Just Do It

Preventing Gun Violence

by Nadia Stadnycki

Things Everyone Can Do to Protect Their Loved Ones and Their Communities Sat., Jan. 19, 12:45 p.m., free, Germantown Jewish Centre, 400 W. Ellet St., 215-844-1507, germantownjewishcentre.org

Closely following Mayor Nutter's declaration that Philadelphia is in a state of crime emergency, the Germantown Jewish Centre is suiting up to battle gun violence in the city. Organized by the center's Social Action Committee, Preventing Gun Violence: Things Everyone Can Do to Protect Their Loved Ones and Their Communities will feature a lecture by CeaseFire PA Co-Founder and former Executive Director Diane Edbril.

"Every year in Pennsylvania, we spend upwards of $125 million treating the victims of gun violence," says Edbril. "Think about if 1 percent of that money could be spent on books or teachers' salaries or an after-school program or on housing rehabilitation." Edbril draws her insight into gun-violence prevention from nine years of criminal law practice in New York City, which included a four-year stint as an assistant district attorney. Preventing Gun Violence is in line with CeaseFire PA's mission to expand its anti-violence message by educating the community. Edbril will touch on the current status of gun regulation in Pennsylvania; precautionary measures for gun owners; the importance of discussing gun safety with kids; and how the community can get more involved with CeaseFire PA and similar programs.

The program falls on the annual weekend during which the center honors longtime head of house staff Ralph Granger (pictured), whose contributions to the community were many. "A Christian African-American, his work at the center symbolized many of the values we espouse," says the center's Rabbi Leonard Gordon. "In his memory, we take this weekend every year to think about race relations and our responsibilities to the community in which we live."