THE JEWISH VETERAN Volume 70 • Number 2 • 2016 Why Is The VA Appeals Process Broken?

By DEREK COY sisted that I be blunt, so I pulled no punches dur- This article by originally appeared on Task & ing the interview. When the report was released, Purpose, a digital news and culture publica- though, I was shocked to see that the VA was tion dedicated to military and veterans issues. just as candid in their report as I was in the inter- Reprinted with permission. view. Regarding the appeals process, they boldly There’s good news and bad news for vet- admit, “the system is broken.” erans, according to a new report analyzing the Here’s what the report found: VA’s appeals system. Let’s start with the good news. This past January, the Department of The purpose of hearing what actual veterans Veteran Affairs released a 44-page report, titled in the appeals process are going through is the “Veteran Appeals Experience: Listening to the first phase of a user-driven design process called Voices of Veterans and Their Journey in the human-centered design. If, like myself, this is Appeals System,” which sought out to do just the first you’ve heard of human-centered design, that: Listen to the veterans who are currently in it is a “holistic approach to design [that] takes inspiration from real people, works within mar- or have gone through the appeals process with Center for Innovation. ket and technological constraints, and considers the hopes of discovering the best way to over- Since I had previously lobbied with Iraq and every product touch-point as an opportunity to haul the system. The report drew from the ac- Afghanistan Veterans of America to reduce the surprise, delight and deliver benefits to users.” counts of 92 veterans in 21 states, from World claims backlog in 2013 and been through the This sounds like the antithesis of what the VA War II to today’s ongoing conflicts in Iraq and claims process myself, I had some familiarity has historically offered its clients, but consider- Afghanistan, with the hopes of addressing the with that part of the process. However, now that ing this approach has been embraced by high- current problems with the process and creating I was over two years into my own appeal — a performing companies such as Warby Parker, solutions to fix them. I had the opportunity to be process I knew nothing about — I thought this Pinterest, AirBnB, Google and others, it seems one of those 92 veterans. would be a good way to learn more about this like a step in the right direction. Last November, I received an email from ever-increasing challenge from the VA itself, Also, VACI, the five-year-old team within the VA asking if I’d be interested in discussing while also being able to vent about my frustra- the VA that conducted this report, is tasked with my experience with the appeals process for an tions with the process. upcoming report being conducted by the VA’s driving innovation with a strong commitment to The VA staff conducting the interview in- Continued on page 19 JWV Donates $5,000 for New Siddurs When new military recruits walk into the Military ing our country. as well as Entrance Processing Command (MEPS) for their The Jewish Welfare Board started as an or- JWV National final examination before heading off to boot ganization to support drafted soldiers entering Executive camp, a large box by the door is usually filled the service during World War II, but still exists Director Herb with Bibles, in every camouflage pattern, that the today to continue serving Jewish members of the Rosenbleeth, Department of Defense issues to soldiers. Jewish armed forces, and is the only group that endorses spoke of JWV’s recruits can instead receive siddurs and Jewish the Jewish Chaplains in the military. If these sid- desire to work Bibles, but the funding to supply them is limit- durs are used as fast as the previous 10,000 were, with the chap- ed. A few years ago, the Jewish Welfare Board the supply will not last long, but it will however lains and lay Jewish Chaplains Council provided 10,000 sid- allow many more Jewish soldiers to have prayer leaders to build durs to Jewish soldiers, seamen, and those stay- books while on duty and participate in more not only a stron- ing in VA hospitals, but the quantity ran out in meaningful religious services by connecting to ger JWV com- less than two years. their religion while serving their country. munity, but also This spring, JWV pledged $5,000 for the On May 17, JWV gave a short presentation to help younger JWB Jewish Chaplains Council to provide 10,000 to over fifty chaplains and lay leaders at the JCC members devel- additional prayer books and other religious mate- Biennial conference in Baltimore. Members Col. op a network of people and partners. Programs rials to the Jewish men and women that are serv- Nelson Mellitz and Chaplain Yaakov Bindell, Continued on page 17 THE JEWISH Upcoming 2016 JWV Teleconferences Get Social All JWV members are encouraged to join in and participate VETERAN with by calling this toll-free number: 1-866-266-3378 and entering the JWV Code Number: 202 265 6280#. The Jewish Veteran is the Official Publication of the JWV Online! Enter the full number, including the # sign. Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America All calls start at 8:00 PM EST Your ideas National Commander Jerome Blum National Editor Monroe Mayer, PNC Use our and opinions Associate Editors Lance Wang Call in! count! Richard Goldenberg social media to National Executive Director Herb Rosenbleeth Managing Editor Jordana Green share pictures Graphics/Production Editor Christy Turner September 8...... Convention Review and keep EDITORIAL OFFICE October 27...... Outlook for the Coming Year — New National 1811 R Street, NW • Washington, D.C. 20009 in touch with Commander Telephone (202) 265-6280 x504 Fax (202) 234-5662 JWV members E-mail [email protected] Web Site www.jwv.org and friends. The Jewish Veteran is published 4 times a year: Display your JWV Membership proudly! Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall, by the Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America The JWV supplies store isn’t just 1811 R Street, NW for pins and poppies! Washington, DC 20009 You can also custom order polo Periodical postage paid at Washington, DC, and at additional mailing offices. shirts, Post flags, badges, caps Postmaster: Send form 3579 to Jewish War and jackets! Veterans, 1811 R Street, NW, Washington, DC 20009. facebook.com/ Subscription price in the United States is $5.00 per year, included in membership. Nonmember JewishWarVeterans Call Pat Ennis at subscriptions:$10.00. Single copies:$2.50. 703-753-3733 Photos and articles submitted to The Jewish Veteran shall be used at the discretion of the or by email: organization. The opinions expressed in signed articles and letters in this magazine are not [email protected] necessarily those of JWV. Advertising information and rates available from the Editorial Office. JWV assumes no responsibility for products and services advertised in this Or click the link on the  publication. JWV home page © 2016 by the Jewish War Veterans of the USA. NPA#112285 ISSN 047-2018. twitter.com/ For JWV caps, call Keystone Uniform Cap Corporation Reproduction without permission is prohibited. JewishWarVets Phone: 215-821-3434 • Fax: 215-821-3438 www.keystoneuniformcap.com/Jewish-War-Veteran-Caps.html CONTENTS

Your Letters...... 3 Amazon Smile Message From The Commander.. 4 If you shop at Amazon.com, you can have a portion of Amazon’s profit from your purchase donated to the Jewish Dispatches From The Editor...... 5 War Veterans of the USA Foundation. Go to Amazon’s website and sign in. Search for News From Capitol Hill...... 6 “AmazonSmile.” Membership Corner...... 10 Under AmazonSmile, select “Jewish War Veterans of the USA Foundation” (this is the way it’s spelled on the site; as JWV in Action...... 14 the organization you would like to have receive your “gift.” Notes From The Committees...... 17 Each time you sign in thereafter, you’ll be given the option of selecting your The Veterans Crisis Line is New Members...... 18 AmazonSmile designee to receive a gift (paid a free, confidential resource. by Amazon) based on the dollar value of Veterans and their loved ones People And Places...... 18 your purchase. There is NO price mark-up to can call 1-800-273-8255 and Reunions/In Search Of...... 18 cover the donation; it comes out of Amazon’s Press 1, chat online, or send profit. Even if it’s just a few cents, it’s more Museum News...... 20 than the foundation would have received if a text message to 838255 to you just paid Amazon. Every little receive confidential support Taps...... 22 bit helps 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. YOUR LET TERS JROTC Privatizing the VA Last issue, we highlighted the work of Stan Levinson and the JRTOC program. Now, see it in In regards to the National Executive Director action! Below are only a few of the many thank you letters we received from grateful cadets, as Col. Rosenbleeth's Vol. 70 opinion article which well as pictures of them with their JWV Americanism medals and certificates. Over 50 medals I agree with 90%. I do, with all due respect, dis- have been sent out so far this year, not including the many awarded by the JWV Department agree that we veterans are "best" served by the of California and other Posts. Want to get involved? Let us know! We are always looking for VA. Pouring endless money (our tax money - the ways to increase our involvement in the community. Contact Jordana Green at [email protected]. government has no money of it's own) into the VA has not significantly improved nor fixed it. The VA system is irreparably broken. The optimum solution is for most of the VA to be privatized. This would "best" serve we vet- erans of the USA. Angelo Gino Di Giovanni,III,ThD,PhD JWV Post 77 USAF Vietnam Veteran Mount Soledad Cross Case Dear Jewish War Veterans, Sam Simon’s kind letter in the prior edition of My name is Maritza Delgado and I am a junior at James The Jewish Veteran asks about the role of Monroe High School JROTC program. It was an honor I would like to thank the Jewish the Americans United for Separation of Church to receive this award from you guys. I will wear your War Veterans for the award I and State (“AU”) in the Mount Soledad Cross medal and honor it through out my life and wear it received. I was happy to accept case. The AU, as well as a few other organiza- proudly. Thank you very much. the award and thankful for the tions, showed support for the JWV by submitting Sincerely, time your organization took in amicus briefs. However, the JWV was the actual Maritza Delgado plaintiff and its counsel, Wilmer Cutler, and sending my award. the ACLU did almost all the work, as they should Annavita Pantgo have. The JWV is grateful for the support of MacArthur HS JROTC AU. NJA Harvey Weiner JWV Post 211 Women in the Military Dear Jerry, I am definitely a female veteran, after being in the Army over 20 years. Unfortunately, I will not be able to attend the Convention, but I did want to be counted. Dear Seymour Bloom, I am a supporter of the JWV, (Post 220), My name is Cadet MSG Samuel Ramirez Jr. at James in Peabody, MA, where my brother-in-law Monroe High School. I am really grateful for being the Thank you, for your support of and sister, Milton and Rhoda Kellerman have recipient for your award, and I am glad for the honor. I the JROTC Cadets during the been Commander and Auxiliary President, am willing to look up to this award in my later future Warrior Battalion Nation Award respectively. as I am now. I thank you again and appreciate that you Ceremony. We appreciate your At age 92, I had become a Bat Mitzvah and awarded me with it. participation. participated in Jewish activities to the best of my From a grateful cadet, We hope to see you next ability. I will become 99 years of age in July. Samuel Ramirez, Jr. year! Best wishes to you all, Sincerely, Jillian Aronson Dear Jewish War Veterans, Taylorsville Warrior Cadets My name is cadet Logan Dean, and I am a fourth [Editor’s note: Happy Birthday, Jillian! May you year cadet in the West Lincoln High School continue to be happy and healthy.] “Rebel Navy” JROTC. I would like to thank you for presenting me the JROTC award at our Corrections annual Blue/Gold Award Ceremony. I was very In the previous issue, Post 305 PA Commander Jeff Hill was not identified surprised when I heard my name called, and it as the person on the right, on the picture means a lot to me to be recognized for my hard on page 14. We apologize for the error. work. On page six of the previous issue, Ed Your continued support of the “Rebel Navy” Hornichter should have been credited as JRTOC is greatly appreciated. the photographer of the NJ delegation Thank you, visiting their representative during Capitol Cadet Logan Dean Hill Action Day. www.jwv.org Volume 70 • Number 2 • 2016 The Jewish Veteran 3 MESSAGE FROM THE COMMANDER National Commander Jerome Blum I am now well into the last third of my term, days we were back on the road. This time to sored by a state and I see an exciting future for the Jewish War New Jersey. We were able to see some New college, seeks to Veterans. I see a future where there are no bar- Jersey sights that I did not know existed, in- record as many riers to being in leadership. A future where cluding “Old Barracks” in Trenton, built by the stories as possible we will be led by younger energetic men and colony of New Jersey in 1758. Another won- from veterans, all women. We already have a group of very ca- derful place we went to was the Chapel of the veterans. There is pable folks in the office starting to bring some Four Chaplains which is actually located close no cost to you and wonderful ideas to our organization. In less by at the Philadelphia Shipyard. This holds a they are just looking for everybody’s story- and than one year’s time, I have seen many changes. special meaning for me, as it does for many of don’t forget, the National Museum of American I have seen the beginnings of programs, which us, because of our involvement with the monu- Jewish Military History also collects stories as are bringing younger veterans into the fold. ment which was added to ‘Chaplains Hill’ at well. On a more personal level, I was extreme- Arlington National Cemetery. NJ Department I am looking forward to my final months as ly honored to receive a letter from the White Commander Larry Rosenthal conducted an National Commander. I see the improvements House signed by President Barack Obama in outstanding Department meeting, and it was a that our National Museum of American Jewish response for the JWV necktie which I presented pleasure to be a small part of this event. Military History has made, remembering and to him when I visited the White House this past Locally, we’ve remained active with the honoring our past as we surge ahead into the fu- November on Veterans Day. US Coast Guard Academy, where we attended ture. We have reached out to leadership at local Along with my wife, PNP Joanne, I have a very special Seder and I presented Kiddush levels, looking to see what they do to increase been very busy, traveling around and doing my Cups, on behalf of JWV, to the graduat- family involvment, and to join our younger best to well represent JWV. I paid an official ing Jewish cadets. I also participated in two male and female veterans online. visit to Drizin-Weiss Post 215 PA in honor of Connecticut ROTC award ceremonies, and sev- This is just the beginning. I have grown their 70th anniversary, where Post Commander eral Yom Hashoah events, including an Annual with my responsibilitieses, and hopefully, I will Bruce Kanis and the members of Post 215 held Holocaust Memorial at our State Capitol with a continue on this path, as JWV and I continue a special celebration. Bruce was also able to ar- proclamation read by our Governor. Along the into our bright future. Thanks to all who helped range fantastic media coverage. way I also took the time to give my story to the me along the way. After returning home and resting for a few Veterans History Project. This project, spon- NEWS FROM THE NATIONAL EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Herb Rosenbleeth, Colonel, U.S. Army (Ret) The Military Coalition - Strength in Numbers

Numbering 31 military associations and veterans TMC Board of Directors. quality per- service organizations, The Military Coalition sonnel need- The goals of TMC include: ed to meet (TMC) represents some 5.5 million members and • Maintaining a strong national defense the Nation's their families, making it a strong advocate for ser- provided by recruiting and retaining short- and vice members, veterans, families and survivors. skilled and highly capable personnel in long-term defense requirements. TMC has contributed to significant victories the seven uniformed services; for the military community. These include the TMC accomplishes its objectives primarily • Maintaining uniformed services compen- Post 9/11 GI Bill for active duty personnel, Tricare through eight legislative standing committees. sation and benefits at levels sufficient to for Life for military retirees, and the two year ad- attract and retain professional uniformed Each of these committees reviews, debates vance VA appropriations for veterans. The Post service members for careers of service to and recommends issues to the "body of the 9/11 GI Bill has some very attractive benefits that the Nation. whole" to champion. Goals are proposed each fall were previously lacking, such as covering all in- • Representing the interests of the entire and then ratified in December before the begin- state college tuition and a book stipend, a living uniformed services community, includ- ning of the next session or next Congress. Each allowance, and transferability options. ing members' families and survivors, and individual member organizations own goals are Membership in TMC enables JWV to be in- responding to assaults upon the compen- not obviated, and any member group can choose cluded in the frequent congressional testimony sation and benefits earned by members of to have its name removed from specific corre- that TMC is invited to present to Senate and that community through years of dedicat- spondence or testimony. Generally, the majority House Armed Services Committees. These hear- ed service; and vote rules, however, when five or more members ings usually cover personnel or health care issues • Educating the public on the extraordinary oppose a coalition action or position, it is tabled. and our name is included at each testimony. demands and sacrifices associated with a By participating with TMC, we at JWV gain The Board of Directors of TMC consists of career in uniformed service, and the need significant visibility in the Washington area. the CEO of each of the 31 member organizations. to maintain a similarly unique system of Even more important, we are much better able to JWV Coordinating Committee Chairman, PNC compensation and benefits to attract and preserve and enhance the benefits you deserve. Norman Rosenshein, is our representative on the retain the kinds and numbers of high- Kudos to JWV and TMC! 4 The Jewish Veteran Volume 70 • Number 2 • 2016 www.jwv.org DISPATCHES FROM THE EDITOR PNC Monroe Mayer, National Editor

As we leave winter behind in various parts of the We try to learn from one another, especially stand together as an country (though during this year many would in the area of membership. We are all aware of organization is more argue with that statement) we are approaching the fact that the future of JWV depends on our important than ever, convention time. Our County and District ability to attract new members and make them though our means of Councils, Departments, and our National an integral part of our organization. Since we communication have Organization will recognize that at convention will be going into our 121st year of existence, certainly improved time, a good deal must be accomplished. with the world in its current condition and the with computers, cell phones, tablets, and the rest; It is an important time for our local threats that are around us continuously, we need but, we do know that in times of need we must organization to feature our conventions for several to stand together at this particular time. As we all stand together. good reasons. One of the most important, is the know, individually, it is most difficult to combat So please attend our conventions both locally fact that we get together to renew old friendships, anti-democracy and anti-Semitism. Our group and nationally to help us demonstrate to other and once again to celebrate our organization. We together with others must stand up to the threats organizations, Jewish and veteran alike, that also look forward to committee reports, what that face all of us today, both here and in Israel. JWV is looking forward to the future- and we’re we have accomplished in the past year, and most We all may have hoped that in the 21st here to stay! important of all to elect our new officers for the century, things worldwide would have improved, oncoming year. but sadly that is not the case. Our need to

Veterans History Project PNC Norman Rosenshein: New Chairman of JWV and the Boy Scouts In his column, our National Commander I have been a member of JWV for 46 years, and I mentioned giving his story to the Veterans am proud to serve you as the organization’s new History Project (VHP). Started in 2000, the Chairman. VHP “collects and preserves the firsthand I served in the U.S. Army from 1964-1970, interviews of America's wartime veterans.” and joined JWV during my last year of service. VHP has already collected over 89,000+ Since then, I have been actively involved on every interviews, memories, and artifacts (photo- level, from a member of Post 63 NJ all the way graphs, letters, maps, etc.) Scouts looking to to National Commander in 2006. I also was the help VHP and earn their Eagle Scout Service President of the National Museum of American Project (Boys) or Gold Award Project (Girls) Jewish Military History for three years, and still can conduct and submit eight to 15 interview serve as the National Budget Chairman for both following VHP guidelines. This is a great op- portunity for Posts to reach out to Scouts in JWV and NMAJMH. their communities and for Scouts to learn JWV flourished in the decades after World more about veterans, and the causes they War II and Korea. Since then, our membership PNC Norman Rosenshein fought for, and the battles they fought in. has been slowly shrinking due to an aging demo- For more information on how your graphic and no draft. My comrades have written transitioning out of the military, networking, and Scouts can get involved and to receive the tirelessly about the need for new members, ways anything else that is asked of us. guidelines please email [email protected]. to engage the younger generation, and opportuni- Flexibility is key, as is embracing new ideas For more information about VHP ties for involvement. I am here not to repeat their and new leaders, both locally and nationally. please visit https://www.loc.gov/vets/about. words, but to emphasize their importance. Give your members the opportunity to lead, but html. (Don’t forget to give your story to our In this modern age, where communication is also train them; offer advice, feedback, and con- museum, too!) based via text message and Facebook posts, we structive criticism. See page nine to learn more about how find ourselves struggling to catch up. In order to I invite you to join me at our first business your Post can get involved in Scouting! move forward and keep up with our fellow VSOs, session at our Annual National Convention in we must embrace change. It is the only way we Savannah, GA, to continue this conversation. will survive. We help all veterans in any way we Every member’s voice should be heard. To learn I would like to thank everyone who can, but also give back to our communities. In more about the Convention, you can read about it reached out to me with their many acts order for this to continue, we need your help. on page 12. I hope to see you there. of kindness during this most difficult and There will be new expectations. Members JWV has been a part of my life for so many tragic time in my life. will be asked to volunteer and take on more re- decades that it has become my family. My wife, I am so grateful for the hugs, kind words, sponsibilities than ever before. More importantly, Freda Rosenshein, is nearing the end of her term food, flowers, phone calls and donations you will be expected to follow through and pro- as National President of the Jewish War Veterans that I received since my husband’s vide updates of your work to the National office. Ladies Auxiliary. We are both lucky to have passing. We must embrace the younger generations of JWV and JWVA in our lives and look forward May G*d bless you for for being so kind. veterans now more than never. We must figure to this new era. out how to meet their needs and help them with Jeri Zweiman

www.jwv.org Volume 70 • Number 2 • 2016 The Jewish Veteran 5      News from Capitol Hill House of Representatives Proposes Cuts in Post-9/11 GI Bill A House of Representatives omnibus veterans to oppose cuts to the Post 9/11 G.I. Bill that they bill introduced in February (H.R. 3016), proposes say would break a “sacred” trust. cuts to the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill. A similar bill may More than one million veterans who served be making its way to the Senate floor. on active duty since the 9/11 attacks and their The proposed legislation includes a 50 per- family members have used G.I. Bill benefits to cent cut in the monthly housing allowance pro- get an education since it was created in 2009. vided to children who will have the Post-9/11 G.I. Despite the popularity, the House proposed to cut Bill benefit transferred to them by a veteran par- a section of the benefits in February to pay for a ent. Beneficiaries would lose up $1,000 a month, massive veteran reform package and the Senate although the law would not affect anyone already is now weighing whether to take up the measure. receiving the stipend. The reduction in housing money is one mea- Make your voice heard! Veteran advocates, including Iraq and sure in a much larger omnibus bill aimed at im- It is up to us to convince, to Afghanistan Veterans of America, have vehe- proving veterans’ services. The larger bill was educate, and to persuade our mently opposed the cuts and rallied alongside written by various lawmakers and sponsored by Members of Congress concerning several House lawmakers on Capitol Hill in May Rep. Brad Wenstrup, R-Ohio. issues important to veterans, the Department of Defense and Israel. White House Budget Proposal Increases TRICARE Costs for Military Retirees All retired service members would pay an not the case now for beneficiaries with TRICARE How to contact your annual TRICARE enrollment fee under a new, Standard coverage, or those military retirees age simplified version of the military’s main health 65 or older who have TRICARE-for-Life. Representatives care program outlined in the President Obama’s Enrollees who choose not to pay the annual Congressman proposed fiscal 2017 budget. participation fee would lose TRICARE coverage TRICARE beneficiaries would have two for that year. The Honorable (name) options under the proposal, instead of the several Based on Department of Defense estimates, U.S. House of Representatives different choices that are currently available. the proposed participation fees for TRICARE Washington, D.C. 20515 Enrollees could choose a lower-cost plan Select beneficiaries in 2018 would be $350 for Look up your House Rep. by called TRICARE Select, similar to a Health individuals and $700 for families. Under the using your zip code here: Maintenance Organization (HMO), and centered Choice option, the Pentagon budget estimated http://www.house.gov/repre- on military treatment facilities. The other option, $450 for the individual fee, and $900 for families. sentatives/find/ named TRICARE Choice, is a more expensive Currently TRICARE Prime retirees pay $282.60 plan that would operate similar to a Preferred annually for individual coverage, and $565.20 per Senator Provider Organization (PPO). year for family coverage through Sept. 30, 2016. The Honorable (name) Both plans require participation fees, which is United States Senate Washington, D.C. 20510 Modernized Retirement System Completing twenty years of service in the military leave the military with some form of retirement pay, Look up your state Senator’s will no longer be the requirement to receive retire- those who have served twenty or more years benefit contact information here: ment pay. This past December, President Obama less than they would have with the traditional plan. http://www.senate.gov/ signed into law a new format for retirement pay so Now a soldier who retires at the twenty year mark senators/contact/ that it would line up more with what is available will only receive 40% of what they would have re- in the civilian sector. According to the Military ceived under the old plan. All Federal legislators’ email Times, within the current retirement plan approxi- Current service members who joined after addresses are available at: mately only 17 percent receive any retirement pay, 2006 will have the option of taking on the current www.senate.gov due to the 20 year service requirement; the rest are retirement plan or switching to the new form, but or only receive separation pay when they leave the starting in 2018 all service members will auto- military even if they were just a few years short of matically be using the Modernized Retirement www.house.gov the 20 year mark. However, starting in 2018 every System and those members who joined before service member will see some form of retirement 2006 will remain in the current retirement sys- GovTrack.us pay at the beginning of their third year of service. tem. For those service members that can choose, The new plan, called the "Modernized they will now be taking on more responsibility At GovTrack.us you can check Retirement System," will ensure that all soldiers by deciding how much they want to receive when the status of federal legislation will receive some form of retirement pay in addition they retire from the military. By the time the new and find information about your to G.I. Bill benefits. This plan requires the military retirement plan launches, there will be four train- representative and senators in to automatically contribute one percent of a soldier’s ing modules to educate current and new service Congress. Learn whether or not pay to their Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), which is the members, financial counselors, and leaders about military's version of the 401(k), and match the sol- the new plan versus the old plan so that service your representatives voted, and dier’s contribution to TSP. The plan also allows for members can make informed decisions. These how they voted. mid-career compensation incentives to retain tal- trainings will be available online at Military https://www.govtrack.us/ ented soldiers. While more soldiers will be able to OneSource and Joint Knowledge Online.

6 The Jewish Veteran Volume 70 • Number 2 • 2016 www.jwv.org War Stories The “Other” June Sixth

By Lance Allen Wang the Israelis were assaulting the hill with a reinforced “Har HaBayit BeYadeinu! Har HaBayit company of paratroopers, BeYadeinu!” (Translation: “The Temple Mount the ratio of forces was one- is in our hands! The Temple Mount is in our to-one, with the additional hands!”) disadvantage that the So said Colonel Mordecai Gur on the defending Arabs were command radio frequency, bursting out of the entrenched within a well- static as the early morning sun rose just over the developed trench system. horizon in Northern Jerusalem on the morning The fighting was up of June 7, 1967, twenty-three years after D-Day. close, personal, and brutal, “All forces, stop firing! This is the David raging for four hours from Operations Room. All forces, stop firing! I repeat, the middle of the night on all forces, stop firing! Over.” June 6 to the break of dawn The smell of cordite and gunpowder no doubt on June 7. Israel lost 182 filled the air, as did the sound of stray shots, soldiers in their lightning boots on stone, and the shouts and curses of non- victory during the Six- commissioned officers attempting to establish Day War in 1967; twenty security around the objective. percent of them fell on Ammunition Hill “Comb the area, discover the source of the Ammunition Hill. firing! Protect every building, in every way. Do Colonel Gur would go on not touch anything, especially in the holy places.” to serve as the Chief of Staff for the Israel Defense and on through the Maccabean and Bar Kochba The significance of the Battle of Ammunition Forces, including planning the legendary 1976 rebellions. Hill cannot be overstated. This battle secured the hostage rescue at Entebbe, Uganda, when Israeli At our post in Albany, New York, last year Jerusalem front during the Six-Day-War. The site transports carried 100 commandos over 2,500 we sponsored a presentation by Friends of the of the Temple Mount in Jerusalem is one of such miles to Uganda to rescue 102 hostages. Israel Defense Forces. The speaker was a non- holiness and significance to the Jewish people American Jews should know the sacrifices of commissioned officer who had served for a that I’m not sure that America has an equivalent. our brethren in uniform in the Jewish homeland. number of years in the IDF, including during Why this war story? Why a war story They are family. They are blood kin. They suffer Operation Protective Edge. Following the featuring no American forces? Because we have the same problems as returning veterans. They presentation, the rapport between this sergeant a unique identity as Jews. Because those of us fall victim to the same political arm wrestling and our veterans was both warm and immediate. descended from European Jewry, those who and bureaucratic snafus where funding dries This is an outreach that I hope we can continue. escaped the Holocaust, likely have relatives up and disappears. They fall victim to the same Why? in Israel whether we know it or not. Because hand wringing that allows veterans to serve as The service of our fellow Jews, in Israel and as Jewish War Veterans, if our own military convenient scapegoats for unpopular wars, as America, can be a source of pride and help us service as American Jews doesn’t put the lie to Lebanon and the Intifada proved. find our sense of place in the long history of the claim that Jews won’t fight, the service of Many Americans are ignorant of American our people. While the label “veteran” sets us our fellow Jews in Israel adds an emphatic, bold, military history. Sadly, this includes American apart from other citizens, the fact that we are exclamation point to our service. Jews. Part of our charter as Jewish War Veterans Jews sets us apart from other veterans. That is The battle was a near-fiasco. Traditional of the United States is to help correct this. As what differentiates our organization from other military wisdom calls for the attacker to have a Jews, Israel is central to our identity. Our peoples’ veterans’ organizations. May we continue three-to-one advantage to have a good probability history doesn’t stop at the end of Deuteronomy, to grow in our identity as Jews in addition to of success. Israeli intelligence indicated that the nor should a Jewish veteran believe that our growing our bond as veterans. Hill was defended by a platoon of Jordanian service in defense of freedom began with Haim Lt. Col. Lance Allen Wang (US Army, Retired) troops. Israeli intelligence was wrong – dead Solomon and the American Revolution. We’ve is an Iraq veteran and Past Commander of JWV wrong. It was defended by a full company. As been fighting for freedom since Biblical times Post 105, Albany, NY.

Korean War Memorial Opening Ceremony Set for August 1 in San Francisco After more than six years of effort, and thanks All Korean War veterans, their families and to the generosity of hundreds of individuals descendants, donors, members of the media, and organizations, the Korean War Memorial and other supporters and friends are encouraged will soon be a reality. The Opening Ceremony to attend what promises to be a memorable will take place from 10:00 am to 12:00 noon on landmark event. Full details on the program will Monday, August 1, 2016, at the San Francisco be announced in the coming weeks. National Cemetery, immediately adjacent to the For additional information, please contact: Korean War Memorial site in the Presidio of San Gerard Parker, Executive Director, 415-750 3862, Francisco. [email protected] or visit www.kwmf.org.

www.jwv.org Volume 70 • Number 2 • 2016 The Jewish Veteran 7 JWV's 30th Annual Mission to Israel Monday, April 24 - Thursday, May 4, 2017 If you have always promised yourself you would visit Israel one day, what are you waiting for? Israel is an amazing country to visit any time Temple time and the time of Jesus. of the year, but to be present during Yom Visit Machne Yehuda market to see how Hazikaron, Memorial Day, and Yom Haatzmaut, Israelis make their last minute food shopping Independence Day, is a special treat. We are before Shabbat, and then head to the Western excited to present a brand new itinerary, with Wall (Wailing Wall), the only remnant of the stops in Tiberias, Akko, and the Golan Heights! Second Temple, destroyed by the Romans in Arrive to pleasant temperatures in the 70 CE. After, back to the hotel for Kabbalat 60s-70s, and experience Israel’s 69th birthday Shabbat (services) and Shabbat dinner. and a field briefing about the Gaza Strip, in Saturday, April 29 – Shabbat in Jerusalem! addition to classic sites such as Jerusalem’s Old Option to visit the Old Jewish and Christian City, Masada, and Nazareth. Quarters, including Way of the Cross and the You do not have to be Jewish or a veteran to Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Inside are the travel with us- bring your friends and family! last four stations of the Way of the Cross and All are welcome to join us on this wonderful the empty grave widely recognized as Jesus’s adventure to visit sites off the beaten path of burial site. People from all over the world come a typical trip to Israel, meet local Israelis and on pilgrimages to see this important place. Or, their leaders, and enjoy comradeship with fellow relax and take in Shabbat in the holiest city in veterans and new friends. the world. ♥ You are here! Some new highlights include Akko (Acre), a city that has existed continuously for about Sunday, April 30 - Masada and Dead Sea tour. 4,000 years. Here you will find the traces of a Located on top of a rock plateau, 700 Jews great many nations and religious movements choose to commit mass suicide rather than fall ranging from the Canaanites, the Romans, and into Roman hands. Today, IDF soldiers take the Byzantines- although today the city is well their vows here, which end with the declaration known for its Crusader fort and history! We "Masada shall not fall again." We’ll ascend will also be stopping in Tiberias, a beautiful Masada by cable car to take in the amazing waterfront city on the western shore of the Sea view and see the ruins. Then head to the Dead of Galilee, and visiting an Iron Dome anti- Sea, the lowest point on earth, to take a dip in missile battery outside of Sderot. the water which has so many minerals that you float on it with no effort. Trip overview: Monday, May 1 – Yom Hazikaron (Memorial Monday, April 24 - Nonstop flight by El Al Day). You will see a country that stops in its from JFK. tracks for a whole day, to honor those who have Tuesday, April 25- Arrival Tel Aviv. Panoramic given their life since 1948 to keep Israel safe. city tour and check in to our beach front hotel. Participate at the Ceremony at Armored Wednesday, April 26 - Meeting with US Corps Memorial Center at Latroun. Then, Military Attache, and a briefing at TZEVET travel north to Tiberias and stop on the way for followed by a Tel Aviv city tour including the a visit at Nazareth. After dinner, stroll along Palmach Museum or Rabin Center. the boardwalk and see the Independence Day Our price- $3568, includes taxes, fees, flights, festivities. hotels, entrances fees and tours, and daily Thursday, April 27 - Drive south to the town breakfast and dinner! of Sderot. Meet Brig. Gnl. (Res.) Shalom Harari Tuesday, May 2 - Yom Haatzmaut for a field briefing about Gaza Strip. Visit an (Independence Day). Celebrate Israel’s 69th Not included: Iron Dome anti-missile battery. On the way to birthday! Ascend Golan Heights for a view * Recommended tips of $9 pp per day for guide Jerusalem, a short stop at the 9/11 memorial. of Syria from a former IDF bunker. Watch ($5), driver ($3), and hotel restaurants. the video about the fierce tank battle of the Friday, April 28 – Full day in Jerusalem. We Yom Kippur War. Visit the town of Katzrin * Travel insurance of $175 pp covering start the day at Yad Vashem, Israel's official and watch the video about Gamla during the cancellation due medical reasons, loss or memorial to the victims of the Holocaust and a rebellion against the Romans. damage of luggage, medical expenses in Israel world renowned research center on Holocaust and more. Wednesday, May 3 - Visit Akko - the Studies. As you enter this place, you walk from * Personal expenses. dark to light, to remind us that the Jewish people underground impressive Crusader city that has survived from darkest of times to the light of been dug for over 20 years. Continue to HAIFA Price: Based on double occupancy. Jerusalem. and meet cadets of the IDF "Mini West Point". Single room supplement - $780. We will also visit the Israel Museum, house Drive to Netanya for a rest and dinner at our For more information or to register, contact of the Shrine of the Book, where the Dead Sea hotel. Transfer to Tel Aviv airport for our night Christy Turner at [email protected], or by phone scrolls are exhibited. There is also a world- flight back home. at 202.265-6280. famous model of Jerusalem during the Second Thursday, May 4 – Leave Israel.

8 The Jewish Veteran Volume 70 • Number 2 • 2016 www.jwv.org Spotlight on JWV Programs: Scouting Learn how the program works, ways to get involved, and methods to take it to the next level with your Post!

By Barry J. Schneider 1. Scouting inoculates the love of country and Jewish committee and explain the benefits JWV National Scouting Chairman patriotism as we do, and encourages in- of JWV partnering with them. I am sure volvement in one’s community they will have plenty of ideas of how we Scouting has been an important and influential can assist. part of the American Jewish community for 2. Sc outing upholds the sanctity of our faith. more than 100 years. No doubt many of you were 3. Sc outing has new and exciting activities for 3. If you have scouting units already spon- boy scouts and girl scouts, as were your children. Jewish youth from age 7-18 sored by a Jewish organization, see if there is a place on their committee where you can Today, Scouting has changed to become more 4. Scouting offers religious emblems for each assist. up to date in order to meet the needs of today’s age group to help insure our children have modern youth it has also become egalitarian and exposure to Jewish values. 4. If there are no Jewish sponsored units talk gender friendly. to the leaders of your community to explore 5. Al l branches of Judaism now endorse and the possibility of starting one. The chairman of the Boy Scouts of America support scouting’s objectives (BSA) National Jewish Committee on Scouting Our goals should always include promot- has asked that we join as partners in order to 6. JWV provides Eagle Scout certificates to ing Scouting in the Jewish community, increas- ALL scouts who achieve this rank. bring the benefits of scouting to more Jewish ing the number of units sponsored by JWV, and youth! Many JWV Posts already work with In order to kick start our increased involve- encouraging Jewish youth and adults to become scouting units, but we can do more. We can en- ment with Jewish Scouting, you can get involved involved in supporting Scouting. There are many gage the local BSA council chairperson and find by doing the following: ways each of us can become involved. If you ways to assist. We can also work with our local 1. Elect or appoint a scouting liaison officer have any questions or want to know how you can synagogues, temples, and other local Jewish or- to work with me in assisting your post to help please contact me at [email protected]. ganizations to develop more scouting units- with become more actively involved in the scout- To request a JWV Scouting certificate for a local both the BSA and the Girl Scouts of the USA. ing program. Please forward their contact Scout in your area, please contact the Membership Did you know that the values of Scouting information to me by June 25, 2016. Department at [email protected]. parallel our own? 2. Find out if your local BSA council has a

All candidates for Eagle must complete makes sure that all the deceased are honored just Meet an Eagle! a community service project which shows as he honors his grandfather's grave every year. organizational and leadership skills. Jacob’s Jacob plans on attending Southeast Missouri project was the construction and installation of State University in the fall. While attending five blue bird houses, five bird feeders, and four Southeast, he will also be participating in the large planter boxes benefiting the Erin Eickmeier Air Force ROTC program, using his leadership Foundation, at the Circle Star Ranch, a summer abilities that he learned in scouting to help serve camp for kids with special needs. Jacob chose his country as an officer. this organization because he wanted to see special needs kids have the same opportunity to get out and experience nature as much as he does. Eagle Scout Jacob Scissors was awarded a Jacob wanted to JWV Certificate for Significant Achievement continue the legacy began and a letter of congratulations from National by his father Michael, who Commander Jerry Blum by Post Commander became an Eagle Scout in Dennis Cohen of Post 644. Part of Scout Troop the early 1960s. 803 in St. Louis, MO, Jacob completed all of the Jacob’s service extends requirements to earn his Eagle Scout award in to the military as well. January 2016. Every year he participates Jacob has been in scouting since 2009 and in a flag replacement also earned his Ner Tamid religious award. service project in his He served his troop in all leadership positions local community. Jacob’s including Senior Patrol Leader, the highest grandfather served in the St. Louis Heritage Post 644 Commander Dennis Cohen position a scout can hold. Army and he always presenting Certificate to Jacob Scissors.

www.jwv.org Volume 70 • Number 2 • 2016 The Jewish Veteran 9 MEMBERSHIP CORNER By PDC Bob Richter, National Membership Chairman & Cindy Chambers, JWV Membership Coordinator Meet JAW: The Future of JWV “Active duty got lonely. I wanted to connect with mentum. They have hosted several dinners in the JAW is focus- my fellow Jews, but didn’t know how. I found New York-New Jersey region for Jewish service- ing its efforts JWV later in my career, so I never established members to commune and do some career net- on: a deep bond. This opportunity [to build a net- working. NJ PDC Nelson Mellitz, who is serving • Active work of Jewish active duty]? This is my chance as senior mentor of JAW, attended a dinner this Duty Support, to deepen that bond and build the community I past spring. including grants for childcare assistance and didn’t have.” “The energy in the room was what I first no- family readiness retreats, services for injured/ill Post 112 GA member CPT Gavin Ellman ticed. Thirty young veterans and active duty, all servicemembers and their families, and educa- (USA) often speaks about “the community” or motivated and engaged. They’re building their tional grants “young Jewish network” with the conviction only new careers after the military AND seeking op- • Transitioning Servicemembers Support, a recently discharged Jewish officer could. He portunities to lead and volunteer. Even if they beginning with building a Jewish veteran net- is one of five JWV members who have thought- don’t know it yet, JWV, and JAW in particular, is work and partnering with career counseling fully debated, planned, and founded the Jewish what they’re seeking," Mellitz notes. organizations American Warrior (JAW) Committee, a new ini- As the Committee builds its communica- • Strengthening Jewish identity through tiative for JWV members aged 50 and below. tion strategy, it is expanding its networking with such grants as travel grants for Cadets to attend Reservist Chaplain Yaakov Bindell, of Post the introduction of The Chaplains Ambassador Jewish Warrior Weekends, Jewish summer camp 126 NJ, is the optimistic and approachable Chair Program. Chaplain Bindell, along with PDC grants for children of service members, and edu- of JAW. Mellitz and NED Herb Rosenbleeth, recently pre- cation grants for rabbinical students who commit “Between the relationship-building skills sented at the Jewish Welfare Board’s Chaplains to at least four years of military chaplaincy of Marc [Wolf, Post 1, NY], business savvy of Council Convention in Baltimore, MD. • Legacy Preservation by collaborating Gavin, and my position as a Chaplain, I see this Thirty Chaplains enrolled as Ambassadors with the Museum to expand its Post-9/11 exhibit group taking off quickly. We know we want to be for JAW. The Committee plans to support the and honors the organizing piece – the friend, the mentor, the Chaplains’ current programming and serve as the If you, or someone you know, is an American helping hand – that connects the active duty and primary tool for linking the Chaplains’ Jewish Jewish servicemember aged 50 or below, con- recently transitioned to each other and to opportu- active duty to the myriad grants, services, and tact National HQ ([email protected]) to get nities within the broader Jewish community. We programming offered in the Jewish and military involved with the JAW Committee. Help JWV just need to build our communications platform.” communities. build for the next 120 years! Indeed, the Committee has already built mo- To meet the needs of young Jewish warriors,

Frequently Asked Financial Questions – ANSWERED! For all of the number-crunchers volunteering to ensure our organization is living its VSO mis- their skills for JWV, and for all of the members sion of helping veterans. who want to improve their JWV administrative 4. What is the Finance Board (FB) Report? More skills, a layman’s guide to finances: or less a financial checklist, the FB Report out- 1. What’s all this 990 tax business about? JWV lines an echelon’s income, expenses, donations, is recognized by the federal government as a and taxes. It is the primary tool the Finance 501C4, Veteran Service Organization. To main- Board uses to fulfill its purpose (to supervise the tain that status, we must show that our income is annual accounting, fundraising, depositing and earned, and expenses spent, on behalf of veter- spending of funds). ans. That is proven in our tax filings. From Post to 5. When was the FB Report due? May 6, 2016. Department to National HQ, every echelon must Send certified mail to National HQ. Late submis- file the 990. Learn all about the filing process by sions are accepted through August 5, 2016. downloading our how-to guide at www.jwv.org. a. What if I never send it? The Finance Board 2. When does my Post/Council/Department need Committee may choose to investigate your ech- program. How do donations work in JWV? If to file the 990? That depends on your fiscal year elon and National can revoke your Charter. a Post/Council/Department chooses to donate (e.g. January – December, or July – June). The 6. What is my echelon’s fiscal year? While funds, the funds must be given to a JWV pro- IRS requires that you file by the 15th day of the National HQ’s fiscal year is July 1 – June 30, ech- gram, or affiliated organization, or to a cause that fifth month after your fiscal year ends. Learn elons have varying fiscal years based upon when directly benefits veterans, which includes: more at irs.gov. an application for tax-exempt status was submit- • VA Medical Centers; 3. So, I need to file the taxes and do this Finance ted to the IRS. If you filed the 990 in previous Board Report, too? Yes. The Finance Board years, then the IRS can provide record of your • Our Museum, The National Museum of Report is our internal audit tool. JWV has a na- fiscal year. American Jewish Military History; tional Finance Board Committee that reviews the 7. My Post wants to donate to a VA homeless • JWV National Building Fund; report submissions annually. Again, this is used Continued on next page 10 The Jewish Veteran Volume 70 • Number 2 • 2016 www.jwv.org    COL Carl A. Singer Announces His Candidacy for JWV National Commander

COL Carl A. Singer’s candidacy for JWV Technology projects. Carl also served as a con- National Commander has been unanimously sultant for the Institute for Defense Analyses, a endorsed by New Brunswick Post 133 and the Washington think tank. He previously served Department of New Jersey. as a senior consulting faculty member at IBM’s Carl was born on a westbound freight train Advanced Business Institute (ABI) where he along the Polish / Ukrainian border. After spend- focused on issues related to effective manage- ing time in Displaced Persons Camps he came to ment. Carl was a Member of the Technical Staff this golden land of opportunity at age three and at Bell Communications Research. He also grew up in Cleveland, Ohio. served as a Foreign Exchange forecaster at Chase Drafted in 1970, he served with an elite “mini- Econometrics and was a consultant for the Chase staff” in the Army Chief of Staff’s Office, attain- Manhattan Bank. ing the rank of Specialist 5 (SP5). He was then Carl and his wife, Miriam, a Professor in the awarded a direct commission to First Lieutenant. Department of Education at Fairleigh Dickinson He also served with the Secretary of the Army University, have been married for 39 years and for Research, Development and at TRADOC, have three sons: Moishe Berl, Shlomo Yitzchak, the Training and Doctrine Command. Carl’s last and Chaim Yaakov. They are blessed with five assignment was at the U.S. Army War College grandchildren, ranging from ages 11 to two. Center for Strategic Leadership where, for 10 A lifelong learner, Carl recently complet- years, he led a team of colonels supporting the ed an M.S. degree in Homeland Security at annual Strategic Crisis Exercise. He is a gradu- Breakfast Committee – leading the team that pro- Fairleigh Dickenson University with a focus on ate of both the U.S. Army War College, and the duces the annual “Agenda of Concerns” book- Terrorism and Cyber Security. Additionally, he U.S. Army Command and General Staff College. let. He currently is co-chair of the New Jersey has a B.S. in Organizational Science from Case His awards include the Legion of Merit and the Department Convention Committee. Annually, Institute of Technology and did graduate work Meritorious Service Medal. He retired as an Carl also coordinates the New Jersey delega- there in Operations Research. He has an M.S. in Army Colonel with 31 years of service. tion’s “March on the Hill”and schedules meet- Industrial and Operations Engineering from the Carl is actively involved with the Jewish War ings with both of New Jersey’s Senators and all University of Michigan, and a Ph.D. from Purdue Veterans. A former Department Commander, he twelve Representatives in Washington, D.C. He University’s Krannert School of Management. is a life member and currently serves as National maintains contact throughout the year as neces- Carl volunteers for many organizations, in- Quartermaster. He also chairs the Homeland sary to assure awareness of key issues impact- cluding Employer Support of the Guard and Security Committee. Upon moving to New ing the military, veterans, and the State of Israel. Reserve where he is County Chairperson. He is Jersey, he received mail intended for the previ- Carl is a life member of the National Museum of President of the Passaic-Clifton Jewish Memorial ous occupant of his home regarding a JWV Post American Jewish Military History and serves on Chapel – a community run, not-for-profit fu- meeting. Inspired, Carl joined Post 133 and under its Board of Directors. neral home, is on the board of his synagogue, the guidance of many members, including the Carl has enjoyed a varied and interesting pro- the Young Israel of Passaic-Clifton, and of the late Arnold Sweet, he became Post Commander fessional career. He was a Vice President with the Talmudic Yeshiva of Philadelphia. and later County and then District Commander, Enterprise Program Management Office at the before going up the chairs to become Department Bank of New York Mellon, where he provided Commander. Carl also serves on the Legislative oversight and guidance to critical Information Convention Workshop Understanding Your Post’s Finances Do you help your Post with its financial Frequently Asked Financial Questions records? Thinking about becoming the Quartermaster? Questions about filing a • JWV Foundation, Inc.; directly benefit veterans?" If an organization 990? Then join this meeting and get your • Any JWV higher echelon; assists a broad range of people and programs questions answered. • All nationally recognized JWV programs; then it is not solely benefiting veterans and thus, 8/16 @ 10:00am. matching funds are required. If the organization • Any other special project approved by the fulfills a "nice to have/do" wish over "needs to NEC from time to time; have/do" wish (e.g. it would be nice to throw a • Any other exemption, on a case by case party for veterans. But veterans really need le- Be Alert for Scammers basis, that is expressly authorized by the gal counsel, food, shelter, etc.), then matching It is FREE to file online with the IRS. If you National Finance Board and approved by funds are required. are on a website that requires payment to file, leave that site immediately. the National Commander. (The National To know for sure, write the Finance Board Bylaws, Art. II, Sec. 5) Committee prior to donating (mail your letter to If you don't see this https://www.irs.gov/ in your web browser address box, then The best approach to deciding if a donation would National HQ or email to [email protected]). you are not on the IRS site. require matching funds is to ask "Does the cause

www.jwv.org Volume 70 • Number 2 • 2016 The Jewish Veteran 11 Welcome to Savannah! Known for its Southern hospitality and charm, and eight Ashkenazi Jews, arrived in Savannah. Savannah charms visitors with its architecture, Two years later, they founded Mikve Israel. history, and culture- after all, it used to be called During the Revolutionary War, Mordecai “Hostess City of the South!” Sheftall, a member of one of the founding Jewish Established in 1733, Savannah is the oldest families, became the highest ranking Jewish city in the state of Georgia and its first state capi- officer of the American Revolutionary forces. tal. Originally founded as British colonial port, it Due to the growth of the Savannah Jewish became the southernmost commercial port dur- population the congregation erected its first ing the American Revolution- and is currently building in 1820, also the first synagogue in the the largest port in Georgia. state. The synagogue building was listed on the Agriculture and trade were essential to Savannah’s early survival. Cotton was already a commodity in Georgia due to the area’s mild climate; indigo and silk also became popular ex- of whom flock to the district’s 22 squares, known ports due to European demand. The busy econ- for their unique architecture and character. The omy helped the city’s inhabitants turn the Port DOT system provides fare free transportation in the Historic District, including buses, a streetcar, and a ferry to Hutchinson Island. Savannah is home to numerous museums and historical houses. Among them are the Sorrel-Weed House, Juliette Gordon Low’s birth- place (founder of the Girl Scouts), the Davenport House Museum, the William Scarbrough House, and the Wormsloe plantation of Noble Jones. There is also a maritime museum, historic cem- eteries dating back to Georgia’s colonial period, and Fort Jackson. Completed in 1812 to protect National Register of Historic Places in 1980, and the city from attack by sea, Fort Jackson later is still an active Reform congregation today. became one of three Confederate forts defending We hope you will join us for JWV’s 121st of Savannah into one of the busiest ports in the Savannah from Union forces. Annual National Convention in this beautiful country. In the early 1900s, shipbuilding also be- Congregation Mickve Israel, only a short historic city, and explore all it has to offer! came an important industry. distance away from In the decades following the creation of the our Convention United States, Savannah became a prosperous hotel, is the third seaport and the Confederacy’s sixth most popu- oldest synagogue lous city. Originally a target of Sherman’s infa- in the country. mous March to the Sea, a peaceful surrender was Five months after negotiated by the city to avoid the same fate as General James Atlanta. The city was saved, and Union troops Edward Oglethorpe entered the city on December 21, 1864. established the Today, Savannah’s downtown historic dis- colony of Georgia, trict attracts over 13 million visitors a year, many 34 Sephardic Jews Convention Meeting Highlights Social Media Workshop Women in the Military Committee 1st Business Session: Planning for 8/18 and 8/19 from 2:30-4:30 pm Meeting - 8/19 from 10-11 am the Future - 8/17 from 2-3:30 pm Want to know how to This year is Join new Chairman PNC Norman set up a Department the first time all Rosenshein as he leads Facebook page? combat roles in a discussion about Unsure of how to each branch of ways to bring JWV create a Post e-mail trhe military is into the future account? Jordana and open to women. and increase Cindy will be available Participate in a involvement, to work with you one- discussion about ways to bring women into both among on-one to help answer these questions and JWV, and how to support them during their members and more- so bring your tablet or laptop! service. within the community! 12 The Jewish Veteran Volume 70 • Number 2 • 2016 www.jwv.org JWV’s 121st ANNUAL NATIONAL CONVENTION AUGUST 14-21, 2016 • SAVANNAH, GEORGIA Hilton Savannah DeSoto • 15 E Liberty, Savannah, GA 31401 Phone (912) 232-9000 • Fax (912) 232-6018 • www.desotohilton.com Hotel Registration deadline is Monday, June 20th. A one night ($145/single or double) deposit is required for all hotel registrations. A 3-night minimum stay is required. Hotel reservations must be made through JWV or the surcharge will be assessed and attendance at meetings will not be allowed. There is a $150 Convention surcharge for those not staying at the hotel. Local members living within a 50 mile radius are exempt.

Free city shuttle • 10% meal discount • 25% valet parking discount • Free wireless in guest rooms

Schedule of Events Name: Post No: (Subject to Change) Daily Morning Minyan Address: Aug 14-20 City: State: Zipcode: Sunday • Aug 14 Welcome to Savannah! Phone: Email:

Monday • Aug 15 Room will be shared with: Explore Savannah! NMAJMH Event Arriving at: Departing at: Total nights:

th How Tuesday • Aug 16 JWV 121 Annual National Convention Cost Many? Amount Wreath Laying Convention Registration Fee $50.00 per member NEC Meeting Committee Meetings I prefer: King 2 beds $145.00 per night 3rd Person in a room $74.00 per night Wednesday • Aug 17 Minimum Deposit Only $145.00 Resolutions Joint Opening Session Convention Surcharge for those not staying at the Hotel $150.00 1st Business Session: Kosher Shabbat Dinner - Everyone is welcome! ! 30.00 “Planning for the Future” Century Club Cocktail Hour $100.00 member Thursday • Aug 18 Saturday, Aug. 20 $45.00 guest Resolutions Commander’s Banquet • Saturday, Aug. 20 2nd Business Session No. of: Filet of Steak_____ Salmon_____ Kosher_____ Committee Meetings Social Media Training Sugar Free Dessert______$42.50 per person National President’s Banquet $5.00 Each or Raffle Tickets 3 for $10.00 Friday • Aug 19 You must include full payment for all event(s) that you plan Total: 3rd Business Session: Election of on attending. Reservations for trips or activities will only be National Commander made if paid in full. Amount paying now: Committee Meetings I am paying by Check Credit card Kosher Shabbat Dinner Shabbat Evening Services American Express Visa Mastercard Discover Saturday • Aug 20 Card No. Exp. / Shabbat Services Signature NMAJMH Board Meeting Century Club Cocktail Hour Sign and mail this completed form, along with your payment to: National Commander’s Banquet Jewish War Veterans • 1811 R Street, NW • Washington, DC 20009 • Attn: Convention Dept.

www.jwv.org Volume 70 • Number 2 • 2016 The Jewish Veteran 13 JWV IN ACTION

Post 125 NJ placing Memorial Day flags at Veterans’ graves at the Congregation On Tuesday, March 15, Post 320 GA celebrated JWV’s 120th Brothers of Israel Cemetery, NJ, on May 17. From left: Buddy Rassas, Gerald birthday with the Savannah Jewish Federation! From left to Levine, Monty Fisher, Henry Lewis, Burt Resnic, Brian Winters; Boy Scouts right: 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade Command Sergeant Major Troop 124: Peter Schwarz Sr., Christian Schwartz, and Peter Schwartz Jr., Mike Dove, JWV member and 1986 Chatham County Veteran of Justin Medina, Evan Kuo, and Scoutmaster Kevin Javoves. the Year Morris Lamhut, Post 320 Commander Frank Katz, and guest speaker, COL Jeffrey Becker, Commander, 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade. Photo credit: Frank Katz, Post 320.

Post 1 NY Commander Edward Hochman leads Marines and a sailor up to a locked wing of the Manhattan VA Medical Center with the leftover ice cream cakes from the Post 1 Fleet Week Reception on May 29. Photo credit: Jerry Alperstein.

Members of the West Suburban Post 54 IL, hosted and served a lunch to veterans receiving rehabilitative care and living at the Hines VA Hospital’s Rehabilitation Care Facility, Maywood, Illinois. On Wednesday, April 13, 2016, members of the Post brought hot dogs, sandwiches, French fries, and chocolate cake from local favorite restaurant Portillo’s, along with potato chips, sodas, and water which they served to veterans during their regular lunch hour. Veterans who could not be served in the lunch room had meals brought to them in their rooms.

“In 1987 I noticed a long forgotten WWI Memorial Monument. I noticed it had been placed by an equally long forgotten patriotic women’s group. In 2009, facing retirement, I decided that if this Memorial was to be restored I would have to assume a commitment made by local government to these women in 1926 when they accepted their donation of the Monument. It took six years to convince the historical council, Parks Board, and City Council that my sculpture and landscape design were right. Then I spent many hours raising $30,000 in donations. In the final week of the process, JWV Austin Post 757 TX Honor Guard just prior to posting the Colors for the I found that one of the three names on the Memorial was Jewish and from Yom Hazikaron ceremony at the Dell Jewish Community Center in Austin, my synagogue.” Texas. From left to right: Barry Mann, Mike London, Bam Rubenstein, Bob - Bob Shay, Commander of Post 686 Kaplan, and Mike Miller. 14 The Jewish Veteran Volume 70 • Number 2 • 2016 www.jwv.org JWV IN ACTION

Post 795 TX put together Passover bags for the On May 1, members of Rockland/Orange District Council Jewish troops at Ft. Hood! The items for the bags served as the Color Guard for the Holocaust Museum & Center On April 22, 2016, Post 749 TX member were donated by Kosher Troops. Allen Goodman went to the UTEP ROTC for Tolerance and Education’s Yom Hashoah commemoration, award ceremony to award a Cadet which was held in the Cultural Arts Center of Rockland with the JWV Americanism Certificate Community College. Members from Post 425 NY and Post 756 and Medal. This year’s cadet was MS NY were also in attendance. Photo credit: Jeff Karg. IV Lenea Rios, a graduating Senior. Cadet Rios has prior service and Nate Shapiro, Post 105 NY, offers poppies to the public in downtown went Green to Gold, she was a Staff Albany May 25 in support of the JWV Poppy Drive. Norm has been Sergeant Medic with 10 years already a driving force in organizing and supporting the post's efforts to and will now be commissioned and is raise funds for veterans' causes for more than two decades. Post now going to a Transportation Unit. volunteers collected more than $1,300 in donations that will be Photo credit: Allen Goodman. utilized in support of local, state and national veteran causes.

Marianne Rack, JWVA Linda Colon, and PNC Maxwell Colon, with donated items for Navy and Marine Corps personnel, families, and children in need via the Camp Pendleton Naval Hospital. Over 200 DVDs, 670 baby hats, socks, onesies, sweaters, crib blankets, baby toys, and numerous food gift certificates/cards were donated. All the hats, sweaters, blankets, lap Post 210 AZ held a Passover Seder for the Jewish residents of robes, and crutch covers were hand knitted. the Arizona State Veterans Home and their families on April 25, 2016. Commander Michael Chambers and his wife Ahuva conducted the seder, which was attended by 21 people.

Jewish Veterans Cleveland Post 14 OH members just completed posting US flags on the graves of fallen comrades at Zion Memorial Park, Bedford Heights, for the 2016 Memorial Day. From left: Steve Ganz, Tomas Muencz, Ted Hersh, Henrik Sperling, Avi Goldman, Al JWV and JWVA Posts 45 CT and their Color Guard remembered Yom Hashoah at Hersh. Photo by Judy Hersch. the Connecticut State Capitol. Photo credit: PNP Joanne Blum. www.jwv.org Volume 70 • Number 2 • 2016 The Jewish Veteran 15 “Everyone Has a Story” By Lois Goldrich Every post member has a story, Mr. Reprinted with permission from The Rosenblatt said. His own military service, Jewish Standard in the U.S. Army, was spent in Austria in the early 1950s, when the country was under The Lt. James I. Platt JWV Post 651 of the control of the United States, England, Fair Lawn installed officers earlier this France, and Russia, under an agreement month. From left, appointee Jack Wall, reached during World War II. Working in Commander Melvin Kaplan, New Jersey the ordnance division, housed in a bus fac- Department Commander Larry Rosenthal, tory taken over by the Americans, he helped Vice Commander George Pollack, and oversee the maintenance of 655 vehicles. Vice Commander Jules Corn. He also participated in some mili- Edward Rosenblatt of Fair Lawn, soon tary exercises. “We had some maneuvers, to be installed as assistant commander of The Lt. James I. Platt JWV Post 651 of Fair Lawn installed dressed up in white uniforms because of officers earlier this month. From left, appointee Jack Wall, Jewish War Veterans Post 651, is justifi- Commander Melvin Kaplan, New Jersey Department Commander the snow,” he said. “We had to lie down ably proud of his organization, founded in Larry Rosenthal, Vice Commander George Pollack, and Vice in the snow. It meant something to the of- 1946. With some 40 members, ranging in Commander Jules Corn. ficers,” showing that “we were prepared.” age from 85 to 96, the group includes for- Mr. Kaplan, a naval veteran, was an mer soldiers, sailors, and air force personnel who will see that “we have something in common. electrician aboard the U.S.S. Mississippi, built in fought in World War II, Korea, and now, with the We’re all veterans.” 1917. “I went from boot camp to a Grade A elec- addition of its most recent member, Vietnam. Mr. Kaplan said that new young people are tricians school, a civilian college in Tuxedo Park, The majority of the post’s members live in not joining — “they’ve got two jobs, they’re Maryland,” he said. “I lived on campus. When I Fair Lawn, Mr. Rosenblatt said, although its busy, they’ve got children,” he said. That’s why graduated, I went to the ship.” commander, 89-year-old Melvin Kaplan, lives in “all veterans organizations are falling by the Another 651 troop member “was in the fa- Elmwood Park. The post originally was housed wayside. We sold our building and the Veterans mous Harmonicats, who became popular in the in a building on Fair Lawn’s Plaza Road that now of Foreign Wars sold theirs. It’s a difficult thing 1930s,” Mr. Rosenblatt said. “He’s about 96 years is home to a nursery school. to maintain.” Still, he joked, “if you feed them, old. He enlisted in 1940 and came out in ‘44 or Founded by some 35 veterans of World War they will come,” noting that some nonmembers ‘45. Another one, in Paramus, was in the U.S. II, the post originally was led by Commander have attended when a free breakfast or free show Army band. He played trumpet.” The post just Lou Greenberg. When he died, the leadership is offered. got its first veteran from the Vietnam War, “a role went to Mr. Kaplan, then senior vice com- Both Mr. Kaplan and Mr. Rosenblatt are full-bird colonel in the Air Force. He had to leave mander, who has held it for many years. His goal, proud of the post’s philanthropic efforts. Through because of his age.” Mr. Kaplan said, was “to make 651 a viable post fundraising efforts such as the “Shake the Can” Irving Beer of Fair Lawn, a U.S. Navy vet- and to service veterans and the veterans’ cause.” collection in front of ShopRite in Fair Lawn, the eran who served in the South Pacific, was a And, he added, “to try to do good,” citing the group awards a cash scholarship each year to two mailman in an area beset by typhoons, Mr. post’s many philanthropic endeavors. top students chosen by Fair Lawn High School. It Rosenblatt said. “He was in a flat-bottomed boat “You have to give great credit to Melvin also donates to a wide variety of Jewish organi- and he didn’t know if he would live or die.” Mr. Kaplan,” Mr. Rosenblatt said. “He runs this or- zations, including synagogues in the West Point Beer worked in that area for two or three years ganization and tries to help everyone and do area and in Annapolis. and came out of the service in his early 20s, Mr. the right thing.” Now he is stepping down. At “We donate to all Jewish organizations,” Mr. Rosenblatt added. the upcoming installation, on June 26, George Rosenblatt said. “While our donations are not Former soldier Murray Richman, 93, also Pollack of Fair Lawn will become the post’s new in the millions, they still help.” The group has of Fair Lawn, had hoped to be an aviator in the commander. contributed to the Jewish National Fund, Israel service, but a medical condition kept him from Mr. Rosenblatt, at 85 one of the post’s young- Bonds, Hatzalah, and various causes in Israel. going overseas. Instead, Mr. Richman remained er members, says he is most proud of the fact that “Most people don’t know how philanthropic in Maryland, where he had received his training, JWV reminds everyone that “we’ve served our we are,” Mr. Rosenblatt said. He pointed to a re- for several years, performing various jobs for the country. Jews are a minority in the world and cent group outing requiring a $25 bus fee, paid U.S. Army. have served as well as people of all other faiths. in advance. “Some took their checks back if “Many members entered the service after I We served with distinction,” he added. He has they didn’t go, but some left them as charitable left,” Mr. Rosenblatt said. “Some served on the two medals. “They all mean something,” he said donations.” front lines in Korea. It wasn’t a great place to be.” emotionally. “We are Americans.” In addition to monetary donations, on Nor was it always easy being Jewish in the Acknowledging that the membership, given Memorial Day the group brings American flags military. its age, is likely to decrease in the next decade, to the gravesides of veterans at several local cem- “One of our members,” — Murray Richman he hopes that younger people, veterans of more eteries. “We have a contingent of men at the cem- — “said there was a fellow in his group who recent wars, will join the post. eteries who put up American flags at the graves called him a Jew bastard,” Mr. Rosenblatt said. “I hope we can get more members,” he said. of veterans,” Mr. Rosenblatt said. Because some At the time, Mr. Richman was about 21. “He “We’ve done a great deal for our country. Young of the cemeteries are overgrown, “they go out said, ‘I’d like to talk to you outside.’ He lifted his people give up years of their life.” And while he and spend hours looking for names and putting hand and knocked the fellow out. Everyone has understands that younger veterans, maybe now up flags.” Among these volunteers, he said, is a story.” in their 40s, will look at his group and see only former U.S. Navy seaman and Stanley Sanders Another troop member, 85-year-old Julius people appreciably older, he also hopes that they of Fair Lawn. Continued on page 19 16 The Jewish Veteran Volume 70 • Number 2 • 2016 www.jwv.org New Siddurs NOTES FROM THE COMMITTEES Continued from page 1

Development Department of Veterans Affairs since the VA Coordinator Jordana Green and Membership By PNC Monroe Mayer, Chairman hospitals are fraught with problems and delays in Coordinator Cindy Chambers were also present making medical appointments. to offer support and answer questions. We hope that you enjoyed the 2016 JWV Calendar Later on this year, prior to the High Holiday Three chaplains with almost a combined 100 and the stories within. Again, we trust that all season we will be sending cards for this special years of service were honored as they head into who received it must have a memory of what oc- occasion. We certainly hope that a good response retirement this year. They each spoke of what the curred when they were on active duty. We con- for all our programs will enable our organization stantly ask that those memories be shared- as we chaplaincy means to them, but there was a com- to continue to function along with the finances all know, we have a story to tell, both as individu- mon thread. Specifically, how vital the chaplain that are required. As ever, we need your help als and as Jews who served. A short 150 word is to the family that is the military, and to the which is sincerely appreciated. biography along with a photograph will enable Jewish military family as well. Being a Chaplain us to continue with our calendars into the future Want to get involved with the Development allows them to touch so many lives, which is both (please send submissions to Jordana Green at committee? We are always looking for volunteers. a humbling experience and an experience that [email protected]). Contact Jordana Green at [email protected] to deepens their spirituality. learn how you can help. We all receive requests for donations by mail, These are ideals that drove the Civil War vets but we do hope that rather than toss our JWV to found the Hebrew Union Veterans Association, Homeland Security Committee USA mailing into your round file, that at least the antecedent to JWV, and they remain just as you look within to see the premiums we gener- By Carl Singer, Chairman true today. We are honored to strengthen this ally enclose. Our mailing labels usually follow The Committee continues to monitor and digest partnership and to provide the much needed bi- the calendar and it is our hope that everyone uti- security advice from various government and bles to our Jewish active duty. lizes them. private agencies, dispensing suggestions for en- This year, we particularly asked that you hanced building security measures for Jewish in- Convention Workshop write your representatives and senators about stitutions. Previous articles in The Veteran have Veterans Affairs Voluntary Service (VAVS) provided useful advice for securing facilities. We Last year JWV members volunteered over what's important to you as ex-service men and 38,000 hours in 80 VA facilities. If you are women. It is so important that contact be made continue to stress the need to maintain awareness interested in learning how you can become with our Congressional representatives because and to educate every one of the importance of involved as a VAVS volunteer, Come to the so few of them today have served as you did. such simple measures such as locking doors and Veterans Affairs Volunteers (VAVS) workshop. We must apply the pressure to Congress to the being conscious of our surroundings. 8/18 @ 9:00am. Who pays for GET THE FACTS — NOW. FACT #1 MEDICARE limits the home health care it will pay for. recovery care? FACT #2 TRICARE has strict criteria to qualify and does not cover home health aide, homemaker or companion services at all. ALERT! If you need more than what Medicare or TRICARE covers, you may either pay for it yourself — or go without. The JWV Hospital Income and Short Term Recovery Insurance Plan can help put you in charge, with CASH BENEFITS for hospital AND at-home recovery care. • Affordable JWV-negotiated group rates for members/spouses • Cash benefits paid directly to you or anyone you choose, in addition to any other coverage • Use the money any way you want, no restrictions

Plan information includes costs, exclusions, limitations, reduction of benefits and terms of coverage. Coverage may not be issued in some states. All benefits are subject to the terms and conditions of the policy. Policies underwritten by Hartford Life and Accident Insurance Company detail exclusions, limitations, reduction of benefits and terms under which the policies may be continued in force or discontinued. For JWV members and spouses age 65 and older Underwritten by: Hartford Life and Accident Insurance Company Hartford, CT 06155 The Hartford® is The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc., and its subsidiaries, including issuing company Hartford Life and Accident Insurance Company. AR Ins. Lic. #100102691, CA Insurance License #0G39709 Know Your Options! Please call: In CA d/b/a Mercer Health & Benefits Insurance Services LLC 1-800-503-9230 or visit www.jwvinsure.com Hearing-impaired or voice-impaired members may call the Relay Line at 1-800-855-2881. SRP-1151 A (HLA)(5476) 74927 (4/16) Copyright 2016 Mercer LLC. All rights reserved.

www.jwv.org Volume 70 • Number 2 • 2016 The Jewish Veteran 17 Meet Post 157 MA NEW MEMBERS By Post Commander Larry Herson DEPARTMENT AT-LARGE DEPARTMENT OF NEW YORK Metrowest Post 157 MA Harris Brody-100 • Sheldon Gross-100 Dr. Barry Pinchefsky-1 • Dr. Martin What makes us different from other organiza- Friedmutter-68 • Philip Levy-336 • Seymour tions? It is the support system we offer, both to DEPARTMENT OF CALIFORNIA Lichtenthal-336 Dmitry Dukhovny-688 • Donald Schwartz-118 each other and to others. We as a group of Jewish NO DEPARTMENT Veterans follow the rules of tzedakah. Our whole DEPARTMENT OF FLORIDA Paul Sax-344 being is helping others as best we can. For ex- Boris Kushnir-819 • Gordon Grossman-202 • ample, we award three $500 scholarships for Herb Wasserman-639 • Howard Leeser-352 DEPARTMENT OF PENNSYLVANIA seniors, one to each of the following schools: Clifford Zlotnik-785 Natick High School, Framingham High School, DEPARTMENT OF ILLINOIS and Keefe Technical High School. Lester Berger-153 DEPARTMENT OF SOUTHEAST We also work with the homeless veterans shel- Aidan Sery-112 • Alejandro Nunez-112 • Andrew ter in Framingham, called Safe Haven. Working DEPARTMENT OF MASSACHUSETTS Ben niefield-112 • Asir i Delgemu ng-112 • Chau ncy Gerald Canter-26 • Joel Bloom-157 • Milton Lawston-112 • Christopher Carr-112 • Daniel with the Brotherhood of Temple Beth Am, we Kline-638 • William Ostrow-735 Elbaum-112 • David Green-112 • David Usner-112 serve two meals a month to these needy souls. When the temple goes on hiatus for the summer, DEPARTMENT OF MIDWEST • Dwayne Hidgon-112 • Ethan Dickstein-112 • we sponsored three cookouts to fill the gap. This Michael Keyser-644 Jacob Pester-112 • Jason Banner-112 • John Haines- Jr.-112 • Jorge Zamora-112 • Joseph Treacy-112- • undertaking is our “Veterans Helping Veterans DEPARTMENT OF MINNESOTA Micah Osornio-112 • Michael McKenney-112 • Program.” We also have been instrumental in Melvin Goldfein-331 • Raymond Sevett-162 Robert Waldman-112 • Thomas Williams-112 • filling the needs and wants of these men. They William Lynd-112 • Robert Johnson-194 requested picnic benches, and we obtained two. DEPARTMENT OF NEW JERSEY One from the Elks in Framingham and one do- Abramm Kupfermintz-126 • Arthur Slomine-39 DEPARTMENT OF TALO nated by Neal and Perry Bent. There was an in- • Bernard Shuster-126 • Daniel LaSure-39 • Aaron Salter-256 • Daniel Hoage-256 • Dr. Pedro cident whereas the shelter lost its freezer, and we Dave Ettelman-39 • Gerald Fendrick-126 • Lecca-256 • George (Sagi) Bringhurst-795 • received a donation from Mrs. Leslie Fleisher Harold Pearl-126 • Jay Greenberg-126 • Jerry James Stanton-755 • Daniel Kaplan-749 to provide one for them. The shelter required a Gordon-39 • Larry Waslow-39 • Louis Frank-126 DEPARTMENT OF WISCONSIN vacuum cleaner, and we received a new Dyson • Mel Milner-126 • Myron Miller-126 • Robert Vacuum cleaner from a Mrs. Walls. We operate Rosenfeld-538 • Stephen Fingerman-126 Jennifer Bernstein-Hanlon-145 totally on donations, the foundation of which is our annual poppy drive. If you ever wondered where your money goes, these are some good PEOPLE & PLACES examples! Our oldest program is visiting the Bedford ►►Mazel Tov to life member Allen Rosenberg ►►Jeff Sacks, Past Department Commander of Hospital veterans facility the third Friday of each of Post 131 NY on being inducted into the Illinois, realized that World War Two Army Air month, where we have a cake and ice cream so- New York State Veterans Hall of Fame. Corps veteran, Skokie resident Cantor David cial for the patients of the Alzheimer Ward. We Recommended by Senator Patty Ritchie, he Brandhandler, age 102, did not have the medals have purchased TV's, music, picture books, craft was the only Jewish veteran honored at the he earned during the war, which ended 71 goods, and snacks for them. ceremony on Thursday, May 12th. years ago. Jeff arranged with Congresswoman I hope I have inspired some out there to join ►►Congratulations to JWV Post 222 OH Jan Schakowsky, (D-Evanston) to have them us for breakfast and take the time to visit my member Steve Smith on being honored as the delivered. What a mensch! Post, or a local Post near you. Lorain County Veteran of the Year! ►►Post 105 NY was recently recognized Ed note: The Post meets the third Tuesday of ►►Post 580 LA had a joint meeting this spring by Temple Israel of Albany, NY, as a 2016 every month at Temple Beth Shalom on Pamela with American Legion Post 175 at the Legion HQ organizational recipient of the Circle of Rd. in Framingham, MA. Humanity Award at an awards banquet for in Metairie, Louisiana. JWV Post Commander Transitioning from Judge Sol Gothard is also a member of the AL more than 100 attendees on May 19. The award Post, and American Legion Post Commander recognizes courage and initiative to reach out military to civilian life? Jay Walsh is a member of the JWV Post. This and create a positive atmosphere. Post 105 was is the first time in the history of both Posts that recognized for its efforts of Tikkun Olam in such a joint meeting has happened. New York's Capital Region for more than 80 years. ►►Post 51 CT elected new Co-Commanders at their meeting on May 15- Holly Simon and REUNIONS Karen Uberti. This is the first time that both Get to know your benefits and prepare for co-commanders are women! Congratulations to ►►Marine Air Groups is holding its 2016 the big stuff – deployments, reintegration, Holly and Karen, we wish you the best of luck. reunion in Branson, Missouri, from October moves, parenthood, retirement and more. 5-8. For more information, please contact Jerry Browse by topic or search for that strangely ►►Mazel Tov to George Wankmueller, of Gipe at [email protected] or 660-909-4144, specific question you want to know the Post 795 TX, on being honored during Jewish or Joseph Mowry at [email protected] or answers to. American Heritage Month at the Central Texas 816-229-2437. The Marines in this organization VA Hospital in Temple, TX. served from WWII to the present. www.militaryonesource.mil/ 18 The Jewish Veteran Volume 70 • Number 2 • 2016 www.jwv.org “Everyone Has a Story” Continued from page 16 During the annual Rolling Thunder ride through DC, we had members Corn, not only is the post’s treasurer but visits representing us from Maryland, the Paramus Veterans Home every week with a Virginia, Connecticut, DC, and New few others from the organization to lead games Jersey on the National Mall for our of bingo. “We entertain them by having bingo,” very first time exhibiting during the Mr. Rosenblatt said. “They enjoy the few dollars event! Numerous people stopped by JWV’s table at the National Mall they make. Everybody loves to be a winner.” (near the Vietnam Memorial) on Mr. Corn, who served in Korea during the Sunday, May 29, to say “Hi,” grab war there, is the post’s senior vice commander a pin, and spread the JWV love. and a member of the Fair Lawn Veterans Council Those who manned the JWV table and the Bergen County Veterans Council. He include, from left: DC Dave Meyers, Israel Gotay, Stu Freeman, NC Jerry noted that Mel Kaplan also sits on the Bergen Blum, PNC Mike Berman, Chairman County Council, while George Pollack is on both Norman Rosenshein, NED Herb bodies. Rosenbleeth, and PNP Joanne Blum. Mr. Rosenblatt said that after the post sold its Plaza Road building more than five years ago, it used the money to do “nice things for the peo- ple in our organization” — for example, fund- ing trips to restaurants, plays, and dances. The wives of former members always are welcome to these excursions, he added. A recent trip took members to the Eldridge Street Synagogue on the Lower East Side and later to Katz’s delicates- sen. “We couldn’t afford to run it,” Mr. Kaplan said of the post’s building. “We got a good price from it. We spend this money on veterans and on philanthropy.” Troop leaders will take an active role at Fair Lawn’s Memorial Day Parade on May 30, riding While JWV members have been working hard across the country in their own communities, the or walking the route. “We are important,” Mr. National Office has been busy too! JWV Chairman Norman Rosenshein, JWVA National President th Rosenblatt said. “We were, we are, and we will Freda Rosenshein, and JWV National Staff at DC United's Jewish Heritage Night on May 8 . The professional soccer team may have lost to New York Football Club, but JWV had a blast! There still be important” in the years to come. “We were giveaways, food, and lots of cornhole. have done a great deal for our country.”

Why Is The VA Appeals Process Broken? Continued from page 1 This is due to a myriad of reasons; the most itless in its complexity and repetition” and “see a veteran-centered approach to service delivery. notable being that the current appeals process, a complex, multi-stage, and non-linear monster” This is encouraging because it sounds precisely which was created in 1933, has “permutations that “fails to provide the results Veterans need in like what the administration needs since it has in the millions” making “the process … bare- the time they need them.” repeatedly struggled to keep up with modern ly comprehensible to experts and completely For instance, things like the Open Record, technology — much to the chagrin of the veter- opaque to the Veterans who depend on its out- which allows veterans to add evidence at any ans that seek its assistance. The VA’s work will comes.” For those experts, there is over 921 linear time in the process to provide extra clarity or be cut out for them, however, since this approach feet of reference material they may have to con- strength to their case, seems like a great idea, will be taken up to solve the problems they ad- sult for every single claim; that is taller that the but what they don’t say is that if the veteran does mit were not easy to hear from the veterans White House, Statue of Liberty, and Washington submit new evidence, the claims review process themselves. Memorial stacked on top of each other. For the starts all over again. Now the bad news. veteran, that means, “everyone will have to The VA was brutally honest in its assess- Of the more than 1 million veterans who file jump through hoops, absorb dozens of letters, ment of its own shortfalls, and gave veterans a disability claims each year, approximately 10% fill out confusing paperwork, and learn to live chance to share their experiences throughout the of them will appeal the decision made on their with waiting. They’ll have ‘to fight.’” And, de- appeals process in this report. What will be most claim, either because they disagree with the de- spite veterans service organizations, the VA, and telling, however, will be whether or not it follows cision, don’t understand it, or are simply exercis- veterans “working harder than ever,” the VA ad- the next two steps of the human-centered design: ing their right to do so. However, according to mits they “are still losing ground.” The appellate The development of a product that alleviates the report, “whether they know it or not—they processing time has tripled to over 1407 days stress for veterans and addresses their needs in will enter into a process that takes years, some- since 1991. That is 42 days longer than the entire a timely manner, as well as the delivery of the times decades, to complete.” U.S. involvement in World War II. product to the veterans it seeks to help. Without There are currently over 440,000 veterans In theory, the appeals process “should cre- those, a system that expects our veterans to con- who have appeals pending, 80,000 of whom have ate one of the most applicant-friendly systems” tinue fighting throughout their appeals process claims over five years and 5,000 with claims in the VA. However, “in reality, VA employees for years will remain in place and that is simply over a decade. know they wrestle with a jumbled process, lim- unacceptable.

www.jwv.org Volume 70 • Number 2 • 2016 The Jewish Veteran 19 MUSEUM NEWS President’s Message Want to place a photo on the Our Heroes photo ki- done directly through the website. Prefer to use osk at the National Museum of American Jewish paper and the post office? No problem, just fill Military History? We want to make it as easy as out the form and send in the check to 1811 R ST possible for people to simultaneously support the NW, Washington, D.C. 20009 and we'll process Museum and honor their loved ones. The photo your donation that way. kiosk is the newest way to do that! The easiest Once again, I'd like to call on each and every method to order is through our website at https:// member of the Jewish War Veterans to also join nmajmh.org/product/our-heroes-photo-kiosk/. the Museum. Memberships are as inexpensive as You can enter the name, branch of service, and $25 dollars a year and go a long way towards pre- other information directly into the form and up- senting the history that's so important to all of us. PNC Joseph Zoldan load a photo. We'll get everything printed and in- Let's ensure our legacy. President, NMAJMH stalled on the kiosk in the Museum's exhibit space. We're making an effort to fulfill the "National" provide something to the many people who can't The same goes for bricks on our Remembrance part of the museum's name by adding content to make it to Washington, D.C. Your museum mem- Paver Walkway, museum memberships, and our our website and other online content on YouTube, bership dues help us achieve that goal and to be- other development programs. Everything can be Facebook, and Twitter. This way, the museum can come an institution with a true nation-wide reach. Program Updates By Mike Rugel • Program and Content Coordinator On March 6th, we welcomed Dr. Martin Victor and the return to eating chametz, leavened foods. when one Jewish family after another insisted to the Museum to speak about his work and new In North Africa, Muslim neighbors would often they join them. For these young men fighting a book. Dr. In Blue is an account of his 30-year Air bring bread and pastries to their Jewish neigh- war in a strange land, these local Jews surely pro- Force career that brought him around the world, bors who had kashered their home for Passover. vided a needed morale boost. We’ve also shared including Vietnam. He discussed his attempts to Mimouna represents a “coming together,” so Callner’s story on our website, so be sure to check practice tikkun olam, making the world a better it was great to have not only Ashkenazi and nmajmh.org regularly for new content. place, wherever he was stationed. Victor served Sephardic Jews in the building, but Muslims and Amongst the interesting visitors we’ve had as a lay leader on eight different Air Force bas- Christians as well. Along with plenty of food, lately include a group from the Shalom Education es and worked to forge relationships with local there was singing and dancing. It was a party un- Center. The school is for Russian-speaking Jewish communities in many countries. You can like anything we’ve seen here before! Jewish children. Many of them were children of watch Dr. Victor’s talk on our YouTube channel We prepared a special display for Mimouna one-time refuseniks who finally made it to the (need link address) and his book is available to which connected the experiences of American United States in the 1980s. It was fascinating to purchase from the museum store. Jews in North Africa during World War II. There hear Ella Kagan, the school’s director, compare On Sunday, May 1st, we hosted a Mimouna are fascinating stories of the local Jewish popula- the experiences of the Jews in the American mil- celebration. Our partner, SHIN-DC (Sephardic tions of Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia embrac- itary on display at the museum with the vastly Heritage in D.C.) partnered with us for this ing these American Jews. In one example, A.J. different experience of Jews who served in the Moroccan and North African tradition. The cel- Callner wrote in his memoirs about eating three Russian and Soviet militaries. ebration is to acknowledge the end of Passover separate dinners on Purim in Tunis, Tunisia,

Jewish Aviators in World War II: bombing sorties over Germany. World War II stories from a perspective seldom Personal Narratives Though Wolk tends to highlight many anti- heard. Every military historian and Jewish War of American Men Semitic incidents throughout the book (the first Veteran should have a copy in his/her library! and Women 23 pages deal exclusively with anti-Semitism), he Most of the veterans that Wolk interviewed have By Bruce H. Wolk then manages to incorporate truly extraordinary sadly passed on since the publication of the book positive “Jewish” themes that keep the reader in March of 2016. Wolk's book is a fasci- fascinated. Examples include how “... Jews felt The book is available in softcover for $29.95 nating and unique look a greater urgency to destroy the Nazi war ma- or as an eBook from all major bookstores and into the rarely covered chine and inflict revenge,” the “feelings” Jews eBook providers. The book can also be or- experiences of Jewish had bombing German cities and killing German dered directly from the publisher: McFarland American service per- civilians, the fate of Jewish aviators in Nazi POW & Company, Inc. at www.mcfarlandpub.com or sonnel serving in the camps, celebrating Jewish holidays and maintain- their order line at 1-800-253-2187. It will also be U.S. Armed Forces as aviators during World ing or discovering one’s Jewish identity during sold at JWV’s Annual National Convention in War II. Wolk interviewed over 100 veterans, and the war. Noteworthy stories include the USAAF Savannah, GA- learn more on page 12. retells their funny, sad, exhilarating, scary, and bomber named the “Mammala and the Ten Little All proceeds of the book are donated to the awe inspiring stories in hundreds of snippets Kitsels,” meeting attractive young blond Jewish National Museum of American Jewish Military and short stories. The book is easy to read and ladies at a cocktail lounge in Piccadilly Circus, History in Washington, D.C. one can pick it up, read a story about Jews and being personally chewed out by Lt. Gen. George Book reviewed by LTC George Heart, Ret., the Enola Gay in the back, and then flip to the S. Patton and many other such rare “war stories.” Military Historian and member of Post 112 in front to learn more about Jewish participation in The book is truly a treasure of remarkable Atlanta, GA. 20 National Museum of American Jewish Military History Volume 70• Number 2 • 2016 www.nmajmh.org MUSEUM NEWS From Our Archives By Pamela Elbe • Collections, Archives & Exhibitions Coordinator While many JWV posts have auxiliaries com- posed of veterans’ wives, mothers, sisters, and daughters, there have also been several all-fe- male veterans posts organized within the Jewish War Veterans. The first all-female JWV post was founded immediately after World War II. Chartered in Boston in 1946, Slanger Post 313 was named for Lt. Frances Y. Slanger of Roxbury, Massachusetts. Lt. Slanger landed in Normandy on June 10, 1944 (D-Day plus four), and was as- signed to a field hospital. Four months later the field hospital came under attack by German artil- lery and Slanger was killed by shrapnel. She was the only nurse to die as the result of enemy action in the European Theater. Post 313 was organized by Sylvia Andelman Sokol. Mrs. Sokol served in the WAVES during World War II and, following her discharge in 1944, was elected adjutant of Mattapan Post 302. On February 10, 1946, she was installed as the first commander of Post 313 – the “first all-girl post in the country.” The post was composed of honorably discharged members of the WAVES, WAC, SPARS, marines, army and navy nurses, Members of all-female Post 192 and other women’s service units. November, 1976. WAVES veteran Ruth Resnick and her husband moved to Chicago from Boston, Steinberg Krawetz was the first commander. She she joined Post 192 and was elected post com- remained a proud member of the post she helped found even after she retired to Florida. One woman served as commander to two all- female posts. Miriam Gobstoob Canter served as a nurse in the Army during World War II, and joined Post 313 in her hometown of Boston short- ly after her discharge in 1946. She was elected commander of that post in 1950. When Miriam

The Liberman sisters – Eva, Charlotte, and Miryon. All three served in the WAVES and Charter signing for Post #553 were members of Post #313.

A year after Post 313 was founded, a char- mander in 1998. ter was granted for another all-female post. JWV As communities changed and veterans relo- FemVets Post 553 in Washington, DC was char- cated to warmer climes, membership in the all- tered in 1947 and Darline Volk Dreyer served as female posts dwindled. Post 192 merged with their first commander. Mrs. Dreyer served in the Post 153 in 2007 to form Chicago Post 153 and WAVES during World War II. Post 313 merged with Post 22 in 2015 to form Lt. The chartering of all-female wasn’t limited to Francis Y. Slanger Post 22. Though the all-female just the years immediately following World War posts are gone, the women of JWV are still pres- II. Fem-Vets Post 192 was organized in Chicago in Post 313 Charter Application ent and very active.

www.nmajmh.org Volume 70 • Number 2 • 2016 National Museum of American Jewish Military History 21 TAPS IN MEMORY OF OUR DEPARTED COMRADES DEPARTMENT AT LARGE Lebovitz-153 • Gertrude Lowenstein-153 • Leonard Speizer-740 • Arthur J. Lessack-741 Leon T. Chaskes-100 • Carl E. Gerlach-100 Sidney OLefsky-153 • Martin Prager-153 • Burt DEPARTMENT OF NEW YORK • Burton Kaplan-100 • Harry Marcus-100 • Rose-153 • Bernard Stone-153 • Michael R. William Rothchild-100 Lowenstein-407 • Bernard B. Wolfe,-800 Theodore Fogel-1 • Marjorie D. Wiener-1 • Sheldon M. Altman-25 • George Ritz-41 • DEPARTMENT OF NEVADA DEPARTMENT OF MIDWEST Morris J. Shapiro-41 • Alex Davis-46 • Robert Soldan Tolpen-64 • Stanley Barbanell-711 • Frank Marvin Kahn-605 J. Schlesinger-46 • Martin D. Poller-80 • Donald Woodridge-711 P. Hirshorn-105 • William L. Serog-131 • Mayer DEPARTMENT OF MARYLAND Duden-191 • Robert C. Radcliffe-191 • Bernard DEPARTMENT OF CALIFORNIA Murray K. Lilley-167 • Theodore Snyder-567 Fromm-258 • Jack Warstadt-258 • Burton Bram Goldsmith-118 • Bernard Rosenzweig-118 DEPARTMENT OF MASSACHUSETTS Saunders-425 • Robert Braverman-652 • George • Jack I. Coleman-185 • Theodore Feinberg-385 • Alfred Shapiro-22 • Shirley D. Hersh-26 • Jerome J. Jacobson-652 • Sidney Rosenblum-652 • David Recht-603 • Julius A. Rubin-603 • Morton Richard C. Weissman-652 • Murray Glazer-724 R. Schecter-603 • Sheldon R. Ronkin-680 • Nathan-26 • Douglas Winniman-26 • Bernard Richard Shapiro-680 • Bernard Schecter-760 M. Delin-157 • Maurice Liverman-157 • Harvey DEPARTMENT OF PENNSYLVANIA N. Mendelsohn-157 • Sidney Adelson-161 • Paul Mozlin-98 • Martin Morris Seidman-98 • DEPARTMENT OF CONNECTICUT Frank Charak-161 • Jack Dunkless-211 • Esther Bernard Tengood-98 • Joseph S. Mendlowitz-181 Walter J. Eichelman-45 • Benjamin Goldstein-45 Hartstone-211 • Solomon S. Fineblum-735 • • Jerome H. Smooke-499 • Harold Yaffe-575 • • A. Melvin Laschever-45 • Jack Rubin-45 • Paul Albert Kerstein-735 Martin Berger-697 • Morris Epstein-706 Weinstein-45 • Jerome G. Kabel-51 DEPARTMENT OF MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF RHODE ISLAND DEPARTMENT OF DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA- Fred Averbuch-474 • Robert A. Benyas-474 • Aaron Mittleman-406 • Jerome Corwin-533 Harry Moskowitz-58 Harvey G. Gavorin-510 DEPARTMENT OF SOUTHEAST DEPARTMENT OF FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF NEW JERSEY Joseph H. Sacks-111 Donald Marshall-172 • Benjamin B. Hampton-243 Mortimer Nappen-39 • Julian J. Goldenberg-47 • Beatrice T. Silverman-300 • Hilda Liblit-321 • • Edward Brauer-76 • Robert Zweiman-76 DEPARTMENT OF SOUTHWEST Milton S. Newman-321 • Todd Solomon-373 • • Leon H. Asch-125 • James Sheahan-125 • Philip Epstein-194 • Arthur Dorfman-201 • Jack I. Gold-440 • Philip Shapkin-440 • Leonard Bernard Bellitz-126 • Peter M. Chodoff-126 • Philip Epstein-210 • Robert Cantor-619 • John J. Bell-631 • Leon D. Magdule-639 Irving Jofee-126 • Gerald A. Rosenfield-126 • Dante-619 William Siegel-126 • Milton Frant-133 • Harvey DEPARTMENT OF ILLINOIS Hochhauser-178 • Melvin Londner-178 • Morris DEPARTMENT OF TALO James L. Cowen-29 • Monroe Glazer-29 • Robert Smith-178 • Richard David Turteltaub-178 • Sol Kenneth Klein-755 B. Simon-29 • Seymour Feldman-153 • Marvin Mix-609 • Perry Bolkin-651 • Jack Braun-695 •

students, and educators learn and talk about veterans and past conflicts. For more information about the Veterans Legacy Program or to view Veterans who served more than 24 Beaufort National Cemetery and months on Active duty and their spous- Riverside National Cemetery interactive es qualify to be buried in a National The Department of Veteran’s Affairs pages, please visit the National Cemetery Cemetery. The Department of Veterans launched its Veterans Legacy Program on Administration’s Legacy Program page: Affairs covers all aspects of burial at the Memorial Day. The program brings to life http://www.cem.va.gov/cem/legacy/. gravesite, including a headstone at no the stories of veterans buried in national cost to the family if the soldier was killed cemeteries through interactive online fea- Other Useful Links for the while on duty. tures and videos. One such story is that National Cemetery Administration: If a veteran is separated from the mili- of Jewish Technical Sergeant George • Locate a gravesite: http://gravelo- tary, the cost is covered if buried in a VA Baker, who is buried at Riverside National cator.cem.va.gov/index.html cemetery or if the deceased member Cemetery. After serving in World War II, • Find out more information about chose to be buried in a civilian cemetery, Baker worked on animated feature films burial benefits: http://www.cem. monetary assistance is available. The at Disney such as Pinocchio and Bambi. va.gov/burial_benefits/ family is however required to contact a Currently, the program is opera- • For information about how to order funeral home who will then coordinate tional in Beaufort National Cemetery, headstones, markers or medal- with the National Cemetery, and pro- South Carolina, and Riverside National lions: http://www.cem.va.gov/cem/ duce discharge papers of the deceased Cemetery, California, but over the next hmm/index.asp family member (DD-214). several years it will expand to all VA • Find out how to volunteer at a For more information contact the National Cemeteries. The program is National Cemetery: http://www. National Cemetery Administration at: sure to enhance how the general public, cem.va.gov/cem/VolunteerNCA.asp http://www.cem.va.gov/burial_benefits/.

22 The Jewish Veteran Volume 70 • Number 2 • 2016 www.jwv.org

Happy Birthday America! This July 4th we celebrate 240 years of Independence and Freedom!

Allan Abramson & Wife Sheila PNC Nate & Selma Goldberg • Albany 105 Herb & Francie Rosenbleeth Happy Holiday to You and Yours! Happy Days and Good Health PDC Herb & Beth Gopman • Dept. of FL NP Freda & PNC Norman Rosenshein PNC Lou & Gloria Abramson Alan J. Gould Post 105 Good Health & Happy Holidays Good Health & Happiness to All In Memory of Sam Gould, Post Cmdr. IMO Post 42's Four Legs of the Table Jerry & Sara Alperstein PNC Sam & PNP Barb Greenberg Marty, Morris, Murray & Warren Paul & Marion (Gitelson) Ash NEC Arthur H. Greenwald • Post 321 Stephen & Helen Sax IMO Aaron Gitelson • Post 258 NY In Memory of Those Who Have Served Irv Schildkraut PPC Post 440 PDC Ed & PDP Louise Baraw In Loving Memory of Harry & Yetta Israel USMC-USNR-USA Eugene Baraw • Post 336 In Memory of Sid & Florence Israel, USMC Harriet & Norman Schnitzer PDC Howard M. Barmad • Post 76 NJ Jewish War Veterans USA Post 1 PNC Lawrence & Judith Schulman Chag Sameach Our Original Post Our Very Best Wishes to All Howard A. & Dorothy G. Berger Beth Kane Wishes You Good Health PDP Linda & Stuart Singer Naples/Denver • USFA/USASETAF Happy Holiday! In memory of PDC Bill Singer Jerry Berns - Chicago Post 153 PNP Petra C. & Jason A. Kaatz PPC Norman & Toby Smith • Post 129 NY In Memory of my Ethyle and Evelyn Jack Kent (Kantrovitz) • Post 62 OH Toda Shalom & Good Health to all JWV PNP Joanne & NC Jerry Blum In appreciation of Rabbi&Myra Feinberg Chaplain Murray & Clare Stadtmauer L’Chaim Cmdr. Larry Kaufman & the Veterans Bell Park Post 648 • Queens, NY Jerry Berns • Chicago Post 153 JWV Post 46 • Somers, NY To All Surviving Jewish WWII prisoners In memory of my Ethyle and Evelyn In Memory of Marty Kessler L’Chaim! In Memory of Harold Cohen • Post 212 Bell Oak Post 648-Queens NY Veterans-Thank you for your service! PDC Jack & Ruja Cohen • Post 749 Mark I. Koppelman, CMDR David Weiner • Post 239 Allentown, PA Bell Oak Post 648 • Queens, NY Marshall & Diane Duberstein NJA Harvey & Linda Weiner In Memory of PCC Harry Kreiger, DEC Be Well! Gerald H. Elkan • North Carolina Gieir-Levitt Post 655 NNJAMajor Stuart A. Wolfer Institute Harold Engleman, K.C.C. / NEC L’chaim - To Life www.msawi.org In loving memory of Lorraine Engelmann PNC Ira & Shelley Novoselsky Jeri Zweiman In loving memory of Bob Zweiman God Bless America! Happy Holidays David S. Zwerin, PDC In Memory of Norman Goldberg PCC Hon Harold & Maggie Rosenbaum Good Health for All & Peace in Israel Post 652 • Merrick, NY Sidney B. Goldberg, PDC NY To All Our Troops • Be Safe, Be Well! Abe Cohen-Lehman Memorial Post 50 Jerry & Lea Rosenberg • Post 740 NJ Good Health & Happiness to All

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