Pasadena Jewish community 'resilient, hopeful' on one-year anniversary of fire

(JNS) — The Jewish community in Pasadena, Calif., is experiencing a “mix of emotion” as the one-year anniversary approaches of the Eaton Fire, which broke out on Jan. 7, 2025, and killed 19 people and destroyed more than 9,400 structures, including the more than 100-year-old Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center.

Melissa Levy, executive director of the Conservative synagogue, told JNS that the community is feeling “resilient and hopeful but also still in a period of mourning.”

“It’s a mix of emotion,” she said. “We’re mourning the loss of this really important space. Thank God people are safe, but...