Prayers for Peace and Redemption Echo at Santa Monica Pier as Rabbi Levitansky Leads Rosh Hashanah Service

In a heartfelt gathering at the Santa Monica Pier on September 3, 2024, more than a dozen members of Chabad in Simcha Monica came together to celebrate Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. Rabbi Levitansky led the ceremony, beginning with a powerful shofar blast, marking the start of the Ten Days of Repentance between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. The shofar, a ram's horn, is a symbolic call to reflection, prayer, and repentance, with the sound echoing across the ocean, uniting the community in faith and tradition.

"This year, we've experienced events that none of us could have imagined," Rabbi Levitansky said, addressing the congregation. "Our minds and hearts are with our brothers and sisters in Israel. The energy created by our unity here affects the world at large, especially the land of Israel and its people."

The group also offered prayers for the safe return of hostages and for the soldiers of the Israel Defense Forces. "May God have mercy on them and bring them from distress to comfort, from darkness to light, from slavery to redemption," Rabbi Levitansky recited, with the crowd responding in unison, "Amen."

The ceremony continued with the Tashlich service, where participants cast pieces of bread into the ocean, symbolically casting away their sins. "This ancient custom comes from a verse in the prophets," Rabbi Levitansky explained, "which says, 'I will cast away in the depths of the sea all of their sins.' This symbolic act reminds us that we are starting the new year fresh, casting away our misdeeds."

During the Tashlich, Rabbi Levitansky reflected on the significance of gathering near water, particularly where fish swim. "Fish never close their eyes, and we pray that God's eyes never close on us. Fish multiply in great numbers, as we hope to see blessings multiply in our lives, and they cannot be seen, which protects them from the evil eye—just as we ask to be protected."

As the shofar’s notes faded and the bread disappeared into the waves, the community shared a sense of renewal and hope. The ceremony closed with the singing of prayers for peace. Rabbi Levitansky also offered a wish for the new year, "May this year bring the wonders of the Messianic Redemption, and may we all return to the land of Israel and live in peace together."

The Rosh Hashanah ceremony at the Santa Monica Pier was a deeply meaningful event, creating a space for reflection, unity, and hope, as the Jewish community welcomed the new year of 5785.

 

LAPD Oversees Homeless Encampment Cleanup on Venice Streets

Venice, Los Angeles – September 4, 2024 — A coordinated cleanup operation was conducted on Main Street and Speedway in Venice by the City of Los Angeles Department of Public Works and Clean Harbors Environmental Inc., focusing on the removal of a homeless encampment. Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) officers were on-site to ensure the operation proceeded smoothly and safely. The effort, which involved workers in protective gear, focused on separating hazardous from non-hazardous waste to ensure a comprehensive and safe cleanup. This initiative is part of the city's ongoing commitment to addressing homelessness while improving public health and sanitation in high-traffic areas. The operation underscores the city’s focus on maintaining cleanliness and public safety while balancing compassionate responses to homelessness.

Tensions Flare at Venice Beach: Police Intervene After Altercation Between Street Performer and Resident

On Wednesday, October 2, 2024, Los Angeles Police officers responded to an altercation on the Venice Beach Boardwalk involving a street performer and a local resident. The incident occurred during a live comedy routine, where the resident allegedly took offense to remarks made by the comedian, leading to a physical confrontation. According to the resident, tensions escalated after a previous interaction in which he helped the comedian by purchasing batteries and complimented his performance. However, during a later encounter, the comedian allegedly made offensive comments about the resident's wife during a routine, which led to a verbal exchange. On the morning of the incident, the resident said he approached the performer to mention the batteries, at which point the situation quickly spiraled. The resident admits to reaching for the comedian's microphone, after which the comedian struck him in the mouth, sparking a scuffle. The comedian, however, provided a different perspective. He stated that he never spoke to the resident during the altercation and expressed concern for his safety, citing that Venice Beach has become increasingly unsafe. The comedian claimed that he felt threatened and only hit the resident in self-defense, particularly given his medical condition—he disclosed that he suffers from epilepsy and was worried that the confrontation could trigger a seizure. The comedian felt that the incident was not "mutual combat," as the police concluded, and argued that his actions were purely in defense of his well-being. The comedian also voiced frustration that the resident was not handcuffed or arrested, citing what he perceived as bias on the part of the officers. He believed the resident, who is white, was given preferential treatment. Despite his desire to press charges for assault and battery, the police decided not to file any charges, as the altercation was determined to be mutual combat. The resident sustained a cut on his lip during the altercation, and officers administered first aid at the scene before both parties went their separate ways.

 

Santa Monica Police Intervene in Beach Confrontation, Issue Warning to Homeless Man

 

On Tuesday, October 1, 2024, Santa Monica Police officers responded to an altercation at Santa Monica Beach involving two men. According to witnesses, a homeless man allegedly confronted a person hosting an event at the beach. The event host defended himself, and officers quickly arrived on the scene.

Police conducted an investigation and identified the homeless man, whom they were familiar with due to prior incidents in the area. Officers issued a warning to the man, instructing him to leave the vicinity. They informed him that if a similar situation occurs in the future, he will face arrest.

No arrests were made at the time, and the event proceeded without further disruption.

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LAPD Arrest Stolen Cadillac Suspects in Santa Monica Following High-Speed Chase and PIT Maneuver

 

On Tuesday, October 1, 2024, Los Angeles Police officers, with the assistance of an overhead helicopter, pursued suspects in a stolen Cadillac Escalade through multiple neighborhoods, ending the chase in Santa Monica. The incident began in Pacific Palisades, near Sunset Avenue, when officers ran the plates of the SUV and discovered it had been reported stolen.

When police attempted to initiate a traffic stop, the suspects fled, prompting a high-speed pursuit that drew aerial support from an LAPD helicopter. The chase continued through several areas before concluding on Barnard Way in Santa Monica, where officers performed a PIT maneuver, forcing the SUV to a stop. 

Two suspects exited the vehicle and fled on foot into nearby condominiums. Officers, aided by the helicopter, quickly located and arrested the suspects after a brief foot chase.

Following standard protocol, Santa Monica Fire Paramedics were called to the scene due to the collision caused by the PIT maneuver. Both suspects were transported to a hospital for evaluation before being booked.

LAPD noted that the stolen Cadillac is part of a recent string of black SUV thefts linked to home burglaries in the area. The vehicle was towed as part of the ongoing investigation.

Knife Attack at Santa Monica Pier Parking Lot Ends in First-Degree Murder Conviction

Santa Monica, CA – On November 2, 2022, Santa Monica Police officers responded to a suspicious circumstances call at Lot 1 North, a beach parking lot just north of the Pier. A parking attendant had discovered a man motionless in the driver’s seat of a vehicle, appearing to be bleeding. Officers arriving on the scene found the man had suffered fatal injuries from a knife attack, and he was declared deceased by firefighters. Initially identified as a John Doe, the victim was later confirmed to be a resident of Dearborn, Michigan, who had recently purchased the vehicle in Southern California.

Following an extensive forensic investigation, authorities identified Mohamed Abou-Arabi, also of Dearborn, as the suspect. In January 2023, Santa Monica detectives, with assistance from the Dearborn Police Department, located and arrested Abou-Arabi in Michigan. He was charged with first-degree murder with an enhancement for the use of a knife.

After standing trial in September 2024, Abou-Arabi was convicted of first-degree murder. His sentencing is scheduled for December. Abou-Arabi, who has two prior arrests for misdemeanor weapons offenses in Michigan, did not provide a motive during the investigation or trial.

For further information, media inquiries can be directed to Lieutenant Erika Aklufi at Erika.aklufi@santamonica.gov.

Santa Monica Maintenance Crews Repair Damage After Car Plows Into Palisades Park

On Tuesday, October 1, 2024, Santa Monica park maintenance employees were on-site cleaning up after a vehicle crashed through a section of the fence at Palisades Park. Early this morning, a car traveling down Wilshire Boulevard lost control and plowed into the park’s fence, coming to a precarious stop with part of the vehicle dangling over the cliff.

There are no confirmed reports of injuries, and authorities are investigating whether the driver was under the influence at the time of the crash.

The maintenance crew responded quickly, installing a temporary chain-link fence to secure the area and reinforce the damaged section. In addition to repairing the fence, they also replanted vegetation that had been torn out during the impact, working to restore the park’s landscape.

Stay tuned for further updates as more details emerge.