Calendar

What were the experiences of the Vietnam War like for Jewish veterans? Did being Jewish matter or not? Our panel of veterans discuss their experiences, what it was like serving in an unpopular war and how their identity as American Jews impacted (or didn't) their time in the military.

Panelists:
1. Jerry Alperstein
USN
1967 USS Charles R. Ware DD865 (destroyer) Yankee Station part of Task Force 77 20-25 miles off the coast; Operation Sea Dragon operating one-to-five miles off the coast of North Vietnam
Communications

2. David Brog
USAF
1968 flew out of Korat AFB Thailand
Tech intelligence on Surface to Air Missiles (SAMs), flew Wild Weasel missions against SAMs & developed tactics and techniques against SAMs

3. Allen Falk
USMC
1969-1970 1st Marine Corp Division in I Corps
Staff Legal Officer

4. Sheldon Goldberg
USAF
1968-1969 Ubon Thailand
F-4D Weapons Systems Officer; flew 214 combat missions (211 over Laos & 3 over North Vietnam)

5. Robert (Bob) Jacobs
U.S. Army
1969-1970
1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile) HQ in Phuoc Vinh III Corps northwest of Saigon ; 3rd Brigade HQ in Quan Loi to help run Taskforce Shoemaker (spring 1970 Cambodia incursion)
Infantry on arrival in RVN; retrained as personnel clerk; became Head Clerk of HHC 1st Cav Div

Howard Mortman joins us to discuss When Rabbis Bless Congress: The Great American Story of Jewish Prayers on Capitol Hill and the military chaplains who have delivered the prayers.

Congress opens each session with a prayer offered by a chaplain or guest chaplain. Among the guest chaplains: Rabbis.

This book is about the rabbis. It’s an unprecedented examination of 160 years of Jewish prayers delivered in the literal and figurative center of American democracy. With exhaustive research written in approachable prose, it uniquely tells the story of over 400 rabbis giving over 600 prayers since the Civil War days—who they are and what they say.

Few written works examine the tradition of prayers in government. This new angle will appeal to students (and lovers) of American history, Congress, American Jewish history, and religion. It’s a welcome, important addition to our understanding of Congress and Jewish contribution to America.

Howard Mortman is communications director for C-SPAN, the public service providing television coverage of the U.S. Congress. A veteran of Washington, DC, media organizations, he has observed Congress from positions at MSNBC, National Journal’s Hotline, Broadcasting Board of Governors, and New Media Strategies. He graduated from the University of Maryland.

Co-sponsored by the JWB Jewish Chaplains Council of the JCCA.

Register here.