Monday, December 17, 2012

The Entire US Jewish Community Petition Against Gun Violence - Every Jew can sign!



The horrific shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary was a tragedy that has been a jarring reminder of the disturbing prevalence of gun violence in our country and culture. Our outrage has stirred us from our complacency and we will not wait for the next shooting to finally act. As the nation mourns, we must also look forward and dedicate ourselves to preventing a future massacre.
The JCPA has created a petition at www.endgunviolencenow.org expressing our community's pain and our resolve to enact comprehensive reform, including meaningful legislation to limit access to assault weapons and ensure access to quality mental health care for all who need it.

We are calling on you as Jewish community leaders to sign the petition and distribute it widely to your friends, family, congregation, and community. Below is a sample e-mail you can use. With your help, we want to show how solidly the American Jewish community supports action being taken now. Over the next few months, our work together can change the national conversation and make new gun safety laws a reality.

Please share this petition and join our campaign to end gun violence.
Sincerely,
Rabbi Gary Bretton-Grantoor, World Union for Progressive Judaism
Rabbi Mark Dratch, Rabbinical Council of America
Rabbi Elliot Dorff, American Jewish University
Rabbi Amy Eilberg
Rabbi Steven Fox, Central Conference of American Rabbis
Rabbi Menachem Genack, Orthodox Union
Rabbi Shmuel Goldin, Rabbinical Council of America
Rabbi Lisa Goldstein, Institute for Jewish Spirituality
Rabbi Leonard Gordon, United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism
Rabbi Susan Grossman
Rabbi Steve Gutow, Jewish Council for Public Affairs
Rabba Sara Hurwitz, Hebrew Institute
Rabbi Richard Jacobs, Union for Reform Judaism
Rabbi Rachel Kahn-Troster, Rabbis for Human Rights-North America
Rabbi Simcha Katz, Orthodox Union
Rabbi Jack Moline, The Rabbinical Assembly
Rabbi Joseph Potasnik, New York Board of Rabbis
Rabbi Yehiel Poupko, Jewish United Fund/Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago
Rabbi David Saperstein, Religious Action Center for Reform Judaism
Rabbi Julie Schonfeld, The Rabbinical Assembly
Rabbi Toba Spitzer, Congregation Dorshe Tzedek
Rabbi David Teutsch, Reconstructionist Rabbinical College
Rabbi Steve Weil, Orthodox Union
Rabbi Ellen Weinberg Dreyfus, Central Conference of American Rabbis
Rabbi Steve Wernick, United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism
*List in formation. Organizations listed for affiliation purposes only

Dear _________,

The violent shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary was a tragic shock to our nation. But it did not have to happen at all. As Jews who believe each life is created in the divine image of God, we are compelled to do all we can to prevent future such massacres.

I am signing the attached petition from the Jewish Council for Public Affairs calling for comprehensive reforms to end gun violence and ensure access to mental health care for all who need it. I am asking you to sign it also. With a concerted effort from all of us we can demonstrate our community's resolve against gun violence and avoid a return to complacency. Join me in signing this petition at www.endgunviolencenow.org, sharing it widely, and making it a national priority to end the violent scourge we saw in Connecticut.

Sincerely,