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.
Domestic Violence "De-criminalized" During Domestic Violence Awareness Month
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, a time for commemorating the victims of domestic violence and educating ourselves and others about this heinous, and often "taboo," topic.
Too Fast, Too Furious?
Beginning in fall 2009, the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives initiated Operation Fast and Furious.
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.
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.
Galilee Diary: The Neighbors
Whoever saves one life in Israel [i.e., of a Jew] is as if he had saved an entire world.
– Mishnah, Sanhedrin 4:5
Whoever saves one life is as if he had saved an entire world.
Reform Movement Welcomes Gilad Shalit Home
Reform Leaders: "Gilad's homecoming demonstrates the preciousness with which Israel treats the life of each and every IDF soldier."
Contact: Annette Powers
212-650-4154 apowers@urj.org
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.
Ki Teitzei: When You Go Out as a Warrior
Parashat Ki Teitzei includes a rich and varied collection of directives that serve as a partial blueprint for behaviors and norms to create the emerging covenantal culture. As Professor Adele Berlin notes, “Issues pertaining to women are prominent in this parashah. . . .
Looking Forward: Remaining Challenges, Emerging Opportunities
Rabbi David Saperstein spoke today at a Department of Justice and George Washington University Law School conference titled "Confronting Discrimination in the Post-9/11 Era: Challenges and O