Harnessing Grief in the Face of Tragedy; Speaking Out Against the Minneapolis Church Shooting

Dear Friends,

We write to you with deepest sorrow of another mass shooting that occurred at a house of worship. On Wednesday, August 27^th, a shooter took aim through a window at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis, Minnesota, killing two children and injuring 18 others, including some adults.  The students and staff gathered in the church to start their day at the beginning of a new school year. Police have determined the shooter was a former graduate of the school, which serves preschool through 8^th grade.

There is no container large enough to hold our grief. There are few words of comfort we can offer to soften the pain, and nothing we could say will reverse time and tragedy. We mourn with the families in Minnesota for the loss of life, safety, and security. We know this feeling all too well.

And yet, we cannot become so used to these shootings that we allow them to become commonplace. So, what can be done? Let grief fuel action. Speak out and let local representatives know where you stand on access to guns and mental health care. Join social action groups with goals of ending gun violence or mission statements to improve individual health and welfare. Give your time, money or other support to these efforts.

It is not enough to call for an end to gun violence, though that is vitally necessary. We also have to open our hearts to understand the motives of those who could take up arms and commit such atrocities because perhaps we could end those, too.

May their memories be for a blessing.

Suggested organizations:

Religious Action Center

Colorado Faith Communities United to End Gun Violence

Jewish Family Services Mental Health Services

Clinica Family Health and Wellness

 

B’Shalom,

Haver, Boulder Council of Rabbis & Cantors

Cantor Devorah Avery, Congregation Har HaShem

Rabbi Eva Sax Bolder, Community Rabbi

Rabbi Emerita Deborah Bronstein, Congregation Har HaShem

Rav Jacob Chatinover, Congregation Bonai Shalom

Rav Brian Field, Community Rabbi

Rabbi Emerita Tirzah Firestone, Congregation Nevei Kodesh

Morah Yehudis Fishman, Community Teacher

Rabbi Ruthie Gelfarb, Congregation Har HaShem

Rabbi Sarah Bracha Gershuny, Wellsprings

Rabbi Lynne Goldsmith, Adventure Judaism

Rabbi Fred Greene, Congregation har HaShem

Cantor Mark Kula, Spiritual Leader

Rabbi Hannah Laner, Community Rabbi

Rabbi Charna Rosenholtz, Shulchan.net

Rabbi Alan Shavit-Lonstein, Adventure Judaism

Rabbi Marc Soloway, Congregation Bonai Shalom

Rabbi Diane Tiferet Lakein, Congregation Nevei Kodesh