Dear Friends,
It's been 4 days since the fire broke out outside Chabad and I want to begin my update today by saying THANK YOU.
What began 14 years ago in our living room, has transformed into loving, supportive, and unified community. Thank you for letting Fruma and me know that we're not alone and that we are all in this together. Thank you for your non-ending stream of emails, text messages, and phone calls. (If we haven't responded directly, please know we have read and heard every message.) Thank you for your financial support. Thank you for coming by; offering a helping hand and a hug. It's at times like these that we turn to G-d and thank Him for the many blessings in our lives.
1) CAUSE: As frustrating as this is for all of us, the truth is that at this time we simply have no idea how the fire began. We do know that it began outside the back of the building at approx. 12:30am Friday morning. We do know that there are no initial signs of foul play or arson. Detectives and fire officials didn't sense any odors of an accelerant (gasoline, kerosene, etc.) and the burning pattern doesn't appear to be consistent with the use of an accelerant. They are continuing to work on the investigation and we will let you know as we hear more updates.
2) BUILDING: The fire primarily damaged the exterior of the building. The actual building is, thank G-d, structurally intact and not compromised. The interior of the building was, thank G-d, not damaged by the actual fire (smoke, water, and other damage is still being assessed).
Due to safety concerns, the power and gas was shut off immediately. Yesterday we obtained electrical building permits from the city to fix exposed and damaged electrical. Once that job is complete and properly inspected, PG&E will be allowed to turn back on the power and gas and we will be able to use the building. Hopefully we can complete all this within the next few days. At this point, we anticipate Hebrew School, services, programming, classes, and all our activities to be in the building by September 1 - please G-d.
3) GOING FORWARD: Our response to setbacks and challenge is to increase our energy and become more vibrant than before. As all of you have confidently assured us: our community will come together to restore, recover, rebuild, and renew. Not only will this fire not stifle our growth, it will accelerate it.
Having obtained use permits from the city a few months ago for expansion of our outdoors, preschool development, and security upgrades we are using the destruction of the fire as an impetus to hire architects to create a design and rendering of an upgraded and newly renovated and secured Chabad Center for Jewish Life. We're hoping to have a magnificent design ready to roll out before the High Holidays.
4) HELPING OUT: Once the investigation is concluded and the power is back on at the building we are going to have a communal "Clean Up Chabad Day". Please stay tuned for that info. Additionally, if you are in a position to help us through this time of recovery, you can make a donation at: www.JewishTriValley.com/fire
ב"ה