By COLlive reporter
Colonel Jacob Goldstein, a United States Army Reserve chaplain, was given a ceremonious military sendoff as he retired from a long, celebrated and unparalleled career on Wednesday.
Goldstein was joined by family members, military personnel and fellow Chabad rabbis at his retirement of 38 years of service at the Joint Base Myer–Henderson Hall located around Arlington, Virginia.
“I don’t know,” the 68-year-old replied when asked by COLlive.com how he feels following the ceremony. “A good part of my life was guided by the military and now I am not going to get urgent calls and taking unexpected trips.”
Serving since 1977, his international combat missions include Bosnia, South Korea, Afghanistan and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. On each of these trips he would service the spiritual and morale needs of Jewish men and women in uniform. That included leading High Holiday services on bases and providing kosher meals.
“It was a great honor to be a Jew in the military and for me to wear the uniform of our country,” he added. “I hope that in the coming years, especially with Chabad people trying to join the military as well, there will be an opportunity to make a similar Kiddush Hashem.”
Rightfully seen as a trailblazer, Goldstein was one of only 7 Orthodox Jewish chaplains serving in the Army and, until recently, was the only member of the armed forces with a full-length Chassidic beard.
His facial hair caused quite a stir in an environment where clean-shaven faces and finely trimmed haircuts are standing orders, an army specialist once observed. “I’ve never seen a person in the military with a beard before,” a Private remarked upon meeting Goldstein.
Goldstein’s years of service and dedication have become a legend in Jewish circles and inspired Chabad rabbis to follow suit. In 2011, Rabbi Menachem Stern won a legal battle to keep his beard as an Army chaplain. In 2014, Rabbi Elie Estrin became the first bearded chaplain in the U.S. Air Force.
The idea to serve came while Goldstein was a student at the Central Lubavitch Yeshiva at Lubavitch World Headquarters in Brooklyn, NY. As part of the Lubavitcher Rebbe’s campaign to encourage Jewish observance, Goldstein visited army bases and “began to build a rapport with the Jewish soldiers.”
After some time, a senior Christian army chaplain approached him. “You are doing such good work with the soldiers—we need you in the army. Who is your chief bishop? I would like to write him to ask him to send you to us,” the man said.
Goldstein said he would write in to the Rebbe. “The Rebbe agreed that it was a good idea, and I enrolled, beginning the first of many eventful years as an army chaplain,” he recalled in an article.
The U.S. Army website notes that Goldstein was also instrumental in stateside affairs. As chief chaplain of the New York Army National Guard, his was one of the first military units to response to the terror attack of September 11, 2001 on the World Trade Center.
He and his team were eyewitnesses to the tragic events at Ground Zero. He tended to the spiritual needs at the site of the fallen towers and shared his experiences during the four and a half months he spent at Ground Zero in a series of videos titled “The Rabbi of Ground Zero” on Chabad.org.
Speaking to COLlive.com, Goldstein described the hardships he endured. “Burying a soldier is difficult, but what was even more difficult was notifying the families about the death. You are going to someone who sent a perfectly healthy son or daughter to the army and telling them what happened. It is a tremendously difficult and emotional time.”
Goldstein said he got through those tough times by focusing on the mission. “I was focused on my mission as a chaplain. Our country has been at war for the last 14 years and it’s not over… I hope to continue my role as a mentor.”
VIDEO: The military sendoff
You have been an inspiration to all of us. Congratulations on becoming a general and you retired a captain! It’s so nice to see all the shiny tags next to a serine serious face of a army GI.
the army ‘retires’ their people at a certain age…
I think he worked beyond the average army retirement age.
And as another commetator wrote, this doesn’t mean he is going to play golf in Florida now…he will be busy with other things he is already involved in.
In the military, you don’t make your own decisions. Chaplain Goldstein’s retirement was delayed numerous times past his age limit, due to the value he brought to the military. At this point, after 38 years – the most ever by a Jewish chaplain – though, it was “forced retirement”, as age disqualified him from serving further.
Maybe he will write a book?
There are many reasons for retirement – not selfishly motivated ones. Rabbi Goldstein is devoted to his Shlichus and his retirement does not mean he won’t be there for the army or the other chaplains- don’t think he will leave the rebbes Shlichus at all.
JAKE GOLDSTIEN did such amazing work. He reached the highest office in the military. He was a walking kiddush hashem in areas that Jews are not welcome. The Rebbe was against retirement in general, and for a shliach…watch living torah rabbi Hollander go by the rebbe This post is not meant to be criticism and I am not trying to judge g-d forbid. Rather this is a cry to rabbi Goldstein you can’t retire. The world needs tou. You are the guidance for those who keep us safe so we can enjoy being religious Jews in this country. Don’t let… Read more »
A true inspirational Leader
the rebbe said dont take your megilla you’ll be back for purim!!!
Not to worry; Captain “Jake,” aka Yankel Goldstein, is, b”h alive, well, and kicking. His retirement is not sad, nor is it “the end of an era.” I’m sure we will iy”h continue to see him at future Lag B’omer parades, just as I’m sure he will continue to be helpful to the Jewish community and to the U.S. military wherever and whenever they need him. The decision you made 38 years ago to join the U.S. chaplaincy was a real winner, Rabbi Jake. Hatzlochoh rabbah to you and your family.
The many years in the military
Yet never compromised his standards
He stood steadfast as a proud Jew and chosid
Ko
… I expect to see them all at the next Lag Baomer parade in CH.
Hatzlacha Rabah Rabbi Goldstein…
sadly, the end of an era…
Chaplain (COL) Goldstein has earned this amazing retirement ceremony. He remains our mentor and dear friend. Always a sheliach of the Rebbe, we know he will continue great work as a Colonel in Hashem’s Army! Yasher Koach from Chaplain (CPT) Moshe and Laurie Lans
G-d Almighty bless the Colonel and his family!
all the best to him