Out of a synagogue in flames, a compulsion for climate action

In the midst of the recent devastating Southern California fires, the world witnessed a sobering sight: a synagogue consumed by flames. For the Jewish community in Los Angeles, this was not only a physical loss, but a profound reminder of the fragility of our shared spaces and the vulnerability of Jewish, and indeed, all life in the face of climate-induced disasters. For us in Australia, the parallels are clear, and the lessons are urgent. 

The fire ravaged synagogue symbolises a deeper truth about the interplay between Jewish life and the natural world. Our rituals, traditions, and practices are often tied to physical spaces: shules where we gather to pray, homes where we share festive meals, and the suburbs we walk through to reach these places. The Torah scrolls housed in those sacred spaces, passed down through generations, are physical embodiments of our core values, history and resilience; but as we’ve been reminded these treasures aren’t impervious to the escalating threats posed by climate change. 

The escalating risk 

Southern California has always been susceptible to fires, but according to Professor David Karoly, former Chief Research Scientist at the CSIRO Climate Science Centre and honorary Senior Research Fellow from Melbourne Climate Futures, this recent fire season has shattered historical norms. This perfect storm was exacerbated by long-term climate change.   

Typically ending by November, the season extended into January, fuelled by prolonged droughts, extreme heat, and the fierce Santa Ana winds. These winds  – scorching, dry, and hurricane-force  – amplify the ferocity of fires, turning brush into tinder and embers into conflagrations. It’s a scenario eerily reminiscent of Australia’s own bushfire risks, particularly in regions like Sydney and Melbourne.