Los Angeles, CA – The city will stop giving palm fronds to Jewish families for the annual harvest holiday of Sukkot.
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Officials said the move comes partly in response to an outbreak of fungus, known as fusarium wilt, which is attacking many of the city's Canary Island palms.
Department of Public Works spokeswoman Jackie David said funding constraints also weighed into the decision. The city will stop giving away palm fronds after this year.
"The city is concerned about aging trees and the transmission of fusarium," David said.
Some were surprised by the city's decision.
"It's a shame. They've been such a help for the Jewish community," said Rabbi Richard Camras of Shomrei Torah Synagogue in West Hills. "This will make things a little more difficult for people here during Sukkot." [LA Times]
This is for schach, not for lulavim. Lulavim have to come from date palms, which the Canary Island palm is not.
I thought that it was preferable not use the canary palm. (So says the Arba Minim sefer with the full colored pictures.)
How many fronds do Christians need for Palm Sunday? 20 or 30 per church? That’s about what each Jewish family needs for Sukkos. So it would be reasonable to continue to give free palm fronds to churches but not to Jews. But my guess is that they will stop that too.
Have they been giving the palm fronds to the Catholics for Palm Sunday? If so, are they discontinuing the practice on account of funding and fusarium?