1.Up in Flames

If you are like me, you know someone who lost their home this week. The ruin and heartbreak are difficult to imagine and many friends and loved ones remain in danger, with cars fueled and go-bags ready. We offer our sympathy and support as the Jewish community springs into action as the devastating Los Angeles-area fires widen.

Among other losses, a Pasadena synagogue burned down as fires rage across southern California "The Pasadena Jewish Center and Temple burned for hours as fire spilled out of the Eaton Canyon, fueled by strong winds. The 434-family congregation had operated from the Mission-style building, which had a wooden Torah ark carved by the Jewish artist Peter Krasnow, and three outbuildings since the 1940s. The congregation’s executive director told The New York Times overnight that everyone employed by the synagogue was safe. 'We are devastated, but our staff are safe and we managed to get our Torahs out safely as well, while ash was coming down in our parking lot,' said Melissa Levy."

Rabbi Nicole Guzik, based in Los Angeles, offers this prayer during the southern California fires 2025.

2.Punish This Man

When sometime in the future this man is sentenced, let's hope they throw the book at him. No, I'm not holding my breath - after all, crimes against Jews are never a priority.

The Massachusetts man who was arrested for antisemitic threats on Saturday had a Nazi flag, guns, ammunition and $70,000 in cash in his Beverly home. "Local outlets reported that Matthew Scouras, 34, had allegedly threatened to rape Jewish women and called for people to be shot outside of synagogues. The FBI alerted police to the threat. Scouras faces a range of charges related to illegal possession of firearms and a count of threats to destroy a place of worship. He has been arraigned and his next hearing is scheduled for next week. He is being held without bail."

3.The Endless Wait Continues

"Relatives of the seven American hostages held in Gaza will attend Donald Trump’s inauguration on Jan. 20, representatives of the families announced.

"The announcement Wednesday comes as Trump and outgoing President Joe Biden are both working to close a ceasefire deal in Gaza that would free some of the nearly 100 hostages, dead and alive, who have been held there since Hamas abducted them in its Oct. 7, 2023, attack. Deputies for both Trump and Biden are saying that a deal is close, though the sides have appeared optimistic in the past only for talks to falter.

"At a press conference on Tuesday, Trump threatened that 'if they’re not back by the time I get into office, all hell will break out in the Middle East and it will not be good for Hamas, and it will not be good, frankly, for anyone.' " Read more here.

I hope that part of the hell will be directed at one Benjamin Netanyahu.

4.Puff That Magic

Peter Yarrow, Jewish musician and activist of Peter, Paul and Mary fame, died at 86. "Yarrow was a Cornell graduate playing in Greenwich Village clubs during the early 1960s folk revival when manager and musical impresario Albert Grossman, who also steered Bob Dylan’s career, suggested he team up with the Kentucky-born singer Mary Travers. Travers in turn proposed they include Paul Stookey. 

"After polishing their act at clubs in the Village like the Bitter End and the Gaslight, the trio signed with Warner and went on to record a series of hits, including folk standards like 'Lemon Tree' and '500 Miles,' and compositions by other revivalists, including Pete Seeger’s 'If I Had a Hammer' and Dylan’s 'Blowin’ in the Wind.' " 

Below is a classic and here are 10 Peter, Paul and Mary songs ranked.

5.Advance Screening of a New October 7 Documentary

I share with you this opportunity to view a documentary that presents the stories of seven survivors of the October 7th massacre. The film gives voice to the survivors as we hear their first-hand accounts. Click here to: watch the trailer. (They may ask for your financial support for the project.) If you wish to join the Zoom screening on Thursday, January 16, 2025, at noon send me your name and the email you wish to register with and I will forward the link next week.

6.Fast of Nabokov

I suspect very few among us will fast tomorrow. But when looking for January food ideas, any holiday - even a minor fast day - will do.

"On Asarah B'Tevet, the 10th day of the Jewish month of Tevet, in the year 3336 from Creation (425 BCE), the armies of the Babylonian emperor Nebuchadnezzar laid siege to Jerusalem. Asarah B'Tevet is observed as a day of fasting, mourning and repentance."

Food Network's Toby Amidor, an award-winning registered dietitian and the author of 10 published cookbooks, shares advice on preparing for and breaking a fast. And below we offer some high-fiber recipes that are delicious any day of the year.

Food Network: "20 Recipes That Are High in Fiber"

EatingWell: "15 High-Fiber Meals You Can Make in 25 Minutes or Less"