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. 

The conditions leading to such disasters are no longer extraordinary; they are becoming the new normal. And unless major action isn't taken this decade, these trends will get much worse. As Professor Karoly noted, climate change has lengthened fire seasons and intensified their impact. Fires that once ravaged bushland now engulf suburban areas, transitioning from wildfires to urban infernos through ember attacks and house-to-house ignition. It’s a chilling reminder that no community is immune, including our own. 

Jewish responsibility 

For the Jewish community in Australia, the lessons from LA are stark. We must act on two fronts: preparing for the present and taking responsibility for the future. This begins with a comprehensive climate risk assessment for our communal spaces and assets. Synagogues, schools, and community centres must be evaluated for their resilience to extreme weather events. Fire evacuation plans, ember-proofing measures, and access to emergency water supplies should be standard. 

But preparation alone is not enough. Our festivals and rituals, deeply tied to the seasons and the natural world, remind us of our interdependence with the environment. The Torah’s teachings compel us to be stewards of the Earth, taking responsibility for the actions that have contributed to its warming.  
 
As Rabbi Ben Elton explains, “When God placed the first human being in the Garden of Eden the Torah tells us it was our job to work and safeguard the garden which of course is a macrocosm of the whole of creation. To work the garden, to make it productive, to develop technology, to farm, to find and to use natural resources, but also to safeguard.” 

This responsibility begins in our homes, extends to our businesses and our greater way of life. Collectively, we need to advocate for ambitious climate policies, urging our leaders and candidates to prioritise Australia’s transition to a low-carbon economy.  

“We need to make sure [the world] stays safe, stays holy, stays protected…That’s why we need Jewish Leadership on climate change,” said Rabbi Elton. “Because while the human race has been very busy working the world, exploiting the world, making it productive in all sorts of beneficial ways, we’ve fallen short in our safeguarding of the world. Now we know of the impacts of climate change we have to turn our attention much more intensely towards that activity.” 

This must be a bipartisan effort, resisting any efforts by political leaders to drag this issue into identity politics. Significant opportunities for action exist especially among political parties who historically have not led on these issues - but which certainly could with sufficient courage and imagination. 

The path forward 

The fires in Los Angeles are a devastating reminder of what is at stake, but they also present an opportunity to galvanise action. As a community, we must: 

A future worth fighting for 

Jewish life has endured for millennia because of our ability to adapt and persevere. Today, as we face the challenges of a warming planet, we are called to act with the same resilience and foresight. By taking responsibility for our emissions and preparing our communities for the impacts of climate change, we honour the traditions and values that have sustained us. 

The burnt synagogue in LA is a loss that resonates deeply. Let it also be a catalyst for action—a reminder that our future is in our hands. Together, we can ensure that Jewish life not only survives but thrives in the face of adversity, lighting the way for others to follow.