New York Synagogue Comes Together to Pray For Wounded Congregant, All Las Vegas Victims

NEW YORK – A New York Jewish community has come together to pray for the recovery of the daughter of a former superintendent who was wounded in the mass shooting in Las Vegas as well as all shooting victims.

Congregation Kehilath Jeshurun’s rabbis Chaim Steimetz, Elie Weinstock and Haskel Lookstein wrote in a message to their congregants, “Samantha Arjune, the daughter of our beloved former Superintendent, Rudy Arjune, was shot in the leg. She is now in surgery.”

“Samantha was for many years a fixture at KJ/Ramaz events. She is an adoring daughter and is a true model of honoring one’s parents. When offering a misheberach prayer for her, her name is Samantha bat (daughter of) Savitri.”

“Our entire community is praying for Samantha, for all the injured, and the people of Las Vegas. May God bless America with peace and security,” they added.

Following the tragedy, Jewish groups called for harsher gun control.

“While we are still learning details and do not know the impetus for the killings, one thing is clear: the threat of mass violence against innocent civilians in America has not abated. This threat must be taken seriously,” Anti-Defamation League National Director Jonathan Greenblatt said in a statement. He added that “tough, effective gun violence prevention measures” need to be employed.

B’nai B’rith International said it is “well past time for meaningful, bipartisan gun violence legislation in this country.” It added, “Though information about the shooter and his arsenal is still being uncovered, we have long held there is no acceptable, reasonable need for civilians to have access to large rounds of ammunition.”

“B’nai B’rith stands in solidarity with the Las Vegas community and with all those impacted by gun violence around the nation,” the statement also said.