Dozens of prominent military personnel and religious dignitaries attended the Pentagon’s annual Menorah lighting ceremony in the building’s 911 Memorial Chapel. Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps, General Eric M. Smith, was honored with the ceremonial lighting of the shamash flame. In his remarks at the event, Gen. Smith emphasized the importance of people of all faiths supporting one another.
Also in attendance were Rabbis Aaron Lipskar, Executive Director of the Aleph Institute; Menachem Shemtov, Rabbi of the Pentagon; and Levi Shemtov, Executive Vice President of American Friends of Lubavitch (Chabad), which works closely with Aleph.
“We have been honored to work with Aleph for many years and support its mission to strengthen Jewish identity among military personnel of the Jewish faith,” said Rabbi Levi Shemtov. “We are grateful to Gen. Smith for joining the ceremony, despite the partial government shutdown and inclement weather.”
“The value of this image to those serving away from their families, stateside and abroad, can hardly be overestimated,” he added. “We should all do whatever we can to support our troops. The freedom they defend, with their very lives, is ours.”
“It was an honor to participate in this monumental event with our nation’s military leaders,” said Rabbi Lipskar. “We are deeply grateful to Gen. Smith for honoring us with his presence and inspiring words.”
This year, Aleph’s military department coordinated menorah lighting ceremonies at dozens of military outposts around the world, including Bahrain, Germany, Japan, Korea, and Kuwait, in addition to bases around the United States. Aleph’s military department works year round to service the unique needs of Jews serving in every branch of the U.S. Military – offering free books and holiday supplies, Torah education courses and lectures, the Jewish-American Warrior magazine, and personal guidance and advocacy.
