Menorah at Military Command

This Chanukah was the first time a Menorah was lit at a US Joint Command Facility, by the kind invitation of General John Kelly, Commander of U.S. Southern Command.

The US Southern command in Doral, Florida, is a joint command comprised of more than 1,200 military and civilian personnel representing the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and several other federal agencies. It is responsible for the force protection of U.S. military resources at these locations. They are also responsible for ensuring the defense of the Panama Canal.

Rabbi Sholom Lipskar of The Shul and The Aleph Institute generously provided the Menorah, douhgnuts and Latkes as well as Military style Kippas.

Rabbi Aaron Lipskar, Executive Director of Aleph Institute conducted the ceremonies, which were coordinated by Mr. Shaya Gheblikian and U.S. Navy Fleet Chaplain, Capt. Ronnie King.

The event was attended by the Command Staff and Jewish members of the base, as well as Rabbi Avrohom Brashevitsky of Chabad of Doral. The Shul and Aleph have been invited to repeat the ceremony annually at SOUTHCOM as a new tradition.