Greetings to my USMC buddies!

As a retired Jewish Coast Guardsman (over 30 years). I am curious as to:

(a) How many Jewish Marines there are?
(b) How many Jewish Spouses?
(c) How many have experienced Anti-Semitism?
(d) How many have found access to kosher food (i.e. those items that cater to a kosher market, e.g. Rubashkins, International Glatt, Meal Mart, Empire, Ha’olam and Millers cheeses, etc.) (on-base or off-base) and religious services easy?
(e) How many wear kippahs and tzitzis in uniform except when prohibited by MC Regs.
(f) How many have heard explicitly derogatory expressions about Jews, e.g. ####, jew-down, jew-boy, etc.

I loved being in the military and I would serve my country again if I could. I know most people were curious and supportive of my Judaism, but there were a few that weren’t. 

Lately there have been a few high profile cases where Jews have been shunned or have been treated derogatorily.  Recently a jewish veteran was actively pursued to convert at a VA facility in Iowa City, there was a Jewish Chaplain at NIH who was canned for various reasons including hatred by a Catholic Chaplain there of Jews or at least the Jewish Chaplain involved.

Semper Fi to All of You!

v/r Moishe (Mark Lewack), SCPO, USCG ret.  in Frederick, MD

My son’s Jewish, 19, in the 3/5. There’s 9 other Jews in his BN. He goes to services at a place I found for him on the net, close to the base. The Chaplin called me and told me he’s going to do more for them! The Rabbi at the base is never there and there’s no services my son knows about on Pendleton.

He had a terrible incident of anti-semitism in bootcamp, a year ago, that they took care of immediately. I was really surprised how fast they jumped on it! The Jewish Lay Leader at MCRD set the ball rolling about the incident and they had it resolved within 3 hours of my first contact to the Jewish Lay Leader about it! Even he was surprised how fast they took action!

He can wear a kippa under his helmet. He’s being deployed soon and asked me for a cammy kippa to take with him, and to send 7 extra cammie kippas for the other Jews in his BN.

Ramchaza,
Please share with us the story of the anti-semitic incident in boot camp.  I’m very interested in hearing.

Thanks you,
Taiyas

Did I send you this info in a private communication? I think I did. My son’s now deployed to th BAD PLACE. I don’t know if it’s ok for me to talk about anything from the past right now?

He’s embraced Judism in a way I couldn’t have believed!  He’s studying to have his Bar Mitzva when he gets home at Etz Rimon in Carlsbad. They’ve been incredibly supportive of him, sending him packages, letters, etc. Before he enlisted I couldn’t even get him to go to High Holy Days services.

They had a Hannuka service, not a lot of guys but enough. Rabbi Newman’s plane was delayed so the guys did it themselves. He said it will be one of the more memorable Hannukas of his life! C Chaplin came in to see if they had what they needed and ended up staying for their service.

He’s had no more incidence of anti-semitism. They dropped down on that incident in boot like a ton of bricks and it was resolved immediately after it was brought to their attention. I have to say I was surprised at their quick reaction and very pleased, also.