The Jewish War Veterans Celiz Antisemitism Taskforce (JCAT)
Honoring service. Confronting hate. Defending truth.
Background
The Jewish War Veterans Celiz Antisemitism Taskforce (JCAT) was launched in December 2024 to support JWV leadership to address the rising threat of antisemitism in the aftermath of the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel. JCAT is named in honor of Christopher Andrew Celiz who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor by President Joe Biden on December 16, 2021, for his actions on July 12, 2018, in Afghanistan.
Mission
JCAT is JWV’s quick-reaction and policy arm that directly supports national leadership on high-priority issues concerning antisemitism. To this end, JCAT drafts letters to Congress, press releases, editorials, hosts events, and participates in demonstrations — all under the authority, direction, and control of national leadership.
SFC Christopher Celiz. Photo Credit: US Army
JCAT Approach
Our mission is to act quickly and effectively against antisemitism — combining advocacy, education, and direct action to support the Jewish War Veterans’ leadership and the broader community.
Advocacy
JCAT serves as the quick-reaction and policy arm of the Jewish War Veterans, giving voice to Jewish-American veterans in the national conversation about antisemitism and Israel’s security.
Our members draft letters to Congress, prepare policy input, and publish press releases and editorials that shape JWV’s official positions. Through this work, we help ensure that leadership decisions are informed, principled, and responsive to emerging threats.
We advocate with integrity — strictly nonpartisan, yet firm in defending the Jewish people and Israel’s right to exist and defend itself.
Education
We believe that combating antisemitism begins with understanding and awareness.
JCAT works to educate both JWV members and the broader public through briefings, interviews, expert presentations, and published commentary.
Our goal is to equip veterans and allies with accurate information and thoughtful perspectives — strengthening their ability to speak out confidently and constructively on antisemitism, Jewish identity, and Israel’s role in global security.
By doing so, we elevate informed voices over misinformation and promote respectful, fact-based dialogue.
Action
Our members organize and participate in demonstrations, forums, and community events to confront antisemitism wherever it appears.
We work closely with the JWV National Action Committee and partner organizations to turn plans into visible, meaningful engagement.
Whether it’s standing with local leaders, hosting public discussions, or representing Jewish veterans at national events, we are proud to leverage our experience, credibility, and service as veterans to defend truth, justice, and freedom.
JCAT Authored Articles and Media Highlights
- What Does It Mean to Be a Jewish Veteran and Zionist in America? – Newsweek
- America’s Progressives Are Abandoning the Just War Tradition – Newsweek
- In Iraq, being a Jew made me a target. Now I feel unsafe at home – USA Today
- Israeli protection of the Druze is key to Trump’s goals for Syria – Jewish News Syndicate
- Interview with Co-Director Steven Katz – MSNBC (Video)
- Steven Katz: Israel’s war against Iran is just
Events and Engagements Highlights
- Discussion with Virginia Delegate Dan Helmar on strategies fighting antisemitism at the grass roots in Virginia and across the country
- JCAT Inaugural Strategy and Planning Meeting
- Briefing from Mr. Or Yissachar, leading Israeli expert on the Israel-Hamas conflict
- Discussion with the Deputy Director of the CIA, Michael Ellis and Mark Vandroff, former director on the U.S. National Security Council
- Co-hosted a CNN Wolf Blitzer discussion with three WWII veterans and centenarians: Frank Cohn (Colonel), Harold Terens (Corporal), and Al Jacobs (Corporal)
- JCAT provided the keynote address at the annual JWV Convention in Las Vegas
- MOU Signing Event: JWV and CSS
- MOU Signing: JWV and CSS (Short Video)
Leadership
Steven Katz
Co-Director JCAT
Mr. Steven Katz is the co-director of the Jewish War Veterans of America’s Christopher Celiz Antisemitism Task Force (JCAT). Steven Katz served as a defense and intelligence advisor to Congressman Jason Crow who sits on the House Intelligence and Armed Services Committees. Previously, he served as an Army officer and intelligence professional at U.S. Special Operations Command. Mr. Katz served as an active-duty, combat engineer Army officer for six years. He served two combat tours to Iraq in ground combat leadership positions, receiving the Bronze Star medal.
Mr. Katz holds a Bachelor of Arts from Georgetown University, a Master of Public Policy from Harvard University, a Master of Business Administration from Georgetown University and a Master of Strategic Studies from the U.S Army War College. He has been published on national security, human rights, and military ethics topics in major news publications, such as: Newsweek, Chicago Tribune, USA Today, the New York Daily News, Defense One, Forward, the Washington Post, the Christian Science Monitor, the National Interest, Georgetown Journal of International Affairs, the Washington Times, the Military Times, Lawfare, and Just Security,
Rebecca Arin DeForest
Executive Director, JCAT
Colonel Rebecca DeForest, a U.S. Army Reserve officer and combat veteran, brings over two decades of military and civilian leadership to her role as Executive Director of the Jewish War Veterans’ Celiz Antisemitism Taskforce (JCAT). A proud Jewish American, she served as a Blackhawk helicopter pilot in combat, and has held key roles in aviation, cyber, legislative affairs, and strategic planning—including assignments with U.S. Cyber Command, the Army’s legislative liaison office, and the Joint Staff J5.
Her career reflects a deep commitment to defending democratic values and confronting threats both abroad and at home. With advanced degrees in Legislative Affairs and National Resource Strategy, Rebecca leads JCAT with a focus on action, advocacy, and coalition-building to combat the alarming rise in antisemitism.
What Does It Mean to Be a Jewish Veteran and Zionist in America? | Opinion
We are both proud veterans who served honorably in conflicts overseas; we are also Jews who strongly support the existence of a Jewish safe haven—the State of Israel […]
In Iraq, being a Jew made me a target. Now I feel unsafe at home | Opinion
The horrific attack June 1 in Boulder, Colorado, against predominantly Jews marching to raise awareness for the hostages held in Gaza is yet another sad example that there is no safe place to be a Jew […]
America’s Progressives Are Abandoning the Just War Tradition | Opinion
We are veterans who served in just and unjust wars. U.S. military operations in Afghanistan were in self-defense and a necessary response to the 9/11 attacks. The Iraq War was an unnecessary war of choice, by definition unjust, that directly contributed to the deaths of approximately 200,000 Iraqi civilians. The just war principles that govern when and how we fight, serve as the bedrock for international law, peace, and security […]
Israeli protection of the Druze is key to Trump’s goals for Syria
Upon shaking the hand of Syria’s interim president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, during a tripartite meeting in Saudi Arabia earlier this spring, U.S. President Donald Trump praised the self-declared new leader of the Arab republic. Al-Sharaa, also known as Abu Mohammad al-Julani, is a former Al-Qaeda and ISIS jihadist wanted by the United States, with a $10 million bounty on his head […]
