New film about 11 man outpost in Afghanistan with 2 Jewish Soldiers
BK: Doug Chandler is an acquaintence and a journalist who has taken an interest in covering American Jewish military service. Check out his work!
The Jews Of ‘Restrepo’
Sgt. Misha Pemble-Belkin, left, is one of 11 soldiers featured in the new film “Restrepo,” about U.S. forces in Afghanistan.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Doug Chandler
His parents gave Misha Pemble-Belkin a pacifist, “hippie” upbringing, forbidding him and his two brothers from playing with toy guns or watching violent films.
But both of them, including his Jewish father, were “very proud” that he enlisted in the Army, says their son, now a sergeant at Fort Polk, La., and one of 11 soldiers interviewed in “Restrepo,” a new documentary about one company’s grueling tour of duty in Afghanistan.
In fact, although the number of Jews serving in the U.S. military probably reflects their percentage of the general population, Pemble-Belkin is not the only soldier with a Jewish background who appears in “Restrepo.” The other, according to the 24-year-old, is Sgt. Kyle Steiner, a close friend and a soldier who, he said, was always wearing a star of David.
Steiner, 25, was in training early this week and couldn’t be reached by phone, but his girlfriend confirmed that the Watertown, Wis., native is, in fact, Jewish. more http://www.thejewishweek.com/arts/film/jews_%27restrepo%27
video with Specialist Steiner
I finally saw this excellent movie. Jewish characters or not, this is an amazing look at the daily life of the war in Afghanistan. Recommended viewing for everyone.