JWV Statement on President Biden Signing PACT Act into Law

The Jewish War Veterans of the U.S.A. (JWV) joins veterans across the country today celebrating the signing of the PACT Act.

“Toxic exposure from burn pits to Agent Orange and other chemicals touches so many in the military and veteran community,” said National Commander Alan Paley. “I am proud of JWV’s vital role in advocating to expand VA health care eligibility and creating a framework for the establishment of future presumptions of service connection.”

“JWV advocacy was a difference maker in securing Congressional passage. The comprehensive package of disability benefits and expanded VA health care services is well earned and is long overdue,” Paley said.

About Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America
Founded in 1896, the Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America is the oldest active veterans’ organization in America. JWV is dedicated to upholding America’s democratic traditions and fighting bigotry, prejudice, injustice, and discrimination of all kinds. As a national organization, JWV represents the voice of America’s Jewish veterans on issues related to veterans’ benefits, foreign policy, and national security. JWV also commits itself to the assistance of oppressed Jews worldwide.

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JWV Response to Op Ed in the Daily Kos

JWV National Commander Alan Paley issued the following response to this op ed in the Daily Kos.

https://www.dailykos.com/blog/Mikey%20Weinstein/

It was with outrage that I reread the posting that Mikey Weinstein received. For individuals within a country that speaks of itself as the “land of the free and the home of the brave,” this posting is disgusting and vile. No one should receive such threats. Regardless of one’s likes or dislikes, there are civil ways of expressing yourself without threatening to kill an individual with whom you disagree. Mikey Weinstein merits support in taking positions to prohibit religious coercion in the military and veteran communities.

The Jewish War Veterans of the USA (JWV) is this Nation’s longest serving active Veterans Service Organization. JWV, since 1896, is and remains committed to oppose all forms of bigotry — Fighting anti-Semitism wherever and whenever it occurs. Those who make anonymous bigoted statements are truly cowards and deserve accountability for their anti-American bigotry.

 

 

 

Alan D. Paley, National Commander
Jewish War Veterans of the USA

About Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America
Founded in 1896, the Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America is dedicated to upholding America’s democratic traditions and fighting bigotry, prejudice, injustice, and discrimination of all kinds. As a national organization, JWV represents the voice of America’s Jewish veterans on issues related to veterans’ benefits, foreign policy, and national security. JWV also commits itself to the assistance of oppressed Jews worldwide.

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JWV successfully petitions for removal of Nazi pilot print at Texas Air Force Base

The Jewish War Veterans of the USA called for the immediate removal of a lithograph of Nazi war hero Wolfgang Schenk from a NATO office at Sheppard Air Force Base in Texas.  In his letter calling for the removal, National Judge Advocate Peter Nickitas wrote:

“With members who vanquished the fascists in World War Two, with members whose relatives perished in combat in World War Two, with members who survived the Holocaust, and with members descended of Holocaust survivors, the JWV sees no place for an image of a hero to Nazis in a military installation of the United States.”

Air Force officials have since confirmed that the lithograph has been removed from display.

JTA article –NATO office on Texas Air Force Base removes print of storied Nazi combat pilot and his plane

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JWV Designates Volodymyr Zelensky as Honorary Patron

As of today, Thursday, March 10, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is considered an honorary patron of the Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America (JWV).

“Not only is he Jewish, but the fact that he has taken a stand to protect his people and his country is admirable, and I think he needs to be recognized for that,” said JWV National Commander Alan Paley.

JWV will attempt to convey a letter announcing this honor to Zelensky via the Ukrainian Embassy in the United States.

JWV also wants to condemn the Russian military’s ongoing attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure, including recent attacks on maternity and children’s hospitals.

About Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America
Founded in 1896, the Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America is the oldest active veterans’ organization in America. JWV is dedicated to upholding America’s democratic traditions and fighting bigotry, prejudice, injustice, and discrimination of all kinds. As a national organization, JWV represents the voice of America’s Jewish veterans on issues related to veterans’ benefits, foreign policy, and national security. JWV also commits itself to the assistance of oppressed Jews worldwide.

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JWV condemns Russian attack on Babyn Yar Holocaust Memorial

The Jewish War Veterans of the United States of American condemns Russia’s missile strike that hit Babyn Yar Holocaust Memorial in Kiev on Tuesday. The strike was apparently targeting a nearby TV tower but also hit the memorial.

The Babyn Yar Holocaust Memorial Center is built on Europe’s largest mass grave of the Holocaust. Between 1941 and 1943, the Nazis shot between 70,000 and 100,000 people at Babyn Yar.

About Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America
Founded in 1896, the Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America is the oldest active veterans’ organization in America. JWV is dedicated to upholding America’s democratic traditions and fighting bigotry, prejudice, injustice, and discrimination of all kinds. As a national organization, JWV represents the voice of America’s Jewish veterans on issues related to veterans’ benefits, foreign policy, and national security. JWV also commits itself to the assistance of oppressed Jews worldwide.

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JWV declares its support for Jewish veteran Casey Weinstein

The Jewish War Veterans of the USA, at its recent National Executive Committee meeting, adopted the following resolution in response to a demonstration that occurred outside the home of Jewish veteran Casey Weinstein.
“The Jewish War Veterans of the USA declares its support for Casey and Amanda Weinstein and their family, and unequivocally condemns the anti-Semitic rabble that demonstrated menacingly in front of their Hudson, Ohio, home on January 23, 2022.”

About Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America
Founded in 1896, the Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America is the oldest active veterans’ organization in America. JWV is dedicated to upholding America’s democratic traditions and fighting bigotry, prejudice, injustice, and discrimination of all kinds. As a national organization, JWV represents the voice of America’s Jewish veterans on issues related to veterans’ benefits, foreign policy, and national security. JWV also commits itself to the assistance of oppressed Jews worldwide.
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JWV National Executive Director Testifies at Education Hearing on 90/10 Loophole

The National Executive Director of the Jewish War Veterans of the U.S.A., Ken Greenberg, testified at a hearing held on Tuesday by the U.S. Department of Education.

During the public hearing on the 90/10 loophole, Greenberg called for the strong implementation of the law to close that loophole.  He said the loophole has resulted in the unfair targeting of the veteran community by aggressive and deceptive college salesmen.

You can read his complete statement from the hearing here.

About Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America
Founded in 1896, the Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America is the oldest active veterans’ organization in America. JWV is dedicated to upholding America’s democratic traditions and fighting bigotry, prejudice, injustice, and discrimination of all kinds. As a national organization, JWV represents the voice of America’s Jewish veterans on issues related to veterans’ benefits, foreign policy, and national security. JWV also commits itself to the assistance of oppressed Jews worldwide.

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JWV Supports Prostate Cancer Treatment Research

JWV Supports Prostate Cancer Treatment Research 

As part of the Toxic Exposures in the American Military (TEAM) Coalition, the Jewish War Veterans of the U.S.A. has announced its support for the Veterans’ Prostate Cancer Treatment and Research Act (S.2720 and H.R.4880).

JWV signed on to letters from the TEAM Coalition to the sponsors of this Act, including Congressmen Neal Dunn, Elissa Slotkin, and Senators Jon Tester and Jerry Moran.  Tester is Chairman and Moran is the Ranking Member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee.

The goal of the bipartisan legislation is to establish a Prostate Clinical Pathway and expand research efforts of the Veterans Health Administration related to screening, diagnosis, and treatment options.  Click here for the full letters.

Letter to Senators

Letter to Congressmen


About Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America
Founded in 1896, the Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America is the oldest active veterans’ organization in America. JWV is dedicated to upholding America’s democratic traditions and fighting bigotry, prejudice, injustice, and discrimination of all kinds. As a national organization, JWV represents the voice of America’s Jewish veterans on issues related to veterans’ benefits, foreign policy, and national security. JWV also commits itself to the assistance of oppressed Jews worldwide.

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JWV Welcomes New Executive Director

The Jewish War Veterans of the U.S.A. welcomes Mr. Kenneth Greenberg as its National Executive Director (NED).

Mr. Greenberg had a distinguished 33-year career at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Prior to joining JWV, he served one year as Policy Director for VetsFirst, and two years as Director of Veterans and Military Policy at The Retired Enlisted Association (TREA).

Ken has a proven history of achievements and strategic communications expertise. He received the Secretary’s Distinguished Career Award in January 2013, for significant and outstanding contributions during his VA career. His eight plus years of experience as Director of Operations, Executive Secretariat, Office of the Secretary (OSVA) at the Department and as a Director for five years in VA’s Office of Congressional and Legislative Affairs (OCLA) and ten years in the National Cemetery Administration (NCA) underscores his exhaustive knowledge of Congress, the legislative process, regulations, and the intersection of public and private constituencies.

Additional responsibilities included serving on the Veterans Health and Veterans Benefits Administrations SES Performance Review Boards and serving as a Keynote Speaker at Memorial Day and Veterans Day ceremonial events. Ken’s tenure also included positions in VHA’s Office of Facilities and Office of General Counsel.

Ken and his wife, Janet live in the Washington DC area with their dog Chloe, a six pound Maltese.

 

About Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America
Founded in 1896, the Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America is the oldest active veterans’ organization in America. JWV is dedicated to upholding America’s democratic traditions and fighting bigotry, prejudice, injustice, and discrimination of all kinds. As a national organization, JWV represents the voice of America’s Jewish veterans on issues related to veterans’ benefits, foreign policy, and national security. JWV also commits itself to the assistance of oppressed Jews worldwide.

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JWV Elects New National Commander and Vice Commander

The Jewish War Veterans of the U.S.A. (JWV) is pleased to announce it has elected Alan Paley National Commander and Nelson Mellitz National Vice Commander during its 126th National Convention in New Orleans, Louisiana on August 19, 2021.

Paley enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1966 and served as a Weapons Specialist on Phantom F-4D fighter aircraft at bases in West Germany, Italy, and Libya. He joined New Jersey JWV Post 651 in 1968 as an in-service member. Following his honorable discharge in 1970 he became active in JWV and rose through the ranks of his post becoming one of the youngest Post Commanders in JWV. In 1979 he was elected Bergen County, New Jersey Council Commander. He relocated to Florida in the early 1980s and later transferred to Florida Post 606, serving as Post Commander from 1996 to 2016. While serving as Post Commander, he was elected Commander of Broward, Palm Beach County Council in 1999. In 2015 he was elected the Commander of the Department of Florida and served in that capacity until 2019. Since 2016 he has been the National Budget Chairman and in 2019 was also appointed as the National Adjutant. In 2020, Alan was elected to the newly created position of National Vice Commander. He is a life member of both JWV and NMAJMH and has over 51 years of continuous service to JWV. In civilian life, Alan is the Chief Financial Officer of Overseas Cargo, Inc., a third-party logistics and warehouse service provider specializing in the handling, storage, and exportation of perishable goods. He has three children and one grandchild.

Mellitz continues an over 80-year family legacy of serving in the Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America. Nelson served 32 years in the United States Air Force. He has been based at more than 13 different locations within the U.S. and overseas during five major wars and other combat operations. He enlisted in the Air Force in 1970 as an E-1 and was assigned to a Civil Engineering Unit as a Site Development Specialist. Over the next nine and half years he was promoted to Master Sergeant (E-7). He was awarded a direct commission to 2nd Lieutenant in 1980 and assigned to the Acquisition Career field with a specialty in U.S. Government Contracting. Nelson was promoted to full Colonel in 1998. He has received over 20 military awards and decorations including the U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Meritorious Citation. Nelson has held many leadership positions in JWV including National Quartermaster, National Chief of Staff, Commander of Post 126, Council Commander, and Department of NJ Commander, among others. Nelson is Vice President of World Wide Business Operations for Land Sea Air Security, LLC. LSA Security markets proven military defensive equipment. He has been married to Debbie Markowitz Mellitz for 41 years and they have two daughters.

We wish Paley and Mellitz a successful year!

 

About Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America
Founded in 1896, the Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America is the oldest active veterans’ organization in America. JWV is dedicated to upholding America’s democratic traditions and fighting bigotry, prejudice, injustice, and discrimination of all kinds. As a national organization, JWV represents the voice of America’s Jewish veterans on issues related to veterans’ benefits, foreign policy, and national security. JWV also commits itself to the assistance of oppressed Jews worldwide.

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