8 Essays to Honor and Remember Jewish Military Members

May 18, 2020Jane E. Herman

Although Memorial Day is not a Jewish holiday, the idea of remembering and honoring those who died in service to our nation is certainly a Jewish value. With that idea in mind, we’ve rounded up these stories and prayers to share with you ahead of the long holiday weekend.

1. "4 Jewish Readings for Memorial Day"

Including both ancient and contemporary texts, this compilation of prayers and readings offers a selection to enrich your holiday observance.

2. "Why I Serve in the Military"

Although the two never met, Aaron Rozovsky shares why he thanked Navy SEAL Senior Chief Petty Officer Heath Robinson, z’l, each week before Shabbat in Petoskey, Michigan.

3. "Operation Benjamin: Helping American Jewish Heroes to Rest in Peace"

How many Jewish members of the military have been buried under grave markers that incorrectly represent their religion and heritage? Operation Benjamin is doing its best to find and reverse such errors.

4. "Hatred and Bigotry Have No Place in 'The Purest Democracy'"

Rabbi Dan Bronstein, Ph.D., writes about Rabbi Roland B. Gittelsohn, who, as a chaplain for the United States Marine Corps, delivered what became an historic eulogy, following Iwo Jima, one of the most devastating battles of World War II.

5. "Rethinking Memorial Day"

Rabbi Douglas Kohn reconsiders his own patriotism and relationship with the military in today’s America – and helps readers use a Jewish lens to do the same.

6. "Yom Kippur in Vietnam"

Mike Rankin, z”l, a military physician, shares his remembrances of a Kol NidreKol Nidreכָּל נִדְרֵי"All Vows;" prayer recited on the eve of Yom Kippur, the holiest day on the Jewish calendar; service aboard a destroyer following a battle with the North Vietnamese Army that resulted in many deaths.

7. "The Normandy Kaddish Project"

Alan Weinschel recounts how a trip to the American Cemetery at Omaha Beach reminded him of his responsibility – and ours – to remember these fallen soldiers by saying Kaddish for them annually.

8. "From Battle to Metaphor: The Meaning of Waterloo in Modern Jewish History"

Rabbi Lance J. Sussman, Ph.D. writes about what connects the Battle of Waterloo – which took the lives of 26,000 souls in one day – and Reform Judaism.

May those we remember on this Memorial Day rest in peace and may we, taking to heart the teaching of the Prophet Isaiah, continue the sacred task of beating our swords into plowshares and our spears into pruning hooks.

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No, Thank *You* For Your Service

It wasn't because of 9/11. It wasn't because I had a tradition of military service in my family. And while the pay and benefits are nice, it wasn't for those reasons, either. That wasn't why I joined the U.S. Air Force Reserves in 2003 and later switched to the Air National Guard. I joined for the same reason I became a rabbi: I have a desire to serve others and be part of something larger than myself.