A Kaddish after Gun Violence, for When Humanity Fails Itself
The Mourners Kaddish begins "Yitgadal v'yitkadash sh'may rabba," "Exalted and Holy be Your great name" - yet little feels holy today, following another mass shooting.
Responding to Orlando
On Sunday, June 12, the largest and deadliest mass shooting in American history occurred at Pulse, a gay nightclub in Orlando Florida, leaving 49 lives lost, and over 53 people injured.
Stunned By Carnage, Again, We Cannot Be Idle
Thoughts, prayer, and words are appropriate – but they’re not sufficient. Our words need to be followed by long overdue actions and hard work.
Jewish Resources for Coping with the Las Vegas Shootings
As Reform Jews, our task is to challenge America's conscience and not stand idly by the blood of our neighbor. We offer words, prayers, and concrete ways to take action to prevent gun violence.
Remembering Charleston, One Year Later
On June 17, 2015, one year ago today, nine people were killed at the historic Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina when a 21-year-old man opened fire in a weekly Bible study.
URJ President's Statement Following Mass Shooting in Las Vegas: We Must Revere Human Life Over Gun Rights
This latest mass shooting cannot be termed a random act of violence. Even before all the facts are known we know this: rather than revere gun rights our country must finally revere human life.
Rabbinic Responses (and More) to Yesterday's Orlando Nightclub Shooting
I spent most of yesterday in the car, sitting in traffic, trying to make conversation with my wife, and thinking about the unfathomable horror of the massacre in Orlando. I find it all but impossible to mentally process evil of such magnitude, let alone to understand it.
Reform Leader Condemns Horrific Attack on Orlando Nightclub
Contact: Max Rosenblum or Tracy Wolf
202.387.2800 | news@rac.org
Reform Leader Condemns Horrific Attack on Orlando Nightclub
In response to the tragic violence in Orlando, Rabbi Jonah Dov Pesner, Director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism issued the following statement:
The horrific violence in Orlando shakes us to our very core. The staggering loss of life, yet again facilitated by a military-style weapon that has no place on the street, causes us deep pain. We pray for those who were murdered, for healing of body and soul for the injured, and for comfort to the families of all who were present in Pulse nightclub.
We are grateful to law enforcement, the first responders, and all those volunteers who are helping during this crisis.
Want to be Happy? Take a Lesson From Jewish Tradition
Before we left the house as kids, my dad always asked, “Is everybody happy?” Learn what Jewish tradition has to say about happiness.