Jews in Green Forums

Kosher food at Air Force COT

2007-01-15T18:08:33-05:00

I was wondering who I can contact to get some information about getting kosher meals at Air Force COT. I will be starting on May 29

Going to basic after the high holidays IYH

2008-09-21T03:15:00-05:00

Hi,

I’m signing up for the army reserves and going to BCT after October 22nd because of the High Holidays. I’m expecting not to be able to keep shabbos or kosher or shave with an electric razor during BCT, should I even bother asking about any of it? Are there any Orthodox Army chaplains?

I’m in the Milwaukee area for my reserve duty. Also, I take it it’s going to be impossible keeping shabbos on drill weekends, right? Well, let me know! And to those in the service already, thanks for your service.

Getting Days off for the High Holidays

2008-09-22T18:59:38-05:00

Every year many of us go through the same ordeal—trying to get our commanders to give us the days off for Yom Kippur and Rosh Hashanah without having to take leave or getting a ton of grief. Does anyone have the directive or military instruction that states commanders are encouraged to provide those days off for religious observance so long as it doesn’t interfere with the mission. The Air Force leave AFI actually says you need to take leave or can make accommodations to work other times, but I know that it says otherwise elsewhere. Any thoughts or help would be great.

Thanks

Benjamin Weintraub, Maj, USAF, MC
375 MDG/MDOS
Scott AFB, IL

Thinking of Enlisting

2008-09-10T16:32:35-05:00

I am an orthodox Jew thinking of enlisting in the army and I had concerns regarding my ability to practice religion. As I understand Basic Training is the hardest part because as opposed to friday night and saturday, soldiers in Basic Training are given time to go to services on Sunday. Also as I understand when you are in AIT and posted to a permanent base its easier because you have weekends off and more leeway when it comes to time.

My recruiter informed me my basic training would be at For Jackson, SC and was wondering if anyone knows the experiences Jews have had there and whether they know of any Jewish Chaplains at that base or in the army at all that I would be able to contact to get their views.

I would appreciate it also if anyone can post about their experiences being in the army and their experineces in practicing Judaism (ex. food, shabbot, holidays, prayer etc.)

Could someone also explain to me what is the Jewish Chaplains Council and Lay Leaders.

I appreciate any help that anyone can give me.

Jewish Life in Basic----Beyond just Kosher Food

2006-10-27T10:50:03-05:00

Im concidering joining the National Guard, Dont know yet if I should go Army or Air Force.

But there are fw issues which may keep me from joining and I am wondering if I should join at all becaue of these.

Electric shavers: Are they allowed in bootcamp or will it be taken away?
Laundry: Do they use scented or UN scented detergents for laundry?

Foods: We have talked Kosher in here till my ears had a K on each one. But I have more specific Q’s about the issue:

1- If I wont be allowed to have Kosher MRE’s then will I be jailed for refusing to eat at all?
2- If I join can I tell the recruiter that I want the KOSHER FOODS mentioned in writing in the contract? And the same for electric shaver?
3- Taking AIT. Can it be in writing that wherever I may be traveling to, or based at, to be allowed and have ordered KOSHER MRE’s for me?
4- WHAT IF For whatever reasons I dont get KOSHER, does that void the contract on their part and gives me a free&clear;way out of the military?

You can reply to me here OR you may also write to me directly at glock17ccw at gmail dot com

ADU--Air Force Tiger camouflage yarmulke available

2008-08-13T11:38:59-05:00

Great news! Finally, the Air force Tiger camouflage (ADU) yarmulke is available. Search for NSN 9925-01-556-7319 on the new Emall website:
https://emall6.prod.dodonline.net/main/welcome_to_DOD_EMALL.jsp

Camouflage tallits are coming soon!

If you have any question, you can send me a PM.

Dee
Jewish Prime Vendor for the Military

ACU Yarmulke in now available

2007-01-01T14:18:10-05:00

Good News! The ACU Yarmulke is now officially an military item! We have had loads of requests for this, but ordering was difficult, as it didn’t have an NSN number.

So, here it goes--9925-01-540-6441 is available on Warfighter, just put the NSN number in the search box.
https://warfighter.dla.mil/newmenu/Index.jsp

Good luck,
Dee

Is the Coast Guard Possible for me as a Religious Jew?

2007-04-17T10:32:14-05:00

Hi everybody. I am starting law school and am considering a career in the Coast Guard in the Direct Commission Lawyer Program.

I am wondering if this is possible as a religious (charedi) Jew. I wear a yarmulke, tzitzit, keep strict kosher, daven 3 times a day, etc.

I was looking at the coast guard, because all of their legal offices are within America and most are in major cities. It’s very important to me to be living in a religious Jewish community, mainly because I will be sending my children to yeshivas.

Once you join the coast guard, do you have any say at all at where you will be living? Most of the possible cities would be fine for me, there are just a few that would be bad. Is it possible to request not to be stationed in those particular cities or would it be totally out of my hands?

Also how often are you forced to move? And after 10 years of service do you gain any more control over where you live, or does it remain totally in the military’s hands? Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated! :)

Jeff

President Bush Participates in Menorah Lighting Ceremony

2008-04-11T22:11:17-05:00

President Bush Participates in Menorah Lighting Ceremony
Booksellers’ Area

4:30 P.M. EST

THE PRESIDENT: Welcome, everybody, to the White House. Hanukkah is a festive holiday that celebrates a great victory for freedom. We remember the liberation of Jerusalem and a miracle witnessed in the holy temple 2,000 years ago. For eight days the oil burned, and the light of freedom still burns in Jewish homes and synagogues everywhere.

We are honored to celebrate the miracle of Hanukkah in the White House this evening. We have a beautiful Menorah from the Boca Raton Synagogue in Boca Raton, Florida. Laura and I are grateful to have it here, and we thank Rabbi Kenneth Brander for making that possible.

I also thank the gentlemen from Kol Zimra, who will help us say the blessings over the candles and bless all of us with their music. Welcome.

The Talmud teaches that the Menorah lights should perform no function other than to proclaim the miracle of a just and loving God. Every generation since Judah Maccabee has looked on these candles and recalled the sacrifices that are made for freedom. And in every generation, these lights have warmed the hearts of those not yet free.

Today, many Americans are sacrificing to bring freedom and hope to the oppressed. In this holiday season, we pray for the safety of our troops, for the success of the mission, and for their speedy return home. And tonight we have asked the three eldest children of one of our Jewish chaplains, Army Chaplain Shmuel Felzenberg, now on duty in Iraq, to do the honors of lighting the Menorah. Will Menachem, Chaim and Miriam Felzenberg are here to light the candles.

Thank you.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2004/12/20041209-16.html

Note that Rabbi (MAJ) Felzenberg’s wife and family were present at this....

Service Academies

2008-02-12T17:16:55-05:00

Hey,

i am an orthodox jew and have always wanted to go to the service academies. i have already been accepted to West point and hope to hear from Annapolis soon too. But I wanted to know if any one had ideas on keeping kosher and shabbat there.

I was wondering if anyone knew if maybe i could eat vegetarian while there, to help deal with the kosher issue maybe. Also how accommodating are the academies for shabbat and can I get extended time for work and the such due to shabbat. Any information would be much appreciated.

Thanks.