Jews and Guns

In Leviticus, it is written than “You are not to stand idly by when your neighbor’s life is at stake.” This is especially pertinent with the current debate in our country about guns and gun control.

The recent tragedy in Newtown, CT is a tragic reminder that over 30,000 Americans die each year as a result of gun violence. The number and severity of violent shootings in recent years can only be described as an epidemic. We are inspired by a Jewish tradition that emphasizes the sanctity of human life, and commands us to turn weapons of destruction into tools for the greater good of society. It is imperative that President Obama and Congress take action to prevent gun violence, including taking assault weapons off of our streets and improving our system of background checks.

Background:

Over 30,000 Americans die each year as a result of gun violence. The number and severity of violent shootings in recent years can only be described as an epidemic. It is imperative that President Obama and Congress take action to advance sensible gun control laws, including taking assault weapons off of our streets and improving our system of background checks.

As if the United States needed one more reminder about the epidemic nature of gun violence, we have seen more than 60 mass shootings since Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and others were shot in Tucson, Arizona in 2011. Most recently, we witnessed the tragic shooting of 20 young children and eight adults at the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. Each year, more than 30,000 Americans die from gun violence. Each day, more than 80 fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, children, family, and friends are killed as a result of our inability to advance common-sense regulations.

As we continue to mourn the lives of those murdered, it is our collective responsibility to advance sensible gun-laws aimed at curbing future violence and Congress must act swiftly.

Jewish Values:

Jewish tradition emphasizes the sanctity and primary value of human life. The Bible commands us, “Thou shalt not murder” (Exodus 20:13). The Talmud teaches us that “he who takes one life it is as though he has destroyed the universe and he who saves one life it is as though he has saved the universe” (Mishnah Sanhedrin 4:5). In an increasingly impersonal and alienating society, the dehumanizing of the human being and the carelessness with which human life is taken stand in direct violation of these affirmations of our tradition.

Scripture encourages peaceful pursuit of our mutual welfare. Isaiah exhorts the people of the earth “beat their swords into plowshares, And their spears into pruning hooks.” (Isaiah 2:4) We are commanded to turn weapons of destruction into tools for the greater good of society. The following text from the Bereshit Rabbah (21:13) further idealizes the land free of weapons, “The Rabbis, commenting on the words: ‘He placed at the East of the Garden of Eden the Cherubim and the flaming sword’ say: ‘At the East of the Garden of Eden at the very spot where stood the Cherubim with the flaming sword – there was Gehenna created.’

Take Action – Share your opinion with your Member of Congress:

Advance sensible gun-laws and more gun control?

Support stronger second amendment protection?

It doesn’t matter much if you tell me your opinions, tell someone who can make a difference!

Congressman Charlie Dent

Email – Dent.house.gov

Allentown office:

3900 Hamilton Boulevard

Allentown, PA  18103

Telephone: 610-770-3490

Toll-Free: 866-861-2624

Senator Pat Toomey

Email – Toomey.senate.gov

Allentown/Lehigh Valley Office:

1150 S. Cedar Crest Blvd Suite 101

Allentown, PA 18103

Phone: (610) 434-1444

Toll-free phone (for callers in PA): 1-855-552-1831

Senator Robert Casey

Email – Casey.senate.gov

Washington, DC Office:

393 Russell Senate Office Building

Washington, DC 20510

Phone: (202) 224-6324

Toll Free: (866) 802-2833

Lehigh Valley Office:

840 Hamilton Street, Suite 301

Allentown, PA 18101

Phone: (610) 782-9470

How to write your Congressman:

Keep it short and express a clear opinion (Example:  “I support stringent background checks on the sale of all firearms. I hope you will vote for that type of legislation.”)

The congressional offices have heard all the arguments already. You are not likely to sway them with a long, eloquent and perfectly crafted letter. They really just count opinions as ‘for’ or ‘against’.

On March 29th, Harold Goldfard gave the sermon about AIPAC and some of his notes from the most recent AIPAC convention. He and Sandra are passionate supporters of the organization, in hopes of furthering Israel-US relations. His comments:

AIPAC is the single most important organization ensuring strong US-Israel
relationship. My feeling for AIPAC is visceral. My grandparents and parents
were Zionists, back to the 1930’s. I remember the tragic plight of European
Jews, before and during WW II, when almost no country would accept those
desperately trying to flee Hitler’s Germany. Immediately post WW II, there
was desperation of Holocaust survivors trying to enter Palestine, being
blocked by Britain, as Israel was not yet independent. And the elation we
all felt, on May 15, 1948, the day that Israel was born, an extra special
day for me, as it was also my Bar Mitzvah day! So, my love for, and
devotion to, Israel is beschert!

AIPAC is a “leverage” organization, with a huge multiplier effect, of what
we pay in dues. With AIPAC’s regular briefings to Congress and the military,
being a source of credible information, plus AIPAC-guided trips to Israel
for Congress and military leaders, bonds are created, resulting in aid to
Israel, many times the amount of our dues. No other organization leverages
our donations so effectively.

Since my first trip to Israel in 1961, only 13 years after its founding, we
have made 16 more trips, including many Federation Missions. All our 6
children have visited, and been inspired by their visits to Israel, and some
have taken their own children. So, it is incumbent upon us to step up to the
plate, and to try to inspire our family and friends. We are proud that some
of our children (and their teen children) have attended AIPAC meetings with
us, and, being inspired, have become returnees.

A strong, financially secure AIPAC is the best way to ensure a continued
firm bond between the United States and Israel.

Harold and Sandra Goldfarb
Allentown, Pennsylvania>

From AIPAC:
I hope you’ll join us on Monday, April 22nd as the Lehigh Valley community participates in the Annual Greater Philadelphia AIPAC Event, featuring Howard Kohr, AIPAC CEO, and Revered Dr. Deedee Coleman, AIPAC National Council Member and Pastor of the Russell Street Baptist Ministry. For more information visit www.aipac.org/phillyevent or call 215-587-4104.
Join the largest-ever Lehigh Valley delegation for the AIPAC Policy Conference in Washington D.C., Marc 2-4,2014. These are the three most important days for the American pro-Israel community. There are a limited number of discounted seats for first-time delegates – that’s $200 off the full price. To learn more about the Policy Conference please visit www.aipac.org/pc, and for information about the discounted seats please contact Mark Goldstein at the Lehigh Valley Federation at markg@jflv.org or 610-821-5500.
Finally, please join AIPAC. For information about how to join us as AIPAC Club members, or to make an investment at any level, please visit www.aipac.org/donate, or contact our local AIPAC office at 215-587-4104.

This week we read the last two portions of Exodus: Vayak’heil and Pekudai. The Israelites have received the second set of the Ten Commandments and Adonai now believes they are ready to build the Tabernacle, the portal sanctuary for worship.

In Vayak’heil, Moses commanded the Israelites—“everyone whose heart is so moved (Exodus 35:5)”—to bring a multitude of precious gems and metals, elegant fabrics, animal skins, oils and spices to Adonai so that the Tabernacle, the ark, altar and all its contents can be built to His specifications. Skilled artisans were assigned to construct the Tabernacle as explicitly described.

Pekudei concludes the book of Exodus with the completion of the Tabernacle, with the making of the priestly garments and the consecration of the finished Tent of Meeting. Lastly, God promises to dwell among the Israelites throughout their journeys.

In both these portions the Israelites count not only men, but women, who are specifically mentioned and included several times. All were asked to donate precious objects and to use their unique skills for the building of the Tabernacle, as it said, “Thus the Israelites, all the men and women whose hearts moved them for the work … brought it as a freewill offering to Adonai (Exodus 35:29).” Women were specifically asked to produce the many fabrics for the Tabernacle as well as for the priestly vestments. They also provided their mirrors for the stand at the entrance and their fragrances for the incense. Lastly, women stood with the entire community at the entrance of the Tabernacle when “the presence of Adonai filled the Tabernacle (Exodus 40:35).”

It is only in these two Torah portions that women been considered as equal partners with men. Throughout the ages, our roles as fundraisers, builders and caregivers have always been integral aspects of the continuity and vibrancy of Judaism and our houses of worship. Yet Jewish women just began to charter organizations, known as sisterhoods, to fulfill these purposes in the last 100 years. In sisterhoods, we have formally continued the work for which our foremothers were first acknowledged in the Torah.

As we celebrate the centennial anniversary of the founding of WRJ, previously NFTS, we are also remembering the vital role of those women from centuries past who inspired all of us to make sisterhood and synagogue a major part of our lives.

May we, as Jewish women, build on the wonderful legacy of our foremothers as we begin the next century of WRJ. May we ensure the continuation of the important roles of sisterhoods and WRJ for the future of our synagogues and Reform Judaism for generations to come.

May the light of Shabbat candles brighten all our lives.

Helene H. Waranch
WRJ Past President
Baltimore Hebrew Congregation, Baltimore, MD

Last Friday the congregants of TSS came together for a very special Family Service.  Congregants supported their favorite sports teams by wearing caps, jerseys and jackets.  Cantor Sussman reminded us that we are all on the same team when it comes to Judaism.   Cantor Sussman took a moment from the Service to give all the congregants with a January birthday a special blessing.

Rabbi Jonathan Gerard gave a moving Sermon themed in miracles.   Rabbi Gerard read a story for the youngsters about the miracles God performed through Moses.  He then related the conversations and meetings he had on his most recent trip to Israel, where peace between two peoples seems in need of a miracle.

Miracles are a more common occurrence than one might think.  For instance, have you ever come across a majestic snow capped mountain or a crystal clear blue lake or a field of fragrant flowers, or a bird song so melodic and lovely and were humbled by the experience?  Are these the modern miracles of our time?  Or is it the fact that we have the eyes to behold these sights, the nose to take in the fragrance, and the ears to capture such harmony.  The miracle is that the world is put here before us to appreciate and we have the capacity to understand this appreciation.  We have come so far in science and technology and yet the real miracle is that we were given all we needed in the very beginning of our existence.