Aish.com has an interesting excerpt on their website from Shaindy Perl’s Loyal Soldier.  The book is about Army Captain Hank (Zvi) Webb’s experience in Vietnam, and how he “began serving his true Commander-in-Chief”.

From the Aish article:

Generally, the men on base were given the day off on Sunday. They would go out to a nearby beach, grill hamburgers and play volleyball. I decided to request that I be given the day off on Saturday instead of Sunday. Of course, in the case of a firefight, or other military emergency, I would join the other men in the field, but at least when things were peaceful, I would be able to rest on Shabbos.

[My boss] looked at me with an amused smile. “Webb,” he said in his deep Southern drawl, “I had a Jew-boy neighbor who lived next door, and he was Orthodox, mind you. Every Saturday, the two of us would mow the lawn together. So I figure, if that Orthodox Jew-boy could mow the lawn on Saturday, there’s no reason why you can’t come in and push a pencil on Saturday.”

Knowing my rights as a soldier, I proceeded to make the biggest mistake of my career and blurted out: “Sir, with all due respect to your rank, I think there’s a higher authority than you.

Read the full article on Aish.com or order the book on Amazon.com.

I just saw this book for the first time last month when I was in a Judaica store in Brooklyn.  I put is on my Amazon wish list as soon as I got home.  I’d love to hear from anyone who has read the book.  Leave a comment below or post something in the forums.

This week’s Torah portion, Tetzaveh, deals with G-d giving specific instsructions on how the High Priest’s clothing is to be made. Given the nature and criticality of this work, God wanted the clothing to be made by: “...the wise-hearted people whom I have invested with… wisdom.” (Exodus 28:3)

Wisdom is a gift from Hashem and a privilege.  To those of us who have been privileged as military leaders, whether at the squad or military-wide level, this means using our “wisdom” to the fullest extent to safeguard our Soldiers, families and country.  What a very special role we play in accomplishing “Tikun Olam” (improvement of the world).

Additionally, using our “wisdom” to create the “clothing” or outer garments is a heavy responsibility.  As leaders, whether military or religious, we are imbued with the job of ensuring that we create an outer persona or clothing (appearance and behavior) among our troops or congregants that is consistent with that which is on the inside (belief, faith, value system).  In other words, let’s ensure that we are actualizing Military values and Mitzvot in our every day actions.  Certainly as leaders we must strive to always exemplify that which we espouse.  And, of course, we must hold others accountable for behavior founded on military values and Mitzvot.

How? Through one-on-one counseling; by always making on-the-spot corrections; through retraining/re-teaching just to name a few ways.

This need for consistency of inner self and outer self is brought to light especially now during the week in which we celebrate Purim.  This is the week in which we contemplate the “hidden” and the “revealed.” The inner self and the outer self.

It’s important to remember that were it not for Queen Esther having revealed her inner self to the outer world, we would not be celebrating as Jews.  The attempt by Haman to annihilate Jews off the face of the earth was once again thwarted.  This time, by a woman who rather than continue to hide her true self – her Jewish self – publicly conveyed that she was Jewish.  In doing so, she started a process that saved the community. 

How do we as Jews do this on a daily basis?  Do we hide our true selves and reveal ourselves only on special occasions and among certain people?  If the answer is “yes,” then, why? 
In the world today, It’s no wonder that Judaism is dwindling and that other world religions are flourishing.  They are “out there!” Vocal, visible, actively engaged with an undeniable pride and presence. 

This Purim, consider your Jewish presence in the world.  Consider removing your mask.  Reveal the beauty of Judaism to any and all.  Only in this way will we fulfill our role as Priests unto the nations of the world. 

Some Suggestions:

1. Wear a Kippah while in uniform (supported by DODD 1300.17)
2. Schedule Cultural Diversity classes through your EO rep and provide information about upcoming commemorative events or holidays
3. Get involved in Holocaust Remembrance activities/committees
4. Become an active member of your local Synagogue or Jewish Education program
5. Become a Lay Leader
6. Volunteer to speak or read at religious events or college courses

Friendly Safety Reminder: Don’t Drink and Drive this Purim. Have a Safe and Happy Celebration!

Admit it, we’ve all been there: Your (non-Jewish) chaplain is offering the invocation at some event or ceremony and he or she is nearing the end of their prayer.  You’ve been inspired (or are at least content) up to this point, but you start getting this uneasy feeling in your stomach.  Is he going to finish with, “in Jesus’s name we pray”, or stick with the non-denominational theme?

My experiences, up to this point, have been far more of the latter than the former.  However, thanks to the national attention the scandal at the Air Force Academy has generated, the subject of religion in the military has been in the headlines quite a bit.  Here’s a list of articles I’ve come across over the past couple of months:

• Proselytizing chaplains are coming under fire
• Finding a balance between free speech and religious tolerance
• Jesus barred from Air Force invocations
• Navy chaplain goes on hunger strike to protest “censorship”
• Republican lawmakers angered by “attack on Christians”

UPDATE: Here are a couple more articles on the same subject:

• Air Force eases guidelines on public prayer
• Jewish groups disagree on revised Air Force Guidelines

What are your thoughts on this.  As the “major” minority in this issue we certainly want our rights protected, but will the pendulum swing too far in the other direction and infringe on our right to practice Judaism?

Leave a comment below or discuss the topic more in the forums.

For those among us who enjoy a good read on historical, military or leadership issues, visit vbm-torah.org/archive/halak66/13halak.htm to read a facinating discussion based on the Rambam’s position on “The Morality of War.” A well written paper by Rav Chaim Navon covering such fascinating topics as “injury to innocent citizens,” “showing mercy to the enemy,” and “changes in wartime practices over the generations.” Be the hit of your next military discussion group by bringing the Rambam to the table! 

By the way, have you visited www.thejewishsoldier.com lately? Another great study, discussion source and general Jewish information resource for Jewish Soldiers and Lay Leaders.

Some of these stories are a little dated, but I’ve accumulated a few articles on the activities of Rabbis and Jewish Chaplains in the operating forces. 

Here’s a quick round-up:

• Rabbinical Student Leads Services Overseas
• Army’s First Female Rabbi Celebrates Passover with Victory Troops
• Rabbi Joshua Narrowe revives Jewish Life at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base
• Air Force commissions first female rabbi

Temple Israel of Akron, Ohio will be generously donating one of their Torah scrolls for use aboard the USS Eisenhower.

The Torah being donated by Temple Israel was first offered to the U.S. Navy about three years ago, when a national call went out for a Torah for the chapel aboard the USS Reagan. But another synagogue answered the call first. Several months later, [the Rabbi] got a call from the chaplain aboard the Eisenhower, asking for the Torah.

In January, a contingent from the Reform congregation will travel by bus to deliver the Torah to the aircraft carrier in Norfolk, Va. They will attend a dedication service, have lunch with the captain and tour the aircraft carrier, which is one of the largest warships in the world.

The ceremony is scheduled to take place on January 9, 2006.

LINKS:
Akron Beacon Journal Story
Temple Israel News

Every year I look at the up coming Holidays, wondering how I’m going to approach asking for the holidays off.  I took leave for Rosh Hashanah both days this year because I didn’t feel like I knew my supervisor well enough to ask for those days off without leave (I just PCS’d in to the squadron).  A week before Yom Kippur I asked for the days off for Yom Kippur and Sukkot without taking leave.  His response was a serious look and the question:  “Are you devout Jew?” I wasn’t sure what that meant so I really didn’t respond to the question. (I am shomer shabbos and keep kosher)

Later I met with the wing chaplain to discuss the position of the base Jewish lay leader and how I can be involved. Both the chaplain and the senior (assistant) were very friendly and supportive during our meeting, so I asked about the policy of taking a religious holiday off without taking leave.  The senior commented that they have no problem people taking the holidays off (without leave) as long as they are not “all of a sudden observant”.

Noticing a pattern, I began to question why is this an issue every time the topic of observing a Jewish holiday comes up?  It doesn’t make any sense to me. I should have said I totally agree as long as only religious/observant Christians take Christmas off of work.  As secular Christians are just taking advantage of a free day off by claiming a religious holiday!  Also, how does a religious person “prove” that they are religious enough to take the holy day off before they are allowed to take the day? In essence one has to prove they are religious first before they are allowed to practice their religion.

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We often hear of young men and women “coming of age” on the battlefield, but two soldiers recently brought a whole new meaning to the term.  Private First Class Jeremy Schlieve and Specialist Hannah Dorthula Bartley had their respective Bar and Bat Mitzvah in Baghdad this month.  The two studied under the supervision of Rabbi Mitchell Schranz (CDR, USN) and had, what looks like, a beautiful ceremony.

In the words of CDR Schranz:

It was a beautiful event, even more-so given the fact of where we are.  Hannah & Jeremy did a beautiful job and I think all who were there were truly inspired.  They worked hard to get to this big day.

Normally we say to those who could not make it to such an event “sorry.” In this case we are happy that many on [reading this] could not be here--we’d love to see you of course, but better to meet up in Israel, Miami, New York, LA, etc.

A big yesher koach to both of you!  Going to Israel for your Bar Mitzvah is so last year, Iraq is the place to be now! :)

Read on to see more pictures and read the individual bios.

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WASHINGTON D.C.—On the sacred ground at the Pentagon in the spot where on September 11, 2001 terrorists crashed a plane into the Pentagon killing 189 people, a Torah scroll now resides in an ornate Israeli-built ark whose steel door is secured by a safe lock.

On Monday, September 28th, over 150 military personnel, guests and dignitaries gathered at the Pentagon Memorial Chapel for the dedication of the Torah, recognizing the Jewish members of the U.S. Armed Forces. In front of the standing-room-only crowd, Rabbi Shmuel Wolfman of Jerusalem, completed the last letters of the scroll.

“The dedication of a Sefer Torah in the mightiest fortress in the most powerful country in the world validates true strength, which is the strength of Torah which is a moral and ethical power,” said Rabbi Sholom D. Lipskar, founder and chairman of The Aleph Institute who presided over the ceremony.

The Torah dedication, a first for the home of the U.S. military establishment, was a cooperative effort between The Aleph Institute, a Miami-based national non-profit Jewish organization devoted to Jews in the military and the Pentagon. The Torah scroll was donated by Jacob “Hank” Sopher, a prominent New York real estate magnate.

“There is no better way for Jews to express their gratitude to America than to place a Torah in the Pentagon, which has preserved our freedom,” said Sopher.

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In association with the Aleph Institute, the Pentagon Chapel will be receiving a Sefer Torah next week!  There will be a special ceremony on Monday, September 28th from 1400-1500 and a meal will be served in the Executive Dining Room of the Pentagon starting at 1530 hrs. No ticket is required to attend.  You can click on the flier above for a larger view or download the invite HERE (PDF).

If anyone will be attending the event, I’d appreciate any pictures or reports.  You can anything you have, or post a story HERE.