(New York, NY – July 5, 2022) - Women of Reform Judaism (WRJ) mourns the loss of six people murdered at the July 4th parade in Highland Park, IL yesterday including one of our members, Jacki Sundheim of North Shore Congregation Israel. Jacki worked at this synagogue as their Events and B'nei Mitzvah Coordinator and was a lifelong congregant.
WRJ Executive Director Rabbi Marla J. Feldman said, "To our WRJ sisters and families and friends of the victims, we mourn with you and hope the loving embrace of your sisters from afar will bring you some sense of comfort at this difficult time."
WRJ President Sara Charney said, "We raise up the name of our WRJ sister, Jacki Sundheim, and mourn with her family, friends, and all those who benefited from the good she brought into this world."
Today, WRJ renews our call for stronger gun laws in this country. While WRJ applauds the passing of The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act - the first major federal gun safety legislation in a generation - much more needs to be done. WRJ has advocated for gun safety laws for decades, since as early as 1967. WRJ has repeatedly decried the epidemic of gun violence and the proliferation of mass shootings in America and has long argued for gun violence prevention measures. In 2013, WRJ's Board of Directors issued a statement that reads in part, "WRJ reaffirms its commitment to gun control. We call upon our American sisterhoods to (urge their representatives) to require background checks for all gun sales…and ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines." The full statement can be found on WRJ's website.
May the memories of those lost be a blessing, and may their loved ones find comfort and peace.
Rabbi Marla J. Feldman, WRJ Executive Director
Sara B. Charney, WRJ President
WRJ/RAC Action Alert
Resources:
WRJ Policy on Gun Violence Prevention
The Reform Jewish Perspective on Gun Violence
Helping Children to Process Acts of Terrorism
Community Resource Guide on Gun Violence Prevention
Women of Reform Judaism (WRJ) is a network of Jewish women working together to empower women and communities worldwide through the bonds of sisterhood, spirituality, and social justice. WRJ, founded in 1913, is the women's affiliate of the Union for Reform Judaism, the central body of Reform Judaism in North America. For more information about WRJ, please visit www.wrj.org.
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