Center of Jewish Life in L.A. Exits Shabbat, Enters Storm of Protests

“Anxious, frightened, and scared” is how Rebecca Klempner described her neighbors in Los Angeles’ Pico-Robertson neighborhood as the realization took hold Saturday night that angry demonstrators were burning, vandalizing and looting stores, breaking windows and setting fires in garbage bins, buildings and vehicles – just steps away from their homes. 

As protests over the death of George Floyd – killed Tuesday when a police officer kneeled on his neck – turned violent, leading to riots and looting in the epicenter of Orthodox Jewish life in LA, Klempner and others who are Shabbat-observant were almost completely unaware of what was happening around them.

They had been tuned out from the news for much longer than the usual Shabbat period of Friday till Saturday evening: The Shavuot holiday began on Thursday evening, which meant they were unplugged for three days – oblivious to the news breaking on television, radio or online for over 48 hours.

Demonstrators smashing a police vehicle in the Fairfax District as they protest the death of George Floyd, Los Angeles, California, May 30, 2020.AFP

“There is looting now on the far side of our neighborhood, and people are honestly terrified,” Klempner said in a telephone interview with Haaretz late Saturday night.

“We’re in our apartment, away from windows. I told my husband that if we start to hear people outside, we’ll sit or lay on the ground – so if there are shots, we won’t get accidentally hit. The shades are drawn and windows are tight in case there’s tear gas,” added Klempner, a married mother of four who lives half a block from Pico Boulevard.

Together with the nearby Fairfax district, this neighborhood is widely considered the epicenter of Jewish life in LA, crowded with synagogues and kosher food stores – including the legendary Canter’s Deli.

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– Ari Plachta tweet

Consider Shabbos in Fairfax disrupted pic.twitter.com/fTsE7HjXCy

— Ariella Plachta (@AriPlachta) May 31, 2020

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– Ari Plachta tweet

Police shooting rubber bullets at protesters retreating on Oakwood and Fairfax. pic.twitter.com/AHmwYQVJ8k

— Ariella Plachta (@AriPlachta) May 31, 2020

Klempner spoke on Saturday evening after a curfew was imposed on downtown Los Angeles, which was later extended to the entire city – one of 15 cities across the United States to do so. In addition to imposing the curfew, LA Mayor Eric Garcetti also requested assistance from the National Guard to “maintain peace and safety on the streets,” as Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency in Los Angeles County.