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    Leading by Faith

    For nearly 70 years, religious lay leaders have provided peer-to-peer worship services on a weekly basis for their specific faith groups. Lay leaders go through official training to become qualified before they can begin their new duties at the command. Command chaplains are also there to help lay leaders with anything they may need for services.

    Throughout the Navy, Sailors around the world add to the Navy’s mission of operational readiness by maintaining diversity in the fleet. One way some Sailors are able to do this is by contributing to their command’s religious ministry program through community service events, career development workshops or by becoming a religious lay leader.

    Interior Communications Electrician Seaman Alex Baum, from Fair Lawn, New Jersey, is making an impact as USS Frank Cable’s only Jewish lay leader. Baum was raised in a Jewish household and has now begun his new journey bringing a little piece of his home to the island of Guam.

    “These services can be an extra option for people to explore, as well as help Jewish Sailors here adapt to their new environment,” said Baum. “It can give people a change of pace or something new they’ve not yet experienced.”

    There currently aren’t any rabbis on the island to conduct official Jewish services, which is why lay leaders play an essential role in helping to fulfill Sailor’s religious needs.

    “My goal as a lay leader is to establish a Jewish community at this command and potentially on the island,” said Baum. “I also would like to build a connection between the military and the local community.”

    With the closest Rabbi to Guam being in the Philippines, it’s difficult to practice the Jewish faith on island. However, that doesn’t stop followers from being active.

    “I know that somehow no matter where I go, I’ll always have someone I can relate to,” said Baum. “I’ll have a community no matter how small it is.”

    Congregating together on a weekly basis can boost crewmember’s spirits and create new friendships that can last a lifetime. While being a lay leader can be rewarding, it also comes with its fair share of challenges.

    “I would tell anyone looking to become a lay leader to really practice your public speaking and go for it,” said Baum. “It’s a good thing to pursue.”

    Frank Cable’s first core value places an emphasis on family. Onboard, crewmembers transform from shipmates to family through working, living, and for some, worshiping together. This plays a huge role in the religious department and the overall motto of the ship. One Ship, One Crew!

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 04.28.2020
    Date Posted: 04.28.2020 18:20
    Story ID: 368628
    Location: US

    Web Views: 33
    Downloads: 0

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