JWB Jewish Chaplains Council

"As I reflect on my first conference as an active duty Jewish chaplain, I’m filled with a mix of gratitude, excitement, and a newfound sense of purpose. The week was a whirlwind of learning, networking, and reconnecting with my Jewish chaplain colleagues.

One of the most impactful aspects of the training was the opportunity to delve deeper into the history and mission of JWB Jewish Chaplains Council® (JWB). JWB plays a vital role in supporting Jewish chaplains and Jewish life in the military. As a resource and advocate, JWB provides invaluable guidance, training, and support to chaplains serving in all branches of the United States armed forces. I was particularly impressed by the practical tools and resources provided by Jewish Community Centers of North America (JCCs), which will undoubtedly aid me in my role as a chaplain."

Read today's blog post from JWB chaplain Rabbi Scott Klein. Rabbi Klein serves as a chaplain within the 82nd Airborne Division and the garrison rabbi at Fort Liberty, North Carolina.

A New Chapter: Reflections from a Jewish Army Chaplain - JCC Association of North America By Rabbi Scott Klein As I reflect on my first conference as an active duty Jewish chaplain, I’m filled with a mix of gratitude, excitement, and a newfound sense of … Continued

Our heart beats as one.

Congratulations LT. Steven Ballaban, CHC, USN on your selection to LCDR
and
On your retirement from the US Navy!

We would love to widen our tent!
Consider a career as a military chaplain!
Information can be found here:

https://jcca.org/signature-programs-and-events/jwb/become-a-chaplain/

We were honored to welcome back so many of our esteemed alumni serving as military chaplains. These exceptional rabbis and cantors attended the JWB Jewish Chaplains Council conference, pictured here with Rabbi David Adelson, ‘99, D.Min. 16, Dean of New York, Retired Major General Jeff Jacobs, chairman, West Point Jewish Chapel Fund, and President Andrew Rehfeld, Ph.D. We extend our sincere gratitude to each of these alumni for their outstanding service:

Chaplain (MAJ) Rabbi Matt Friedman ‘91
Chaplain (MAJ) Rabbi Heather Borshof ‘10
Chaplain (MAJ) Rabbi Aaron Stucker-Rozovsky ’18
Chaplain (LTJG) Cantor Laynie Zell ‘24
Chaplain (LT) Rabbi Elias Chajet ‘23
Chaplain (MAJ) Cantor David Frommer ‘11

Thrilled that our annual chaplains training course was highlighted today in EJewish Philanthropy as their pic of the day!

U.S. Army Chaplain Corps
US Navy Chaplain Corps
Air Force Chaplain Corps
Chaplain of the Marine Corps
US Department of Veterans Affairs
Jewish Community Centers of North America (JCCs)

MAZAL TOV
Ch. Josh Sherwin
Ch. Yoni Warren
Ch. Yoni Green

On your promotion!
May you go from strength to strength!

On Purple Heart Day, we honor the over 1.9 million members of the military who have been wounded or killed in action while defending our nation.

First awarded in 1932, the Purple Heart is presented to those who are injured in the line of duty or have made the ultimate sacrifice as a result of hostile action.

The bravery and sacrifices of our wounded and fallen heroes are not forgotten. Semper Fidelis.

Congratulations Laynie Zell upon completion of Naval Chaplaincy School !!

Thank you Dr. Yeuell for your dedication and partnership with JWB’s JREP!

A journey of dedication and service WIESBADEN, GERMANY - Dr. Grace Yeuell, the recently retired Religious Education Program Director for Installation Management Command (IMCOM)-Europe, has...

Pre-order your copy today!

As we continue to work on our second comic book covering Jewish American military history from the colonies through the American Revolution we are releasing a second print of our original comic with an updated cover.

Pre-order yours today by sending an email to [email protected]

Edit: If you are a currently serving servicemember of any branch or component ask your JWB or Aleph Institute endorsed chaplain about how to receive a free copy from them. We will be making several hundred available to them to disseminate by the end of the year.

The Jewish-American Warrior

As we celebrate our independence, we reflect upon the values of sacrifice, resilience and freedom that embody the (Jewish) American spirit.

JWB Jewish Chaplains Council® wishes our service members, their families, veterans, and all Americans a happy 4th of July!

Our very own Rabbi Yonina Creditor!

JCC Association of North America is thrilled to welcome Rabbi Laurence Bazer as a new vice president of JCC Association and director of JWB Jewish Chaplains Council. Rabbi Bazer brings over 30 years of distinguished service in the U.S. Army and National Guard, as well as extensive experience as a pulpit rabbi. In this new role, he will be a powerful advocate for Jewish military personnel and their families, ensuring they have access to meaningful religious, educational, and communal experiences. Join us in congratulating Rabbi Bazer on this appointment. We look forward to the incredible impact he will make supporting Jews in the armed forces through the critical work of JWB.

Jewish Community Centers of North America (JCCs)

Rabbi Laurence Bazer Named Vice President of JCC Association and Director of JWB Jewish Chaplains Council (JWB) - JCC Association of North America FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 11, 2024 CONTACT: Lauren Magy, PR Specialist, JCC Association, [email protected] Rabbi Laurence Bazer Named Vice President of JCC Association and Director of JWB Jewish Chaplains Council (JWB) NEW … Continued

1945 Shavuot prayer service in liberated Buchenwald. Leading the service is Chaplain Rabbi Herschel Schacter.

Chaplain Schacter stayed in the liberated camp to aid in the physical and mental recovery of the living prisoners and to renew Jewish life and traditions, including celebrating the impending Jewish holiday of Shavuot.

Seated in the front row (circled in red) Israel Meir ‘Lulek’ Lau, who would soon after immigrate to the Israel. He would grow up to become the Chief Rabbi of Israel, Chairman of the Yad Vashem Council, and a leading voice for Holocaust remembrance and education worldwide.

The photograph below of the 1945 Shavuot prayer service in the liberated Buchenwald camp hangs in Yad Vashem’s Holocaust History Museum. Leading the service is Rabbi Herschel Schacter, a Jewish chaplain who was among the American liberators of Buchenwald.

Upon arriving at Buchenwald, the young Rabbi realized these prisoners were frightened of his uniform, which for them had been a symbol of oppression, he shouted out to them in Yiddish: “Yidden, ihr zeit frei–Jews, you are free!”

Outside the barracks, Rabbi Schacter was appalled by the horrific sights he encountered. His shock and dismay grew as he discovered piles of corpses awaiting cremation, and the deplorable state of physical and mental health among the surviving prisoners.

It was there that he encountered an 8-year-old survivor, ‘Lulek’ Lau, who warily watched the Rabbi from behind the tangled bodies of the dead. Rabbi Schacter picked up the little boy in his arms, and asked him how old he was.

“I’m certainly older than you” the young boy replied.

“Older than me?” asked Rabbi Schacter, startled… “What makes you think so?”

“Because you cry and laugh as a child, while I have forgotten how to laugh, and I can’t even cry... So tell me, which of us is older?” ‘Lulek’ responded.

Rabbi Schacter stayed in the liberated camp to aid in the physical and mental recovery of the living prisoners and to renew Jewish life and traditions, including celebrating the impending Jewish holiday of Shavuot. Seated in the front row of the Shavuot prayers was 8-year-old ‘Lulek’ Lau (pictured below).

One month later ‘Lulek’ immigrated to the land of Israel. He would grow up to become the Chief Rabbi of Israel, Chairman of the Yad Vashem Council, and a leading voice for Holocaust remembrance and education worldwide: Rabbi Israel Meir Lau.