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Gun violence in America has become consistent, reliable news. Breaking news alerts draw our attention to shootings at schools, movie theaters, night clubs, and in the middle of our streets. We follow social media, watching and waiting for the number of dead and injured to stop climbing. Our minds turn to the people we know, who live in the area of the shooting, and we reach out, praying that we receive a response, that no one we know was hurt. Then, we pray for those we do not know, those whose lives were taken or forever changed by someone with a gun.
The four-year anniversary of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting is on December 14, 2016. Since the tragedy, there have been at least 205 school shootings - an average of about one per week. In order to continue awareness, unity, and remembrance, the Newtown Action Alliance and Faiths United Against Gun Violence have partnered to launch the 4th annual National Gun Violence Prevention Sabbath Weekend on December 14-18, 2016. Women of Reform Judaism and the Union for Reform Judaism are members of the Faiths United coalition.
How do we work to prevent what has become an epidemic of gun violence? How do we honor those who have become the victims of this deadly trend? And how do we engage in this issue, specifically as Jews?
Jewish tradition emphasizes the sanctity and primary value of human life. The Talmud teaches us that "he who takes one life it is as though he has destroyed the universe and he who saves one life it is as though he has saved the universe" (Mishnah Sanhedrin 4:5). Through our actions, we can influence change in our communities.
Learn more about the Reform Movement's work for gun violence prevention by visiting www.rac.org/gvp.
Published: 12/05/2016
Learn more about this exciting new platform, where Reform congregational leaders connect with colleagues and peers who have similar concerns, interests and responsibilities.
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