Will you join our Reform movement against gun violence?

April 29, 2019

Dear Emanu-El Family,

As we continue to mourn the loss of more human life in a house of prayer, we invite you to join our statewide Reform movement in taking one concrete step against gun violence in our state:

From April 29-May 3, our congregation will participate in the California Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism’s (RAC-CA’s)  call-in week to Governor Newsom, urging him to include $39 million for Cal-VIP local gun violence prevention programs in his May Revision budget.  Grant money from Cal-VIP is awarded to local programs that address gun violence, as well as to California cities to build strategies to address gun violence. Funding programs like Cal-VIP have already seen great success, with up to 40% reductions in gun violence.  Click here to learn more about these programs.

Will you commit five minutes to call Governor Newsom sometime between today and May 3?  In the face of the tragic shooting in Poway, we renew our commitment to ending gun violence in all communities.  Thoughts and prayers are not nearly enough — Judaism is a tradition of taking action. We know that this one action will not solve this very big problem, but it is one real step that we can take right now. We, your rabbis and cantors, have set a goal of our congregation making 100 calls to the governor’s office this week. Will you please make one of those calls?

RAC-CA will provide talking points and the Governor’s phone number, so you just need to pick up the phone and make a quick call.

Please use this quick & simple form (no passwords!) to register for the Call-In Week and to view the phone number & talking points: www.rac.org/CAGVPcall

On the form be sure to write “Congregation Emanu-El”  for your congregation so that we can know how many calls our community placed. Also, after you’ve made a call, please email Rabbi Rodich at Jrodich@emanuelsf.org and let him know.

May the memory of Lori Kaye Gilbert and the memories of all those who have been killed in their places of worship be a blessing. May our sanctuaries always be places of peace.

With love,

Clergy of Congregation Emanu-El