𝗙𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗜𝗩𝗔𝗟 𝗢𝗙 𝗟𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧𝗦: Rabbi Lights Giant Menorah on Hanukkah’s First Night in Santa Monica

Rabbi Isaac Levitansky of Chabad of Santa Monica lit the giant menorah at the Third Street Promenade on Sunday night, December 14, 2025, marking the first night of Hanukkah. The public ceremony brought community members together in downtown Santa Monica as the first candle of the eight-day Festival of Lights was illuminated.

Before the lighting, Rabbi Eli Levitansky addressed recent international events impacting the Jewish community. He referenced a reported attack on members of the Jewish community in Australia that occurred during an early Hanukkah celebration due to time zone differences, emphasizing resilience in the face of antisemitism.

“When these tragedies occur, they are done to create fear,” Rabbi Eli Levitansky said. “Our response needs to be the opposite. We need to come out even stronger, even prouder, to show our Jewish pride.” The gathering paused to light 16 memorial candles in honor of those who lost their lives in the reported attack. Attendees were invited to join in singing Ani Ma’amin, a song rooted in Jewish faith and perseverance. “It is not a song of despair, but rather a song of hope,” Rabbi Eli Levitansky told the crowd. “Even in the darkest moments, the Jewish people believed their future still lay ahead—and that we are here to stay.” Gratitude was also extended to local law enforcement, with organizers thanking the Santa Monica Police Department for providing security during the event and offering a blessing for their safety. Prior to the menorah lighting, a letter written in 1980 by the Lubavitcher Rebbe was read aloud. The message described Hanukkah as a reminder of the victory of spiritual strength over oppression and emphasized the symbolic power of light in confronting darkness. “Our sages said, ‘A little light expels a lot of darkness,’” the letter read. “Illumination begins at home, but it does not stop there.” Following the remarks, Rabbi Isaac Levitansky led the menorah lighting as prayers were recited and songs were sung. The evening concluded with community activities, including hot chocolate, latkes, children’s arts and crafts, and a photo area near the large dreidel display. Additional nightly menorah lightings and Hanukkah festivities are scheduled to continue throughout the week at the Third Street Promenade, hosted by Chabad of Santa Monica.

𝗣𝗜𝗘𝗥 𝗣𝗢𝗦𝗔𝗗𝗔 𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗖𝗘𝗦𝗦𝗜𝗢𝗡: Mary, Joseph, and Angels Lead Demonstration for Worker Housing on the Santa Monica Pier

Santa Monica — On Thursday evening, December 11, 2025, community leaders, labor advocates, clergy, and local workers held a seasonal posada procession through Santa Monica, calling for expanded worker housing, immigrant protections, and stronger job opportunities as the region prepares for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

A posada is a traditional Christmas-season procession that reenacts the biblical journey of Mary and Joseph as they seek shelter, often marked by singing, candlelight, and stops along a route where participants symbolically ask for lodging. In this case, organizers used the tradition’s theme of seeking shelter to highlight modern-day housing insecurity and economic challenges facing working families.

The demonstration began at the cannon monument on the Santa Monica Pier, where participants gathered with candles, signs, and traditional visuals including two ponies and volunteers dressed as Mary, Joseph, and angels. The procession’s first stop took place outside the shuttered Rusty’s Surf Ranch, where speakers urged the city to ensure that former workers have a pathway to return to their jobs once the venue reopens.

Organizers centered the march on a broader push for below-market housing to be developed on the current Santa Monica Airport property, which is slated to close in 2028. Groups including UNITE HERE Local 11, Clergy & Laity United for Economic Justice (CLUE), and the Fair Games Coalition have advocated for years for the land to be repurposed into housing that would serve low- and moderate-income families. The coalition reiterated its call for 50,000 units of worker housing across the Los Angeles region, citing an acute housing shortage expected to worsen following recent wildfire disasters.

As the procession moved through the city toward its final stop at St. Augustine By-The-Sea Church, participants sang traditional posada songs while clergy and community members highlighted ongoing challenges faced by working families. Along the route, speakers emphasized the need for stable employment, fair wages, and immigration protections.

The Fair Games Coalition includes more than 75 unions, immigrant-rights groups, community organizations, and housing advocates. UNITE HERE Local 11 represents over 32,000 hospitality workers across Southern California and Arizona. CLUE continues its interfaith advocacy work by mobilizing clergy and lay leaders to support workers and immigrant communities across the region.

— Santa Monica Closeup continues to document public events of local significance for the community.

𝗕𝗘𝗔𝗖𝗛𝗙𝗥𝗢𝗡𝗧 𝗥𝗨𝗡𝗪𝗔𝗬: Heidi Klum Films “Germany’s Next Topmodel” at Venice Beach at Sunset

VENICE BEACH, CA — Tuesday, December 9, 2025 — A full-scale television production unfolded along the Venice shoreline Tuesday evening as host and executive producer Heidi Klum returned to Southern California to film an episode of Germany’s Next Topmodel during golden hour near the water. A temporary beach set was constructed just north of the Venice Pier, complete with lighting towers, camera cranes, production tents, and a raised judging platform set against the Pacific Ocean backdrop. As the sun dipped toward the horizon, contestants—dressed in coordinated beachwear and runway attire—were staged for a sunset photoshoot and elimination sequence. Pedestrians, cyclists, and sunset watchers gathered along the perimeter to observe the behind-the-scenes production. Many stopped to film and photograph the scene as contestants lined up before Klum and the judging panel, while camera crews captured multiple angles of the beachfront runway setup. The episode appeared to feature a high-pressure seaside challenge, consistent with the show’s format of combining fashion performance with dramatic visual environments. Overhead boom lifts and studio lighting were used to maintain consistent exposure as daylight faded, while large reflector panels framed the judging area. Germany’s Next Topmodel, now in its twentieth season, follows aspiring models through a series of elimination challenges testing runway skill, photo performance, brand presence, and adaptability. The Venice Beach shoot marks one of several international locations featured during the current season’s production cycle. Filming concluded shortly after sunset as crews began dismantling equipment and beach traffic returned to normal. No road closures were reported, and public access to the surrounding beach remained open throughout the production. Santa Monica Closeup documents public events of local significance and on-scene activity across the Westside.

𝗕𝗘𝗔𝗖𝗛𝗙𝗥𝗢𝗡𝗧 𝗖𝗔𝗥𝗘: SMFD’s New Medical Team Assists Unhoused Woman at Santa Monica Beach

On Tuesday morning, December 9, 2025, the Santa Monica Fire Department’s Advanced Provider Unit (APU) responded to a medical call near the public restrooms at Santa Monica Beach. The two-person team—comprised of a firefighter/paramedic and a nurse practitioner—evaluated an unhoused young adult woman at the scene. After a medical assessment, the team provided the woman with a list of community-based resources intended to assist with follow-up care and support services. The Advanced Provider Unit is part of a newly launched emergency medical services expansion within the Santa Monica Fire Department. The program deploys a firefighter/paramedic and a nurse practitioner together to respond to complex medical calls, provide advanced on-scene treatment, and coordinate follow-up care for high-risk patients. The initiative is designed to reduce unnecessary emergency room visits, limit repeat 9-1-1 calls, and decrease reliance on private-sector ambulance services while improving patient outcomes through proactive, field-based care. The department is also recruiting experienced nurse practitioners for part-time, contracted roles within the program, offering opportunities to work directly in the field alongside first responders in an evolving model of community-centered emergency medicine. Santa Monica Closeup continues to document the people, programs, and public safety efforts shaping life along the coastline.

𝗦𝗔𝗡𝗧𝗔 𝗠𝗢𝗡𝗜𝗖𝗔 𝗛𝗢𝗠𝗜𝗖𝗜𝗗𝗘: Son Taken Into Custody After Father Fatally Stabbed in Santa Monica

SANTA MONICA, CA — December 9, 2025 — A 31-year-old man was taken into custody Monday night following a fatal stabbing inside a residence in the 1700 block of Delaware Avenue, according to the Santa Monica Police Department.

Officers responded to a 9-1-1 call reporting a possible assault in progress at approximately 9:20 p.m. on December 8. Upon arrival, officers contacted the reporting party, who directed them inside the home. Inside the residence, officers located a 71-year-old man suffering from critical injuries consistent with a stabbing. Santa Monica Fire Department personnel responded and pronounced the man deceased at the scene.

The suspect, identified as the victim’s son, was located inside the residence and taken into custody without incident. Detectives from the department’s Criminal Investigations Division secured the scene and obtained a search warrant. Forensic specialists are now processing physical evidence, including a weapon recovered at the location.

Authorities said the circumstances surrounding the incident remain under active investigation. The suspect is expected to be booked on suspicion of homicide, and the case will be presented to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office for filing consideration.

Police emphasized that the incident appears to be isolated and occurred within a private residence. There is no ongoing threat to the community, though officers maintained a presence in the area throughout the investigation.

Anyone with information related to the case is encouraged to contact SMPD Detective Peter Zamfirov at (310) 458-8451 or the Watch Commander at (310) 458-8427.

𝗩𝗘𝗡𝗜𝗖𝗘 𝗥𝗘𝗩𝗜𝗩𝗔𝗟: Boardwalk Sees Fresh Energy as Visitors Return to Shops, Food, and Ocean Views

VENICE BEACH, CA — Monday, December 8, 2025 — Under clear blue skies and warm winter sunshine, Santa Monica Closeup documented a full-length walking tour of the iconic Venice Beach Boardwalk, capturing a calm yet active stretch of the oceanfront as locals and visitors enjoyed the morning along the Pacific.

Pedestrians moved steadily along the wide concrete promenade, with light to moderate foot traffic spread across the boardwalk as shoppers browsed small storefronts, visitors paused for refreshments, and walkers took in the palm-lined scenery. While not heavily crowded, the atmosphere reflected a relaxed and open public space that now feels accessible, orderly, and safe for everyone.

In recent years, the Venice Beach Boardwalk experienced a prolonged period of disruption following the COVID-19 pandemic and shelter-in-place orders. During that time, the area saw a sharp increase in encampments and public safety concerns, significantly altering the visitor experience. City-led cleanup operations, outreach efforts, and renewed public safety presence have since reshaped the corridor.

Today, the boardwalk presents a markedly different scene—clean, open, and welcoming. Vendors, artists, retailers, and food spots now operate alongside families, tourists, and residents who have returned to enjoy the attractions that made Venice internationally known. From beachfront dining and casual shopping to people-watching and ocean views, the boardwalk has re-established itself as a safe and inviting gathering place.

Venice Beach now stands as a revitalized destination for both locals and visitors, offering a walkable, scenic, and food-rich experience along the Pacific shoreline. As the video tour reflects, the boardwalk is once again open for business—and open for exploring.

Santa Monica Closeup continues documenting public spaces and community life across the Westside.

𝗛𝗢𝗟𝗜𝗗𝗔𝗬 𝗗𝗨𝗧𝗬: LAPD Officers Deliver Holiday Toy Donations at Muscle Beach

VENICE BEACH, CA — Sunday, December 7, 2025 — The Venice Beach Recreation Center hosted the 18th Annual Muscle Beach Toy Drive on Sunday, drawing steady community participation from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. along Ocean Front Walk. The holiday charity event focused on collecting new, unwrapped toys for children across Westside communities, including Venice, Santa Monica, Culver City, Oakwood, Westchester, and Marina del Rey.

Presented by Icon Muscle and produced by Joe Wheatley Productions in collaboration with World Gym International, the event was hosted by MusclePharm and coordinated in conjunction with the City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks.

Uniformed officers from the Los Angeles Police Department Pacific Division collected donated toys throughout the day for delivery to the division’s annual Winter Wonderland Distribution Drive. Donations filled multiple police vehicles as officers assisted with on-site collection and logistics.

Santa Claus arrived on the boardwalk accompanied by his elves, creating a focal point for family photo opportunities. A scheduled boardwalk performance by Santa & His Elvettes took place in the early afternoon, adding a lively entertainment element to the day’s activities.

Among those in attendance was Traci Park, who joined officers and organizers in supporting the toy collection effort. The event also drew participation from local motorcycle groups, including members of the Venice Vintage Motorcycle Club, who arrived with toy donations and additional financial contributions.

Event producer Joe Wheatley noted that the toy drive has partnered with the Pacific Division for nearly two decades to support its holiday distribution efforts, emphasizing the impact the annual collection has on local families.

Limited-edition event T-shirts were distributed during the drive, with proceeds directed back into the program. By the end of the afternoon, organizers reported a strong turnout and substantial volume of donated toys.

Santa Monica Closeup will continue documenting community-based events and public service efforts across the Westside.