Home of Jewish War Veterans Online Post 77
Rabbi Arnold Resnicoff, a retired military chaplain who served as command chaplain for the U.S. European Command, has proposed that the military adopt a universal lapel insignia for all chaplains. The intent is to have a symbol that will be universally recognized, and not be specific to each individual religion. Right now, chaplains wear their own faith symbol on their […]
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I just finished watching Taking Chance, an excellent movie about escorting a fallen Marine home to his family. If you haven’t seen it, I highly recommend it. I’ve served as a Casualty Assistance Calls Officer (CACO) in some my units, but thankfully never had to specifically carry out those duties. Throughout my training I was always amazed to what lengths […]
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From the Jewish Journal: It’s 5:45 and the alarm sounds. Another day at Bagram Airfield for me. Another day in Afghanistan and I somehow manage to sit up, put on my fatigues and walk over to the gym, 100 yards from my 10-by-10-foot living space. Around 0700, I grab a quick shower, and prepare for my morning update meeting. Now […]
Read moreRabbi Levy’s comments to an older article are worth repeating in an individual post. I’m a graduate of Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion serving as an active duty chaplain in the Air Force. I graduated, was ordained and entered the Air Force chaplaincy just over 11 years ago. We weren’t at war then, but when I applied to their […]
Read moreIn an excellently written and very amusing article in the World Jewish Digest, Alison Buckholtz encapsulates the difficulties Jewish service members can face in more remote duty stations, and by cataloging her family’s efforts to bring yiddishkeit to their military community. Sans crucifix… From the article: So as we drove down our new street in Anacortes, it wasn’t the extravagant, […]
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It’s hard enough fighting the fiery Evangelism that sometimes goes hand-in-hand with serving in the uniformed services. This story on blackanthem.com gives me pause. Full Article Though the article touches on his duties as a chaplain, which I’m sure are exemplary if he loves soldiers, I worry that to non-Jews, his status as a military chaplain confers a sense that […]
Read moreI heard about a disturbing trend today on the radio on my way to work. Soldiers with PTSD being harassed or ostracized by other Soldiers. How can this be?! We have been told, after all, that we are to be “our brother’s keeper.” Relating to this, I offer the following: “He [the angel] said, ‘It will no longer be said […]
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