Submission #26593 by Kol Ami Brotherhood - Tampa, FL (1357)

Submission information
jonzimmer's picture
Submitted by jonzimmer
Tue, 2022-11-01 15:43
47.196.188.200
2023
I have read the 2023 Torch Awards Program Guidelines.
Club Name
Kol Ami Brotherhood - Tampa, FL (1357)
Firearm Safety Day
Club Representative
Person completing form
Dr. Jeff Shore
Jonathan
Zimmer
Club President at time of convention if known at this time
Jonathan
Zimmer
Club President Now
Jonathan
Zimmer
FJMC - other

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For the 5th year, the Brotherhood of Kol Ami has put together a Firearm Safety Day, open to men, women, and teenagers (w/ parental permission). Open to all synagogue members and certain teenagers (w/ parental permission), a certified instructor/staff members gives us instruction on proper firearm safety and the rules of the range, and helps first timers during range time.
The overall goal of the program was twofold: Give our several members that own and/or are familiar with firearms practice time on the range to improve their skills, and to instruct first timers on proper firearm safety and how to handle a gun. The event is not political and we take no stance on any gun laws. It's designed to not only practice and learn proper safety and skills, but to bond and grow with our fellow shul members.
Attachments
Self Assessment
The program has been running five years straight. It's a signature event and looked forward to every year. People have asked for offshoot/similar events, such as skeet shooting. We have had several first timers throughout the years that have never picked up a gun, including women and teenage children whose parents brought them. This year, we had 18 people participate, including two children and their mother, both first time shooters. We have received several compliments that they appreciate the value in people being properly trained in use of a firearm in today's unfortunate age of rising incidents of anti-Semitism.
This program is innovative due to its uniqueness. Kol Ami is not the only shul to have this type of program, but it is not common. Most of the participants who attend own a gun, and it's good bonding and "shop talk" to get information on types of guns and the industry in general. We have had as many as 38 people attend in the past.(pre-Covid). It absolutely is a community building event. We also have a strict rule of no political talk on gun laws, gun violence incidents, etc, as this event is for learning safety, skills, practce, and bonding with our fellow Jews, not being divisive.
While the topic of guns may be controversial to some, this event is about learning safety and practicing in a proper, regulated gun range. I am proud of this event and the fact it is commonly spoken highly of in our shul.

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Original Program
Previous Submission
Yes
Silver