This start of 2025 was not want anyone in Los Angeles imagined. Just I returned from our ski vacation and was looking forward to having the kids back in school, an unfathomable tragedy unfolded in my home town. I am incredibly lucky to not have been directly affected by the fires, but a neighborhood very near and dear to my family – the Pacific Palisades – experienced a disaster of epic proportions. Not since 9/11, when I was in the East Village in New York, have I experienced such devastation. My heart goes out to all the people that were directly affected. In late 2019, a flood from a neighbor upstairs destroyed 2/3 of my apartment and I experienced an emotion of despair like I’ve never had. Our “home” was hurt – as a place we had our family life and in the pocketbook as we had to rebuild. (It took 1 year suing my insurance company to recover money!). Now, I see that that was nothing like the fire devastation and complete home loss that thousands (!) experienced in a “blink of an eye.” I can not fathom the emotion of despair they must feel. My heart breaks.
My daughter’s current and my son’s future high school – Palisades Charter High School – took a hit and remains closed. Miraculously, it seems to have sustained 30-40% damage and looks like it has a chance to recover. How it will operate in a middle of a devastation zone is still a question. (My son’s school in Brentwood – Paul Revere Middle School – was unaffected by the fire but remains closed due to the evacuation zone established. They did evacuate pretty promptly on Jan 7th and I am super greatful to the administration and all the teachers.)
There are thousands of GoFundMe that you’ve probably seen and will continue to see. It is overwhelming. To the degree that you can look at a couple from my side that have really touched me and decide to contribute, I would appreciate it.
1. RaisePali – help Palisades Charter High School to recover, rebuild and reopen. Return an iconic institution to its rightful place in the heart of the neighborhood so that the neighborhood can find a purpose to re-build and provide future to its kids.
2. Bud & Cheryl Kling GoFundMe – Bud Kling was my daughter’s high school tennis coach for the past 4 years during her time on the girls’ varsity Pali High tennis team. If you know me, you know that I am a TENNIS guy. Bud is an absolute legend – teacher and coach since 1977 (when I was born!), he has led Pali High to 52 (!!!) City Section titles, an absolute deserved Southern California Jewish Sports Hall of Fame tennis coach. But it’s not about the tennis achievements – the guy is a “mensh”, a Palisades institution, devoted to the neighborhood and its children. He is kind and caring. How does a man in his 70s re-start life when the one home he’s known for so long is gone?
Hope everyone has a good and prosperous 2025… from now on. All the very best.
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