The Navy’s Shul

After nine years of work and at a cost of almost $9 million, the U.S. Naval Academy’s Uriah P. Levy Center and Jewish Chapel will open this month. The official opening ceremonies will take place the weekend of September 16-18. The academy estimates that some 1.5 million visitors will tour the facility during its first year.

If you are in the VA/DC/MD area, I would highly encourage you to attend this historic event. JIG will have our very own corespondent covering the event. I hope to have a report of the event (including pictures) soon after. Stay tuned for more info.

The Jerusalem Post has a fantastic article about how the chapel came into being and the additional significance of a Jewish place of worship at the Naval Academy.

One of our great Jewish assets, Rabbi Irv Elson is back at the academy as the Jewish chaplain and shared some profound words with JPost:

“This is not just a building for Jews. It’s the next step for the academy in demonstrating how important faith is, any faith,” adding, “It’s a symbol of tolerance and inclusion and for understanding how important faith is in the toolbox of our future Navy and Marines officers. I want our officers to recognize that even if they don’t have a faith themselves, that faith is important to the men and women they command.”

I think this is especially pertinent, considering the current issues with the Air Force Academy and religion in the military in general. Religion and faith are important aspects in all our lives. I think the direction we should take is to be more tolerant and accepting of all faiths instead of removing any and all semblance of religion from the military. I can’t think of a more appropriate time to dedicate such an important building.

If you do attend the event, and give me your impressions. Pictures are especially welcome!

A special thanks goes out to the many readers who brought the JPost story to my attention.