On May 9, 2017, a condo complex on Civic Center Way in Malibu went up in flames in a two-alarm fire, completely gutting one condo and destroying its two neighbors. Fortunately, no one was killed, but two firefighters were injured and three pets perished in the blaze. One of the burned-out residents was Marcelo Gindlin, cantor at the Malibu Jewish Center & Synagogue (MJCS). Everything he owned was in that condo and he lost it all—including a prized piano.
It took more than a year for the Cantor’s residence to be rebuilt, and he just recently moved back in. In order to help replace some of his lost possessions, the MJCS congregation held a housewarming shower in his honor at MJCS last Sunday, which also included a brunch and mezuzah dedication (a Jewish tradition, where a parchment scroll containing Torah verses in a ceremonial case is hung on the door within 30 days of moving into a house). Well over 100 people showed up to wish him well and bring housewarming gifts, and there was a circle celebration program led by Rabbi Michael Schwartz that included handing out sprigs of fresh lavender.
In an interview with The Malibu Times, Gindlin said one of the main points he would like to communicate is for everyone to check the amount of fire insurance they have, and make sure it’s enough to cover replacement costs. He discovered after the fire that his tenant’s homeowner’s policy was only enough to replace a fraction of what he lost.
“I never thought this would happen to me—I grew up in Argentina where buildings were made of brick, not wood, and I didn’t know anything about dealing with toxic substances used in buildings, like asbestos.” Gindlin said. “I want everybody to make sure they have enough insurance.”
The cantor felt badly about some of the things he lost in the fire that had a great deal of sentimental value: not only his piano, but the tallit (prayer shawl) from his bar mitzvah, and “all the things from all my life,” including all of his suits and clothing. “The things you lose are charged with feelings and memories, and we treasure them,” he said.
Congregant Al Sweet offered to let the cantor live on his property while the condo was being rebuilt. “He opened his house for me to stay with an open heart, and I’ll be eternally grateful,” Gindlin said.
Despite support from his community, it was a tough year of transition for the cantor. Although he didn’t have to worry about a place to stay, it was a year in which MJCS was looking for a new rabbi and “there were a lot of unknowns.”
“It was very important to keep the faith in a situation where we don’t feel in control,” Gindlin said. “But we pray and the strength comes from somewhere—from God.”
“When people hold your hand when you’re going through a tough time, you realize how important it is to have a community and to create a community—we’re here for each other,” the cantor observed. “The whole experience made me realize that all we have is the present, the love and the blessing to be alive.
“This time, I can close the door. I won’t take anything for granted, and I will learn to appreciate [everything]. This is why we exist—to be there for others and to celebrate,” Gindlin said.
Raised in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Cantor Marcelo Gindlin has served as the full-time cantor at the Malibu Jewish Center & Synagogue since 2000. He sings and plays the guitar, has two degrees in music therapy and is a teacher, composer, choir director, recording artist and performer. In 2013, he won a Dolphin Award for starting the Hand-In-Hand Program—an after-school music program for special needs children.
Anyone who would like to contribute a housewarming gift to Cantor Gindlin can send it to: Caring Committee, c/o Nessa Perman, 28870 Grayfox St., Malibu, CA 90265.
