Aleph Shabbaton a Success
Late last month, Aleph held their 6th annual Military Jewish Chaplain Training Course and Shabbat with Our Troops program.
More than 50 U.S. military personnel from around the nation took part in the weekend, which drew a crowd of 500 for Friday night services and 350 for Friday night dinner. Some community members who turned up to show their support at the events also opened their homes to the military for the Jewish Sabbath, hosting participants from the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines who traveled to Florida for the program.
Catering to military chaplains and lay leaders, as well as to a wider swath of Jewish military personnel and their spouses, event attendees heard from senior military and government leaders on this year’s theme: “Being a successful (Jewish) military chaplain/lay leader in a highly diverse and multicultural environment.” There were sessions on America’s multicultural history; lessons from the Bible and Talmud on diversity; discussions of the role of chaplains and their interactions with diverse populations; and a variety of related talks. Featured speakers included the U.S. Army’s Deputy Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. Howard B. Bromberg, and the Chief of Chaplains for the U.S. Army, Maj. Gen. Donald Rutherford.
Florida’s Gov. Rick Scott was on hand Friday and received a plaque from the Aleph Institute thanking him for his work promoting religious freedom in Florida. After Friday night services, Gov. Scott spoke to the congregation about Aleph’s work in supporting the troops and also of his support for Israel. The governor and his wife Ann Scott stayed for Friday night dinner.
Early on, the event’s participants talked through hot button topics facing the chaplaincy today and then moved on to hear how current issues such as the financial crisis are being addressed in different parts of the military. “To hear directly from a general how to deal with these issues is invaluable,” Chaplain Mendy Stern said of the topics at hand, and he also appreciated the ability to ask very pertinent questions. “To have an answer in the ready, it’s tremendous.”
The program, which even included chats with future chaplains, went “above and beyond,” Stern said, adding that he will return home physically exhausted but spiritually and mentally refreshed from the experience.
“My takeaway is that I’m not alone and that I have a great organization behind me,” said Stern. “Aleph stands behind me. They’re not just saying it, they’re actually there. I could not have asked for a better organization standing with me when I’m in the army,” he concluded.
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