Remembering them – Sandy Hook Memorial

REMEMBERING THEM:  A COMING TOGETHER IN PEACE AND IN HOPE ON BEHALF OF GUN VIOLENCE VICTIMS

The Bergen County Brady Chapter, plus co-sponsors NCJW Bergen County Section, the Central Unitarian Church (Paramus) and the Puffin Foundation, remembered the victims of Sandy Hook Elementary School, the victims of the Pulse Nightclub massacre and the death of more than 30,000 Americans lost to gun violence in the past year in a commemoration of the 4^th anniversary at Sandy Hook.

The event, which took place on December 14 at the Unitarian Church, brought out more than 100 people including 15 members of Bergen County Section to hear a myriad of speakers representing various Bergen County organizations and offices, plus some beautiful musical numbers appropriate to the solemnity of the evening.

Reverend David Horst of the Unitarian Church said, “WE remember them.  We REMEMBER them.  We remember THEM” when he commemorated the victims of the shootings. Horst added “Let us hear the call and let us respond” as he extorted us to work to end gun violence.   In his closing prayer, Rabbi Jacob Lieberman of Temple Israel of Ridgewood repeated these words: “we remember them!”

Senate Majority Leader and NCJW Life Member Loretta Weinberg, declaring she had been fighting this battle for so many years, spoke about common sense reforms and the need to mobilize.  She acknowledged that this is a tough fight and that the light at the end of the tunnel is a long way off.

Warmly welcomed by the audience, Congressman-elect Josh Gottheimer of the 5^th District, reminded us that the wound is still so fresh for those who lost loved ones.  He stated, “It’s the total of these incidences, and we think that perhaps this will be the one that will make a difference.”  We’re still awaiting the one that will change the minds and hearts of those who believe gun ownership is an Inalienable right.  “We must keep doing what we’re doing to stop it.  Together . . . we can do this.”

Concerned with the new administration in Washington, Dwight Panozzo of the Bergen County Brady Chapter suggested that New Jersey could lose its tough gun laws if a federal reciprocal law is passed allowing concealed weapons in some states.  A follow-up law, according to Mr. Panozzo, could be the addition of silencers on all those guns.  “I call on you to challenge yourself.”  Speaking to the audience, he asked, “Are we willing to get arrested for opposing concealed weapons and reciprocity?”  He spoke of rallies and sit-ins outside the offices of NJ Congressmen who consistently reject any bill that would make us safer.  “It is our duty to honor the dead, but it is also our duty to protect the living,” Mr. Panozzo concluded.

Several other speakers made similar points providing statistics that were shocking.  Musical numbers included Amazing Grace and Bright Morning Star and we ended the evening joining the chorus with Peace, Salaam, Shalom.

Our work is cut out for us.  We must develop the strength to change our nation and save others from gun violence.

Click here to read article by Melanie Anzidei , Staff Writer, in The Record

Click here for video of the memorial

Click on photos to enlarge

Andrew Cureton, President, Bergen County Chapter of the NAACP

Congressman-elect Josh Gottheimer, NJ District 5

NJ State Senator, NCJW Life Member Loretta Weinberg

Reverend David Horst of the Central Unitarian Church

Rabbi Jacob Lieberman, Temple Israel of Ridgewood

Dwight Panozzo, Bergen County Brady Chapter

Left to right: Bergen County Brady Chapter Members Dwight Panozzo; Ed Gross, President; Dennis Hirschfelder

NCJW BCS members seated left to right: Bob Levenstein, Ann Levenstein, Gladys Laden, Herb Laden.
Standing: Gerry Benson, Carole Benson, Bea Podorefsky, Elaine Pollack

Central Unitarian Church Choir