Not By Might: Channeling the Power of Faith to End Gun Violence (Rabbis Against Gun Violence Publications)

Not By Might is the second collection of writings by faith leaders on the topic of gun violence edited by Rabbi Menachem Creditor, the founder and chair of Rabbis Against Gun Violence and spiritual leader of Congregation Netivot Shalom in Berkeley, California. The first volume, Peace In Our Cities, was published shortly after the shooting of 20 kindergarteners and 6 educators at Sandy Hook in Newtown, Connecticut. This new volume comes on the heels of the deadliest mass shooting in modern American history targeting the LGBT community at Pulse, a nightclub in Orlando, Florida. Both of these horrific shootings grabbed the headlines and shocked the conscience of the country, as they should. Yet, we know that the vast majority of shootings happen out of the spotlight on street corners and parking lots, in bedrooms and kitchens, affecting marginalized communities and vulnerable individuals. Whatever the circumstances, the outpouring of sermons, prayers, poems, and reflections from Jewish leaders reflects the profound sense that Jewish tradition requires a response and that Jewish sources and teachings can offer comfort, inspiration and guidance. Rabbis Against Gun Violence is a national grassroots coalition of Jewish America leaders and faith activists from across the denominational spectrum responding to the devastating epidemic of gun violence in our country. Like other people of faith, we believe in the inherent dignity and sacredness of every human life; we know that every gun death – whether from urban violence, suicide, domestic violence, unintentional shootings, or mass shootings - diminishes us.