passover , the most widely cele
Document Sample
spring 2007 • chct 5767 VOLUME XXii no. 1
JWB Jewish Chaplains
Council facilitates Dear
passover observances Chaverim:
for Jewish troops Chaplain Ira Kronenberg, USA
As I begin serving as the chairman of the RCA
By Miriam Rinn, JCC Association communications director Chaplaincy Committee, I would like to thank my
predecessor Rabbi Jacob Greenberg for all his hard work
p
assover, the most widely celebrated of all festivals on the Jewish over the past years. One of my major goals as chair will be
calendar, began this year at sundown on Monday, April 2. While to increase support of chaplains by the RCA.
Jews worldwide gathered around Seder tables, the holiday was Jewish chaplains in the military will be facing
a trying time for thousands of U.S. servicemen and women unable to many issues in the coming years. None, however, is as
join their families and loved ones. Reaching out to these isolated Jews important as the problem that has arisen concerning
stationed at bases at home and overseas, JCC Association, through messianic chaplains. This past Pesach in Iraq, a messianic
the JWB Jewish Chaplains Council, shipped 600 individual Seder chaplain took the Seder kits provided by DLA in order
kits and made travel arrangements for the military chaplains who led to perform a “Jewish Messianic Seder.” When a Jewish
communal Seders, alleviating the loneliness, particularly acute during LTC asked for the kits, he was told by his commander
holiday seasons, that accompanies active combat duty. and the brigade chaplain that they were given to the
“rabbi.” After my repeated calls to CENTCOM, DLA,
continued on page 10
and the MNF-I Chaplain’s Office the kit was given to
the Jewish soldier. Rabbis Robinson and Goldstein
rabbi Brad Hoffman joins were also instrumental in getting the kits into the
right hands. Fortunately for the Jewish soldiers, Brett
JWB Jewish Chaplains Oxman serves in the Pentagon. He was instrumental
Council staff as special in getting the Chief of Chaplains’ office to tell Theater
`that only a rabbi can perform a Jewish service and that
projects Consultant the messianic chaplain, who is endorsed by a Protestant
denomination, cannot advertise a Jewish service. Should
Rabbi Brad Hoffman,
this messianic chaplain want to be a “rabbi,” he must be
a highly decorated Navy
endorsed by JWB Jewish Chaplains Council.
chaplain, skilled educator,
While we resolved the immediate problem, the
and adjunct professor at
larger issue will not just go away. It is vitally important
Saint Joseph’s University
that the entire spectrum of the Jewish community be
and Philadelphia University
united on this issue. The military needs to know that
in Philadelphia, has joined
although we might have multiple endorsing agencies,
the JWB Jewish Chaplains
the Jewish community speaks with one voice and
Council staff as special projects consultant.
from one address.
Hoffman received ordination from the Jewish
Theological Seminary of America, holds an M.S. Chaplain, (COL) Ira Kronenberg
Ed form Old Dominion University, M.S OD from Chairman RCA delegation
Saint Joseph’s University, studied at Penn Council JWB Jewish Chaplains Council
continued on page 5
The JWB Jewish Chaplains Council is a U.S. government-accredited agency for serving the religious and social
needs of Jewish military personnel, their families, and patients in VA hospitals. It is a vital component of JCC
Association of North America, the leadership network of—and central agency for—350 JCC, YM-YWHA and JCC
camp sites in the U.S. and Canada, who annually serve more than one million members. JCC Association offers
a wide range of services and resources enabling its affiliates to provide educational, cultural and recreational
programs to enhance the lives of North American Jewry.
LT Risa Simon, Jewish Lay Leader leads Jewish personnel
assigned to Victory Base Complex, Baghdad, Iraq as they
celebrate Purim.
pUriM CELEBratiOns
help bolster morale at home and abroad
arabian sea: Jewish Lay Leader Lt. Josh Taylor (right)
with (left to right) Machinist’s Mate Third Class Dmitri Mata,
Yeoman Tyler Farrar, Avionics Electronics Technician Third
Class Aaron Shwarts, and Aviation Boatswain’s Mate - Handler
Third Class Amanda Weinberg celebrate Purim with fresh-
baked hamantaschen in the ship’s chapel March 03 aboard
the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74).
Stennis, as part of the John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group, is
on a regularly scheduled deployment in support of Maritime
Security Operations (MSO). MSO help set the conditions for
security and stability, as well as aid counter-terrorism and
security efforts to the regional nations. (U.S. Navy photo by
Lieutenant Chaplain Scott Callaham)
Middle East: Lt Col
Hayman, Major(s) Richard
Greenman, Capt Avnet,
1Lt Michelle McCarroll, a
guest, and Chaplain Sarah
Schechter, USAF, holding
shlach manot from Israel
and the United States as
they celebrate Purim.
2 • CHapLinEs • VOLUME XXii, no. 1
a purim message
in tune with the
torah mandate:
“Do not forget”
By Chaplain Mitchell Schranz
I returned from Iraq this
summer, and we spent part of
our homecoming leave at the
Edelweiss Inn in Garmisch.
Many of you have probably
been there.
One day we took a trip to Berchtesgaden, the
site of Hitler’s retreat, also known as the Eagle’s
Nest. I needed to see this with my own eyes,
and wanted to say a kaddish there for those who
perished in the Shoah. One cannot describe the
emotion one feels being in the same place that
Hitler and his murderers spent their happiest
days, planning the destruction of our people, and
a world war.
A few days later, my wife and I were trying to
decide what to do. We wanted to go to Dachau, but
were unsure how it would effect our children. We
were talking about this outside the hotel lobby. A
young German woman, mid-20’s, overheard our
Rabbi Yossi Mandel of the Chabad Jewish Center of Everett, WA, who led the conversation. She looked like what some might call
megillah reading at NAS Whidbey Island, explains the Purim story to children
with Purim finger puppets.
a punk-rocker. After apologizing for interrupting
us and introducing herself, she told us her husband
was a US soldier from Mexico, then serving in Iraq.
purim celebration She suggested that even though she understood
why it would be hard to visit Dachau, we needed
at Whidbey island, Wa to go there, to see for ourselves what happened,
and what her people had done. We could sense
Jewish military families at NAS Whidbey Island, WA celebrated her sadness talking about this, and she expressed
Purim with a Megillah reading and kids’ Purim party at the base chapel. her hope that the world would never forget what
Rabbi Yossi Mandel of the Chabad Jewish Center of Everett, WA happened to the Jewish people.
traveled to Whidbey Island with his wife Chaya and four children We did in fact make the trip to Dachau. I was
to read the Megillah and provide perspectives on Purim for the impressed that they made no attempt to cover up
participants. A kids’ craft table helped teach the children the Purim the enormity of the crimes they committed there.
story with Purim coloring pages, finger puppets, and masks. Rabbi The Jewish memorials are poignant and well-
Mandel brought hamentaschen, graggers, and Megillahs to add to the maintained. Although we had heavy hearts after
celebration. The NAS Whidbey Island base chaplains dropped in to these two trips, the pain was lessened by that brief
share in the festivities. A encounter with a young German girl, who was
obviously humane, kind, and thoughtful. A
spring 2007 • chct 5767 • 3
sEDEr nigHts
aboard the Uss Harry truman
By Lay Leader CDR Scott Moran
I enjoyed a wonderful Passover Seder on USS Harry S Truman, led
by one of the crew members, MM3 Jesse Kopelman. Jesse led a Seder for
approximately forty personnel that included a variety of faith groups. About
a dozen of these individuals are active in the ship’s Jewish community
led by Jesse. Interestingly, the ship’s commanding officer, CAPT Herman
Shelanski, is Jewish as well. The attached photo shows the head table for
the event. We held our second Seder for Jewish personnel on USS Harry S.
Truman in the captain’s galley. It was a great night of sharing stories with
shipmates about our different family traditions for observing Passover. NC1
Rice helped the captain’s mess specialists make the matzo ball soup and
MM3 Kopelman led the Seder. The solo Seder kits I brought came in handy
for matzo, macaroons, haggadahs, and more. A
(l to r) CDR Scott Moran, Jewish lay leader
NAS Whidbey Island, WA, MM3 Jesse Kopelman
USS Harry Truman (CVN 75) Jewish lay leader,
CAPT Herman Shelanski, commanding officer,
CVN 75 and CDR Michael Zarkowski, at the
first Seder.
(l to r) Rice LT Julia Weber, CDR Scott Moran,
MM3 Jesse Kopelman, CAPT Herman Shelanski,
MM3 Bryce Steffens, CDR Francis Spencer NC1
Gabriela Rice at the second Seder.
at Ft. Benning, ga
Part of the 100 Jewish personnel who
attended the first night Passover Seder at Ft.
Benning, GA.
4 • CHapLinEs • VOLUME XXii, no. 1
Loyal volunteers
enhance seder
at northport Va
Medical Center
By Rabbi Paul Swerdlow
For more than 45 years, Lillian Lublang
and Florence Braitman of the Central
Nassau JWB Ladies Auxiliary have provided
a Seder for the veterans at the Northport
VA Medical Center on Long Island. Not
only are the patients and staff invited, but
assisted by members of the Jewish War
Veterans, they invite Jewish veterans who
live in adult homes in the area.
A few years ago, Phil Weisbroat, facility
planner at Northport, suggested that I
invite his father to lead the singing at our
Seder. Richard Weisbroat is an attorney
who loves to sing Jewish liturgical music.
His wife and he have become fixtures at
our annual Seder, adding so much with his
beautiful singing voice. Cantor Michael
Trachtenberg joined our hospital family
as a volunteer over a year ago. He not
only shares his musical talent but he has
become a regular visitor to veterans in our As “the wise son” in the Passover Hagaddah, Dr. George Mallis, chief of cardiology
nursing home. A at Northport VA Medical Center, reads, while Rabbi Paul Swerdlow listens.
rabbi Brad
rabbi paul swerdlow
nominated for MCa Hoffman
continued from page 1
Distinguished service award
Relationships, and is a clinical member of
Rabbi Paul Swerdlow, lead chaplain at Northport, Long Island VA the American Association for Marriage and
Medical Center has been nominated to receive the Military Chaplains Family Therapy. He is also a certified mediator.
Association (MCA) Distinguished Service Award for 2007. A chaplain Rabbi Hoffman founded PERSONAbility
from each branch of the Armed Forces and the VA is awarded this Consulting, a firm to match personality styles
special recognition each year for excellence in pastoral care. Chaplain with leadership skills and to train individuals
Swerdlow’s selection is historic because he is the first rabbi ever to in leadership, interpersonal communication,
receive the MCA Distinguished Services Award. organizational development and conflict
Rabbi Swerdlow has made trailblazing efforts and continues to resolution. He presented educational and
initiate on behalf of VISN 3-wide spiritual-care programs, including training seminars at the Conference for
palliative care, clinical pastoral education, and outreach efforts to Alternatives in Jewish Education.
military chaplains in the local area ministering to returning OIF- Rabbi Hoffman served six years on active
OEF veterans. In addition, he serves as the chair of the Chaplain Field duty with the US Navy. He became a reservist
Leadership Council Education Committee and is a life-long member in 1996. Since that time he has preformed
of the MCA. The award will be presented on Thursday evening, May many short-term assignments. His most
17 in San Antonio, TX. recent was with the 1MEF in Iraq for the
High Holidays. A
spring 2007 • chct 5767 • 5
Hanukkah lights
sHinE
in afghanistan
and iraq
Lay Leader Major Craig Wertheim leads Hanukkah candlelighting in Balad, Iraq.
Chaplain Gary Davidson, USAF, prepared a special Hanukkah gift package
(hanukkiah, candles, yarmulke, Siddur, Machzor, dreidel, chocolate gelt) for Senator
Arlen Spector from Pennsylvania during his brief visit to his base given during the
senator’s stopover in the Persian Gulf.
First night of Hanukkah. Lay leader CPT Tina Kirkpatrick
conducts Hanukkah services from the 1394th DSB
in Afghanistan.
Gifts for the troops. (l to r) SPC Justice, CPT Kirkpatrick, Lt. Jonathan Freimann at the Embassy Annex in Baghdad writes: “I had just lit
CPT Lapidow. the candles when we got a “duck and cover” alarm from a mortar attack, so I am
in full gear by the candles.”
6 • CHapLinEs • VOLUME XXii, no. 1
Lay Leader Capt paul
Becker, Usn, writes
from Bahrain:
Hag Sameach from Bahrain!
Rabbis (LT) Daniella Kolodny and (CDR) Joel
Newman were in theater Passover week; Joel in Iraq, nate’s notes:
Daniella in Bahrain, and they embarked on EISENHOWER,
STENNIS, BOXER and BATAAN (good timing for large Rabbi Nathan M. Landman
decks nearby). Lots of great Passover and care packages
In an effort to provide more direct individual
arrived this year from the Navy and our new benefactors,
support to Jewish personnel in the armed forces and
“Operation Far From Home.” Once again, our very small
their families, the JWB Jewish Chaplains Council is
NAVCENT contingent partnered with the very small
compiling an e-mail roster of names and addresses
Bahrain Jewish community for a combined small, but
at home and abroad so that messages of timely
meaningful, holiday gathering. It’s the quality, not the
interest and gift packages may be sent from time
quantity that counts.
to time. If you know of personnel who should be on
In the spirit of opening our doors, we’re happy to have
the receiving end, please send the information to
shared Shabbat dinner with NAVCENT Senior Chaplain
Rabbi Robinson at: hlrobinson@jcca.org.
(CAPT) Don Lerow and shared the first Seder with Deputy
Chaplain (CDR) Ron Stake. A
Lay Leader LtC
amy Blumenthal
in Kuwait celebrates
30 years of army
reserve service
Lt. Col. Amy Blumenthal, support operations plans
officer, 377th Theater Support Command (Forward) and
Jewish lay leader, Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, recently celebrated
her 30-year anniversary with the Army Reserves. In 1979,
Blumenthal was accepted into the National Guard Officer
Candidate Program, the only woman in her platoon. For a
person who wanted no extra attention, she found herself
getting picked on and singled out. This did not stop her,
however, from pushing all the way through the course. “I
did graduate in 1980, and I try to live by three things they
constantly taught: respect noncommissioned officers, never
forget where you came from, and be professional,” she said,
and added, “You can still be a soldier and a lady.”
Lt. Col. Blumenthal knows the only constant in life is
change. “We come to work every day and something is different;
all that matters is how they evolve and make it better.”
At her request, Hadassah groups from Richmond and Lt. Col. Amy Blumenthal
Danville, VA and Winston-Salem, NC planted 41 trees in
Israel to date in memory of Israel’s fallen soldiers. A
spring 2007 • chct 5767 • 7
Chaplain avi Weiss writes from Ft. Lewis
before heading for Korea
i
made a decision, together with several involved members chapel. The garrison command and garrison chaplain, and
of the community, to direct the community’s children to their spouses, not only sat through all the Divrei Torah, but also
local synagogue Sunday schools — there are Orthodox, stayed to play dreidel and enjoy the Hanukkah refreshments.
Conservative and Reform congregations within easy reach Fixing the JWB Torah, which was accomplished with $500
— rather than organize our own program for such a small from JWB and $4700 in donations from community members,
number. For adults, instead of a Sunday school class as in the provided an opportunity to bring the Jewish program to
past, I developed a twelve-week curriculum based on Joseph the attention of the command element, earning friends and
Telushkin’s Jewish Literacy and advertised the Wednesday advocates at the highest level and ensuring — I hope — its
evening series broadly through the weekly “Jewish Sound” continuity even with relatively small numbers of Jewish military
bulletin and all the chaplains on post. An additional draw was and dependents, under the leadership of Dr. Karen Fitzgerald, a
that for the first (sign-up) class we showed the Israeli movie long-time Jewish lay leader.
Ushpizin. The class drew a strong and loyal core, including Regarding the Thanksgiving Community Ecumenical
members of the Jewish community, the post’s Catholic chaplain, Service: I was the featured speaker for this program, which was
a non-Jewish chaplain’s assistant, and several non-Jews with a held in Main Post Chapel and spotlighted accordingly. My address
strong and long-standing interest in Judaism. was ready and I was going over the finishing touches the Tuesday
Combining our Torah (Re-)Dedication with the community before Thanksgiving when, just before midnight, I was informed
Hanukkah party created a major event on Fort Lewis. Advance that my father had passed away. “Plan B,” which I had already
publicity brought out non-military Jewish participants from arranged, was for a young female Protestant chaplain, CH (CPT)
nearby communities (Olympia, Tacoma) as well as non- Valeria Van Dress, to present my speech for me. In preparation, we
Jewish participants from the post and beyond. Senior military spent over an hour on the phone while I was sitting shiva with my
leadership was well represented: The deputy post commander siblings in San Diego. The address was very well received, and I’m
held one of the chuppa poles in our outdoor procession to the convinced that Val did a better job than I would have done. A
personals Baruch Hashem
For SGT MAX PHILLIPS, son of CHAPLAIN SETH
Congratulations to: PHILLIPS, USN, after his return from a 12-month tour
of Iraq to resume his studies at Virginia Tech. Max was
CHAPLAIN DONALD LEVY, USAF, on his promotion to
unhurt in the recent shootings.
the rank of Major on May 1, 2006.
CHAPLAIN JOSHUA NARROWE, USAF on his promotion Condolences to:
to the rank of Major on January 1. The family of CHAPLAIN SAMUEL SOBEL, USN/Ret.,
CHAPLAIN and MRS. BRETT OXMAN, USAF, on his who died in Norfolk, VA on April 5.
selection for promotion to the rank of Col, effective July 2, Chaplain Mitchell Schranz wrote:
and on the occasion of the engagement of daughter LIOR to
AVI BALDINGER of Silver Spring, MD. Boruch Dayan Emes.
RABBI HAROLD ROBINSON, JWB Jewish Chaplains I am very sad to hear about Sam’s passing. He was an
Council director, who completed the 2007 Boston outstanding rabbi, scholar, chaplain—above all mensch in
Marathon in an impressive unofficial time of 3:52.25. every way. We got to know him in his later years, but age
The time is all the more amazing due to the miserable had in no way sapped his spiritual or mental stamina. He
conditions throughout the entire race. was beloved by all who had the privilege to know him..In
this day when leadership is oftentimes abused and defined
by how loud one can shout, Sam’s example by leading
with a kind heart and gentle spirit is especially important.
May he rest in peace.
8 • CHapLinEs • VOLUME XXii, no. 1
rabbi robinson
conducts passover
seders in guam
Passover was recently celebrated on the island
of Guam with the helpful visit of RDML Harold
Robinson, and two Guam sailors, AZ2 Noah Harnick
of HSC-25 and LN2 Saint Phillips of Naval Region
Marianas. Rabbi Robinson received an invitation to
visit Guam in support of the small Jewish community
and his acceptance and assistance brought great joy
to the group of 30 sailors, family members, and
civilians who attended the Seder on the first night of
Passover in spite of a typhoon passing through the
neighborhood to the north of Guam. AZ2 Harnick
and LN2 Phillips coordinated the event with the (l to r) AZ2 Noah Harnick of HSC-25, RDML Harold Robinson, LN2 Saint Phillips of
help of the Regional Chaplains Office. A Naval Region Marianas
Chaplains Kronenberg and Miller
lead Ft. Dix community seder
Members of the Fort Dix and McGuire
Air Force Base, NJ Jewish communities invited
visitors from the surrounding areas to partake
in a model of the Passover Seder dinner. The
event drew more than sixty members of both the
Jewish and non-Jewish populations to the Main
Chapel on Fort Dix March 15 and was conducted
by Chaplain Ira Kronenberg, Ft. Dix and assisted
by Chaplain Menashe Miller, McGuire AFB.
The model Seder was the brainchild of
Col. Rick Martin, commander, 305th Air
Mobility Wing, McGuire A.F.B., and was
organized by Col. Lewis Wetstein, State Air
Surgeon, New Jersey Air National Guard, and
his committee comprised of Col. Ed Ramras,
State Judge Advocate General, NJANG, Maj.
Steven Rothstein, deputy chief of staff, NJANG,
and Chap. (Capt.) Yaakov Bindel, 108th Air
Refueling Wing, NJANG, McGuire AFB.
The event was hosted by Kronenberg,
deputy installation chaplain, and Miller, staff
chaplain, 305th AMW, while the funding was
provided by the Jewish War Veterans, Post 125,
Col. Rick Martin, Commander 305th Air Mobility Wing, New Jersey Air National
from Asbury Park/Ocean Township and Post Guard and Chaplain Menashe Miller, flank Chaplain Ira Kronenberg as he conducts
972, Marlboro/Manalapan. the Passover Seder at Ft. Dix, NJ.
spring 2007 • chct 5767 • 9
passover observances
continued from page 1
The Seder kits were expanded this year, said Rabbi Harold base was attended by 30 people (eight of them Jews), one at an
Robinson, director of the JWB Chaplains Council. They now Air Force base for 50 people (eight Jews) and a third at an Army
each had an extra box of matzah, horseradish, gefilte fish, and base for 18 people (15 Jews).
canned tuna, in addition to the traditional kosher grape juice, two None of the sites were in Iraq but all were in the region, and
cans of kosher-for-Passover matzah ball soup, Haggadah, and a Rabbi Schechter wrote that the military personnel came from
camouflage yarmulke. Also included was a phone card with an all over to attend.
hour’s worth of free calling time. “The Chaplains Council is again “The first seder was in a special dining room sectioned
grateful to Manischewitz, the kosher food purveyor, for donating off from the main building facility,” Rabbi Schechter noted.
supplies,” said Robinson, a Rear Admiral who led Seders on the “It was perfect. The second seder was in the VIP tent, and the
base in Guam this year. third was in a big warehouse.”
Representing the spectrum of Jewish To open the door for Elijah in the
denominations, the rabbis deployed this warehouse, one of those present opened the
year included both reservists and active huge metal garage door.
duty officers throughout the branches of At the first seder, they heated kosher-for-
the U.S. Armed Forces: Passover rations and plain, steamed vegetables.
In the Middle East/Southeast Asia: Rabbi Schechter reported that all of the seders
Shmuel Felzenberg (Army, Afghanistan); had enough Passover food.
Sarah Schechter (Air Force, undisclosed Chaplin Sarah Schechter (center) “It was very important for me to have a
location); Jeremy Steinberg (Army, Baghdad); celebrates first Passover Seder at an kosher seder,” she wrote. “And communities
Daniella Kolodny, (Navy, Fifth Fleet); Joel undisclosed Middle-East base. very generously sent us tons of food. The last
Newman (Navy, Iraq) base I visited had too much food — macaroons,
In the U.K.: Henry Soussan (Army, Leeds, England) solo seder kits, etc., to the point where they were begging people
In the European Theater: Donald Levy (Air Force, Ramstein, to take the food home because there was not enough space to
Germany); Seth Philips (Navy, Naples, Italy) store it all. The dining facilities were fully cooperative and let
In the Far East: Avi Weiss (Army, Korea) us use their kitchens. Where they could not provide the right
Chaplain Schechter led three seders: one at her undisclosed ingredients, we could buy them in town.” A
Yom Hashoah service held at nellis aFB, nV
A Holocaust memorial service was
held at Nellis AFB, NV on Thursday,
April 19, conducted by Lay Leader
CMSGT Carl Vetter. Guest speaker
was Dr. Carl Loder , history professor
at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
His subject was “Timeline of the
Holocaust.” Professor Loder believes
the German people could have stopped
the Holocaust from happening in 1933.
Once the government suspended the
German constitution, the Nazi plan
couldn’t be stopped.
(L to r) SSgt Christina Gibson, CMSGT Carl
Vetter, A1C Dominique Harmon, MSgt Jeff
Jumper, Dr. Carl Loder, Professor of History,
University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
10 • CHapLinEs • VOLUME XXii, no. 1
We get letters:
(The following letters were forwarded by Chaplain Sarah Schechter from the Middle East)
Dear Rabbi Schechter:
zing and
Thank you so much for organi
absolutely
hosting the Seder. It was
lovely. A touch of home. It brought
of often.
back memories. Some I think
e a very close
My cousin Rikki who is lik
my Grandpa
sister to me. I thought of
coins that
Nathan giving us chocolate
rs. Nathan
I haven’t thought of in yea
Russia via
Wiener. When he came from
cer at the
Vienna, the immigration offi
ed on Vienna
Port of Baltimore got confus
accent and
and the name because of his
original name
changed it to Wiener. The
up with a
was Winokur. My mom ended
“spaghetti” name anyway.
Thanks again. This is my first Seder and
Passover away
from home in a deployed
n. environment and
I hope to see you again soo it was very fulfilling and
almost like
living the story of Passov
er out. Being
Be well, out here in the desert giv
es Passover a
new meaning for me and tru
CW4 ly this is the
Gerry Garryowen Ventrella, setting for the wandering
Israelites after
their escape from Egypt.
Not being with
family is hard, especiall
y during the
holidays. However, the Jew
ish communities
of the US have been so sup
portive and
have sent so many food ite
ms specifically
for Passover. I feel ver
y grateful that
I am not forgotten and tha
t communities
back home truly support
the troops and
what we do. By celebrati
ng Passover with
strangers and literally
opening the door
for all to take part see
med quite special
and is one of the true mea
nings of the
Seder; to tell all the sto
ry.
1Lt Daniel Avni , 379th
ECES/CECP
spring 2007 • chct 5767 • 11
Dewitt Clinton Hospital Ft. Belvoir,
Va hosts Holocaust survivor nesse godin
at Days of remembrance Observance Alan P. Solow
Chair
By (LTC) Betty Simmons Allan Finkelstein
President
On 13 April 2007, DeWitt Army
Community Hospital, Fort Belvoir, VA,
hosted Mrs. Nesse Godin, Holocaust
Survivor and President of the Jewish Ho-
locaust Survivors and Friends of Greater
Washington. This, full-house event, was JWB Jewish Chaplains Council
the crowning glory of our “Days of Re- Rabbi Philip Silverstein
membrance” commemorative week. Chairman
Mrs. Nesse Godin has appeared before JWB Jewish Chaplains
many distinguished audiences. Council staff
Mrs. Godin’s storytelling style Rabbi Harold L. Robinson
and profound theological references Director
e-mail: hlrobinson@jcca.org
provided a moving experience for all Rabbi Nathan M. Landman
present that afternoon. Several per- Deputy Director
e-mail: nathan_landman@jcca.org
sons were heard to say that their lives
will forever be changed as a result armed Forces and Veterans
of her conveying her experiences. services Committee
Through her telling of horrific events Sidney F. Miller
Chairman
and of strength in the face of unimagi-
nable odds, she brings to light the im- Chaplines
Mrs. Nesse Godin with DeWitt Hospital Com- Rabbi Nathan M. Landman
portance of loving-kindness, giving, mander, COL Kenneth G. Canestrini following his Editor
avoiding gossip, and appreciation for presentation of the Commander’s Coin at Days of Dan Hertzberg
all of Hashem’s blessings. A Observance ceremonies. Design
NON-PROFIT
U.S. POSTAGE
paiD
NEW YORK, NY
PERMIT NO.
3111
520 Eighth avenue, 4th Floor
new York, nY 10018
www.jcca.org
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