Rabbi's Messages

Dear Friends,

All of us continue to process the unspeakable and unimaginable tragedy that unfolded in Newtown, Connecticut, this past Friday. It is extremely difficult  to find words or make sense of what took place, though we are all challenged to do so, and many of us are particularly challenged to help our children and other children in our lives understand and make sense of it as best as possible.

To that end, we would like to share some internet resources, including a link to a blog post written by Rabbi Perlman: 

https://www.loveandlogic.com/pdfs/tragedy.pdf

http://www.apa.org/topics/violence/school-shooting.aspx

http://www.ahaparenting.com/_blog/Parenting_Blog/post/How_To_Talk_with_Kids_about_Tragedies_Like_School_Shooting

http://womensrabbinicnetwork.wordpress.com/2012/12/17/in-response-to-fridays-tragic-school-shooting/

We would also like to bring to your attention a website of the Jewish Education Center of Cleveland, which, while designed with educators in mind, has some useful materials, including Jewish texts and other resources about how to speak with children and teens in a time of crisis, http://jeccrespondingtocrisis.weebly.com/

HOW TO CONTRIBUTE FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO THE FAMILIES OF THE VICTIMS:

Some have inquired about how we might offer financial support to the families of the victims, many of whom will need financial support for counseling as well as other needs that will arise. One list of various funds and opportunities to be of assistance can be found at:

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2012/12/17/how-to-help-sandy-hook-shooting-victims/1774961/

If you are interested in supporting a general fund that has been established, you might wish to contribute to the United Way fund set up especially for assistance with funeral expenses, counseling, and other services:

https://newtown.uwwesternct.org

The Sandy Hook School PTA has established a fund of a similar nature which can be accessed at:

http://newtownmemorialfund.org

While all of us share in the grief and sorrow that all of the families are experiencing, we have received inquiries as to whether there is a specific fund that has been established to support the family of Noah Pozner, the one Jewish child whose life was lost in this unthinkable occurrence. An irrevocable trust has been established for his surviving siblings (two of whom were also at the school that day), including his twin sister, who was in another classroom, and three additional siblings. The funds will use provide counseling services, education, and basic needs for his siblings. They can be accessed at:https://noahsarkofhopefund.eventbrite.com/?nomo=1

PETITIONS

Of course, this tragic episode has renewed our national conversation about gun control, mental illness, and violence in our society. The Jewish Council for Public Affairs, the national umbrella organization of Jewish Community Relations Councils, has posted a statement that calls for our legislators and government leaders to support comprehensive action and legislation to limit access to assault weapons, high-capacity ammunition magazines, efforts to ensure that every person in need has access to quality mental health care and a serious national conversation about violence in media and games. If you wish to add your name to this petition, it can be signed at:

http://engage.jewishpublicaffairs.org/blog/comments.jsp?blog_entry_KEY=6670

After the shooting of Gabrielle Giffords, Rabbi David Lerner of Temple Emunah started an interfaith effort called Clergy Against Bullets, and joined together with an organization entitled Faiths United Against Gun Violence, as website has much more information and resources:

http://faithsagainstgunviolence.org/

In her blog post, Rabbi Perlman also mentions the petition at the website “We the People”:

https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/immediately-address-issue-gun-control-through-introduction-legislation-congress/2tgcXzQC

Interfaith Memorial Gathering

There have been inquiries to whether there will be a memorial in our area anytime soon. At this time, plans are in the works for an interfaith memorial gathering to take place on Tuesday, January 1.  More information will be shared as it is available.

Hamakom yenachem et kol ha-aveilim b’toch sh’ar avalei Tzion V’Yerushalyim v’chol ha-olam

May God comfort all those who mourn and grieve  amongst all the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem, and the whole world.

L’Shalom,

Rabbi Howard L. Jaffe        Rabbi Jill Perlman   Cantor Lisa Doob    Marilyn Stern