Jewish Federations of North America sent a letter in favor of the bipartisan Safer Communities Act, in the largest collaborative effort of the Jewish community in support of legislation to reduce gun violence. The letter was signed by 239 national and local organizations – including 104 Jewish Federations and network communities and JCRC’s – representing 47 states and the District of Columbia.
“In the wake of the tragedies in Uvalde and Buffalo and so many other mass shootings and incidents of gun violence, we support our elected leaders working together to limit gun violence which plagues communities across America,” the letter states.
“As a Jewish community, we are no strangers to trauma caused by mass shootings and necessarily prioritize Jewish communal security and work to advance measures to secure Jewish and other faith-based institutions. We recall the murders at the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle in 2006, the Jewish Community Center and retirement community in Overland Park, Kansas in 2014, the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh in 2018, the Congregation Chabad in Poway, California in 2019 and so many other similar incidents,” the letter continues.
The signees expressed their support for the bipartisan act that offers a multi-faceted approach to curbing gun violence and protecting schools, as well as expanded resources to address the nation’s mental health crisis.
The letter commends Senators Chris Murphy (D-CT) and John Cornyn (R-TX) and their colleagues for their leadership in crafting this bipartisan package.
The vote on this bill is expected to take place in the Senate and House in the coming days.
“In recent years, the Jewish community has witnessed a frightening increase of acts of violence that have targeted the very institutions that are meant to provide comfort and security,” said SVP of Public Affairs at Jewish Federations of North America Elana Broitman. “This letter voices the Jewish community's commitment to advancing measures to build flourishing communities that live in freedom and security. We are moved by our Jewish values to advocate for measures that help ensure that all communities are able to live without fear of violence.”
Click below to view the full letter and signees: