Rabbi Weill's Blog

Dear Friends,

A day that is supposed to bring neighbors together and reaffirm our patriotism quickly turned into unspeakable tragedy. Another mass shooting, and this one in our own backyard, in Julie’s hometown, just a few minutes from where we live.

Six have died in the most horrific way, including, perhaps, young people. We genuinely feel shock and sadness; our hearts “go out to the mourning families;” we offer “our thoughts and prayers.” And yet, given the redundancy of gun violence on our soil, we harbor a painful and humiliating sense that such expressions have become mockingly trite.

Yes, the national shame of gun violence has hit home, on our nation’s most celebrated day. May we finally find a way to make it much, much less likely that instruments of carnage find their way into the hands of those bent on evil. And may the wicked spirit of violence that has settled upon our land be replaced by greater love, peace, and kindness.

L’Shalom,

Rabbi Jeffrey Weill