viewpoints » S end letters to: letters@thejewishnews.com DETROIT JEWISH NEWS theJEWISHNEWS.com commentary Arthur M. Horwitz Publisher / Executive Editor ahorwitz@renmedia.us Rabbis Urge Congress to Keep Guns Out Of Hands Of Convicted Abusers F. Kevin Browett Chief Operating Officer kbrowett@renmedia.us | Editorial By the Clergy Task Force of Jewish Women’s International I n the well-known story from the open- ing chapters of Genesis, we read the sparse narrative of an intimate relation- ship that turns violent. Writing of the murder of Abel by his brother, Cain, Russel Jacoby, author of Bloodlust: On the Roots of Violence from Cain and Abel to the Present, points out that victims are most at risk in their inti- mate relationships. “Cain knew his brother — he talked with Abel — and [yet] slew him after- ward,” Jacoby writes. Statistics show not only that guns in the hands of those who commit domestic violence often lead to murder, but also that violence is more often perpetrated by family members or intimate acquaintances than by strangers. Fifty-five percent of women murdered by intimate partners are killed with a gun. Yet current federal law fails to protect a growing population of victims and survivors of domestic vio- lence, children as well as adults. President Barack Obama’s recent effort through executive action to improve enforcement and clarify definitions regarding existing regulations on the sale of firearms is a welcome step toward changing the direction of the national dis- cussion on gun violence. We support what the president has ordered: more effective enforcement of existing laws and a clari- fication of language that defines who is “engaged in the business” of gun sales. But as welcome as these steps are, Congress still needs to address the danger- ous and often lethal connection between domestic violence and guns. Federal law currently prohibits only some convicted abusers from buying or owning guns. Those convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence against a current or for- mer dating partner, or misdemeanor stalk- ing, can still legally buy and own guns. And the presence of a gun in an abusive relationship increases the homicide risk for a woman by 500 percent. The Jewish textual tradition has long grappled with the roots of violence among intimates. But our tradition also under- stands that such intellectual wrestling is not enough — we also have an obligation to act. That is why, as religious leaders, we are supporting two pending pieces of legislation — the Zero Tolerance for Domestic Abusers Act in the U.S. House of Representatives and the Protecting Domestic Violence and Stalking Victims Act in the U.S. Senate — that would pro- hibit the purchase or possession of guns by those convicted of any acts of domestic violence. Perhaps Americans, still recovering from the shock of one mass killing after another and bruised by polarizing political rhetoric, will yet reach areas of consensus and cooperation. People of good will can and should find it possible to agree on small but significant steps that can reduce both the level of violence and the risk associated with guns. By closing loopholes in existing laws, where the scope and intent of the act is clear, we are not engaging in polemics or in politically motivated rhetoric. Rather, we are seeking to strengthen existing laws designed to protect victims of domestic violence. Given what is known about how guns can quickly escalate domestic disputes into murder, we urge Congress to pass these bills. If Americans may still learn any les- son from the tragic story of Cain and Abel, it is that we are, in fact, our brother’s — and sister’s and partner’s and parents’ and children’s — keeper. Jewish homes are not immune to gun violence. Sadly, it has touched homes in our local community. JCADA, the Jewish Coalition against Domestic Abuse, works to eliminate domestic violence in our com- munity and supports the efforts to keep guns out of the hands of perpetrators of domestic violence. If you need assistance or find yourself in a dangerous situation, call the JCADA confidential help line at (248) 592-2335. * Rabbi Marla Hornsten of Temple Israel in West Bloomfield and Rabbi Ari Lorge of Central Synagogue in New York are co-chairs of Jewish Women International’s clergy task force on domestic abuse in the Jewish community. The advocacy committee is comprised of Rabbi Richard Hirsh, Rabbi Donna Kirshbaum, Rabbi David Rosenberg and Rabbi Rebecca Sirbu. Managing Editor: Jackie Headapohl jheadapohl@renmedia.us Story Development Editor: Keri Guten Cohen kcohen@thejewishnews.com Arts & Life Editor: Lynne Konstantin lkonstantin@renmedia.us Senior Copy Editor: David Sachs dsachs@renmedia.us Editorial Assistant: Sy Manello smanello@renmedia.us Senior Columnist: Danny Raskin dannyraskin@sbcglobal.net Contributing Editor: Robert Sklar rsklar@renmedia.us Contributing Writers: Ruthan Brodsky, Suzanne Chessler, Annabel Cohen, Don Cohen, Shari S. Cohen, Shelli Liebman Dorfman, Ryan Fishman, Stacy Gittleman, Judy Greenwald, Ronelle Grier, Esther Allweiss Ingber, Harry Kirsbaum, Barbara Lewis, Rabbi Jason Miller, Alan Muskovitz, Steve Stein | Creative Services Corporate Creative Director: Deborah Schultz dschultz@renmedia.us Graphic Designer: Rebecca Schock | Advertising Sales Sales Director: Keith Farber kfarber@renmedia.us Account Executives : Kathryn Andros, Wendy Flusty, Andrea Gusho, Annette Kizy, Paige Lustig Sales Manager Assistants : Joelle Harder, Karen Marzolf | Business Offices Billing Coordinator: Pamela Turner Collections Analyst: Hazel Bender | Production By FARAGO & ASSOCIATES Manager: Scott Drzewiecki Designers: Amy Pollard, Pam Sherevan, Michelle Sheridan, Susan Walker | Detroit Jewish News Chairman: Michael H. Steinhardt President/Publisher: Arthur M. Horwitz ahorwitz@renmedia.us Chief Operating Officer: F. Kevin Browett kbrowett@renmedia.us Controller: Craig R. Phipps Corporate Creative Director: Deborah Schultz dschultz@renmedia.us | Fulfillment circulationdesk@thejewishnews.com Customer Service Manager: Zena Davis guest column | Departments continued from page 5 and sharing some of my experience with these incredibly young (and not-as- young) rabbis was the least I could do. When I arrived with Rabbi Stein at the Bedford-Union Armory in Crown Heights, I saw a passion unlike anything I’ve witnessed before. Upbeat and energetic rabbis discuss- ing not the decline of the American Jewish community but what they were doing to help build it and how they could do that better. I immediately realized that while I would be presenting to these rabbis and contribut- ing to their efforts, I would be receiving so much more. Here are three personal takeaways, I think we, as Jewish organizational leaders, can learn from the Chabad model: • Twenty-one years since his passing, 6 January 28 • 2016 the Rebbe’s teachings continue to guide and inspire his army of shlichim. There’s a tremendous sense of mission and focus that exists among them in a way that it doesn’t exist in other organizations. We need to be extremely clear on our organization’s mis- sion and stay focused. • Chabad rarely, if ever, focuses on costly studies or polls. Instead, they focus their energies and funds on implementing their mission and delivering tangible results. We must remember that internal studies, reports and polls, however worthy, are merely a means to an end. • When interacting with shlichim, one will quickly sense their strong responsibility to the Jewish people, a responsibility that far transcends covering their annual budget or promoting a specific agenda. We have to be sincere about our work, and sometimes that means putting our personal agendas aside and doing what’s truly best for our people. Donors today want to have a tangible, positive impact on the Jewish future and are looking for genuine and honest organiza- tions that can help them do that. One who observes the Chabad shlichim and shlichot can’t help but be moved and inspired to action. I know I was. General Offi ces: 248-354-6060 Advertising: 248-351-5107 Advertising Fax: 248-304-0049 Circulation: 248-351-5174 Classifi ed Ads: 248-351-5116 Advertising Deadline: Monday, 2 p.m. Editorial Fax: 248-304-8885 Deadline: All public and social announcements must be typewritten and received by noon Tuesday, nine days prior to desired date of publication. 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