I know this is a bit long, but please take a few moments to read it:
This morning I, like most parents across the country I’m sure, felt a bit different sending my kids off to school this morning. My heart is broken, not only for the families who were directly affected by this unspeakable tragedy, but for all of us, living in a country where this type of horror not only exists, but has unbelievably become an almost regular occurrence.
My prayer this weekend have been heavily influenced by this tragedy. For those who did not see my facebook post, click here for a meaningful prayer composed on Friday by my friend and colleague Rabbi Menachem Creditor.
By now, we have all read many articles and watched many hours of coverage on what happened in Newtown on Friday. There is no question that something has to change. Here are two very important articles that I read over the weekend.
Even as we all mourn, I must remind us all that prayer, reflection, and education are not enough. In Leviticus 19:16 we are taught: Lo Ta’amod al dam’ re’eikha, Do not stand idly by the blood of your neighbor. It is this verse that reminds us that we must not be silent at a time like this. Judaism demands that we act responsibly in all walks of our life.Our individual rights as people made in God’s image are undeniable, but our communal obligations to care for all members of our society and work to ensure their basic health and safety are equally essential to what it means to be a Jew.
That is why I am asking you to consider signing onto a petition demanding that our government take up the issue of gun control. Yes, there are many complicated elements to this conversation, but as a country we cannot wait to tackle this any longer. Six year olds across this country, and their family members, should not be afraid of going to school.
Here is one of a number of petitions out there demanding a bipartisan discussion that results in a more stringent set of laws regulating how a citizen obtain a gun. Please consider adding your name.
Lastly, I found the following article to be helpful:
Dealing with Grief; Five things not to say and five things to say in a trauma involving children
Please know that my door is always open if you wan to talk about these issues or need more resources for dealing with this type of trauma in our world.
May I never have to send an email like this again, and may the memory of those poor innocent children remind us that life is so precious and fragile, and that we have a responsibility to do all we can to ensure that it is protected.