As a Jew and as a human, I have been saddened and angered today by the awful shooting at a synagogue in Pittsburgh. And I wonder at the unending number of shootings in a country that is supposed to be a beacon of freedom and justice and ask myself: When will we have had enough?
I am thinking of the victims in Pittsburgh tonight. As we Jews say when someone dies: zikhronam liv’rakha—may their memories be a blessing. I hope my actions in the days ahead will help honor them by helping to ensure that such a tragedy does not happen again to anyone, regardless of faith or belief.
I feel much as I did after the massacre at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando in 2016—that while every shooting is one too many, ones that happen to our own communities (however we define them) impact us more deeply. I’ve spent much of the day in conversation with other members of my own temple, where I am on the board, helping to reach out to our community with messages of comfort and support. I have also been immensely grateful for the support shown to us by our local police department and by our neighbors of other faiths.
I share these “Jewish Resources for Coping after the Pittsburgh Synagogue Shooting” from the Union for Reform Judaism, the Jewish movement of which I am part. PJ Library also offers “How to Talk to Children About Anti-Semitism.” I hope some of you will find these useful. I hope we never need such resources again.
I won’t say much more here tonight, except that arming teachers in classrooms and people in places of worship is not the solution. We must have stronger gun control laws, including reduced access to assault weapons such as those used in almost every one of the mass shootings of recent years. We must increase understanding among all people, across lines of race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, ability, and other aspects of human existence. We must each do our parts and we must vote in leaders who will do theirs.
My heart is heavy tonight, but I also know my people have shown ourselves resilient through thousands of years of oppression. I have to believe we will continue to be so.
My deepest condolences to the families and friends of the victims. Wishing you whatever healing and peace is possible for you right now.