signatures by the end of summer to
present the petitions at the opening
of the fall congressional session.
The American Jewish Congress is
among 44 national member organiza-
tions of the Coalition to Stop Gun
Violence in Washington, D.C. —
others include the
American Jewish
Committee, B'nai B'rith
Women, Jewish
Community Centers
Association of North
America, North American
Federation of Temple Youth
and Women's League. for
Conservative Judaism. The
coalition was established to
seek a ban on the importa-
tion, manufacture, sale, and Phil Baum
transfer of ownership and
possession of handguns and
restriction of all firearms.
Rosen, in his speech, added, "In
this country, sad to say, gun violence
seemingly can strike at any time and
in any place."
David Gad-Harf, executive director
of the Jewish Community Council of
Metropolitan Detroit, said the Mt.
Morris Township incident "destroys
the myth" that it can't happen here, or
in an elementary school.
Last week at the Jewish Council
for Public Affairs Plenum 2000 in
Baltimore, Gad-Harf was among
those who passed, by an overwhelm-
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ing margin, a resolution calling for
meaningful gun-safety legislation.
The resolution includes support for
local, state and federal legislation that
requires background checks for all
gun purchases; a mandatory 72-hour
waiting period for handgun purchas-
es; mandatory training and
licensing for gun owners;
registration of handguns;
new penalties on those sell-
ing guns to juveniles; and
limiting purchases to one
handgun a month.
Locally, "this is an issue
relatively new on the
Jewish community agen-
da," Gad-Harf said. "But it
is an area I feel the Jewish
community should be more
involved in."
Added Gad-Harf, who is
also a West Bloomfield school board
trustee: "We have to have more
resources available in conflict resolu-
tion, starting with the youngest ages.
Problems can arise within any com-
munity — no matter where it is."
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❑
For information on the
American Jewish Congress peti-
tion for congressional passage of
gun-control laws, call (212) 360-
1534; fax, (212) 249-3672: or
e-mail pr@ajcongress.org
tea
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meditated. How murder'
in English trans-
became
lations is difficult to under-
stand," he said.
"There are numerous refer-
ences in the Talmud to the use
of weapons by Jews to defend
lives. To the contrary, in spite of
many who may disagree, I am
firm in my position that piety
encompasses upholding the
Torah's obligation upon Jews to
Rabbi Steven Weil
protect their lives. If it takes a
firearm to obey this require-
also is "no fan of trigger locks, espe-
ment, I'm at a loss to comprehend
cially when the government mandates
any arguments that guns are 'un-
the inclusion of one with a new gun.
Jewish.'"
In an emergency, when a firearm is
Rabbi Mermelstein added, "It says
needed now, safety is a primary con-
in our Torah, 'And you must surely
cern of mine. I, too, am a parent."
guard your life.' I understand this
To this, Rabbi Weil cites the biblical
injunction to mean stay out of
words, "You may not create something
inclement weather, eat wisely and be
with blood," explaining, "To have a
armed."
loaded gun in the house, puts bloods
He refers to himself and Aaron
in the house and is criminal negligence
Zelman, JPFO executive director, as
— in Jewish law." ❑
right-wing conspirators. Against gun-
— Shelli Liebman an nan
use regulations, Rabbi Mermelstein
GOVERNOR JAMES J. BLANCHARD
Speak on current events, his ambassadorship to Canada...
and other topics of interest.
Refreshments will be served — No charge
Co-Sponsored by B'nai B'rith & Yad Political Committee
For further information call 248-855-8580
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