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One of the most desired resources for many of our Jewish troops besides their own personal copy of “Prayer Book for Jewish Personnel of the Armed Forces of the United States” is a pocket size Torah or Tanakh, depending on one’s individual preference. A Torah (the Five Books of Moses) used to be available in the Department of Defense’s supply system as the Prayer Book continues to be. The Tanakh, although an available publication, appears to never have been in the system. Both the Torahs and Tanakhs were and are available through several sources, but the Armed Forces Torah editions generally came from the Jewish Publication Society (JPS) of Philadelphia.
Searching for appropriate portable, pocket size Torahs and/or Tanakhs for the Jewish troops here at Fort Benning, I contacted two sources, the JPS and the Aleph Institute. The latter is a support entity of the Lubavitch group and has its headquarters in Florida.
The Aleph Institute did not have an appropriate on-the-shelf Torah or Tanakh but undertook a special effort to create one. It published a special edition of a Chumash, in English and Hebrew, and with commentary, to fit the pocket size requirement. They even worked at making the cover in a camouflage motif.
Read on to find out how to order your own copies at a special discount…
The JPS had immediately available Torahs and Tanakhs--both pocket size.
The JPS Torah is in English only and is about 600 pages. No commentary. The Tanakh is 2000 plus pages and is in English and Hebrew.
Any or all of the forgoing are available upon request. The prices of these publications for military personnel, ordered through supply channels, is significantly discounted from their list prices. The JPS Torah which retails for $15.00 will cost military personnel only $7.50 and the Tanakhs listing at $20.00 will cost only $10.00. The special edition Chumash publication by Aleph Institute is $7.50. Any of these publications should be made available as required through requests to unit chaplains and be paid for from government funds.
Both JPS and the Aleph Institute, depending on the circumstances, indicate flexibility in charging individuals when requests for procurement are not through military supply channels.
And, both have programs underway to subsidize these materials for Jewish troops as may be required.
Also, Barry Nove of JPS is putting together a program to get each and every Jewish troop who wants one a free copy of Tehillim (Psalms) if not otherwise available through normal military procurement efforts.
Contact information for each of the above sources is as follows:
- JPS: Barry Nove Email:
- Aleph Institute: Rabbi Aaron Lipskar Email:
I am surprised by this post claiming that Jewish religious items aren’t readily available to the Jewish servicemen/women.
The informed Chaplain or Lay Leader is aware that the DoD has a special Department dealing with Religious Supplies. Ordering is easy via www.warfighter.net or www.chaplainscorner.com.
The following Tanakhs (Bibles) and Psalms have been available for the past 7 years: (All NSNs)
JPS Tankah, English, Paperback
JPS Tanakh, Hebrew/English, Student or Deluxe Ed.
Jerusalem Bible, Hebrew/English, Hardcover
JPS Psalms, English, Paperback
It is ironic that before each holiday, the DoD is swamped with “rescue” and “emergency” calls from various chaplains and lay leaders who tried to obtain supplies via a non-profit organization or ‘outside’ of the network, only to be left with no supplies!
We are the DoD Jewish supplier, and have had to jump through many ‘hoops’ to save the situation.
Use the opportunity to get your supplies via the DoD, and then they will be more open to your requests and suggestions.
Dee
When I served in the U.S. Army (1965-68), I was told I was the only Jewish Chaplain Assistant outside of Vietnam.
From my knowledge: The Jewish Welfare Board supplied Siddurim, and Tannach to American Soldiers. I recall my father had copies also from WWII.
In addition the Army provided an allowance for Chapels to purchase religious goods. The Jewish Community where I served was given an allowance of $100 for the said purchases.
One has to wonder what happened since the all volunteer Army came into effect.
The JWV of Rockland also collect for Passover Packages for Jewish Personnel serving in Iraq and elsewhere.
