Californians are in the midst of assessing damages to homes, business and property as they return to neighborhoods ravaged by last week’s rampant wildfires. Some of them—hundeds, in fact—will be welcomed by Chabad of Sonoma County and the Napa Valley Chabad Jewish Center on Oct. 20 at two Shabbat dinners focused on comfort and unity in the wake of such trauma. The meals and programs, which are being held free of charge, will take place at the Flamingo Conference Resort and Spa in Santa Rosa and the Embassy Suites in Napa, respectively.
Though the wildfires that raged for more than a week in Northern California’s wine country and environs have become more contained, they leave significant destruction in their wake. More than 40 people lost their lives, nearly 200,000 acres of land have been scorched, and thousands lost homes and property, including Napa Valley vineyards and wineries. Families and business owners have a long road ahead to rebuild, says Rabbi Elchonon Tenenbaum, co-director of the Napa Valley Chabad Jewish Center with his wife, Chanie, who have been in contact with community members throughout the ordeal.
They’re hoping to have 100 people at what they are calling “Shabbat Dinner of Comfort and Unity,” he says, though the number could increase as evacuees continue to return to evaluate their situations. “Some people don’t know yet if their house is destroyed or not,” he says. “They have to get back and see what’s going on.”
This is an important time for people to come together for something positive and beautiful, says Rabbi Mendel Wolvovksy, who co-directs Chabad of Sonoma County with his wife, Altie. Shabbat is ideal for that, says the rabbi, who is expecting more than 200 people to attend their dinner on Friday.
“There’s no question that people are still very shaken up,” he says. “Everybody you speak to knows of a close friend or relative who lost their home. The process will be long, but we hope to be able to offer the support needed going forward.”
‘We Can and Want to Help’
Participants will gather in the two different hotel spaces to share Shabbat dinner, with stores donating flowers and paper goods for the events. They’ll eat gefilte fish, chicken, side dishes and challah, and have the chance to discuss their current situations. “We feel that what is needed right now is to bring together the largest group possible—that people know we are all going through this together, and can and want to help each other,” says Wolvovsky.
The rabbi spent time at local shelters during the height of the fires, talking to residents and assisting where possible. Chabad also served hot meals during Sukkot and Simchat Torah for anyone who needed the food and company.
A fire still burns in a nearby park, according to Wolvovsky, and the air remains hazy and ash-filled. “But every day gets a little better,” he says, “and we’re able to see more clear sky.”
Wolvovsky recounts a recent meeting with a man at an evacuation center that he had been worried about and unable to reach for a while. “He forgot that his local Chabad rabbi was thinking about him and nervous for his safety,” he now says with relief. “This morning we put on tefillin together, and it was very nice.”
Both Shabbat events start at 5 p.m. Click here for information about the Sonoma dinner and here for the Napa dinner.
Start a Discussion