Not much else is left of the 100-year-old PJTC, the fire having destroyed the campus— including one of many Yahrzeit plaques that memorialized the deceased( the remaining were stolen after the fire), and a few other metal artifacts, including a Star of David.
Of 430 families who are congregants, 70 were displaced. More evacuated at least for a short time. As of March 2026, 36 of those 70 remained displaced, some fighting insurance companies or struggling to pay rent on top of their mortgage for more than a year.
In the early weeks, the priority was to ensure everyone had food, clothing, and housing, Levy said. In addition to their congregation, the PJTC helped eight synagogue neighbors who lost their homes.“ It’ s not only about God, it’ s about people,” Levy said.
Outside support from religious communities throughout the world arrived to help the congregation. Within a few days, the Sunday school was relocated and held in a donated space.“ Churches were almost fighting to offer us space at wildly reduced costs,” Levy said.
The congregation now worships at First United Methodist Church( FUMC) of Pasadena, a former member of Partners for Sacred Places’ New Dollars / New Partners Southern California cohort, and for more than a year had office space on that campus.
FUMC’ s sanctuary is a beautiful space, Levy said. The stained glass windows depict scenes from the Old Testament, which is familiar. Each service, the Torah
Above: The Galpert Sanctuary at Pasadena Jewish Temple & Center before the fire. Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center
Right: One of the few remnants that remained intact: the Star of David on a gate. Julia Grinblat
and a donated handmade ark are wheeled into the space. Prayer garments( kippah and tallit), as well as specific podiums, also help make the space feel holy.
High holidays are held at a CalTech auditorium. The university moved its student orientation so the PJTC could hold its Rosh Hashanah service there.“ It’ s the power of community that makes a sacred space,” Levy said.
The PJTC was far from the only sacred place that experienced devastation across Southern California in the 2025 wildfires.
“ Churches, synagogues were completely leveled,” said Adrian Scott Fine, president and CEO of the Los Angeles Conservancy. In Altadena, where many historic and cultural resources had never been comprehensively surveyed,“ we lost places that we didn’ t even know about.”
18 SACRED PLACES • SUMMER 2023