What do you think?
The Fighting Rabbis: Jewish Military Chaplains and American History
Reveals the significant and sometimes heroic roles rabbis have played in our nation's defense
Rabbi Elkan Voorsanger received the Purple Heart for his actions during the Battle of Argonne. Chaplain Edgar Siskin, serving with the Marines on Pelilu Island, conducted Yom Kippur services in the midst of a barrage of artillery fire. Rabbi Alexander Goode and three fellow chaplains gave their own lifejackets to panicked soldiers aboard a sinking transport torpedoed by a German submarine, and then went down with the ship. American Jews are not usually associated with warfare. Nor, for that matter, are their rabbis. And yet, Jewish chaplains have played a significant and sometimes heroic role in our nation's defense.
The Fighting Rabbis presents the compelling history of Jewish military chaplains from their first service during the Civil War to the first female Jewish chaplain and the rabbinic role in Korea, Vietnam, and Desert Storm. Rabbi Slomovitz, himself a Navy chaplain, opens a window onto the fieldwork, religious services, counseling, and dramatic battlefield experiences of Jewish military chaplains throughout our nation's history.
From George Washington's early support for a religiously tolerant military to a Seder held in the desert sands of Kuwait, these rabbis have had a profound impact on Jewish life in America. Also striking are original documents which chronicle the ongoing care and concern by the Jewish community over the last 140 years for their follow Jews, including many new immigrants who entered the armed forces. Slomovitz refutes the common belief that the U.S. military itself has been a hostile place for Jews, in the process providing a unique perspective on American religious history.
Rabbi Elkan Voorsanger received the Purple Heart for his actions during the Battle of Argonne. Chaplain Edgar Siskin, serving with the Marines on Pelilu Island, conducted Yom Kippur services in the midst of a barrage of artillery fire. Rabbi Alexander Goode and three fellow chaplains gave their own lifejackets to panicked soldiers aboard a sinking transport torpedoed by a German submarine, and then went down with the ship. American Jews are not usually associated with warfare. Nor, for that matter, are their rabbis. And yet, Jewish chaplains have played a significant and sometimes heroic role in our nation's defense.
The Fighting Rabbis presents the compelling history of Jewish military chaplains from their first service during the Civil War to the first female Jewish chaplain and the rabbinic role in Korea, Vietnam, and Desert Storm. Rabbi Slomovitz, himself a Navy chaplain, opens a window onto the fieldwork, religious services, counseling, and dramatic battlefield experiences of Jewish military chaplains throughout our nation's history.
From George Washington's early support for a religiously tolerant military to a Seder held in the desert sands of Kuwait, these rabbis have had a profound impact on Jewish life in America. Also striking are original documents which chronicle the ongoing care and concern by the Jewish community over the last 140 years for their follow Jews, including many new immigrants who entered the armed forces. Slomovitz refutes the common belief that the U.S. military itself has been a hostile place for Jews, in the process providing a unique perspective on American religious history.
- GenresJudaism
170 pages, Hardcover
First published November 1, 1998
About the author
Albert Isaac Slomovitz
4 books2 followersAlbert Slomovitz has had three professional careers that have been linked by one over-arching theme: Following a life guided by the Biblical principle of "Loving Your Neighbor as Yourself." As a twenty-year chaplain in the United States Navy he prayed with, served alongside of and counseled thousands of sailors, Marines and their families. His first book, "The Fighting Rabbis" was published as he ended his military service. This book is a history of Rabbis who have served in the U.S. military from the country's inception. It also documents wonderful accounts of interfaith programs and highlights numerous cases of chaplains assisting people of various faith-groups. While in the Navy, he earned a second Masters degree in Interfaith Studies and a PhD in American History from Loyola University of Chicago.
After military service, he took over a congregation and began a 21 year career of teaching American History at a local university in the Atlanta area. A question that a student asked about the efficacy of the Supreme Court during the Jim Crow era led to a six year research process that resulted in his second book, "America's Other Clan: The United States Supreme Court". The premise of this book is that the High Court was complicit in much of the racism experienced in America from its earliest decades through the Civil Rights era. Underlying the legal analysis is the practical reality that people of color were not treated with equally for much of America's history.
His latest book is, in many ways, a culmination of his military experiences and academic degrees. Four years ago, he began to write a commentary to the first book in Christian scriptures, Matthew. The goal of that book titled," A New Look at Rabbi Jesus: Jews and Christians Finally Reconnected," was to educate Jews and Christians about their numerous faith connections. Two years ago, he decided to create a non-profit organization dedicated to educating Jews and Christians about their numerous faith-connections. This non-profit, "The Jewish Christian Discovery Center" develops interfaith innovative rituals, educational materials and media items all devoted to increasing understanding between the faiths. Given the incidents of attacks on houses of worship and individuals of faith around the world, there is a growing awareness that much work needs to be done in the field of interfaith relations. His latest book will be an essential element in helping faith groups discover their "spiritual DNA."
After military service, he took over a congregation and began a 21 year career of teaching American History at a local university in the Atlanta area. A question that a student asked about the efficacy of the Supreme Court during the Jim Crow era led to a six year research process that resulted in his second book, "America's Other Clan: The United States Supreme Court". The premise of this book is that the High Court was complicit in much of the racism experienced in America from its earliest decades through the Civil Rights era. Underlying the legal analysis is the practical reality that people of color were not treated with equally for much of America's history.
His latest book is, in many ways, a culmination of his military experiences and academic degrees. Four years ago, he began to write a commentary to the first book in Christian scriptures, Matthew. The goal of that book titled," A New Look at Rabbi Jesus: Jews and Christians Finally Reconnected," was to educate Jews and Christians about their numerous faith connections. Two years ago, he decided to create a non-profit organization dedicated to educating Jews and Christians about their numerous faith-connections. This non-profit, "The Jewish Christian Discovery Center" develops interfaith innovative rituals, educational materials and media items all devoted to increasing understanding between the faiths. Given the incidents of attacks on houses of worship and individuals of faith around the world, there is a growing awareness that much work needs to be done in the field of interfaith relations. His latest book will be an essential element in helping faith groups discover their "spiritual DNA."
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 1 of 1 review
September 9, 2024
After reading Rabbi Lee J Levinger's 'A Jewish Chaplain in France' about his experiences in WWI I next picked up 'The Fighting Rabbis: Jewish Military Chaplains and American History'. A good supplement to ll I have read about US Catholic chaplains.
Displaying 1 - 1 of 1 review