Message from the Clergy on the Highland Park Shooting

Once again, this time at a festive celebration of our nation’s independence, shots ring out and lives are tragically ended. Once again, families are forever broken, and once again, hopes are dashed onto pavement soaked in blood.

Our pledge to the victims—both the slain and the loved ones of those stricken—must be that we can never grow complacent, never allow these events to pass without mention, never believe that this will always just be the “way it is.” On July 4th, a day which celebrates the best of what America aspires to be, the tragic failure of our deadly infatuation with guns reminds us that we must work even harder to keep deadly weapons out of the hands of those who would use them to harm others.

We have recently learned that a beloved teacher and member of North Shore Congregation Israel, Jacki Sundheim, was among those slain in the shooting in Highland Park, Ill. Our hearts are with our sister congregation as they bear the burden of this unimaginable pain.

May the dead rest in peace, their families find solace in the arms of loved ones, and may our nation see the day when all can walk our streets without fear as the prophet wished:

וְיָשְׁב֗וּ אִ֣ישׁ תַּ֧חַת גַּפְנ֛וֹ וְתַ֥חַת תְּאֵנָת֖וֹ וְאֵ֣ין מַחֲרִ֑יד

But everyone shall sit
Under their grapevine or fig tree
With no one to disturb them.

Daily Kavanah

The Declaration of Independence and a Lonely Hero

If you are like me, you assumed July 4, 1776 was the day all 56 men signed the Declaration of Independence. In fact, on the back of the two-dollar bill is a famous depiction of Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Roger Sherman, and Robert Livingston standing before John Hancock. Depicted behind them are many of the additional signers. What more evidence do we need?

We would be wrong.

The only one to sign the Declaration that day was John Hancock. The majority added their signatures on August 2 of that year, and the final signature was added in November.

Why? The Founders undoubtedly knew by signing the Declaration, they could be signing their own death warrant. While we don’t know for sure, many likely hesitated and some may have taken the time to arrange their affairs in advance, in the event they would be killed.

The one, courageous, man who signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776 was John Hancock. His signature was bold and large as would become his legacy.

Rabbi David Woznica
[email protected]