“It might be best for you to remove your Kippah while in public… You wouldn’t want to draw unnecessary attention to yourself.”
This is just one example of the countless messages that Jewish service members have recently received while on duty over the last few weeks. As the recent Israel-Hamas war has triggered an alarming surge in anti-Jewish propaganda and incidents of anti-Semitism worldwide, many in the military community have also been experiencing feelings of isolation and fear.
In response to this challenging new reality, the Aleph Institute’s military department has stepped forward as an unwavering source of support for our Jewish soldiers. With 45 chaplains stationed in 30 countries across the globe and soldiers serving in the most remote locations, the volume of calls coming in for assistance and Jewish connection has significantly increased.
“Our military chaplains are the unsung heroes at Aleph,” says Rabbi Aaron Lipskar, Aleph’s Chief Executive Officer. “Our chaplains are expertly trained to step up in these unprecedented situations, providing the vital emotional and spiritual support that so many individuals desperately need and would not receive otherwise.”
When Aleph Chaplain Major Mendy Stern, stationed at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, found out about the soldier being advised to remove his Kippah, he took immediate action, holding leadership accountable for their words and asserting how the U.S. Army safeguards the freedom to practice all religions. “Our strength and might is found in our identity as Jews, and as soldiers we are sworn to uphold and protect the freedoms enshrined in the constitution, including the freedom of religion,” Stern said.
Aleph’s chaplains have doubled their efforts to provide a safe space for the soldiers under their care, planning events that promote Jewish pride and hosting prayer services, with many simply offering a shoulder to lean on.
“I’ve personally conducted over 55 counseling sessions for US troops who are seeking support,” says Stern. “We’ve successfully organized several prayer vigils and have recently advertised an upcoming ‘Shabbat Against Antisemitism’ that we’ll be hosting in a few weeks.”
Chaplain Major Elie Estrin, Aleph’s military personnel liaison and Chaplain to the US Air Force Reserve, shared how he recently received an email from a female Jewish soldier who was feeling utterly devastated and like nobody around her cared or understood what she was going through. “When this message reached the base commander, it struck a chord,” Estrin said. “He immediately set aside his other responsibilities, and made a point to attend our prayer service here at MacDill Air Force Base.”
For this airman, and the other Jews on the base, the wing commander’s attendance was a huge and significant statement, demonstrating how their leadership is aware and empathetic to what Jewish people are dealing with at this time. At the prayer service, Estrin encouraged the crowd to increase their acts of goodness and kindness, emphasizing how everyone can play a part in ushering in victory by bringing more light to the world.
Rabbi Aaron Lipskar echoed this sentiment. “We have complete confidence and faith that we are going to get through this. This is the message that people need to hear right now.”
If you are interested in joining the Aleph military program as a chaplain, contact Elie Estrin at [email protected]
Thank you for your service!!
Safe travels