Gun Violence Prevention
Once again, the unspeakable has happened – innocent children killed at their school, a place that is supposed to be safe. We grieve with the community of Uvalde and Robb Elementary school in mourning the deaths of at least 19 children and two teachers.
This follows the shooting in Buffalo, NY just 10 days earlier, and the far too many shootings that occurred before. In 2013, Temple Emanu-El stood in solidarity with the victims of Sandy Hook Elementary and the Board of Trustees approved the Social Justice Council’s advocacy statement regarding Gun Violence Prevention. You can read the entire statement here and find more resources below.
Our Jewish tradition upholds the sanctity of human life. As we learn more about yesterday’s tragedy, we also turn to our Jewish values of compassion and justice. May our hearts grow in capacity to comfort others and may we recommit ourselves to take urgent and effective action against gun violence.
At Temple, we continue to increase our security measures to make sure that our community is safe, and your clergy are here to support Temple’s families as we cope with the painful reality of yesterday’s events. May God bring comfort to all who mourn, and may we gain strength from one another.
ACTIONS:
- Urge Congress to take immediate action to stop gun violence
- Require Universal Background Checks on all Gun Sales
- Honor National Gun Violence Awareness Day by wearing orange on June 3rd
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
- Rabbinical Assembly Gun Violence Source Sheet
- Everytown for Gun Safety
- Sandy Hook Promise
- Mental Health America of Greater Dallas
- Moms Demand Action
- NFTY Gun Violence Prevention
- Managing Your Distress in the Aftermanth of a Shooting, APA.org
RESOURCES FOR PARENTS:
Clergy and Pastoral Staff at Temple Emanu-El are here to talk with you, to process with you, and to support you at any time. You can reach Rabbi Amy Rossel by email, or by calling 214-706-0022. Our Director of Member Support, Meredith Pryzant, can be reached at mpryzant@tedallas.org or 214-706-0000 extension 122.
- Jewish Resources for Coping with the Tragic Shooting in Parkland, FL, ReformJudaism.org
- Talking to Children about Tragedies, HealthyChildren.org
- How to Talk to Young People about Gun Violence, Anti-Defamation League (ADL)
- Helping Your Children Manage Distress in the Aftermath of a Shooting, APA.org
