A California man discovered a family treasure amid the ashes of his burned home following devastating wildfires near Los Angeles. Joshua Kotler and his family escaped the flames with their lives, but their Altadena home was destroyed. Remarkably, they recovered only one item from the rubble: a menorah passed down from Kotler’s grandmother, a Holocaust survivor.
Kotler recounted the experience to the New York Post, explaining that he, his wife Emily, and their two daughters evacuated to a relative’s home in Glassell Park, about 20 minutes away, as the fires approached. Before leaving, Kotler tried to save his property by hosing down the roof but ultimately fled for safety.
When Kotler and his wife returned to their destroyed home, firefighters were surveying the damage and marking properties as total losses. Kotler asked a firefighter if searching for salvageable items was worth the effort. The firefighter encouraged him, noting that sometimes debris can protect valuable items.
The couple sifted through the ruins of their home and found just one surviving object: Kotler’s grandmother’s menorah. “It was insanely powerful,” he said. “The fact that I went there and it was the only thing recovered from the scene was just an insane feeling.” The emotional discovery left Kotler nearly collapsing, with firefighters helping to steady him.
The menorah, a cherished heirloom, holds profound meaning for the Kotler family. It symbolizes resilience and survival, having endured both the Holocaust and the recent wildfire devastation.
Meanwhile, wildfires continue to ravage parts of California. The Palisades Fire has burned 23,713 acres and is 11% contained. The Eaton Fire has scorched 14,117 acres and is 27% contained, while the Hurst Fire has affected 799 acres with 89% containment, according to CalFire.
Families like the Kotlers face the daunting task of rebuilding after the destruction. However, stories of survival and faith—like the menorah’s preservation—offer glimmers of hope in the aftermath of these devastating wildfires.
