We welcome this opportunity to send - JDC

NATIONAL JE/IISH VELFARB' BOARD
lU? EAST 32ND STREET
N^I YORK 16, NEi/J YORK
COMMISSION ON JEJ.'ISH CHAPLAINCY
23 January 1963
27 Tebet
?723
Daar Colleague:
We welcome this opportunity to send you another Newsletter on matters relating
to the Jewish chaplaincy. Field-visits, the recent training conference, and a
series of overseas missions have enabled representatives of the Commission or
its staff to see many of the full-time chaplains in recent months. There are
many others, however, particularly part-time chaplains, with whom we have not
had any close contact of late. The sending of this Newsletter periodically ia
one of the ways through which we try to keep the lines of communication open.
AMUAL COMFBREHCE
Early in January, the Commission conducted its annual three-day retreat and
training conference at Lakewood, N» J,, for the Jewish full-time chaplains
stationed in the United States# About 35 chaplains, some 70% of those eligible,
were in attendance. Details of the program are to apoear in a forthcoming issue
of the J'.-'B CIRCLE. The chaplains attending were enthusiastic about the ccnference
program and the opportunity both for fellowship and for informal exchange of
experiences which the gathering provided.
RAPBI5 LEAVE? R;>BBI5 ENTER
Since our last Newsletter, Rabbi Joseph H. Wise, a Reservist recalled during the
Berlin crisis, has been separated from the service. In addition. Chaplain
Arthur L. Fine is scheduled to be separated in the near future.
Those who entered service during this period are Chaplains David Heifitz
(Fort Jackson, S, C,), Bernard Grossfeld (Lowry AFB, Colo,), and Fred Lewin
(Eglin AFB, Fla,).
CHAPUINCY OENTEWTIAL OBSERVANCE
For some time now, these Newsletters have carried information on the observances
celebrating the year-long, 1962-1963# centennial anniversary of the Jewish
chaplaincy. In November, the Sabbath preceding Veterans' Day was designated as
Chaplaincy Shabbat and was widely observed. In several cities, recent comiminitywide celebrations were particularly effective in focusing attention on the work
of the Jewish chaplain — notably in San Francisco and in Norfolk, Va,
The most lasting impact of the Centennial will probably be made by the volume on
the Jewish chaplaincy, RABBIS IN UT-TIFORM, Bulletins from the office of each of
the Chiefs of Chaplains carried the following notice of its publication:
"RABBIS IN UNIFORM: This year marks the centennial of the commissioning of the
first Jewish chaplain in the Armed Forces of the United States. A bill oermittirg
the commissioning of Jewish chaplains was passed by Con(»ress and si/^ed by Pres­
ident Lincoln on 17 July 1862, Ihe first Jewish chaplain, Rabbi Jacob Frankel ef
Philadelphia, was commissioned on 18 September 1862. In honor of this centennial,
the Association of Jewish Chaplains of the Armed Forces has published a 370 page
book titled Rabbis In Uniform« This volume contains messages from President
Kennedy, General Eisenhofer and Chaplain Tobey, until recently the chairman of the
Armed Forces Chaplains Board, It has a detailed history of the American Jeviish
Chaplaincy and almost 300 pages of stories of Jewish chaplains' experiences in
World Wars I, II, and Korea and during the Displaced Persons operations in Europe
after ^'orld War II, It also contains thirty pages of appendices giving complete
statistics about Jewish chaplains who have served with the Armed Forces from the
Civil ^'ar days to the present time. Rabbis In Uniform may be ordered from the
Jonathan David Company, 131 ''Cast 23rd Street, New York 10, New York. The list
price of the book is •^5,95 but it is being sold to military chaplains for
Ve trust that every full-time and part-time chaolain will do everything possible
to stimulate the reading of this book among Jews and non-Jews by seeing ti^ it that
it is purchased by military and civilian libraries, used as gifts to Christian
clergymen, given as Bar Mitzvah gifts, etc., etc.
^
J' g' 0' Fm^TRIP
We are pleased to announce that as part of the centennial observance, the Jewish
Education Committee of New York, Ii26 West ?8th Street, New York 19, N, Y,, has
produced a fine filmstrip and booklet called "The Jewish Military Chaplain." The
strip and the booklet, vrritten by Julian N. Jablin, staff member of
are part
of tte JEC filmstrip-series on American Jewish history edited by Dr. Azriel
Eisenberg, The strip has more than "^O fra^ies and tells its story in simple fashion.
It is ideally suited for introducing religious school children to the role of the
Jewish chaplain in the Armed Forces and for use as program material at servicemen's
or married couples' meetings. Please order it directly from the JSC. The cost is
13.50.
PRCGR/M FOLDERS, JEi^FISH
In our last Newsletter, w© noted the availability, throuf^h military channels, of
"Profrram Folders, Jewish" and cited a letter on the subject from the Armed Forces
Chaplains Board, Since then, several chaplains have inquired about the Federal
Stock Number of such folders. The number is 9925-28^-1290, Distributions are
made of "5 subjects, 200 each subject." In the Air Force, the authorized rate of
distribution is 1000 folders per year, "per chapel facility where Jewish services
are regularly conducted." ^-'e suspect, but have not yet been able to confirm, that
comparable rates of distribution apolv to krw and Navy chapel facilities.
OVERSEAS MISSimS
Several important overseas missions to Jewish chaclains and servicemen were under­
taken by members of the Commission in recent months. Under Army auspices, Rabbi
Aaron Blumenthal conducted a retreat for the Jewish chaplains in the Far East last
November. A comparable retreat for the chaplains in Europe was held earlier this
month, with Rabbi Selwyn D. Ruslander as retreat master.
In the Pacific Islands, a series of Torah Convocations for service personnel is
currently under way. Rabbi David J. Seligson is entrusted with this special Jewish
educational program, sponsored by the Air Force and presented at every Pacific
installation having a concentration of Jews. His itinerary includes:
Japan, Korea, Okinawa, Taiwan, the Philippines, Guam and Hawaii.
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CREATIVE JEWISH LIVTMa PRCOR^M TN PANAMA
The last of a series of Army-sponsored, special programs on Judaism was recentlyheld at Fort Amador in the Panama Canal Zone. Reportinj^ on his experience there.
Rabbi Ely Ei Pilchik, head of the "team" which conducted this program, wrote:
"Not only the numbers vJho attended iiripressed me so deeply, the hunger
for Jewish knovjled<*e and Jewish faith, which they manifested, was one
of the most remarkable experiences of niy life, I have never seen such
hunger and thirst expressed here in the United States, Apparently,
vhen everything is available to people their interest is low. Where
there is scarcityj interest and enthusiasm run high. At any rate,
they simply would not let me quit, I spoke for two consecutive hours
at each evening session. People didn't move, then pummeled me with
sound questions for another hour or hour and a half, I never worked
so hard in my life and, indeed, never have I had greater gratification
as a teacher of Judaism.
"This experience convinces me that such programs should certainly be
sponsored as often and in as many places as the Army Department budget
will perMt,"
JE'ISH CRUISE-CHAPLAIKS tlEEDED
Mr, John Fletcher of the Holland America Lines, 29 Broadway, Ne''* York 6, M. Y,,
has informed the Commission that he has two current openin <TS for rabbis to serve
as cruise-chaplains, as follows:1,
Mediterranean and Israel - 13 March to 2 7 April
2,
Vest Indies -
6 April to 20 April
Interested readers may arrange directly with Mr, Fletcher for the required
personal interviev in New York City, On these cruises, only canned kosher food is
available. The phone number of Holland America Lines in New York City is WH )4.-19rX),
GI FOTTD RAISING
'fe note, with appreciation, the following UJA fund-raising results achieved by
Jewish chaplains in recent months:Herman J. Rlumberg
Seymour Gitin
Meir En gel
Robert i^'eiler
Sylvan Kameng
Matthew I, Derby
Oscar M, Lifshutz
William Z, Dalin
Fort Bliss, Texas (El Paso)
Alaska (Los Angeles)
Fort Ord, Cal,(San Francisco)
France
England
Okinawa
Fort Sam Houston (additional)
Stead AFB, Nev, (additional)
h78,00
325<.00
101,37
6?,00
60,00
38^8$
28,00
10,00
BOOKS DISTRIBUTED TO CHAPLAINS
The Commission received a sufficient supply of the book "Decalogues for Our Day,"
by Rabbi Martin M, V'eitz, to distribute on a one-each basis to all Jewish full-tlmo
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chaplains. This antholoj^ of "Ten Commandants" on a large number of themes was
published by Bloch Publishing Co. and sponsored by the Dr. Alfred Freudenthal
Foundation of Colorado, It should prove particularly helpful for uae in chapel
bulletins.
"Faith Valks The Land^" a volume on religious shrines in Israel, has also been
distributed, through C.J.C,, to full-time Jewish chaplains. The book, which deals
largely with Christian holy places, is intended as a gift presentation to nonJewish chaplains. Additional copies are still available. Any part-time chaplain,
desirin.i; to present the book to one of his non-Jevish colleagues, may request a
single copy from the Commission — hinom, ayn kessefi
For still a third program aid, a splendid book of sermons by Rabbi Abraham A,
Kellner entitled "with Perfect Faith," which the Commission distributed to Jewish
full-time chaplains, we are indebted to
Joe Sircpkins of St. Louis, Mo, — a
friend of the author.
MUSIC MONTH
The period of "Jewish Music Month," sponsored each year by J^^'B's Jewish Music
Council, has been fixed for 1963
from 10 March to 16 April, Jewish chaplains
interested in presenting Jewish music nroerams during that period (and we urge all
of you to explore the possibility) can secure free materials by writing directly
to JiB's Jewish Music Council.
THE 5TCRY OF MICKEY MARCUS
For installations and Jewish chapel libraries, we recommend the book Cast A Giant
Shadow by Ted Berkman. It is subtitled "The story of Colonel Mickey Marcus, the
American who died to save Jerusalem," The hero is described ag "the first Israeli
general since Judah Maccabee." The book, available through the Publication
Department, Jewish Agency, 515 Park Avenue, New York 22, N. Y,, sells at ^U,95 per
copy. Please order it directly from the Jewish Agency,
"READIMGS FROM SCRIPTURE" — AVAILABLE TO CHAPLAINS
In response to a recent inquiry. Rabbi Aryeh Lev received a communication from the
Department of the Air Force relatinfj to the English abridgement of the Bible,
"Readings from Scriptures" which reads, in part:
"The Defense Supnly Agency lists the Jewish Scriptures as follows:
FSN 9925-639-8100 Bible, Scripture, Jewish;
English language; paper covered; 5 in. over-all
length; 3 in, over-all width.
Requisitions for this item should be submitted in
accordance with normal materiel procedures,"
We have also learned that Supply Sections, at the installation level, can make
such requisitions for installation use. The following Federal Supply Catalogues
list "Readings from Scripture:-'^ "Air Force: C6-21-SL; Arny: SMld-l-C6-21-SL;
Navy: NAVSANDA 1621A.
Am MAIL REQUESTS FOR TEXTS
The Commission often serves as an interniediary betwenn Jewish chaplains and
commercial vendors of Jewish school-texts, ''e provide this aid in order to help
chaplains secure prompt service at the test available discounts.
In recent months, w have had a number of rush orders, often over the telephone,
requesting that books be shipped by air parcel post. It is the purpose of this
item to ur^e chaplains to refrain from such "rush orders." Air parcel post is
simply too expensive to be used as a means for bulk shipments. The cost varies
with the postal zone, but it is always high — more than ^,$0 per pound,
cannot, normally, arranf^e military air shipment for such materials. Only when
the chaplain has official approval at his installation, with a proper citation of
funds for the purpose, can JWB attempt to send books and otter religious supplies
through military channels.
The best procedure in having supplies shipped to you is to anticipate the need as
long in advance - as is possible.
Specific orders should then be sent directly to the vendor and the Commission
should be informed, ^'e can then arran^ for the normal Jl\'B discount to be made
available to the chaplain or to his chapel fund. We can also monitor and expedite
prompt shipment of the supplies ordered®
Z'KHRONOM L'V'RAKHAH
Earlier, we recorded our sorrow on learning of the death of our beloved colleague,
RABBI ARTHUR BLUHM.
The following is a letter sent Mrs. Bluhm from Headquarters, Amarillo /-.F,B. ,1^x33:
"Dear I^s, Bluhm
"^^hen the nevrs of Rabbi Bluhm's death reached the Base, there was a spontaneous
movement to express our grief and our sympathy for you by sending flowers. However,
when we learned of your desires, we felt that there could be nothing more appro­
priate than to honor the memory of the Rabbi by making a contribution to the Heart
Association,
"Many people are represented in this memorial, officers who met him in his various
civic endeavors, noncommissioned officers who valued his counsel to their men, and
students who had never met him but who had heard of his interest in their welfare,
particularly through the United Service Organizations.
"I am privileged to inform you that the sum of $ij.37,09 will be sent to the Heart
Association as a token of the esteem in which we held Rabbi Bluhm, His love for
his fellow man, which grew out of his ot-in great heart, can thus be perpetuated by
sharing in the labors of others.
"Sincerely,
D. 0, MONTEITH
Major General, USAF
Commander"
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A serviceman's tribute to Rabbi. Bluhn follo'js;
"Tonight I have the honor and privilege of speaking on behalf of the Jewish
personnel of Amarillo AFB, to psy tribute to a great man, the late Rabbi Arthur
Bluhm.
"Rabbi Bluhm's deeds are not as widely knoyn as are those of Edison or Lincoln,
but to those of us who knew him, they were just as greatly appreciated.
"To a lonely serviceman, he was more than a Rabbi, teacher and counselorj he was
also a father, friend and family to those of us who have left our own families
behind, "hen anyone of us was hospitalized the Rabbi was at his bedside vdth
cheerin^, comforting words and a heartwarming smile. Indeed he engulfed each of
us with his warming, friendly personality.
'^'e could never show how much we appreciated the numerous times he had come to our
aid. Any problem of ours, great or small, became his. No sacrifice on his part
was too great. He did many favors for us, usually at his own expense, with no
desire to have them returned,
"His many conversations with us were both enlightening and entertaining. He had
the rare talent of brin^aing his level of conversation down to ours, and then
brin<Ting our level of conversation up to his. And, as we talked, he gave us an
education vie could never receive from books,
"The Rabbi's small physical stature belied his great moral strength and courage,
Vhen you met him the first time you resoected him; the second time, you admired
him; the third time, you loved him, V'e here at Amarillo AFB, owe him a debt that
can never be repaid. It seems strange and even wrong to speak of him in the past
tense. '7e will long mourn the loss of our Rabbi, father, and friend. His memory
will live in our hearts forever.
"Every Friday the Rabbi concluded the service with a blessing for us.
the Airmen of Amarillo AFB, would like to say a pr^er for himo
Tonight, we
"May the Lord bless him and keep him. May the Lord cause His countenance to shine
upon him and grant him everlasting peace,"
Sorrowfully we note here the death of —
HABBI SAi-IUEL L. PRICE.
Rabbi Price served as
ness, for almost four
passa<?;es which follow
(Mass.) Daily News at
a chaplain, with utter dedication and remarkable effective­
decades at the V.A, hospital in Northampton, Mass, The
are from a tender testimonial printed in the Springfield
the time of the Rabbi's death.
Dr. Samuel L. Price, 75, rabbi emeritus of Beth ^1 Temple, died in ^ast Orangej
(N. J.) General Hospital on October 1st.
Dr. Price was the first rabbi of Beth El Temple,
as a rabbi in this city.
Last month he completed
years
He died while visitin® a daughter, Mrs. Miriam Lasker of Orange, N. J,
Dr, Price came here in 1913 as spiritual leader of the city's first Jewish congre­
gation. He retired in 19U6 end was named rabbi emeritus of Beth El Temple and
continued his service to the congregation and to the community, officiating at
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various events at the temple and lecturing before many Jewish and non-Jewish
organizations.
In point of years of service, he was the dean of the city's clergymen.
In organizational efforts early in his local rabbinate,'"he founded Beth SI Boy and
Girl Scout troops, Junior Brotherhood,Springfiold Zionist group, and United Hebrew
Charities. He was a founder of the Jevjish Social Service Bureau and the Forest
Park Hebrew School,
He also served as director of the Community Chest and the Junior Achievement
Foundation, He was a member of Springfield Rotary Club, B'nai B'rith, Foreign
Policy Association, Gocdwill Industries board, Zionist Organization of America,
United Synagog of America,
During Morld ^-'ar I, ho was president of ^'estern Division of the Massachusetts
Jewish Welfare Boards He was also active in Jewish relief work during Torld War II»
When the Veterans Administration HosDital at Leeds opened in 192U, Rabbi Price
offered his services as chaplain, Follo^-Jing his retirement as Beth El rabbi, he
continued his hospital service as part-time chaplain to Jewish patients.
In 19?9, in its March newsletter, the National Jewish'^•lelfare Board, which super­
vises and certifies all Jewish chaplains in the armed forces and veterans hospitals,
paid tribute to him on his 35th anniversary as chaplain at the VA Hospital.
The recent, untimely death of —
RABBI ABRAHAM J. tRSCH
in inid~October, was a source of grief to the members of the Commission and its
staff. Rabbi Mesch served with devotion as a Jewish chaplain — at one time at
the Birmingham Air Base and, as needed, at Fort McClellan, Alabama. For a decade,
until his death, he was Jewish co-chaplain at the V.A, Hospital in Birmingham,
Earlier, he was Jewish chaplain >dth the Dixie Division of the Alabama National
Guard, Rabbi Mesch, a distinguished member of the Rabbinical Assembly, was author
of the books, "The Rebirth of Israel" and "Abyss of Despair," He occupied the
pulpit of Temple Beth ^1, Birmingham for 2? years. Dr. Mesch, a native of Poland,
was educated at Markaz Ha-Rav in Jerusalem, and at C,C,N.Y., the University of
Denver, and the Le^•?is Institute in Chicago.
He will be sorely missed.
HONORS, PROMOTIOM, BETROTHAL, V'EDDIKG
CHAPLAIN LOUIS PARRIS is currently serving as National Chaplain of the Disabled
American Veterans, This is the second time that he has been so honored. His first
term was in 1957 - 1958,
RABBI ALBERT M, SHULMAN of South Bonrt, Ind,, who during World 'far II served with
distinction as a Jewish chaplain in the Navy, is currently National Chaplain of
the American Legion, the largest veterans' organization in the United States,
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CHAPLAIN HWARD L, HABINWITZ was recently promoted to the rank of Captain. Since
World War II, no other Army Je'^i.sh chfplain has, to our knowledge, been promoted
before completion of a two-year tour of duty.
We extend a hearty Mazel Tov to CHAPLAIN ERVIN PREIS on his forth-coming marriage
to Anita Burnstein, daughter of part-tijne Chaplain Simon Burnstein of Washington,
D, C.
A hearty Mazel Tov and our best wishes go to CHAPLAIN AND MRS, RAFAEL SAFFRA of
Fort Campbell, Ky,, on their recent marriage#
VETFRAM5 CARE IN ISRAEL
Chaolaln Selig S, Auerbach, who serves at the Sunmount V.A, Hosoital, Tupper Lake,
N. Y,, recently vacationed in Israel and took occasion to become familiar ;d.th
services to hospitalized veterans there. In a detailed report, he conveys the
following information:
Veterans' affairs are under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Defense. Criti­
cally, acutely ill veterans are treated at civilian hospitals and, on approval,
the costs are paid iiy the Ministry of Defense, Sr^-alX veterans' homes care for the
disabled, the incurable, and those in need cf rehabilitation or retraining* (Some
veterans' homes care for family units, where that is indicated.) In such circum­
stances, veterans, when possible, engage in commercial art and craft work. At
least one veterans' home is attached to an army hospital — that at Tel Hashahar.
All told, there are approximately fifty small veterans' homes in Israel.
^
We take this opportunity to remind all Jewish chaplains of the program posslbll*
ities presented by the calendar of the coming monthss Tu B'Shevat (our religious
ties to Israel), Lincoln and'-'ashington's Birthd^s and Brotherhood Week
(re-emphasis of the Jewish chaplaincy centennial), Purim (Jews survive adversity),
Jewish Music Months, and • (it's really not too early to start planning'.) Pesah.
\
We will welcome your activities reports for these occasions,
Shalom ulfrakhahl
THE STAFF
COMSSION CM J^-'JSH CHAPLAIMCY
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