ensure evacuees and first responders were well-fed during the wildfires. The dairy restaurant on Beverly Boulevard prepared and distributed meals, providing essential support to those in need.
• Bella’s Bread & Butter (7288 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA) played a significant role in aiding local firefighters and first responders. Bella’s Bread & Butter supplied food and offered free coffee, providing a comforting and supportive gesture to those on the frontlines battling the fires and helping displaced residents.
• Lieder’s (8787 W Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA) is a staple for Shabbos takeout in Pico-Robertson, Lieder’s made fresh and hot chicken soup for first responders in Malibu. This act of kindness ensured those risking their lives received nourishing meals during their demanding efforts to manage the wildfires.
• Pita ‘Bu (22935 E Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, CA), adjacent to the Chabad of Malibu, survived the fires and is set up as a donation center / pick up point for those in need and first responders. The eatery will be operational and providing food for these efforts as soon as their gas gets turned back on.
• TLV Tapas Bar (5442 Yolanda Ave, Tarzana, CA) and sister restaurant chain Tel Aviv Grill (multiple locations in the region: 17201 Ventura Blvd. Encino, CA; 12450 Burbank Blvd. Valley Village, CA; 2734 Mulholland Dr. Woodland Hills, CA) have stepped forward to assist during the wildfire crisis by organizing with the local Chabad houses to distribute meals to people in our community who have been effected by the fires. The restaurants will donate an additional 10% with every donation made below. Each $10 donation will contribute a meal to a community member or first responder distributed in coordination with various local Chabad houses.
100% of the proceeds from this campaign will be donated to community members and first responders. Donations can be made on their website.
• The Wandering Que, by Ari White, was already planning on being out in LA with his BBQ truck for Yeshiva Week, hosted by Schwartz’s BBQ & Deli on Pico, but has changed course as they now pivot into an emergency kosher food response mission. They are joining forces with Koshco, Schwartz’s Marketplace, Shwartz’s BBQ and Deli, Magen Am, Tomchei Shabbos, the Chabad of Hancock Park, and Chabad of Brookside. This BBQ pop-up will be next Sunday the 19th until the following Sunday on the 26th.
Open till 11 and stay open Selling out All food relief and distribution will be facilitated through the two organizations listed above and local hubs. Anyone in need should reach out to the organizations directly and anyone wishing to donate can do so through any of the links above, either to us towards the food or directly to the organizations humanitarian efforts.
Each of these kosher businesses demonstrated the spirit of generosity and community during a time of crisis, reinforcing the strong values of chesed (kindness) and tzedakah (charity) within the LA kosher community. This of course is merely the stories we found and completely misses all of the Jewish and non-Jewish non-profit organizations, shuls, and individual heroes taking the time to do good for their neighbors.
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