Southern California Faith Leaders Form Strategic Coalitions Following Devastating January 2025 Wildfires

Story Summary
Sixteen months after January 2025 wildfires destroyed or damaged over a dozen houses of worship in Pacific Palisades, Altadena, and Pasadena, local clergy have formed unprecedented interfaith coalitions to navigate complex recovery efforts. Leaders, including Rabbi Amy Bernstein and Pastor Jonathan DeCuir, are collaborating across denominational lines to address insurance challenges, land-use regulations, and the threat of predatory real estate development. Beyond spiritual support, these groups are actively lobbying government officials and managing nonprofits like the Legacy Land Project to secure resources for displaced congregants. As communities begin rebuilding, some congregations are reimagining their physical footprints to include affordable housing and multipurpose spaces, signaling a shift in how religious institutions function as essential infrastructure in disaster-prone urban environments.





