For many Orthodox Jewish families, “Yeshiva Week” has become synonymous with mid-winter travel. It’s a chance to escape the New York chill and recharge in warmer climates, with Los Angeles often at the top of the list. The city offers a unique mix of sunny weather, world-class attractions, and an abundance of shuls and kosher dining options. But this year, I urge you to reconsider.
Los Angeles is facing extraordinary challenges. Wildfires have ravaged the region, threatening lives, homes, and communities—including its vibrant Orthodox neighborhoods. The Sunset Fire, just a few miles from the La Brea Jewish community, has left residents rattled. In an unsettling moment, one shul asked congregants to retrieve their donated Sifrei Torah in case of evacuation. Yeshivas are shuttered, and an accidental mass evacuation alert added to the chaos. Though these frum communities have been spared direct destruction, the emotional toll is undeniable.
This is not the time for tourism. The Orthodox communities of Los Angeles are deeply engaged in relief efforts—helping displaced neighbors, supporting evacuees, and focusing on their own recovery. Hosting an influx of Yeshiva Week visitors, while a mitzvah they would cherish under normal circumstances, would place an undue strain on families already grappling with a crisis. Yes, Angelenos are known for their warmth and hospitality, but their energy is needed elsewhere right now.
Imagine visiting New York in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. The city was reeling, struggling with food shortages, property damage, and an overwhelming sense of loss. While communities extended kindness where they could, the primary focus was on rebuilding. Los Angeles is now in a comparable situation—this is a time for healing, not hosting.
We understand the excitement and tradition of Yeshiva Week trips. They’re an opportunity for family bonding and relaxation. But sometimes, the greatest kindness is knowing when to step back. By postponing your trip to Los Angeles, you allow the city and its communities to recover, regroup, and rebuild.
Consider choosing another destination this year, or rescheduling your trip for a later date. Los Angeles will welcome you with open arms when the time is right—when the community is ready to embrace visitors without compromising their own well-being. This year, let the mitzvah of hachnasas orchim shine when it can be given wholeheartedly, without strain. Your understanding and flexibility will mean more than you know.
Sincerely,
A Los Angeles Resident
The views expressed in this letter are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of YWN. Have an opinion you would like to share? Send it to us for review.
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7 Responses
This letter should leave every human being, and every LA resident utterly shocked and embarrassed. If you did not cringe with every word you need to get checked.
Well I’m going to Los Angeles whether you like it or not.
With great respect to the letter writer, I as well am a Los Angeles resident and I do not understand why people who spent a fortune on tickets and accommodations should have to reschedule their trips for their families. Yes, we in Los Angeles are stressed and yes, last Wednesday night was pretty scary for the Hancock Park community but all is well and life is functioning as normal.
If the letter writer lives in the Palisades or in Pasadena then I totally understand and respect their opinion and I agree, nobody should go to stay in the Palisades or Pasadena. But otherwise, please come!
We love meeting new people and seeing you faces and I’m sure I speak for many of my co-Angelinos to welcome you to our beautiful communities!
Lets leave this to the local rabbonim to decide
Of course its scary times but BH not our neighborhoods so come on by at ur own risk.
U can even volunteer one day at an evacuation location! There’s one right in middle of Hancock park.
P.a. chalabiJew lets do coffee sometime. If ur female 😁
The modern orthodox and Syrian invention of ditching learning for 10 random days against all gedolei yisrael and putting an unfair hardship on the parents that cant actually afford a massive trip should be abolished as well
I think in general, California is really not the best place for a Frum Yid to go touring all around. Someone who lives in LA is very careful to shop close by not go roaming around all over. They go straight to work or to their Kollel and then return home.
The problem with California is that in one detail it is the only state in USA that has a law signed by Mr Newsom that any girl or woman can dress how they please or wear almost nothing (for business purposes) and the Police are not allowed to approach her. She can do what she wants in order to find a partner and dress the way she wants and walk in the middle of the street and the Police can not do anything about it. Even in NY, those girls would have to get off the streets and the Police do get involved, but in California the Governor signed into law that the Cops have no right to interfere.
In California the non-Jewish are not keeping
שבע מצוות בני נח