Holocaust Survivor’s Menorah Survives California Wildfire, Symbolizing Hope and Resilience

In the midst of a devastating wildfire that destroyed their family home, Joshua Kotler and his wife Emily were left with nothing but their lives. However, from the ashes of their Altadena home, one precious item emerged: a menorah that had once belonged to Joshua’s grandmother, a Holocaust survivor.

The Kotler family, including their two daughters, Liberty, 4, and Eve, 2, had evacuated their home as the fire rapidly advanced. While they managed to flee with just a few clothes and the necessities, they never imagined the fire would destroy everything they had. Their home, perched at the top of a mountain, was completely consumed by the flames.

“We got out of our house safely, thank God,” Joshua told The New York Post, reflecting on their escape. The next morning, as firefighters surveyed the damage, Joshua and Emily returned to see what, if anything, had survived. Amid the devastation, the only item that remained unscathed was the menorah, a family heirloom passed down through generations.

“It was insanely powerful to find it,” Joshua said, choking up. “The night before, I had been crying on the phone with my cousin, regretting not grabbing it when we left. And then to find it, the only thing left from our entire house—it was just an insane feeling.”

The menorah’s survival felt almost miraculous. It had witnessed history—having survived the horrors of the Holocaust—now it had survived a destructive wildfire. For Joshua, it was more than just an object; it was a symbol of survival, resilience, and the enduring strength of his family’s legacy.

As he recovered the menorah from the wreckage, he recalled the fear and uncertainty that gripped him as the fire approached. “I was trying to save the house, but I wasn’t thinking clearly. I kept wondering if we would make it out,” he said. “But finding that menorah, it was a sign—no matter what, we’re still here.”

While their home was lost, the Kotlers have found hope in this small but significant piece of history that now carries a new meaning: a reminder that even in the darkest moments, something precious can endure. “We’re alive. That’s all that matters,” Joshua reflected, holding his family close, grateful for their survival and the menorah that connected their past with their future.