Being Jewish can be hard (and rewarding) work

CDR Warren Tanninbaum, USNR wrote an article in the latest issue of The Navy Chaplain about the challenges of maintaining your Jewish identiry while stationed overseas. CDR Tanninbaum’s perspective is particularly interesting because he served in a location particularly void of Jews. Here are some exerpts from the article. You can read it in its entirety by downloading the full issue here: (PDF File)

Practicing Judaism in America is a relatively simple endeavor. If you want to join a synagogue, there are probably several in the local area to choose from. If you need cultural identity, there are plenty of Jews with whom to socialize. We practice our religion with little fear. But in Spain-being a Jew in a place where there have been almost none for 500 years-I did indeed start feeling different about myself.

I discovered that if I wanted to practice my Judaism, I would have to work for it. There were no Jewish chaplains or organized Jewish communities on the military base. There were no synagogues within 100 miles.

I don’t think you have to be stationed in Spain to associate with that statement. A lot of stateside bases are just as isolated from Jewish communities.

It is strange that I feel closer to my religion and cultural identity having been in a country almost devoid of Jews

I now understand that that the struggle of my ancestors has brought me to this time and place. I will never take my faith for granted again.