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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 Jeff Sacks National Commander and Alan Paley National Vice Commander during its 125th National Convention in August.

Sacks was born and raised in the Chicago area. He was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant via ROTC when he graduated from the University of Illinois in 1979. He served on active duty during the Cold War in Washington, D.C. and West Germany in military police assignments. He was mobilized in 1990 in support of Operation Desert Shield and commanded the 822nd MP Company during Operation Desert Storm in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Iraq in 1991. Following the Gulf War, he stayed in the Reserves, retiring as a Major in 2017. Sacks was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for meritorious service during Operation Desert Storm.

Sacks and his father, a WWII Navy veteran, joined JWV Post 153 together in 1996. He rose through the ranks, and has served as the Post Commander, Department of Illinois Commander, NEC, and on various National Committees.
In civilian life, Sacks served as a law enforcement officer from 1987-2012 with the Chicago Police Department before retiring as a Sergeant. He is married to Pye Squire. They have five adult children (two are JWV members) and ten grandchildren. Jeff is active in his synagogue and has served on its board as Security Committee Chairman for the past six years.

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. After relocating to Florida, he served as Council Commander, Department Commander, National Budget Chairman, and National Adjutant.

In civilian life, Paley is the Chief Financial Officer of Overseas Cargo, Inc., a 3rd party logistics and warehouse service provider specializing in the handling, storage, and exportation of perishable goods. He has three children and one grandchild. Alan also serves on the Executive Board of his synagogue.

We wish Sacks and Paley 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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Harvey Weiner Elected National Commander of the Jewish War Veterans of the USA

The Jewish War Veterans of the USA is delighted to announce that Harvey Weiner was elected National Commander at the 124th Annual National Convention in Richmond, Virginia.

Harvey served as the National Judge Advocate since 2013.  He previously served on the National Executive Committee, as Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Veterans Committee and as Vice President of the National Court.  He is the past Commander of the Massachusetts Department and past Post Commander of the Newton-Brookline Post #211.  He is a life member of the JWV, the Vietnam Veterans of America and the Disabled American Veterans.  He is a life member of and General Counsel to the National Museum of American Jewish Military History.

Harvey is a Vietnam War combat veteran, who, as an Army Captain, was an intelligence advisor to the Vietnamese.  His combat experience includes small raids, night ambushes, mortar and rocket attacks, sniper fire and land mines.  He was the recipient of the Bronze Star (M) among other decorations.  After the war, he returned to Ft. Dix, N.J., where he defended 38 courts martial and was a Chief Investigating Officer.

Harvey is a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Accredited Attorney and is admitted to both the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces and the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims.  He has been trained and certified as a veterans’ mediator and has assisted in the training of other veterans’ mediators.

Harvey is active in the Jewish community. He is past president of Temple Beth Avodah in Newton and was on its Executive Board for 25 years.  He has been the JWV representative on the Greater Boston Jewish Community Relations Council for 13 years.

Harvey has practiced civil litigation in Boston at Peabody & Arnold for over 47 years.  He is president of the Massachusetts Bar Foundation and past president of the Federal Bar Association (Mass. Chapter), the Boston Inn of Court, and the Massachusetts Municipal Lawyers Association.

Harvey has been married for over 52 years to Linda, who was a Waiting Wife, has two adult children, one granddog and lives in Newton, Massachusetts.

We wish Harvey a successful year!

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