KINGSTON – Two houses of worship in the City of Kingston have joined forces for a week-long vigil against gun violence.
Congregation Emanuel of the Hudson Valley and St. John’s Episcopal Church, both on Albany Avenue, began with prayers at each other’s congregations last Friday, June 7.
Rabbi Yael Romer said they want to speak out in unison against gun violence.
“We are trying to raise awareness and we are trying to close the gap between what our faiths teach us,” Romer said. The ‘Talmud’ says to save a life, it’s as if you saved the entire world and we can’t stand by idly as blood is shed.”
Congregants wore t-shirts with the names of gun violence victims and others from around the country calling for legislation action. The shirts were then hung outside each congregation to remain through Friday, June 14.
Rabbi Romer said while the violence and hate speech being spewed around the nation and world is nothing new, she feels it has been more frequent since the current administration took over in Washington.
