RJ Blog

by Rabbi Fred Guttman In 2004, Ted Koppel the host of Nightline decided to devote the last 20 minutes of his program to reading the names of more than 700 soldiers who had died in Iraq. Sinclair Broadcast Group, which owns the local ABC affiliate, refused to show the program. As rabbis at Temple Emanuel, Rabbi Andy Koren and I were outraged about this decision. Apparently, Sinclair felt that by reading these names, Koppel was in some way criticizing the policies of the Bush Administration concerning Iraq.

Today’s Forward editorial, “Our Forgotten Defenders,”reminds American Jews of the sacrifices our Jewish servicemen and women are making overseas – not just by serving in the IDF but by deploying to Iraq Afghanistan while serving in the U.S. military. The tally of American Jewish servicemen and women killed in these wars has risen to 50, though the National Museum of American Jewish Military History says there may be many more among the deceased whose religion isn’t known. The piece begins: In mid-August, 127 Americans flew to Israel with the intention of joining the Israel Defense Forces. They arrived at Ben-Gurion [...]

As we were enjoying the long weekend at barbeques or on the beach, I’m sure that many of us also stopped to consider the sacrifices of our troops – both those who currently protect us across the world and those who have served in the armed forces throughout their lifetimes. There are many ways in which U.S. servicemen and women sacrifice, but most Americans are unaware that, beyond sacrificing their lives in the line of duty, servicewomen also sacrifice their own reproductive health in order to serve. The health insurance available to servicewomen differs significantly from every other health insurance [...]

by Vicky Farhi It’s been four years since my son Joel first told his father and I that while college was nice, he wanted to serve his country and had chosen the Navy. Three months later, he was accepted into the navy’s nuclear training program and 6 months after that successfully completed boot camp. Last week, I was meeting with several rabbinic students and learned that one of their classmates was away at Navy boot camp, training to be a Navy chaplain. Before Joel joined the Navy, I knew of just a few Jews who served in the United States [...]

Time for a quick history lesson: In 1655, the colony of New Amsterdam passed an ordinance forbidding Jewish residents to enlist in the colony’s militia, ruling that Jews were instead required to pay a monthly contribution for this exemption from service. Insistent upon military service, Jewish colonist Asser Levy refused to pay and instead rallied others in petitioning for the right to enlist. Their petition, though initially rejected, was ultimately successful, and Levy and other Jewish residents were eventually permitted to serve alongside their fellow colonists. Levy, a proud veteran and prominent businessman, went on to become an advocate for [...]

by Chaplain (Colonel) Bonnie Koppell The scene: Kandahar Airfield Chapel. The occasion, a memorial ceremony for Private Jason Hasenauer. The voice of the First Sergeant from the rear of the sanctuary- “Sergeant X”. The hearty reply- “Here, First Sergeant.” The First Sergeant calls out for “Captain X”. Again, a robust, “Here, First Sergeant.” “Private Hasanauer”… silence. A bit louder: “Private Jason Hasanauer.” Silence. A third time: “Private Jason Daniel Hasanauer.” A gut-wrenching echo. They call it “The Last Roll Call,” and if you are not moved to tears, then you have lost your soul. The plaintive sound of Taps, and soldiers [...]

On Monday, May 28th, we observe Memorial Day in the United States, a time to remember the sacrifice of our Armed Forces in defense of our country. The prayer below, written by Rabbi Matt Friedman and originally published on this blog last year, may be read during your Shabbat Services next week. Let us ask God to protect, heal and comfort those who serve. And let us, by praying, raise our own awareness, sense of responsibility, and appreciation for those who defend our country. “A Prayer for Memorial Day” by Rabbi Matt Friedman Eloheinu v’Elohei avoteinu v’imoteinu – Our God [...]

By Leah Citrin Exactly one week after Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day, Israel commemorates Yom HaZikaron—Memorial Day. In Hebrew, the full title of the day is: Israeli Fallen Soldiers and Victims of Terrorism Remembrance Day It is a Memorial Day not celebrated as a holiday weekend with a day off from work or school, barbeques, or retail sales, but as a stark reminder that not a single citizen in the country of Israel is untouched by the ultimate sacrifice of life that is exchanged for Israel’s existence.

When you take the field against your enemies…The officials shall address the troops and say, “Is there anyone here afraid or disheartened?  Let him go back to his home, lest the courage of his comrades flag like his.” -Deuteronomy 20:1, 8 Once again, boarding an intercity bus yesterday, I found myself ambivalently giving in to the urge to push my way on, as was everyone else in the crowd around the bus door.  As usual, most of them were soldiers.  The stakes were high, as it was clear that the bus would be quite full, and there was a chance [...]

by Michael Rankin, M.D.Capt., MC, USN (Ret) Yom Kippur, 1965, I was a Navy medical officer stationed aboard a destroyer off the coast of Vietnam.  The ship’s captain had promised us an hour or two to hold a service Kol Nidre evening, but late in the afternoon the ship went to battle stations.  An Australian base camp south of Hue was under attack from a North Vietnamese unit, and we were to fire around the perimeter of the camp to drive them away. The firing continued all Kol Nidre night and through most of the next day.  After much loss [...]

by Mike Rankin, M.D. In June of this year, marriage equality became a reality in New York. The bill passed the legislature, and was quickly signed by the governor.  Most Reform Jews applauded this move toward justice for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Jews. On September 20, the odious “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” policy was repealed. Most Reform Jews were in support of repeal as well. However, many from more conservative faith traditions, especially military chaplains, were not. They claimed repeal would require them to violate their deeply felt objections to homosexuality, would require them to counsel homosexuals without urging [...]

by Neil Block I have just returned to my home in the hinterlands of rural Georgia from the big city of Washington, DC and have been contemplating a suddenly clear reality as a result of that trip–my epiphany. I had been to Washington via Annapolis and my 50th class reunion of graduation from the US Naval Academy to participate on behalf of our temple in receiving an award bestowed on it by the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism. Temple Israel was being recognized for a program which was initiated and pursued for over 10 years for and on behalf [...]

by Rabbi Matt Friedman Editor’s note: This weekend we observe Memorial Day in the U.S., a time we remember the sacrifice of our Armed Forces in defense of our country. Below is a prayer that may be read during your Shabbat Services. Rabbis and congregational leaders might consider incorporating this prayer for those families who have lost a loved one in the service of our country as well as for the soldiers now serving in our armed forces. Let us ask God to protect, heal and comfort them. And let us, by praying, raise our own awareness, sense of responsibility [...]

by Kate BigamPress Secretary, Religious Action CenterOriginally posted in Ten Minutes of Torah and the RACBlog Time for a quick history lesson: In 1655, the colony of New Amsterdam passed an ordinance forbidding Jewish residents to enlist in the colony’s militia, ruling that Jews were instead required to pay a monthly contribution for this exemption from service. Insistent upon military service, Jewish colonist Asser Levy refused to pay and instead rallied others in petitioning for the right to enlist. Their petition, though initially rejected, was ultimately successful, and Levy and other Jewish residents were eventually permitted to serve alongside their [...]