Dear Friends,
Rabbi Tarfon taught, "It is not up to you to complete the task, but neither are you free to desist from it." An unfortunate but necessary task is up to us at this time. Every year, approximately thirty thousand deaths in the United States are caused by firearms – whether it is from murders, suicides or accidental shootings. This high number is not comparable with other developed countries that have more stringent gun safety laws, suggesting that there is something we can do. Our Congress is currently considering important gun safety measures including universal background checks, banning semi-automatic weapons, high capacity magazines, and gun-trafficking, enhancing school safety, and improving access to mental health care. Pikuach Nefesh, saving a life, is one of the most important mitzvot, commandments, in Jewish tradition. In an attempt to fulfill this mitzvah, the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism is at the center organizing support for these new policies. On April 9th, the Reform Movement, the Conservative movement, the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America (OU) and dozens of other faith groups are encouraging people to call their Senators and urge them to vote in favor of these meaningful laws. I hope that many of you will participate. For more information on how to be a part of this national interfaith call-in-day, please visit www.faithscalling.org. Your voice can make a difference.
L'shalom, to peace,
Rabbi Jason Holtz