Chaplain “Educates” Non-Jews

The Courier News recently published a story about Rabbi Mordechai Schwab, a former senior Jewish chaplain in the Iraq theater.

It’s an interesting read. Instead of concentrating on the usual “issues” of Jewish service members serving in Muslim countries, the author focuses on the challenges faced in dealing with non-Jewish soldiers.

…Schwab was waiting for an airport bus in Kuwait-a much safer place than Iraq-after coming back from leave. A major in charge of a group of Army Rangers came over to him and very politely and professionally asked him if he could remove his yarmulke; several of his men feared it would put them in danger.

It’s a positive piece though. Rabbi Schwab talks about how he has a duty to educate his fellow troops about some of the Jewish practices that they are so unfamiliar with.

A few of the stories made me smile. We have all probably had a strange question asked by a non-Jew at one time or another.