Rabbi Menachem Creditor (top left) of Congregation Netivot Shalom in Berkeley and eight other rabbis (pictured) were among a gathering of 80 clergy in Washington, D.C., this week speaking out against gun violence.

Creditor was part of a smaller group that met Jan. 29 with Vice President Joe Biden’s policy team, which is leading the work on gun violence legislation, and staff from White House offices that deal with faith-based issues, neighborhoods and public engagement.

The nine rabbis involved were (clockwise from top left) Creditor, Joshua Hammerman, Robyn Fryer Bodzin, Aaron Alexander, Steve Greenberg, Nina Mandel, David Baum, Amy Eilberg and Gary Creditor (Menachem’s father).

The 80 clergy from around the country were representing PICO’s Lifeline to Healing Campaign. PICO stands for People Improving Communities through Organizing.

The goal of the gathering was threefold: discuss the role that faith can have in healing the U.S. from gun violence, get training from gun-violence prevention experts and meet with government officials.

Together the group crafted a moral statement, which was presented during testimony at the Jan. 29 meeting.

He said the nine rabbis will soon publish a book to be titled “Peace in Your Cities: Rabbis Against Gun Violence.” On www.rabbicreditor.

blogspot.com this week, Creditor wrote “A Prophetic Response to Gun Violence.” — j. staff