When the Senate failed to pass bipartisan legislation that would have expanded background checks to almost all gun sales in April 2013, many in the gun violence prevention community were disappointed that this important reform was not achieved. This loss was especially more painful as the call for this legislation came in the wake of the tragic shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School. This legislative loss did not change the need for strong laws that prevent gun violence, and the strategy to fight for safer communities was adapted for new arenas.
Rabbi Joel Mosbacher, a Reform rabbi of Beth Haverim Shir Shalom synagogue in Mahwah, New Jersey has been leading a push to persuade gun manufactures to make safer, more personalized guns, and make our communities safer by realizing the power of local governments in addressing gun violence through the Do Not Stand Idly By campaign. Rabbi Mosbacher is a co-chairman of Do Not Stand Idly By, and has empowered dozens of Reform Movement leaders to ask their mayors to submit a Request for Information. He has led a training at NFTY Convention in February and will speak at the Consultation on Conscience (April 26-28) about how we can get more people involved.
Inspired by the Torah’s commandment, “You shall not stand idly by the blood of your neighbor,” Metro IAF launched the Do Not Stand Idly By campaign, which has called on dozens of mayors and local officials to submit a Request for Information from gun manufacturers, whose guns so often end up in the hands of criminals and commit the crimes that our governments try to protect us from.
On the national scale, the RAC has been working with gun violence prevention groups to advocate for the Lori Jackson Domestic Violence Survivor Protection Act, which would extend domestic violence protections to include “dating partners” and make it illegal for those under temporary restraining orders to possess guns. Dozens of participants in the RAC’s L’Taken Social Justice Seminars have lobbied their Members of Congress to support similar legislation, and we continue to work for this common sense and important change on Capitol Hill.
As Jews, we are inspired by the Talmud’s teaching 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,” and we are committed to end needless gun deaths. Urge your Senator to support the Lori Jackson Domestic Violence Survivor Protection Act today!
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