JWV Statement on the Passing of Senator Joe Lieberman

On Wednesday, March 27, 2024, former U.S. Senator Joe Lieberman passed away at the age of 82. Senator Lieberman made history as the first Jewish vice presidential nominee of a major party when he was selected as Al Gore’s running mate in the 2000 election. He was an observant Jew, a renowned supporter of Israel, and a distinguished public servant who served four terms in the U.S. Senate.

“Senator Lieberman was an inspiration to American Jews. He was dedicated to fighting antisemitism during his time in Congress and as a board member of JWV’s partner the ‘Combat Antisemitism Movement,’” stated JWV National Commander U.S. Colonel Barry Lischinsky (Retired). “Senator Lieberman’s tireless public work, and steadfast commitment to freedom will serve as his legacy and a continued inspiration to Jews everywhere. My sincerest condolences go out to Senator Lieberman’s family including his beloved wife and his children.”

May his memory be a blessing.

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About Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America
Founded in 1896, the Jewish War Veterans (JWV) is the premier voice for Jewish uniformed service members and veterans in the United States. The JWV affirms that Jewish men and women serve honorably and heroically in the military forces of the United States of America during peacetime and war. The JWV defends the rights and benefits of all service members and veterans, fights antisemitism, and supports the State of Israel.

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Stewart Mednick

By Larry Jasper, National Editor

Meet the current Department of Minnesota Commander Stewart Mednick. When asked why he joined JWV, he says his friend, Peter Nickitas (current National Judge Advocate), invited him to join. Like so many others, until that time he had never heard of JWV.

Mednick is a Chicago native. He lost his father while a high school senior and that had a profound impact on his life. His plans for college took a back seat as he had to work to help his family. He finally started Junior College majoring in music and after 3 semesters transferred to the Chicago Conservatory of Music where he earned a full scholarship in music.

While at the Conservatory, he recorded his compositions and gained an appreciation for studio work. This led him to decide to shift his focus to Recording Engineering. He then transferred to Ball State University and realized that he needed additional courses, so his 4-year degree program became 7 years of study.

At the age of 23, Mednick was married with one child and decided to begin his military career in the Navy. He trained in electronics. He served on subs specializing in inertial navigation, satellite navigation, and missile guidance systems. He served multiple deployments and was assigned to the Weapons Department Quality Assurance where he qualified as a Chief Inspector and was in charge of missile transfers to the subs from the tender armory. He was later stationed in Minnesota where he decided to stay after discharge.

Mednick’s awards included Admiral’s Letters of Commendation, Navy Achievement Medals, Minnesota Governor’s Certificate of Commendation, and sixty various qualifications that includes the Submarine Warfare Qualification pin known as “The Dolphins.”

Post military Mednick worked at a refinery job for about 5 years during which time he finished his degree and then an MBA in Financial and Strategy.

In 2007, Mednick felt a call to help his fellow veterans and left finance to become a County Veterans Service Officer (CVSO) in Hennepin County, Minnesota, home to over 70,000 veterans.
His work as a CVSO evolved into working with veterans with mental health issues and eventually started a court diversion program in Minnesota. He was the only VSO to receive a Leadership Award for his work.

This experience led him to Hewlett Packard Enterprise Services, the largest government technology contractor in the United States. He participated in the pilot program for the Veterans Administration’s Virtual Lifetime Electronic Record Program, then digitizing DD-214s, and biometrics for facial, fingerprint, and retinal scanning.

Mednick currently works as an independent technology consultant, specializing in Business Analysis, Program Management, Requirement Engineering, and on digital enhancement and application integration and testing.

Since joining JWV as a life member, he served as Post 354 Commander, Department of Minnesota Vice Commander, and now as Department Commander. His goal is to work for better community relations. Currently, he is working with other Veteran Organizations in Minnesota and the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs. He was instrumental in getting a few hundred sets of sweats for the Minnesota Veterans Home. He is currently planning a dinner for clergy and Jewish community leaders to introduce JWV to the greater Jewish community.

Mednick has been married to his wife, DuAnne, for 40 years and has three children and four grandchildren. His son served in the Army National Guard and deployed to Iraq for 16 months.
Quite an accomplished life!

Volume 78. Number 1. 2024

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Post 580 Recognizes Louisiana Medal Recipients

By Carol Berman, Post 580

On Sunday, December 24, 2023, the Ben Katz Post 580 hosted a Louisiana Honor Medal Ceremony at Congregation Shir Chadash in Metairie, Louisiana Post 580. Post Commander Lt. Col. Carol Miles Berman (USA, Reserve) presented recipients with the medal on behalf of Louisiana. Post Quartermaster Joel Picker assumed the role of Acting Commander for this special meeting and ceremony. Acting Chaplain Rabbi Scott Hoffman gave a speech titled the “Jewish Warrior’s Sacrifice.” Penina Berman sang the National Anthem, and Hatikvah. Karen Sher, the daughter of World War II Veteran Hal Baumgarten and member of Congregation Shir Chadash, led the Pledge of Allegiance. The Joke of the Day was provided by Dr. Sol Heiman.

Umika Cohen and PC Carol Miles Berman

There were approximately 15 veterans who were awarded the medal, including two given to families that received medals on behalf of deceased WWII Veterans. Each medal came with a letter from Governor of LouisianaJohn Bel Edwards thanking the veterans and their families for their courage and sacrifice for our state and nation. The names of honorees were submitted by Ben Katz Post 580 to the State of Louisiana for approval and receipt of the medal.

“The Louisiana Veterans Honor Medal is an award created by former Governor Bobby Jindal that is only given to Louisiana Veterans who served the country during peacetime or wartime. In order to be eligible, the veteran must have been honorably discharged or killed in action,” said Post Commander Carol Berman.

Elliot Bain was among the veterans honored. An Ensign with a specialization in Auditing, his first assignment in New York led to him being instrumental for two major societal changes. The requirements for seatbelts in automobiles was due to one his audits – which started as an Army contract in the Spring of 1956. Another was when Dr. Georgios Papanicolaou was awarded a contract to conduct his famous Pap smears in New York. In Spring 1957, Bain was the auditor that approved the expenses for pap smears at two New York Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) hospitals.

Another veteran honored was Umika Cohen, a retired Army Sergeant First Class, who is currently a VA employee at the Southeastern Louisiana Veterans Healthcare System, where she continues

Dr. Sol Heiman and PC
Carol Miles Berman

to serve beside veterans. Another is John Shallet, who served on Active Duty during the Vietnam Era, but continues his service to country and community as a social worker and mentors future social workers. And there is Hugo Kahn – who fled Germany with his family after Kristallnacht when he was seven years old, he is now a husband, father, and G-dfather to hundreds of Jewish children through his support and work at the Jewish Community Day School in Metairie, Louisiana.

Dr. Sol Heiman was the oldest recipient of the day. He was President Eisenhower’s pilot’s optometrist during his service. Dr. Sol will be 95 years old this year. Born and raised in New Orleans, he

joined Air Force in 1951 as an enlisted man. His first assignment was in the Pentagon’s Reading Improvement Lab in Washington DC. Dr. Sol taught officers with third grade-level reading comprehension during the five-week intervention – he helped them pass tests and increase reading comprehension significantly. He later received a Direct Commission and became an Air Force optometrist.

Dr. Sol witnessed and experienced antisemitism during his career. He testified as the treating optometrist on the behalf of a Jewish American airman during the airman’s bad conduct trial. Dr. Sol produced documentation to show how the Airman had an eye condition interfering with his duties – the charges were dismissed. However, the Post General decided to reinstate the charges and the person was dismissed from the military regardless. Dr. Sol was also given menial jobs due to antisemitism. When in 100-degree Texas weather, his senior sergeant gave him a wheelbarrow and told him to pick up rocks. Nothing was done with the rocks, of course.

If you or a loved one served in the US Military and is/was a resident of Louisiana, please contact Post Commander Carol Berman at commandernolap580jwv@gmail.com or Post Adjutant Judy Newman at jnewman85@cox.net for more information. Please allow Ben Katz Post 580 to give honor to you and your family, as it is deserved.

Volume 78. Number 1. 2024

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JWV Post 105 Presents 59th Annual Four Chaplains Brotherhood Award

By Richard Goldenberg, Post 105

Members of the JWV across the Capital District joined with Albany Post 105 to remember the World War II service and sacrifice of the Four Chaplains and present the annual Brotherhood Award to Justine Crowley-Duncan of Latham, NY, on February 25, 2024 at the First Reformed Church of Schenectady.

The annual event honors four Army chaplains who gave their lives in the sinking of a troopship. The Brotherhood Award honors those whose service and devotion in the practice of brotherhood are deserving of community recognition.

“We honor people who have given selfless service that is commensurate with the legacy of the Four Chaplains,” said Albany Post 105 Commander Fred Altman.

Albany Post 105 have held the ceremony to remember the Four Chaplains and recognize those who live up to their legacy since 1966.

“The ceremony and program was outstanding and I extend my thanks to all JWV personnel involved,” said NVC Gary Ginsburg.

The Four Chaplains were Reverend George Fox, a Methodist minister from Lewiston, PA, Rabbi Alexander Goode from Brooklyn, NY, Dutch Reformed Reverend Clark Poling, from Schenectady, NY, and Father John Washington, a Roman Catholic priest from Newark, NJ.

The ship was torpedoed shortly before 1 a.m. on February 3, 1943. The chaplains provided comfort and direction to soldiers as the ship rapidly sank. They gave their own life jackets to others and calmly prayed as the ship slipped under the North Atlantic waters.

“In their legacy, we chose this year’s honoree for her selfless service to others that these Four Chaplains exhibited 81 years ago this month,” Altman said.

Nearly 100 attendees filled the Poling Chapel at the First Reformed Church. The diverse group included Gold Star Mothers, local veterans organizations, representatives of the First Reformed Church, the Jewish Federation of Northeastern New York, members of the New York State Assembly and Senate, and the region’s congressional representative, Congressman Paul Tonko.

“Lieutenant (Chaplain) Clark Poling ministered to this very congregation within the walls of that historic old sanctuary up until his final and fateful deployment aboard the troopship Dorchester,” Altman said.

“We are truly honored we are to be in this beautiful chapel that is named for one of the Four Chaplains,” Altman continued. “His spirit, and through him, the spirit of his three comrades, is in these walls. Can you just feel it? We can.”

“We chose Justine because her character and her more than 30 years of dedicated advocacy for our veterans, meets the profile of the Four Chaplains admirably,” Altman said.

Executive Director of the Four Chaplains Memorial Foundation Bill Kaemmer presents a challenge coin to Justine Crowley-Duncan.

She served as Veteran Service Chair with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the U.S.A. for more than 13 years, supporting her lodge, her district, and the state. She organized a statewide Elks raffle fundraiser for the Fort Drum United Services Organizations, raising close to $14,000.

“As she expressed to me, it was one step at a time. One rung of the ladder at a time,” he said.

It began with a simple offer to be a pen pal to a service member deployed the Persian Gulf War in 1990, Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, Altman explained.
“It is a little thing, but it means a lot, that’s how Justine got started,” he said.

Crowley-Duncan emphasized her spirituality as a bedrock of her commitment to helping others.

“Every morning I read scripture, this morning the passage that I read started with ‘I am leading you, step by step, through your life, hold my hand in trusting dependence, letting Me guide you through this day.’ This was a step-by-step journey.”

“Spirituality can and should bring us all together, so today is very special,” said New York State Senator Pat Fahy in presenting a citation to Crowley-Duncan. “Justine, at such a difficult time in our world, I think it is truly wonderful you have been chosen to receive this award.”

New York State Senator Jake Ashby, a former Army Reserve captain thanked Crowley-Duncan for her support.

“If you were in remote areas, you wouldn’t come into contact with chaplains very much. When I came back, it was not easy, and Justine was there,” Ashby said. “She was there for many veterans and their families. And continues to do that work. Continues to inspire me.”

Crowley-Duncan has been the Secretary of the Not-For-Profit Capital Region Veterans Memorial Legacy Project. She raised funds for the project to create a museum, veterans café, resource center, and monuments listing our Capital Region military personnel killed in combat. The Legacy Project will be built on six acres in Glenville, NY.

“Justine, I know you’ve done some wonderful and miraculous thing for our veterans. You go above and beyond that, you go across the state of New York and we thank you for that,” said New York State Senator Jim Tedisco.

Crowley-Duncan said she was humbled and emotional to learn of her selection for the award, having volunteered alongside prior awardees.

“I had 30 years of memories that just came rushing back. I never thought I’d be standing here today for this award. For years, it was all about thanking the people that paved the way for us. This was my way to say thank you.”

Crowley-Duncan ended with a piece of advice for others.

“When I joined in the Elks, my kids were small and I said I’m gonna start small. And I said I’m going to give what I can give,” she said. “When people come to join the Elks, I tell them, ‘Start slow because then it will be a journey that will be forever.’”

Volume 78. Number 1. 2024

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Special Focus on Antisemitism – March 2024

By Ken Greenberg, National Executive Director

This page serves as the third addition in a series focusing on JWV’s work combating antisemitism. JWV opposes all forms of discrimination and bigotry, but is especially outspoken on antisemitism. JWV will continue to be a strong voice to combat antisemitism wherever and whenever it occurs.

As instances of antisemitism increase, especially following the terrorist attacks of October 7, JWV monitors, reports, and responds on instances of antisemitism. Some of these instances, and JWV updates regarding them, is provided in the information below.

JWV asks all Americans to be vigilant, learn, and educate our fellow citizens.

NC and NED Meet with VA Secretary McDonough Regarding General Counsel Employee
January 29, 2024
National Commander Barry Lischinsky and National Executive Director Ken Greenberg met with VA Secretary McDonough to discuss the incident regarding a VA General Counsel employee’s antisemitic remarks and antisemitism. Secretary McDonough confirmed the employee’s duties do not involve matters of eligibility for VA benefits and that the employee’s work products would be reviewed to ensure there was no bias. Additionally, in the coming weeks, VA will launch a new antisemitism training for its employees.

NC and NED Meet with HVAC Chairman Bost and SVAC Staff
January 29, 2024
NC Lischinsky and NED Greenberg also met with HVAC Chairman Mike Bost to discuss antisemitism and the incident. Chairman Bost expressed concern about VA’s response and stated the Committee will continue to hold VA accountable. The Chairman acknowledged there is no place for hatred, bigotry, and antisemitism at any government entity and reaffirmed to continue to work with JWV to combat antisemitism.

A similar meeting was held with Ranking Member Moran’s SVAC staff to exchange information on the incident and discuss antisemitism. Staff Director Shearman, Deputy Director Gonzalez, and General Counsel VanderPlas noted that Senators Moran and Manchin sent a letter to the Secretary expressing concern on VA’s decision. They agreed to continue to work with JWV on combating antisemitism.

JWV Participates in An Evening of Solidarity at the Israeli Embassy
February 6, 2024
NED Greenberg attended An Evening of Solidarity hosted by Ambassador Michael Herzog at the Israeli Embassy. The event marked four months since the October 7 attacks. Other participants included Speaker of the Knesset, Amir Ohana, as well as members of Knesset from both sides, members of Congress, and representatives of the families of the hostages. Greenberg thanked Representative Dan Goldman (NY) for his discussion on Emergency Aid for Israel and support for veterans. JWV was honored to be included in the event and continues to advocate for the safe return of all hostages and a secure Israel.

NC Lischinsky and PNC Blum Attend ADL’s Conference “Never is Now”
March 6 – 7, 2024
NC Barry Lischsinky and PNC Jerry Blum participated in ADL Conference’s “Never is Now.” According to ADL, this conference is the world’s largest summit on antisemitism and hate with more than 3000 guests and more than 100 experts. It featured programming on moderating social media, local implementations of ‘National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism’ and combating antisemitism in the workplace.

The following article was initially published in The Hill on March 8, 2024.

Hamas Weaponized Sexual Assault to Deliver a Message to its Enemies
By Paul Becker & Joel Poznansky

The world was shocked on Oct. 7 not just by the scale of the Hamas attack on Israel but by its brutality and the sexual atrocities committed against women. Secretary of State Antony Blinken described the sexual violence as “beyond anything that I’ve seen.”

His comment, and others like it, lead to three critical questions: Were the terrorist actions, including the sexual atrocities, indeed unprecedented? If so, were they planned? And, if premeditated, what was the motivation for these new Hamas tactics?

Initial Israeli investigations of the Oct. 7 attack have focused on establishing details of the atrocities, gathering more than 1,500 testimonies from witnesses and medics. The investigation may take some time, given the few survivors and the need for forensic evidence, since so many of the rape victims were killed and many victims’ bodies were burned.

What is clear is that Hamas crossed the Israeli border for what was designed to be a speedy, horrific, one-day incursion. The attack reportedly was planned in detail and rehearsed for two years, including the deployment of standard Hamas tactics of hostage-taking, the killing of civilians and the destruction of property. The narrative promulgated by supporters of Hamas and some others is that the sexual atrocities, the burning of bodies and the social media distribution of real-time video images of the enthusiastic perpetration of this butchery were the spontaneous actions of individual terrorists carried away in the disorienting mayhem and inspired by their hatred of Israel.

But was that the case? A second stage of the Israeli inquiry has just begun and is being further developed. Unpleasant as it seems, it is important to differentiate between the “standard” terrorist actions of Hamas and these additional heinous actions. We propose that the tactics involving extreme sexual violence and barbarous acts meted out against Israeli women, children and babies were new and deliberate.

While atrocities such as rape are among the well-known horrific aspects war, they are not a standard aspect of the first wave of an intense day-long battle. Hamas terrorists may have been surprised by the freedom of action they experienced, and it is possible that some of the terrorists were untrained, undisciplined, and exhilarated by the killing, and thus became carried away by hatred. But it is much more likely that these terrorists, intensively trained and rehearsed, had been purposefully instructed to perform outrageous acts of sexual violence and to publish them on social media.

It absolutely does matter whether the sexual atrocities and social media dissemination committed by Hamas were unprecedented in this military context and planned rather than spontaneous. Terrorism by its very nature is a political language; when it changes, we need to understand the message.

A question then follows: What did Hamas commanders believe they might achieve strategically with that increased, outrageous and broadly transmitted level of sexual violence and brutality meted out against Israeli civilians?

There are several possible explanations.

Hamas leaders may have believed that these outrages, if publicized graphically, would cause debilitating fear and traumatize all Israelis. Hamas leaders may have believed that the Israeli public had grown accustomed to rockets, civilian death and hostage-taking and that this new level of horror would persuade a significant segment of the Israeli population to feel defeated and, in some cases, to leave their country.

We believe it is more likely that Hamas leaders gambled that without the outrage caused by their brutality, they would not succeed in luring Israel into what they believed would be an unwinnable urban war in Gaza, similar to the one that occurred in Lebanon in 2006. A variation on this is the possibility that Hamas believed these excessively violent tactics might even be necessary to achieve a sufficiently aggressive Israeli reaction, so that the world’s attention would continue to be on Gaza and the humanitarian crisis that followed as Israel retaliated. There is precedent for this type of anticipation of overreaction, most recently from al-Qaida actions masterminded by Osama bin Laden, in which the overreaction ultimately drowned out the horrors that incited it.

Finally, an important possibility is that, with these additional violations, Hamas planners were simply telegraphing explicit articles of their 1988 Hamas Covenant and Hamas Principles and Policies of May 2017, which express no interest in any negotiated settlement or two-state solution, but only in total victory over Israel or death. The atrocities committed by Hamas terrorists have effectively prevented any way back for either side to a peace negotiation. This certainly is a message that would serve Hamas’s Iranian backers and the mission of Hamas’s political manifesto.

For Hamas’s own troops and active members, such a tactic serves Sun Tzu’s maxim: “Throw your forces into positions whence there is no escape, and they will prefer death to flight.” For Hamas terrorists and leaders who actively planned or participated in the Oct. 7 attack — as with Germany’s Einsatzgruppen troops during World War II — their actions have placed them in a legal position where there can be no way back for them individually, no negotiated peace and no surrender.

In time, and with the various investigations currently underway, it should be possible to determine for certain whether the new Hamas tactics were intentional. It will take longer to fully confirm the purpose behind them, although it is likely that, even now, Hamas leaders are claiming credit for the evil innovation and incorporating this into their terrorist playbook.

For us in the West to misinterpret the extreme sexual violence, butchery and real-time social media sharing committed by Hamas terrorists as abhorrent but merely unplanned and mindless war crimes committed by individual terrorists, rather than as new tactics adopted by Hamas leaders with an underlying rationale, is to underestimate and misunderstand the enemy. To paraphrase Sun Tzu again, that would be a losing strategy.

Rear Adm. Paul Becker, USN (Ret) is a former director for intelligence of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Joel Poznansky served as a captain in the British Army. He is currently Chairman of CBIS, a Washington publisher. Both are active with the Jewish War Veterans of America.

Volume 78. Number 1. 2024

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JWV Well Represented at March For Israel

By Bryn Garick, Managing Editor

National Commander Barry Lischinsky, National Vice Commander Gary Ginsburg, Past National Commander Nelson Mellitz, Past National Commander David Magidson, and more than 25 members and patrons from twelve JWV departments donned JWV caps and gear before heading to the National Mall to demonstrate their support for Israel. On November 14, 2023 the Jewish Federations of North America (JNF) and the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations hosted a rally at the National Mall in Washington, DC.

NC Lischinsky emphasized JWV’s message was clear, “this march was to show support for Israel, stand in solidarity with the hostages and condemn antisemitism.”

JWV staff including National Executive Director Ken Greenberg and Director of Operations Greg Byrne met at JWV National Headquarters before walking with Lischinsky, Ginsburg and Magidson to the National Mall to attend the rally. They met with other JWV members and patrons, some of whom had traveled from as far as upstate New York to attend the rally.

JWV signs attracted individuals to stop and talk with JWV officials, thanking them for their service and inquiring about our organization and its work.

PNC Magidson remarked, “A multitude of groups wanted to have their picture taken with us, B’nai Brithers, Hillelers, etc. Why? We showed the hat. We are Jewish Veterans. Pride all around!”
The formal event started at 1 PM and lasted approximately two hours and a half hours.

Permits obtained prior to the event estimated a crowd of 60,000 people. According to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency these numbers were exceeded, with 290,000 participants in-person. Reports included more than 250,000 tuned in to the livestream.

While the turnout exceeded expectations, a viral incident revealed some people were unable to attend. One incident prevented more than 900 people from the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit from attending the rally. These people were abandoned at the airport after bus drivers refused to transport the protestors. Despite this antisemitic incident, the rally was considered an overwhelming success.

The event featured 30 different speakers, including three different relatives of Israeli hostages that spoke of their missing relatives, urging Hamas to return them home. As they spoke, the large crowd chanted “Bring Them Home.” Other speakers included actress Tovah Feldshuh, Israeli Artist Ishay Ribo, the a capella group The Maccabeats, and more.

The event also included political leaders such as the Co-Chairs of Bipartisan Task Force Combatting Antisemitism: Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), Rep. Kathy Manning (D-NC), as well as, Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY). These political leaders spoke about the United States’ commitment to stand with Israel, as well as showed unwavering support to condemn and defeat Hamas.

JWV NVC Ginsburg remarked, “The March for Israel was a moving, emphatic event with an unmistakable message: America stands with Israel.”

These sentiments were echoed by other JWV leadership.

NED Greenberg stated, “Today’s march was personally touching to me to see so many gather in unity to bring the hostages home. JWV will continue to be a strong voice in support of Israel.”

Volume 77. Number 4. 2023

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JWV Leads Letter Signed By 25 VSOs Expressing Solidarity for Israel

By Bryn Garick, Managing Editor

JWV Stands with Israel — JWV leads letter signed by 25 different VSOs and MSOs showing support, solidarity, and unity for Israel.

On November 3, 2023, JWV spearheaded a letter sent to Congressional leadership urging Congress to act and show solidarity and unity for Israel. The letter was signed by JWV National Commander Barry Lischinsky National Executive Director Ken Greenberg, and 25 other Veteran Service Organizations (VSOs), Military Service Organizations (MSOs), and other veteran-focused groups.

The letter was addressed to Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries.

JWV leads VSO/MSO effort to Congressional Leadership Urging Solidary and Unity for Israel
November 3, 2023

Dear Majority Leader Schumer, Republican Leader McConnell, Speaker Johnson, and Democratic Leader Jeffries:
The undersigned Veteran Service Organizations (VSOs) and Military Service Organizations (MSOs) representing more than six million current and former uniformed service members, veterans, their families, caregivers, and survivors urge you to stand with Israel and in support of humanitarian and military funding. The Jewish War Veterans of the U.S.A. (JWV) is leading this effort to demonstrate solidarity and unity from the larger veteran and military community in the United States. Now more than ever, we must stand against terrorism and the atrocities committed by Hamas and with our brothers and sisters in the Israeli Defense Forces.

The October 7, 2023, terrorist attacks by Hamas, an Iranian proxy, were unprovoked and vicious, killing and maiming many Israeli civilian men, women, and children. Reports from the Middle East share barbaric atrocities including innocents being beheaded, whole families randomly being executed, women being raped, and people being kidnapped and held hostage for future trade-offs. Hamas, like ISIS, is a terrorist organization and terrorist activities are never justified. The United States must continue to fight for democracy and stand against terrorism wherever and whenever it occurs.

We believe that a strong national defense against terrorism is necessary to protect democracy. As such, the undersigned VSOs and MSOs urge you to stand with Israel and move swiftly to pass proposed emergency aid to Israel.

Thank you for all you do for service members and veterans, as leaders in Congress. We also commend your support for Israel at this critical time.

Sincerely,
COL Barry Lischinsky, USA, Ret., JWV National Commander
Kenneth Greenberg, JWV National Executive Director

List of signing organizations:
American Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor Memorial Society, American G.I. Forum, American Retirees Association, America’s Warriors Partnership, Association of the United States Navy, Blinded Veterans Association, Blue Star Families, Fleet Reserve Association, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, Jewish War Veterans of the USA, Korean War Veterans Association, Marine Corps League, Marine Corps Reserve Association, Military Order of the Purple Heart, Military Order of the World Wars, Military-Veterans Advocacy, National Defense Committee, Non Commissioned Officers Association, Operation First Response, Sea Service Family, Foundation, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, Ukrainian American Veterans, USCG Chief Petty Officers Association, Vets4Vet Leadership, Wounded Paw Project.

Volume 77. Number 4. 2023

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Jewish Warrior Weekend: A Success for JWV and Cadets

JWV National Commander Barry Lischinsky and National Vice Commander Gary Ginsburg spoke with future Jewish military leaders from West Point, NY and the Citadel in Charleston, SC on October 28, 2023.

NC Lischinsky briefed the Jewish cadets present on the history, purpose, and current and future JWV priorities.

NC Lischinsky pointed out, “JWV will continue to support this important program and we will know in a few weeks the location for the spring 2024 Jewish Warrior Weekend event. Lischinsky indicated, “we obtained six more signed JWV membership applications from our West Point cadets and future Army leaders.”

US Army Major General retired Jeff Jacobs (2nd from right in group picture) was also present for this leadership professional development opportunity as chairman of the West Point NY Jewish Chapel Fund. General Jacobs is also a member of the JWV.

JWV also appreciates the support provided by the College of Charleston Hillel office, and the Jewish lay leader from USMA Colonel Ben Wallen.

Volume 77. Number 4. 2023

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Wills for Veterans

By PNC Harvey Weiner

The Massachusetts Department of the Jewish War Veterans of the USA once again sponsored its annual Wills for Veterans program a few weeks after Veterans Day. With the joint sponsorship of the Massachusetts Chapter of the Federal Bar Association, this was the fifth such annual event. Nine estate planning attorneys from the Boston office of the law firm of Day Pitney LLP once again donated their services and office space to draft wills, trusts, durable powers of attorney, and/or health care proxies for eight veterans and two spouses from seven different Massachusetts cities and towns. Army, Navy, Marine and National Guard veterans were among the eight. One Vietnam veteran brought the yellowed carbon copy of his 1968 will, the original of which apparently still resides somewhere in Fort Meade, Maryland.

The experience was so meaningful to the estate planning attorneys that they offered to have a second Wills for Veterans day around Memorial Day. When performing pro bono legal work, lawyers usually get more out of it than they give.

Once again, those departments interested in a template of how to create and implement such a rewarding program, do not hesitate to contact PNC Harvey Weiner.

Volume 77. Number 4. 2023

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Veterans Day Ceremony Honors Two Jewish Bookends to World War II

Livingston NJ’s 36th annual Veterans Day observance, hosted by Dan Michelson Post 740 at Temple Beth Shalom on November 12, 2023, featured a tribute to two World War 2 veterans – “bookends” with a local connection. Louis Schleifer and Murray Sklar were contemporaries growing up in Newark, but probably never knew each other.

Louis Schleifer (1920-1941)

Schleifer enlisted in the army shortly after his graduation in 1938 from Newark’s South Side High School. Long interested in aviation, he was assigned to an intelligence unit in the Army Air Corps, which in June 1941 would be redesignated as “the Army Air Forces.” By that time, he was serving in the 4th Reconnaissance Squadron, 5th Bombardment Group, Hickham Field, at the entrance to Pearl Harbor in Hawaii, and he loved his work.

But that peace was suddenly shattered on that infamous Sunday morning in December 1941, in an aerial assault that killed more than 2400 American servicemen, destroyed much of our fleet and our army’s air assets in the Pacific, and drew this country into war.

Most of the airplanes at Hickham Field that day had been clustered in the open, near the runway, because it was felt that the most serious threat to those assets was sabotage, not foreign invasion. Grabbing a helmet and his .45 caliber sidearm, Lou raced outside to help move the planes into their hangars. As he did so, Japanese Zeroes strafed the field. Standing his ground, he fired his handgun at a low-flying plane coming straight at him, and was mortally wounded.

Schleifer became the first son of Newark – and possibly the first New Jerseyan – to die in World War II. For his gallantry, he was posthumously awarded the Silver Star, our nation’s fourth highest military decoration.

Murray Sklar (1924-2016)

At the other end of that “bookshelf” stands Murray Sklar. Murray joined the Marine Corps after graduating from Weequahic High School in 1943, and was deployed to the Pacific in time for the Battle of Saipan. Soon after, he participated in the final – and perhaps bloodiest – battle of the entire war – Okinawa, in which more than 12,000 American servicemen died and three times as many were wounded. Murray was then tasked for the planned invasion of the Japanese home islands, which – it was estimated – would extend the war well into 1946, at a cost of a half million more American casualties and many millions of Japanese lives. But President Truman’s decision to use atomic weapons brought the war to a sudden and decisive end in August 1945, and Murray returned home the following year.

At about that time, the Jewish War Veterans commissioned a monument to the memory of Lou Schleifer, to stand in a memorial park named for him in Newark. On a stone base, with his ode engraved, would stand a sculpture of Pegasus.

In succeeding years, as the neighborhood changed and the meaning of the memorial park faded, Lou’s family looked for an appropriate new home for the monument. Temple Beth Shalom in Livingston raised its hand, and the monument was moved to its courtyard, probably around the late 1970s. The president of Temple Beth Shalom at about that time was Murray Sklar.
Murray was a leader in the local Jewish community, and active in veterans organizations as a member of the JWV and the Marine Corps League. He initiated Livingston’s Veterans Day ceremony in 1988, and personally conducted it until his passing nearly 30 years later.

These two “bookends” to World War II were born in Newark about four years apart in the early 1920s. Lou died young, just four days after his 21st birthday, on December 7, 1941. Murray passed away 75 years later, almost to the day, on December 12, 2016. Each, in his time, was laid to rest, with full military honors, at the same Mt. Lebanon Cemetery, in Iselin, NJ. Two brave Jewish sons of Newark, now reunited for eternity.

Volume 77. Number 4. 2023

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