JWV Member Chosen to Become Hologram in the Shoah Foundation’s New Project

Max Glauben Speaking at Texas A & M. Photo Credit – Texas A&M Hillel

By Anna Selman, Programs and Public Relations Coordinator

For JWV members going to the opening night of the Dallas Holocaust Museum next year, they will see a familiar face.  That is because JWV Member Max Glauben was chosen by the Dallas Holocaust Museum and the USC Shoah Foundation to be the face of their new interactive Holocaust exhibit.

“They’ll get to have a conversation with Max,” says USC Shoah Foundation Program Manager Kia Hays, “to maybe ask Max a question they might have had about the Warsaw ghetto after going through that or they might have had about the camps, or survival or coping…and get an answer and really connect with him on a very personal level.”

Glauben, born in Warsaw, Poland, survived the Warsaw Ghetto, multiple concentration camps and the death march as a young teenager.  Since coming to America, he has committed his life to telling his story to ensure that the Holocaust is never forgotten.

“I have devoted my retirement to telling my story, and starting the seed for the Holocaust Museum that is scheduled to be finished next year around September 2019.  It is going to be a fine museum with, of course, the Hologram Exhibit that was made with the USC Shoah Foundation,” said Max.

Glauben is one of the few remaining Holocaust survivors living in Dallas.  As with most Holocaust survivors, Max is realizing that there will be no one else to tell their story after he is gone.  This new innovative project will allow students to interact with a life-like hologram that hopefully give the students the ability to speak with a holocaust survivor.

However, he also visits schools as a Jewish War Veteran.  “I come to speaking events when asked because I am a Jewish War Veteran.  I love going to the schools and speaking with the children to tell them about my service,” said Max.

He was drafted during the Korean War in 1951.  Max served for the next four years in different locations state-side as a mess hall sergeant.

Max Glauben being filmed for project. Photo Credit – Texas Jewish Press

“When I was liberated, the Americans gave us uniforms and had us help out.  While I was at the DP camps, I would run the mess hall and I would drive the cars.  So, I had a little experience coming.  When I came to the states in 49, I registered for the draft and I was picked up in 1951,” said Max.

“I remember running the mess hall.  I had the walls painted and had pictures of Mull Mullens up on the walls.  At Fort Hood, I was awarded for the best mess hall.  I don’t think anyone knew I was a Holocaust survivor.  I just went with the flow.  In those days, being a Holocaust survivor didn’t mean much, but I didn’t want to be treated any differently.  I just wanted to be a normal person; I didn’t want anyone to feel sorry for me,” said Max.

“When I came to the country, I was not a citizen.  I was grateful for what I did, and I became a patriot to the United States.  They gave me citizenship.  I feel that if you live in a country, and you should love that country and the people in that country.  I honored my commitment to the country that saved my life, and I feel good and I don’t care how anyone else feels about that.”

Max is now able to go back to the places that he served in order to tell his fellow soldiers about his experiences.

“I went to Fort Hood and Fort Sill for their Holocaust remembrance ceremonies a couple of years ago.  I think it is important to tell our military about the Holocaust.  They incorporate some of the things we went through into their practice about how they should handle certain things,” said Max.

“I think it is important what myself and the other holocaust survivors are doing right now.  We need to fight hatred, bigotry and racism,” said Max.  “We need to ensure things like freedom of speech, freedom of religion are not broken.  Unless we tell the people like it is and how things can change rapidly if we act the way we are acting right now, what goes around comes around…but you never know,” said Max.

Volume 72. Number 3. Fall 2018

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JWV MA Participates in Rutstein Commemoration

Members of Post 157 participate in Color Guard at Benjamin Rutstein Commemoration.

By Barry Lischinsky, JWV Membership Chairman

One of our biggest missions at JWV is to remind the Jewish community that Jews do serve in the U.S. Armed Forces and in so doing, we remind the world that Jews have served in the Armed Forces of many nations.  So, with the 100th anniversary of the Armistice fast approaching, we are speaking to Jewish communities across the nation about the vast and great history of Jewish service during World War I.

JWV Members with Boston Veterans Affairs Commissioner Fransisco Urena

On July 15, 1918, Private Benjamin Rutstein, a Boston native, was killed in action fighting the German army on the French-German border.  Pvt. Benjamin, served in the 167th Infantry Regiment, 42nd Division, and was 23 at the time of his death. Before volunteering for the army, Pvt. Rutstein had worked as a newsboy for the Boston Globe. Pvt. Rutstein is buried in the Meuse-Argonne American military cemetery, near to where he died.

In his memory, a memorial was erected on 20 Staniford Street in downtown Boston, and it is named the Benjamin Rutstein Square.

In commemoration of the centennial of his death, there was a ceremony at the memorial, at 20 Staniford Street, on Friday, July 20th at 11:00 AM.  At that time, the Consul General of France, Mr. Valery Freland, offered remarks to honor the deceased.  Additional speakers at this event included representatives from both the City of Boston and the State of Massachusetts, as well as his nephew, 100-year old WWII veteran David Levenson, a long-time resident of Framingham. Representatives from the Jewish War Veterans Post 157 were be on hand to present the Honor Guard.  They played an essential part in the service, all in order to remember and teach the next generation that Private Benjamin Rutstein was not merely a street sign in Boston.

It is because of the sacrifices of Jews like Private Benjamin Rutstein that we have the freedoms we enjoy today, and it is our duty at JWV to teach this important history to the next generation.  This is why we are asking you to call your local JCC, synagogue, school or other Jewish center and tell them to get a speaker through JWV’s Project Maggid program completely free.  We are trying to teach this next generation about the proud service of Jews in World War I and beyond.  If you need any help, contact the JWV Programs Department.

Volume 72. Number 3. Fall 2018

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JWB Survey to Provide Insight Into Needs of Jews Who Serve

Capt. Daniel Kaplan and Australian Defence Force Maj. Gen. Jeffrey Rosenfeld at the 21st Combat Support Hospital in Iraq, 11 May 2017

By Marla Cohen, JCC Association

NEW YORK CITY – To better understand the needs of Jews in the United States military, Jewish Welfare Board (JWB) Jewish Chaplains Council is surveying those who serve or have served our country in uniform.

The survey, which is being conducted in conjunction with other endorsers of Jewish chaplains, Aleph and Pirchei Shoshanim, is the first of its extent and kind, according to Rabbi Irving Elson, director of JWB Jewish Chaplains Council.

Rabbi Irving Elson

“This will give us a better understanding of what exactly Jews who serve want from a Jewish perspective, and allow us to serve them better,” said Elson, who formerly served in the U.S. Navy.  “That all the endorsers of Jewish chaplains are behind this effort and support it, indicates a broad need, one that we hope this survey will fill with the support of the military branches.”

The survey takes about 5-10 minutes to fill out and is anonymous. In addition to asking such basics as gender, age, current military status, and duty station, JWB drills deeper, asking for how survey participants identify as Jews, whether or not they belong to a synagogue or JCC, whether there are Jewish educational opportunities available for them or their children, and if they would use them, and what kind of services are available to them wherever they are stationed.

“Hearing directly from the Jewish men and women who serve in our military and who need our services will help us tailor JWB’s work to meet them,” Elson said.

JWB is not alone in anticipating how beneficial the survey results will be. In addition to the other endorsers, the different military branches will benefit and learn from the findings.

“I am so appreciative of JWB ‘leaning forward’ with this survey and working with us in serving our Jewish airmen,” said Maj. Gen. Steven A. Schack, Chief of Chaplains in the U.S. Air Force.

To take the survey, visit http://jcca.org/what-we-do/jwb/survey/.

Volume 72. Number 3. Fall 2018

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June Brunch Features New Officers in Maryland

Post Commander Sheldon Goldberg Installs New Officers

By Fred Shapiro, Post 567 Commander

WASHINGTON – Located in Leisure World of Maryland, the Charles Krieger Jewish War Veterans Post 567 held its end of the season brunch June 10th featuring the election of new officers for the coming year 2018-2019. The Post is the only veterans organization located in a senior community of 8500 residents and is in the process of rebuilding its membership and activities in the community.

Membership in the Post is not restrictive to residents of Leisure World, but to veterans living in the proximity including Silver Spring, Aspen Hill and Olney. With the aging of our World War 2 and Korean veterans, the broader area is intended to bring more members into one of the two JWV posts in the Montgomery County of Maryland.

With the election of the new officers, the Post is looking to expand not only its activities for the veterans living in Leisure World and its vicinity but to\ add a Women’s Auxiliary to its membership. Recognizing the predominance of women in Leisure World who served in the military or were married to veterans, the addition will enable those interested to help plan for the future of the Post.

Post 567 conducts Memorial Day ceremony at Leisure World in Silver Spring, MD.

The installation was performed by Commander Sheldon Goldberg. He has also been an advisor to the incoming officers.

The officers elected are:

Commander                                       Frederick M  Shapiro

Sr. Vice Commander                         Jerome Cohen

Jr. Vice Commander                          Robert Kessler

Judge Advocate                                 Ray Kurlander

Quartermaster                                   Edwin Cohen

Adjutant                                             Jerome Cohen

Chaplain                                             Philip Wendkos

Past Commander                               Milton Loube

Women’s Representative                  Evelyn Sturza

Officer of the Day                              Robert Stromberg

Following in the path of the leadership provided in past years by Herb Alpert, Marvin Franklin and Milton Loube, the new officers are reaching out to the community in many ways. In addition to its monthly brunches, the Post will be hosting programs of interest to both the Jewish residents and to all the veterans living in Leisure World. Working in partnership with other Leisure World organizations, the Post will take a leadership role in helping to organize such things as the Memorial Day program, Veterans Day luncheon and a census of the veterans living in the community, as well as programs updating all veterans on legislation and VA reorganizations that will affect them.

Volume 72. Number 3. Fall 2018

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Eagle Scout Awarded By JWV in Florida

Scott Wilson awarding Eagle Scout Benjamin Chafetz a certificate of achievement and letter of congratulations on behalf of JWV.

By Scott Wilson, Post 639

JACKSONVILLE, Fl. – On Sunday July 15th, I was given the great honor and pleasure to present Eagle Scout Benjamin Chafetz a certificate of achievement and letter of congratulations on behalf of the National Commander Paul D. Warner PhD., and a Plaque and a gift card on behalf of the Department of Florida Commander Alan Paley. The Eagle Scout is the highest level in Scouting; the Jewish War Veterans of the USA has a great yet under used program to support scouting.  Every Post should have an active scouting program, this includes our virtual Posts.

The Eagle Court of Honor was held in the chapel at the Jacksonville Jewish Center, Jacksonville Florida.  This is also the home of the once thriving and slowly reorganizing Lt. Meyer Leibovitz Post #199 Jewish War Veterans of the USA.  Each portion of the ceremony was symbolic of Benjamin’s journey through scouting and the principles of the Eagle Scout.  After the ceremony Benjamin’s family hosted a meal in the social hall.

Scott Wilson

While being introduced to Benjamin in a group of people I was surprised that a young man that had just turned 16 was the person standing to my right in the group who had a beard that was fuller than my own.  Not many that have known me over the years believe that many can grow a better beard, but I even say his beard is better.  Benjamin is well spoken and an over achiever in all aspects of his life to include excelling in not 1 but 2 forms of the martial arts.

Having grown up in a scouting family myself and not progressing to Eagle Scout, I perused Jewish Youth Groups in its place.   I see the structure and discipline that these young scouts have that would make wonderful members of our military in the future if that is their choice, then later become members of the Jewish War Veterans of the USA.  Promoting scouting is the first step in recruiting future members, when we start with structure and team building in our Jewish youth with mentoring from our members / Post(s) we impress on young minds and hopefully have family members eligible to become members.  Some of these who become members surprisingly may never have known that the Jewish War Veterans of the USA was there to fill their needs in a Veterans Organization.

Volume 72. Number 3. Fall 2018

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Don’t Wait!

Three Generations of Folands cleaning Jewish Veteran graves during Memorial Day.

By Mark Weiss, Post 474

DETROIT – JWV Michigan is proud to say that we have a great Honor Guard.   Our members are out in our community serving those that gave so much to us when called upon.  We have a great relationship with our local military cemetery, Great Lakes National Cemetery, and our Commander, Art Fishman, is always willing to give them a call when needed.

When JWV Michigan’s Honor Guard was asked to accompany an American hero and our friend to his final resting place after Memorial Day, we automatically agreed without a second thought.  Our members have sacrificed a lot, and somebody has to show up to do something like this for them.  It is one of the greatest mitzvahs you can do in the Torah.

JWV Michigan Color Guard.

However, he did not make it easy on us or his family to honor him.  The family could not find his DD-214, and eventhough the family insisted that he was a veteran, the Great Lakes National Cemetery insisted on having the DD-214 before going ahead with the burial.  In addition, the Post Office would not issue his flag without the DD-214 as well.  His family scrambled to find his paperwork, but could not find it within the 2 days of his passing.

JWV MI’s Honor Guard had to improvise, and with a little help of the funeral director at Great Lakes, we were able to hold a Memorial Service for him, and when the family found the paperwork (which they eventually did), he would be buried with full military honors.  At the Memorial Service, we said a prayer, had the presentation of the colors, a three-volley gun salute and the playing of TAPS.  The funeral director even gave the family one of his flags.

I highly recommend that you save your family and friends this heartache by being prepared for your funeral.  Make sure that you give a copy of your DD-214 to your family, your lawyer and your funeral director.  If you are the child of a veteran, make sure you get a copy of your parent’s DD-214 and file it away.  Do not put your family in this position!  It is heartbreaking.  Funeral directors and Honor Guards can only do so much.  Please, be prepared.

Volume 72. Number 3. Fall 2018

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Army Reserve Ambassador Receives Public Service Award

Myron Berman Being Pinned By General Kok

By Richard Castelveter, U.S. Army Reserve Ambassador Coordinator

BURLINGTON COUNTY, Nj. – U.S. Army Reserve Ambassador Myron J. Berman, Post 706, received the Public Service Commendation Medal from Maj. Gen. Troy D. Kok, commanding general of the U.S. Army Reserve’s 99th Readiness Division, during a ceremony Aug. 3 on Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey.

The Public Service Commendation Medal is the fourth highest public service decoration the United States Department of the Army can bestow upon a civilian, ranking directly below the Meritorious Public Service Medal.

The Army Reserve Ambassador Program was established in 1998 to promote awareness of the Army Reserve, its goals and objectives, and to serve as a vital bridge in our states/communities to further educate and garner support for the Army Reserve.   Ambassadors are a powerful means of message delivery to the American people.

The function of the ambassador is similar to that of civilian aides to the Secretary of the Army, and carries a protocol status equivalent of a major general that is a key means by which ambassadors are able to effectively execute their responsibilities.   Ambassadors are Special Government Employees who represent the Chief of the Army Reserve without salary, wages or related benefits.

General Kok and Myron Berman

Ambassadors provide community outreach assistance to Army Reserve members/families, other military personnel/families as needed, and provide feedback on plans, programs and needs to the commander of the Army Reserve, the Readiness Division commander and to local Army Reserve commanders.

Additionally, ambassadors build relationships and strive to improve the understanding and knowledge of the Army Reserve within the business and social sectors of communities across America.   They help to educate the public, community leaders, and congressional staff offices about the capabilities and values of the Army Reserve and the Soldiers who live and work in their communities.   They establish open lines of communication with the local communities; and they work to support recruiting efforts by assisting community and business leaders in recognizing that the Army Reserve strengthens the Soldiers, the community, and the nation.

While not all ambassadors have military experience, many are retired officers or senior non-commissioned officers who wish to remain engaged in military affairs.   Each state and territory has at least one Army Reserve ambassador.

Volume 72. Number 3. Fall 2018

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The Salcido Affair

 

Official White House Photo by Shealah Craighead In the Oval Office, from left, are Vice President Mike Pence, Jose Reyes, Vincent Quiñonez (Victor’s father, a Marine & Afghanistan vet), Victor Quiñonez, President Donald Trump, Karen Rodriquez (Victor’s mother), Sandi Reyes, Anthony Quiñonez (Victor’s younger brother), Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps Ronald Green, and White House Chief-of-Staff Gen. John Kelly.

 

By Steve Krant, Post 256 Commander

Jose Luis Reyes, a Vietnam combat-tested Marine and member of Dallas’ Jewish War Veterans Post 256, recently experienced a whirlwind trip to Washington, DC and the White House. The events leading-up to a meeting in the Oval Office began with an incident involving his grand- nephew, Victor Quiñonez, a high school student in Pico Rivera, a rural community southeast of Los Angeles.

Victor, from a family with a long history of military service (11 Marines and counting), came to class one late January day wearing a Marine Corps sweatshirt, his intended destination after graduation. That apparently triggered one of his teachers, Gregory Salcido, into launching a profanity-laced anti-military rant. He told his captive class of seniors that service members are “the frickin’ lowest of the low … desperate [and with] no other options,” and derided Victor in particular for bragging about his “damned Uncle Louie (Jose Reyes).”

Victor covertly recorded the tirade on his phone; a relative later posted it to social media, where it went viral almost immediately. The “Salcido Incident” caught the attention and ire of veteran groups throughout the country, and especially that of John Kelly, the retired four-star Marine general and Chief of Staff to President Donald Trump.  Kelly promptly extended an invitation to Victor and his family to visit the White House and Pentagon as a token of his appreciation for Victor’s resolve and patriotism, as well as to honor Jose’s service and leadership by example.

Since the incident occurred, we found out that Salcido has since been fired by the school district.  In a report released on April 18th, Mr. Salcido was found to follow a pattern of bullying where his students were white, asian, pro-military, christian or gay.  In addition, pornographic pictures were found on his work computer.  However, Mr. Salcido is still currently serving as a Councilman for the City of Pico Rivera, but there is a recall petition in progress.

On Feb. 23, Victor and Jose, accompanied by family members, toured the White House, escorted by Vice President Mike Pence and Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps Ronald Green. The Sergeant Major offered to be Victor’s personal recruiter when he graduates. Highlighting their visit was a stop in the Oval Office for a chat and photo opportunity with President Trump. As a sign of pride in his Jewish War Veterans’ membership, Jose wore his Post cap throughout the day’s activities, even in the Oval Office. Afterward, the group received a VIP tour of the Pentagon and visited the nearby National Museum of American Jewish Military History, co-located with JWV’s National Headquarters. On March 25, Jose, shared the experience with his fellow JWV Post 256 members, the post Auxiliary, and guests at the group’s monthly lox and bagel breakfast at the Aaron Family JCC.

Volume 72. Number 2. Summer 2018

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Post 1 conducts Megillah reading for Manhattan VA

 

By Jerry Alperstein, Post 1 Commander

Purim was celebrated at the Manhattan VA Medical Center [VAMC] on Purim morning, March 1, with the reading of the Purim Megillah, live Purim music by the MazelTones and hamentashen.  The event was organized by VAMC Jewish Chaplain Rabbi Andrew Scheer and was sponsored by Jewish War Veterans [JWV] Manhattan-Cooper-Lieutenant Colonel Larry Epstein-Florence Greenwald Post 1, the oldest veterans echelon in the United States.

The Megillah reading has been an annual occurrence at the VAMC for many decades.  JWV has been sponsoring the event for approximately the last 15 years by providing the Megillah books, the groggers and the hamentashen.  Approximately 25 people attended the Megillah reading, which included Post 1 members and patrons as well as VAMC staff and patients.  Among JWV members and patrons attending were National Executive Committee member Jerry Alperstein, Sara Alperstein, Seymour Beder, Jonah Berman, Michael Henken, Robert Iskowitz, Mitchell Mernick, Harold Schaeffer, Simon Spiegelman and JWV Department of New York Hospital Committee Chair Mort Weinstein.  The Megillah reader was David Waxman, a member of our community.

Following the Megillah reading, five flavors of hamentashen [apricot, chocolate, mango, pomegranate and raspberry] were served while two members of the MazelTones of New York Band, including Jerry Alperstein on trumpet, performed Purim music.   Among the VAMC staff attending from the Chaplaincy Department in addition to Rabbi Scheer were Chaplain Elizabeth Putnam and Chaplain Intern Harold Ng.  After the hamentashen eating and Purim music were completed, a Post 1 meeting was held at the VA including the election and installation of officers for the 2018-2019 year.

Volume 72. Number 2. Summer 2018

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Post 692 Remembers

 

By LTC (ret) Sheldon Goldberg, Post 692

On 27 May, Post 692 held its third annual Memorial Day program at the American-Jewish Veterans Memorial on the grounds of the Bender Jewish Community Center in Rockville,Maryland. Approximately 50 friends and members of the local Jewish Community attended the program. Among the honored guests were Mr. Robert Finn, Maryland’s Assistant Secretary of Veterans Affairs who presented acting Post Commander Walter Gold with a Proclamation from the Governor of Maryland, Larry Hogan. Also present was Mr. Randy Stone, Vice Chair of the Montgomery County Commission on Veterans, Colonel Erwin Burtnick, Commander, Department of Maryland, JWV, and Chief Scott Goldstein, Chief of the Montgomery County Volunteer Fire Department representing County Executive Isiah Leggett.

Rabbi Moishe Kavka gave the invocation and Rabbi Paul Levenson, a WW II Army chaplain, sang El Moleh at the conclusion. Lt Col. Sheldon Goldberg, (USAF, Ret) Docent/Historian at the National Museum of American Jewish Military History was the keynote speaker. Vocalist Kassie Sandacz, president of Voices of Vets opened the program with the National Anthem and ended it with God Bless America.

Following the outdoor program, the video True Honor, the story of Jewish Medal of Honor recipients was screened for those in attendance. The screening was preceded by a short history of the Medal of Honor and afterward, Col. Goldberg provided a brief description of the actions of several of the early Jewish Medal of Honor recipients that did not appear in the video.

Volume 72. Number 2. Summer 2018

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