The Reform Movement, led by students and NFTY, is outraged at the current lack of legislative action and political leadership that allows this horrible violence to continue. This epidemic is not natural, nor normal and gun violence can be prevented.
The epidemic of gun violence continues to plague individuals and communities across the United States, including our own Jewish communities as well as those of our friends, neighbors, colleagues, and partners. The Reform Movement, led by students and NFTY, is outraged at the current lack of legislative action and political leadership that allows this horrible violence to continue. This epidemic is not natural, nor normal and gun violence can be prevented. Drawing on Jewish traditions and values, we remain committed to taking action by engaging in community and legislative advocacy to end the gun violence epidemic.
Jewish tradition emphasizes the sanctity and eternal value of human life. The Talmud teaches that:
“One who takes a life, it is though they have destroyed the universe. And one who saves a life, it is as though they have saved the universe” (Mishnah Sanhedrin 4:5).
The dehumanization of individuals and the carelessness with which human life is taken during incidents of gun violence stand in direct violation of these affirmations of our tradition. We are called upon to take action to prevent the loss of lives and end gun violence.
very year, almost 40,000 Americans die as victims of gun violence. That’s over 100 deaths per day. Americans are 25 times more likely to be killed with a gun than people in other developed nations, despite the fact that gun deaths are incredibly preventable. The scourge of gun violence in America is both a public safety issue and a public health epidemic.
Since 2020, guns are the leading cause of death for children and teens (0-19) in the United States. The lowest rates of injury or death from unintentional child shootings occur in states with secure storage laws. Ethan's Law would help prevent such horrible tragedies and trauma from affecting American families and communities.
Assault weapons murder or maim as many people as possible in the shortest amount of time. Between 2015 and 2022, mass shootings where assault weapons were used resulted in 23 times as many people wounded and twice as many people killed per incident on average. Weapons of war and mass violence do not belong in our grocery stores, restaurants, houses of worship, nightclubs, and schools.
Learn more about the RAC's key issues and get involved by signing up for the legislative updates newsletter.
Learn more about the position of the Reform Movement on these key issues, and read the formal resolutions by URJ and CCAR.
VIEW URJ RESOLUTIONS View Resolutions from Reform Movement Affiliates
The Religious Action Center prepared a resource guide and accompanying text study for use during Gun Violence Prevention Shabbat.
Gun Violence Prevention Shabbat is commonly observed in June (in solidarity with National Gun Violence Awareness Day and Wear Orange) and December (in solidarity with the National Vigil for All Victims of Gun Violence and the anniversary of the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School), but the materials in this guide may be used for any Shabbat observance dedicated to honoring individuals and communities impacted by gun violence. This guide was last updated in May 2024.
This guide is intended to facilitate conversations about Crossing Lines by Melanie Weiss. We hope that this guide will spark engaging and challenging discussions among Reform Jews about the complexities of gun violence.
For more information on this issue, contact CJ Wechsler.
