Our Job is to Prevent Gun Violence
The utter horror of the murderous shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut remains in all of our minds and has rightly propelled us into a critical dialogue that we hope will produce real action after so many years. And the problem has been with us for many years. Much of the time, families and communities – especially in our inner cities – have fought on the front lines against gun violence without much attention from the rest of society. Now, with the alarming and increasing regularity of mass shootings – every couple of years it seems – like those in Newtown and Aurora, it should be clear to all of us that gun violence is our collective problem as a nation, and must be addressed in all of its forms.
Politicizing the Tragedy of Gun Deaths
Tragedy struck Aurora, Colorado last week. A man walked into a crowded movie theater armed with automatic weapons and took the lives of twelve people, including a six-year-old girl.
Reform Movement Responds to Tragedy in Colorado
Saperstein: We mourn with the families of those whose lives were taken and pray for those who have been injured.
From Generation to Generation
NFTY Missouri Valley Social Action Vice President Jackie Heymann reflects on her experiences at the Religious Action Center's Consultation on Conscience.
Praise for Bipartisan Commitment to Israel
Rabbi Saperstein: "These actions and statements from these two leaders are a powerful expression of Americas enduring commitment to Israel's well-being and security and as being vital to U.S. values and interests."
What Are You Looking at But Not Seeing?
It’s June – the month famous for weddings and for gay pride parades all over the world. June was chosen for “pride” events to commemorate the June 1969 riot at the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar in New York City’s Greenwich Village – a significant milestone in the gay liberation movement.
Embracing Differences on the Front Lines
He was waiting for one of his commanders to pick him up. I was waiting to go to sleep.
Rethinking Immigration: Sh'lach L'cha, A Holistic Approach
The story line is as follows: Chieftains from each tribe are sent to the land of Canaan for forty days to find out what kind of country it is and if the inhabitants are strong or weak. Canaan is full of different people, including the Anakites—giants.
Munich Massacre Memorial Prayer
Here is a memorial prayer for the 40th anniversary of the Munich massacre.
A Prayer for Peace in the Aftermath of Terror
by Rabbi Joe Black On Sunday evening, I participated in a prayer vigil at the Aurora Civic Plaza. Many people from around the country saw the proceedings live on national television. From my perspective, sitting on the dais, the scene was somewhat surreal.