Naval Officer Erects Menorah in Saddam’s Palace
From Canadian Jewish News – Lt. Laurie Zimmet of Los Angeles, an observant Jew of Los Angeles, California, organized a seder over Passover and erected a menorah in one of Saddam’s former palaces.
This story in the Canadian Jewish News is quite fascinating and worth the read.
From the article:
“She declined to be described as frum or observant. “I don’t observe Judaism; I do Judaism. I don’t always do it well, but I try really hard…I hope if you hear of me again, you’ll say, yeah, she’s a good Jew.”
Zimmet took it upon herself to organize the seder last year, which drew Jewish personnel from all over Iraq. The brusque Special Forces general she reported to – who happened to be Jewish – initially balked at getting involved. “I can’t wear my Judaism on my sleeve like you do,” he told her. Eventually, he relented and went. He even said a few words.
Zimmet’s biggest shock upon arrival for her most recent tour was being shown to her workstation and noticing at the place beside hers a siddur, Chumash and other Jewish texts.
Stunned, she could barely take in what the colonel was telling her. A big bluff character, her commander explained matter-of-factly that the desk was “Chime’s” and he was an Orthodox Jew from Monsey, N.Y. It was Chaim who showed Zimmet it was possible to keep kosher in Iraq. He kept a special place where she was astounded to see shelves and shelves of Manischewitz, Rokeach another kosher food, as well as a full array of cookware.
Zimmet got her rabbi and family to keep her similarly supplied.
Keeping Shabbat was perilous. She worked at FOB Victory, near Baghdad, but slept at FOB Slayer about three miles away. The two bases are connected by a tunnel. She walked through that tunnel on Shabbat.”
A very interesting and inspirating story!
If someone can get through to Lt. Laurie Zimmet and tell her that plenty Jewish supplies are available from DSCP. She should contact her supply command or senior chaplain.
For more details, send me a PM.
Dee
Jewish Prime Vendor
An amazing and Simcha filled article! To think that a once Anti-Semetic house of terror was turned in to a Beyt Teffilot for that instant! Very encourging, I thing to our fellow Jews still living in Arab Countries!!
Hi
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Alex
http://www.jewrusalem.net/en
Thank you for posting this article. I was happy to help arrange such an historic event. The article unfortunately contains many errors. I had requested the author send me her draft prior to publication for fact check…I wish she would have. Among the many errors, I never organized the seder. That was done by a very dear rabbi and chaplain in the U.S. Navy…Rabbi Mitch Schranz. He organized, ran, the entire event…I had nothing to do with it other than attend and appreciate his beautiful service. CDR Rabbi Schranz deserves 100% of the credit…I made that extremely clear in my talk! No point in addressing the other errors. I’m back in the states now and remain very grateful to CDR (Rabbi) Schranz for allowing me the opportunity to arrange the menorah in the palace….God’s light always wins out in the end!