‘Rabbinical surge’ to serve troops, civilians in Afghanistan

KABUL, AFGHANISTAN

09.25.2011

Story by Erika Stetson 

U.S. Forces Afghanistan

KABUL, Afghanistan – Four rabbis – roughly 15 percent of the military’s Jewish chaplaincy – are visiting Afghanistan, including several remote military installations, to help troops and civilian employees mark the High Holidays through Oct. 21.

The rabbis gathered in Kabul before Rosh Hashanah in late September to review schedules, discuss services, and mark the occasion together.

“It probably hasn’t happened in Kabul history for hundreds of years that three rabbis were here to celebrate our Sabbath together,” said Rabbi Laurence Bazer, a lieutenant colonel and the U.S. Army command chaplain for the Kabul area. “That was very powerful.”

The four Rabbis are Bazer, Army Col. Jacob Goldstein, Army Lt. Col. Avi Weiss and Navy Lt. Josh Sherwin. They are planning several services in the Kabul area and are splitting up to visit military sites throughout the nation during the holiday season.
“We’ll be circuit riding, like the good old days,” Goldstein said. “…Or as I say, have kit, will travel.”

Upcoming services include three marking Yom Kippur on Oct. 7-8 at the ISAF and Camp Eggers chapels as well as Sukkot on Oct. 12-13 at Camp Phoenix, followed by observances at several facilities Oct. 16-19 and an observance to mark the end of Sukkot on Oct. 20 at the ISAF chapel. For more information about services, or for resources such as kosher meals, contact a local chaplain or Bazer at [e-mail].

Weiss said the visits were about outreach for Jews and non-Jews as much as they were about services.

“When you’re out in an area, people come out,” he said. “We’re going to be going around and having a Jewish presence, and to be honest, it’s not just for Jews. It’s for people who are interested in Judaism, have questions or concerns.”

Bazer agreed, adding that all military chaplains serve troops of all faiths, and information the rabbis gather during their visits will help them plan for Jewish and other holidays.

“I think overall it is wonderful coverage,” Bazer said of the High Holiday planning. “We’ll be able to see afterward where we need to look forward to plan for future holidays. … We’re thinking about that for Hanukkah.”

It was evident the chaplaincy needed to ensure a Rabbinical presence during the season, Goldstein said.

“I have email from people who are in theater,” he said. “They were distressed over the fact that they didn’t know there were going to be services.”

Chaplains also said people can reconnect with their roots by reconnecting with their faith, Jewish or otherwise.

“Being able to touch individual lives and open doors is great,” Bazer said.

Weiss agreed, stressing that seeing a chaplain can be particularly beneficial for people “facing issues of life and death on a regular basis.”

The High Holiday visits, broadly, demonstrate the extent to which the military is committed to serving the spiritual needs of troops, Goldstein said.

“At the end of the day, it tells them a lot,” he added. “It tells them somebody cares about you.”

• Date Taken: 09.25.2011
• Date Posted: 10.04.2011 05:27
• Story ID: 77972
• Location: KABUL, AF