by Barbara Nevins Taylor

Rabbi Jeffrey Meyers of the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh wrote an essay for his congregation last July. He worried about gun violence, the treatment of immigrants and the failure of our leaders. He might have added the ugly atmosphere that fosters anti-Semitism. But then, he couldn’t have possibly imagined what would happen in his synagogue three months later. Who could?

Shannon Watts, founder of Moms Demand Action – a gun control advocacy group – brought it to my attention. Here’s an excerpt…

“Unless there is a dramatic turnaround in the mid-term elections, I fear that that the status quo will remain unchanged, and school shootings will resume. I shouldn’t have to include in my daily morning prayers that God should watch over my wife and daughter, both teachers, and keep them safe. Where are our leaders?” — Rabbi Jeffrey Meyers

I hope you will read the rest. Please think, when you do, about what we need to do as a nation to come together, to stop the violence, and tune out the self-serving platitudes of so-called leaders including President Trump who stir division for their political advantage and demonstrate that they care nothing for our country.

We Deserve Better 

by Jeffrey Meyers,  July 19, 2018

Current news recycles at a dizzying pace, with the important topic of yesterday buried beneath the freshest catch of the day. The television talking heads pick over each and every juicy tidbit like vultures over carrion. Just when you thought they were done, they find more. Remember the Thai soccer team rescue? Old news. The push by the students from Parkland, Florida to enact safer schools?

Now that schools are closed for the summer, apparently school safety is not important, as shooters are finding other valuable sites. It is remarkable that the horror of immigrant children being separated from their parents continues to be newsworthy.

I recall seeing a post not long ago that rather accurately describes the life cycle of news, and I paraphrase to the best of my recollection: Tragic Event – Thoughts and Prayers – Call to Action by our Elected Leaders – Hang Wringing – Next News Event.

Rabban Gamliel, who lived during the latter part of the Second Century, observed the following: Be wary of the authorities! They do not befriend anyone unless it serves their own needs. They appear as a friend when it is to their advantage, but do not stand by a person in his hour of need. How insightful was he, that he really understood an essential truth about the government.

Despite continuous calls for sensible gun control and mental health care, our elected leaders in Washington knew that it would fade away in time. Unless there is a dramatic turnaround in the mid-term elections, I fear that that the status quo will remain unchanged, and school shootings will resume.

I shouldn’t have to include in my daily morning prayers that God should watch over my wife and daughter, both teachers, and keep them safe. Where are our leaders?

Immigration advocates were wise in bringing the separation of parents and children to the courts, because we have seen legal decisions pushing our leaders to respond in a timely manner. What happens to the children whose parents were deported?

There must be a better system, and I would have hoped that bright minds in Washington, D.C., could sit down and work out a solution that takes into account all of the concerns that have been raised.

Alas, inaction once again. Soon enough those who are up for re-election will be on the campaign trail, seeking your dollars and your support. Will you ask them the hard questions, and tell them that you will hold them to their words, or that they should seek a different sort of employment?

Will the new freshmen class of Congress learn to just yes us continually until the roar fades to a whimper, which is apparently rule #2 in the Congressional handbook? We all know rule #1, and look where that has gotten us to. Our school students deserve better. Immigrant families deserve better. We deserve better.

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