In an effort to educate its members and the broader Jewish community on the issue of gun violence and trauma, Central Reform Congregation is presenting a virtual panel discussion on this topic from 7 to 8 p.m. Wednesday June 9. The program is entitled “The Other Epidemic: The Trauma of Gun Violence.”

“We hear about the mass shootings, which are of course terrible, but we don’t often hear about the everyday shootings in our communities,” said Rabbi Susan Talve of Central Reform Congregation, who will be one of the panelists at the program. “What is the cost to the survivors of gun violence in terms of mental health, emotional stability and trauma?  And how do we effectively address that? These issues will be part of our discussion.”

The other panelist are Michaela Sanders, a gun violence survivor, and Dr. LJ Punch, a nationally recognized trauma surgeon and founder of “The T,” a Trauma Center located in the Delmar Loop, as well as the Bullet Related Injury Clinic (BRIC), which can help you or someone you love heal after being shot.

The program is free and open to the public, but reservations are required. For more information and to register, go to https://www.centralreform.org/events/the-other-epidemic/. The program is sponsored by CRC’s Gun Violence Chavurah.