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Jews in the military

Jewish service members hold a torah scroll while wearing tefillin at the Aleph Institute's Military Symposium in February. 2026 (Yisroel Teitelbaum/Aleph Institute)
March 7, 2026, 3:06 pm
US Jewish groups ask Pentagon to stop Messianic chaplains from wearing Jewish insignia
In combat and remote postings, patches function as a quick signal of religious identity. Mainstream Jews say a group known for Christian proselytization is deliberately misusing them
By Asaf Elia-Shalev
Rabbi Alexander D. Goode and a view of the Dorchester, which was requisitioned by the US Army during World War II. The ship was sunk by a German torpedo on February 3, 1943. (Courtesy Mark Auerbach via JTA)
February 8, 2023, 10:39 am
Honoring a US rabbi who went down with his torpedoed warship 80 years ago this month
Mark Auerbach works to preserve the memory of his relative Alexander Goode, an army chaplain who gave away his lifejacket and calmed panicked soldiers after a German U-boat attack
By Lisa Keys
The aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt transits the Pacific Ocean, Jan. 25, 2020. (US Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Kaylianna Genier)
April 20, 2021, 11:15 pm
US judge hands Hasidic navy sailor reprieve from shaving beard
Petty Officer 3rd Class Edmund Di Liscia petitioned court after being ordered to remove facial hair despite exemption due to religious practices
By Cnaan Liphshiz
During Superstorm Sandy Cpt. Dana Hall served as the Commander for Mission Execution. She and her team worked out of a SUNY college building. (Courtesy/ Cpt. Dana Hall)
January 12, 2020, 11:56 pm
From Ebola to hurricanes, mom in uniform keeps people safe while keeping kosher
As an officer in the US Public Health Service, Cpt. Dana Hall provides disaster relief to victims the world over, and is the only Orthodox woman in the 6,500-strong force
By Cathryn J. Prince
Five of the 12 Jewish cadets who graduated from West Point stand together together with Lt. Gen. Darryl A. Williams, superintendent of West Point. The cadets are, from left to right: Joshua Fernquist, Andrew Zinner, Noah Carlen, Rachelle David and Ryan Oppenheim (Courtesy Glenn Goldman)
May 28, 2019, 1:54 am
As it sets diversity record, West Point quietly graduates 1,000th Jewish student
America’s most famous military academy made headlines Saturday with 34 African American women cadets in its most diverse graduating class — but US Jews also celebrated a milestone
By Cathryn J. Prince
In this December 7, 1941 file photo provided by the U.S. Navy, the destroyer USS Shaw explodes after being hit by bombs during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. (US Navy via AP, File)
March 8, 2019, 11:27 am
Remains of a Jewish serviceman killed in Pearl Harbor bombing identified
Defense Agency says it has accounted for Charles M. Stern Jr., thanks to enhanced DNA testing of remains exhumed in 2015
By Marcy Oster
Private First Class Zachary Zeff is one of the only Jewish Marines. (Courtesy Rebecca Zeff)
December 15, 2018, 10:24 pm
New Jewish Marine was never prouder than standing before Jerusalem’s US embassy
Before he heads off to advanced infantry training, Private First Class Zachary Zeff reflects on his pre-enlistment trip to Israel and his grandfather’s WWII Army prayer book
By Cathryn J. Prince
From left to right: Jerome Blum, past national commander of Jewish War Veterans; Matthew Millen, commander of a California JWV post; and Barry Schneider of Texas at a JWV Shabbaton in Arlington, Virginia, February 10, 2018. (Ron Kampeas/JTA)
February 26, 2018, 12:45 am
American Jewish war veterans want young warriors to keep telling their stories
An advocacy group for Jews in the military discusses strategies to remind Americans — and Jews in particular — of the proud tradition of service among this community
By Ron Kampeas
Tzipi Hotovely (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
November 29, 2017, 4:50 pm
In apparent punishment, Hotovely grounded after insulting US Jews
Prime Minister’s Office instructs deputy FM to abort Czech Republic trip following furor last week over her disparaging comments
By JTA and ToI Staff
Tzipi Hotovely on the Columbia University campus in New York City on November 2, 2017. (Courtesy)
November 23, 2017, 1:44 am
US Jews have it easy, don’t send kids to war, top diplomat Hotovely says
After butting heads with Hillel over canceled speech, deputy foreign minister depicts American Jews as spoiled and unfamiliar with challenges faced by Israelis and others
By JTA
The USS Gerald R. Ford. (Public domain)
November 11, 2017, 10:04 pm
To honor WWII vet, seafaring Torah scroll to sail on new US Navy supercarrier
Ahead of Veterans Day, a gift helps the 30-40 Jewish service members aboard the USS Gerald R. Ford worship on the high seas
By Rich Tenorio
From left: Petty Officer Nathan Bruckenthal on a coalition ship during his 2003 Iraq deployment; Third Class Cadet Quinn Levy; Chief Warrant Officer James Todd receiving a blessing from Rabbi Beth Jacowitz Chottiner upon his retirement. (All photos courtesy)
October 5, 2017, 7:20 pm
The Jews of the US Coast Guard: ‘Always ready’ during hurricane season
Whether providing disaster relief or rescuing terror victims, these Members of the Tribe are on call with America’s domestic maritime outfit
By Rich Tenorio
Philip Lefkowitz
January 24, 2017, 1:16 pm
Philip Lefkowitz
The visibly religious and the military
The surprise of greater public diversity of religion in the UK than the US, despite the official Church of England
Irving Elson (left) and his Religious Program Specialist Robert Page, the man who saved Elson's life during the Iraq War. (Courtesy)
October 21, 2016, 3:12 pm
Highest-ranking Jewish chaplain in Marines says so long — but not goodbye
Rabbi Irving Elson is retiring from the armed forces, but will continue to serve the troops as the incoming director of the Jewish Welfare Board
By Rich Tenorio
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