“Whoever destroys a life, it is considered as if he destroyed an entire world. And whoever saves a life, it is considered as if he saved an entire world.” - The Talmud (Jewish Oral Law) Sanhendrin 4:5)
Welcome!
We are delighted to include this new section of our website, which came about as a result of Cantor Michael Zoosman's involvement with Randy and ourselves. Cantor Zoosman (Death Penalty Action, and L’chaim! Jews Against the Death Penalty) has directed us to a great deal of information which we are sharing here in the hope that more of you will become involved in the abolition of the death penalty on both Federal and State levels.
We aim to share as much information here as we can, and as we (or Randy) receive it from the many Rabbis and others involved in the abolition of the death penalty.
Please visit the following website where you will find a wealth of excellent information on the work being done by the Death Penalty Action group to not only abolish the death penalty, but also to fight against the racial and other biases that tarnish the justice system.
Death Penalty Action have also very kindly linked to Randy's website, and we are delighted to share their work here, and to spread the word that the abominable practice that is the death penalty, must end!
Many thanks for for taking the time to read, and we hope you will come back and visit reguarly.
Please watch the video below, in which Cantor Michael Zoosman delivers a sermon. Cantor Zoosman is a former prison chaplain and is deeply involved in the movement to end the federal death penalty, and eventually all executions. This sermon has been given at various synagogues, and only recently, Cantor Zoosman delivered a speech in the synagogue that Randy attended growing up, and where his Bar Mitzvah took place...
"...I had no idea that this in fact was his home synagogue, where he became a bar mitzvah and where his father was a founding member."
We thank you for your time and interest!
Cantor Michael Zoosman took part in a Yom Kippur discussion recently, and you can hear him speak at minute 18 in the following video.
Below is a link to a video produced by Death Penalty Action (where Cantor Zoosman serves on the Advisory Board) of a recent demonstration in DC. The footage includes Cantor Zoosman delivering a speech, and blowing the Shofar for the cause of abolition:
Cantor Zoosman was in communication with Christopher Vialva, who identified with some Jewish practices and who was executed by the federal government earlier this year.
You can also hear Roderick Reed (brother of Rodney Reed...Rodney currently sits on Texas Death Row for a crime he did not commit) speak, amongst others.
We thank you for your interest in the abolition of the death penalty for all!
Below is a copy of an interview with Rabbi Dan Gordon, of Temple Beth Torah, Humble, Texas. Rabbi Gordon has visited Randy several times, and has been a great friend to him.