Vote To Reduce Gun Violence This Year

We are a group of Jewish women writing because we are concerned about the increase in gun violence in our state and feel called to action. Our local news outlets report that Minnesota is currently experiencing a surge in shootings and an unprecedented demand for guns and ammunition. As Jews tasked with the obligation of Tikkun Olam, we cannot stand idly by in the face of this threat. We must take action by using our vote in the upcoming election to improve gun safety.

We have joined with NCJW Minnesota’s Gun Violence Prevention Task Force and Protect Minnesota’s Interfaith Alliance for Gun Safety (IAGS), a group that brings together diverse faith communities to promote sensible gun laws in our state. In collaboration with IAGS, we have compiled resources to help voters learn about these proposed laws and the candidates who support them.

As we enter the Jewish New Year with the goal of Tikkun Olam in mind, we hope you will join us in voting to reduce gun violence.

Here’s how to learn about the gun safety issue and vote to make a difference:

  1. LEARN WHICH MINNESOTA CANDIDATES FAVOR SENSIBLE GUN LAWS. Vote for candidates who support Universal Background Checks and Red Flag laws. Research shows that these laws reduce gun violence. Take these steps to find your candidates and their positions on this issue:
  • Find out which district you are in and who your current State Representative and State Senator are by visiting this website.
  • Find the names and websites of all candidates running in your district here.
  • Finally, learn about your candidates’ positions on these proposed laws by visiting Protect Minnesota, Gun Sense Voter, or candidates’ websites. If candidates’ positions are not discernible on any of these sites, contact them by phone or email and ask whether they support these gun safety measures.
  1. KEEP CURRENT ON GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION AND OTHER ELECTORAL NEWS by visiting Protect Minnesota’s Facebook and Twitter
  2. VOTE EARLY TO ENSURE THAT YOUR VOTE IS COUNTED AND TO REDUCE YOUR EXPOSURE TO CORONOVIRUS, either by requesting and submitting an absentee ballot, or by voting early in person. Here’s how:
  • In Minnesota, any eligible voter can request a Vote by Mail ballot by clicking here.
  • Request your ballot as soon as possible to ensure adequate time to receive and return it before the deadline. (The MN Secretary of State recommends that you request your ballot before Oct. 2, 2020.)
  • Alternatively, early in-person voting is underway. Find your local early voting site, or you can also visit your city government’s website to find in-person voting locations and information.

Thank you for joining us to work toward enacting sensible gun violence prevention laws in our state. L‘Shana Tova and a sweet, healthy New Year to you and yours. May the work we do together help repair the world as we enter a new season!

Barbara Fermon

Lori Weissman

Stacy Gallop

Miriam Garland

Beth Gendler

Esther Goldberg-Davis

Debra Orbuch Grayson

Bonnie Resnick

Tamara Weiss Rhodes

Layne Rosen

Rochelle Rubin

Yvonne Selcer

Pamela Sulmer

Lisa Weisman