🌱 Patch AM: How a new rabbi is bringing Hanukkah light to Sierra Madre

Hello Sierra Madre! Stay connected with the latest updates from around town. Let's dive in! ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• How a new rabbi is bringing Hanukkah light to Sierra Madre
• How Sierra Madre fire survivors will be honored at the 2026 Rose Parade

Also on today's calendar: A Jet Set Christmas! at Sierra Madre Playhouse, Dec. 20, 21 and 4 more events.

Today's riddle: My brother swallowed a box of firecrackers. - Is he all right now? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Thursday: Partly sunny and warm, with a high of 79 and low of 56 degrees.
• Friday: Mostly sunny and nice, temps: high: 74, low: 52.
• Saturday: Mostly sunny and nice, with a high of 71 and low of 50 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• Pasadena Jewish Temple's new rabbi on leading a historic congregation recovering from the Eaton fire (dailynews.com) — A new senior rabbi for Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center has been leading communal Hanukkah candle lighting gatherings in Sierra Madre while guiding his fire-displaced congregation through worship in temporary spaces. He reflects on the Eaton fire, his path from law to the rabbinate, and the multigenerational community he now serves across Pasadena, Arcadia, and nearby cities.
   

• Wildfire Survivors To Take Center Stage at 2026 Rose Parade (coloradoboulevard.net) — Sierra Madre wildfire survivors will be honored alongside neighbors on a “Rising Together” float in the 2026 Rose Parade, commemorating lives lost and homes destroyed in the 2025 Eaton and Palisades fires. The float, co-sponsored by two foundations, highlights ongoing recovery challenges and calls attention to long-term support needs across affected communities.
   

📸 Around Sierra Madre

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

🗓 Upcoming Events in Sierra Madre

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Saturday December 20

• Sensory Play
  Sierra Madre City Rec Center, Sierra Madre Hall, Sierra Madre
  9:00 am

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Friday December 19

• English Conversation With Ronnie
  Playa Vista Branch Library
  10:00 am

Saturday December 20

• Knitting and Crochet Club
  Harbor Gateway Branch Library Harbor City -
  1:00 pm
• A Jet Set Christmas! at Sierra Madre Playhouse, Dec. 20, 21
  Sierra Madre Playhouse , 87 W Sierra Madre Blvd , Sierra Madre
  8:00 pm

Wednesday December 24

• Computer Classes
  Harbor City - Harbor Gateway Branch Library
  3:00 pm

Saturday December 27

• Knitting and Crochet Club
  Harbor City - Harbor Gateway Branch Library
  1:00 pm

Thursday January 1

• Floatfest 2026 — SMRFA
  Sierra Madre Rose Float Association , 587 E Sierra Madre Blvd , Sierra Madre
  1:30 pm

📣 Sierra Madre Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

🗓 Events Nearby

Thursday December 18

• Chair Yoga for Seniors - In-Person Program
  El Monte Library , 3224 Tyler Ave , El Monte
  12:30 pm
• Chair Yoga for Seniors
  El Monte Library , 3224 Tyler Ave , El Monte
  12:30 pm
• Dungeons and Dragons for High School
  Playa Vista Branch Library
  4:00 pm
• Teen Program: Craft-A-Palooza
  Temple City Library , 5939 Golden West Ave , Temple City
  4:00 pm
• Historic Holiday Harmonies at the Huntington
  The Huntington Library , Art Museum , San Marino
  7:30 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Sierra Madre PatchAM possible:

• LA Fire Justice — (626) 684-3315
  Holding Southern California Edison Accountable

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Inbound operations to Hollywood Burbank Airport have resumed.
  9:54AM on Dec 17: Inbound aircraft to Hollywood Burbank Airport are being held at their origin due to low ceilings, with operations expected to… (Nextdoor )

• Kroger posted a job opening for Courtesy Clerk/Grocery Bagger in Arcadia. Apply here.
• BJ's Restaurants, Inc. posted a job opening for Janitorial in Arcadia. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Sierra Madre here.

🗞 Nearby News

Arcadia

• Wrong-way driver killed after head-on crash on 210 Freeway in Arcadia (sgvtribune.com)
• Global Efforts Continue to Improve Safety, Resiliency and Maintenance of Roads (enr.com)
• Family of fallen Las Cruces officer receives mortgage-free home (ktsm.com)

Monrovia

• Explore LA County Watersheds on a Festive Metro Adventure from Monrovia to Santa Monica (coloradoboulevard.net)
• SGV girls soccer Top 20: Glendora, Bishop Amat, La Habra lead the way (fresnobee.com)

Ok Sierra Madre! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I don’t know. I haven’t heard the last report.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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