Comments on: Former Jewish Navy Personnel Says It’s Lonely for a Jew in the Military http://www.operationsupportjewsinthemilitary.com/jews-military/former-jewish-navy-personnel/ Calling on the Jewish community to support Jews serving in the U.S. military Tue, 10 Aug 2010 04:49:40 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: Phyllis Zimbler Miller http://www.operationsupportjewsinthemilitary.com/jews-military/former-jewish-navy-personnel//comment-page-1#comment-312 Phyllis Zimbler Miller Fri, 05 Mar 2010 21:14:07 +0000 http://www.operationsupportjewsinthemilitary.com/?p=440#comment-312 May I request that this discussion be ended now erev Shabbat in my time zone? Let us all agree that we have different opinions, and I am going to switch this blog to moderated comments as I do not wish a site dedicated to supporting Jewish military personnel to become unsupportive. I also may delete some of these comments. May I request that this discussion be ended now erev Shabbat in my time zone? Let us all agree that we have different opinions, and I am going to switch this blog to moderated comments as I do not wish a site dedicated to supporting Jewish military personnel to become unsupportive. I also may delete some of these comments.

]]> By: Leonard Jablon http://www.operationsupportjewsinthemilitary.com/jews-military/former-jewish-navy-personnel//comment-page-1#comment-311 Leonard Jablon Fri, 05 Mar 2010 20:46:52 +0000 http://www.operationsupportjewsinthemilitary.com/?p=440#comment-311 Gunner: You are definitely something else! Why do you feel the need to attack others? It is okay to give your opinion-you have every right to do so. However, to make disparaging remarks to myself and Mr. Reiman, is very inappropriate. Unfortunately, it is you who truly doesn't understand what Mr. Reiman and I are trying to communicate. Neither one of us "whined," or needed the "tissues" you have suggested we use. I was quite resourceful at doing what I needed to do, to keep my Judaism strong while I was in the Navy. I was a lay reader. I did work with Chaplains, of all faiths, I might add. You seem to be a person who prefers confrontation, while I prefer reconciliation, compassion, compromise and working together for the common good. I also took the watches on Xmas, Easter and other Christian holidays, so my shipmates could spend time with their loved ones and/or families. Unfortunately, for me, they weren't as kind, and didn't reciprocate when it came to the Jewish holidays! I didn't whine about it...I used my leave, wrote chits to get the days off, etc. I did whatever it took to maintain my Jewish identity. Yes, I knew what I was getting into when I entered the Navy. I used the Navy to gain an education I could not afford to get in the civilian world, and I am happy and proud to have served my country. What Mr. Reiman and I are trying to do, is to educate other Jews out there, that they ARE NOT ALONE, and that we are here to help them. We aren't here to berate them or humiliate them, like you seem to enjoy doing to me and Mr. Reiman! I shall put this to you as nicely as I can.....please get some counseling for your "anger" issues. You shall learn that people will get along with you much better. I hope you don't treat your family like you have treated Mr. Reiman and myself. Sincerely, Len Jablon Gunner:
You are definitely something else! Why do you feel the need to attack others? It is okay to give your opinion-you have every right to do so. However, to make disparaging remarks to myself and Mr. Reiman, is very inappropriate.

Unfortunately, it is you who truly doesn’t understand what Mr. Reiman and I are trying to communicate. Neither one of us “whined,” or needed the “tissues” you have suggested we use. I was quite resourceful at doing what I needed to do, to keep my Judaism strong while I was in the Navy. I was a lay reader. I did work with Chaplains, of all faiths, I might add. You seem to be a person who prefers confrontation, while I prefer reconciliation, compassion, compromise and working together for the common good. I also took the watches on Xmas, Easter and other Christian holidays, so my shipmates could spend time with their loved ones and/or families. Unfortunately, for me, they weren’t as kind, and didn’t reciprocate when it came to the Jewish holidays! I didn’t whine about it…I used my leave, wrote chits to get the days off, etc. I did whatever it took to maintain my Jewish identity.

Yes, I knew what I was getting into when I entered the Navy. I used the Navy to gain an education I could not afford to get in the civilian world, and I am happy and proud to have served my country.

What Mr. Reiman and I are trying to do, is to educate other Jews out there, that they ARE NOT ALONE, and that we are here to help them. We aren’t here to berate them or humiliate them, like you seem to enjoy doing to me and Mr. Reiman!

I shall put this to you as nicely as I can…..please get some counseling for your “anger” issues. You shall learn that people will get along with you much better. I hope you don’t treat your family like you have treated Mr. Reiman and myself.

Sincerely,

Len Jablon

]]> By: GMC(SW/SCW) Peter M Michelson http://www.operationsupportjewsinthemilitary.com/jews-military/former-jewish-navy-personnel//comment-page-1#comment-310 GMC(SW/SCW) Peter M Michelson Fri, 05 Mar 2010 17:21:12 +0000 http://www.operationsupportjewsinthemilitary.com/?p=440#comment-310 Can this Chief pass out the tissues for you? In this response I will use a proactive form of counseling to enlighten you all. So if you did not fully read my reply I too was Born in Manhattan, and Raised in the Bronx. If you look on a map of New York City you will find them on there. So I am totally a Sephardic New York City Bronx Jew You all (a southern expression from my My Hampton Roads Days) have too remember the USN is not for everyone. Do you think the USN is going to part the sea for you because you are Jewish? The answer is "FORGET ABOUT IT". So are you tell me someone held a Gun to your head to sign the enlistment contract for 4 yrs? You chose to join, so except the responsibility that comes with it. I can feel for you all. I to have been, and to this day still am the only one single Jew in every command I served in on the last 21 yrs. Yes I am still on active duty, Still a very practicing, and very Jewish USN Chief. I also married Jewish while in the USN to keep the vows to my Parents and Family that I would "NEVER GIVE UP WHO I AM", and serve the country I was born in as a Proud Jewish Sailor. You all claim your from NYC well you do not act like it. People from NYC are known for how stubborn and tuff we can be, and not take anything from any body. Are you all saying you do not know how to make friends and influeance people? The military as a whole takes in people to serve from every state and territory that belongs to the USA. I have had my share of stupid Gentiles giving me a hard time. So What!!!! You deal with it. You handle it at your level. You say your from NYC, so where is the spirit and fight that is suppose to go along with growing up and being from NYC? Now let not label or speak any hateful speech. As a USN Chief if I here any Hate speech of any kind the verbal counseling become uncomfortable. Two negative forces repel, and nothing good will come out of it. If you meet folks that are that stupid not to understand your needs you need to find a way to educate, and befriend them. Understand this I am totally an in your face Jew. I love and respect all people. I start everyone at 100% then start subtracting. So before it gets to far out of hand I drop the hammer and handle it at my level. You also have to know how to deal with all people. Anyone that thinks they can walk into a group with out knowing the people in the group and say "I am Jewish" is asking for trouble. That move will put you in checkmate every time. Thant means there are people above your paygrade and Rank that have negative feelings about Jews. I have had this experience many times. Did I let it phase me? "Like I Said No Gentile Will Ever Stop Me From Being Jewish" . If the Holiday is supported by instruction and Military Branch Message Get the instruction and message. Attch it too the leave paperwork with leave balance from your LES and submitt. The only one who can deny your request is your CO. The CO or XO is not going to do that if it is supported by instruction or message. If they come up with that stupid line if you go you will pay. Your reply should be "I will take the payback in order to practice my religion". This just fuels the fire for the EO. They cannot write you up. Its supported by instruction and message. My fix is very simple and has worked for me for over 21 yrs. Since I do not celibrate any Non- Jewish Holiday I take the Watch so others will be able to spend their Holiday with there families. It's worked everytime. Even when I went to Jewish Lay-Leader training in 1996 back in Norfolk Va, I filed the request. I checked the duty schedule and made the changes so I could take the watch and those I study duty for help me out in return. Here is the best way to do it. First you have two eyes, two ears and one mouth. The last thing that moves is your mouth. You look, lissen, and feel the body lanuage of those around you. Then process all info that is coming in. You have to learn how it all works before you can chim in. So what are you watching for: 1. What is the shops structure, 2. Who are all the players in that group you are in. 3. Who are the trouble makers in the group you as a newbie need to stay away from. 4. As a newbie you are too become part of the group and learn how to do your job; be on top of your "A" game. When you report onboard to a new command it takes about a year to find your place within the group. 5. Once you have found your place and niche, and you are liked; then you can start introducing the fact that you are Jewish to people who will look out for you. 6. You have to be proactive all the time. 7. Making friends and influancing People is the way to go. These principles work well in the civilian world. The civilian work is 100% tuffer then the Navy or any branch of the military. If you do not get along, and are able to produce on time everytime you will be fired. Not in the Military. In the Military we Jews are a fraction of the population. I surprised no one told you that you would most likely be the only one. It was told too me hundreds of times. I chose this career path and have do a Great Job with it. 21 yrs and still active, earned many personel awards for my hard work, made life long friends of all kinds of people, Yes had Rabbi's who looked out for me. Meaning that I had senior folks at my commands see my hard work and how dedicated I was to the mission, and watched out for my. I also met so Great Rabbi Chaplin's who set the example. How much more can you ask for. If your going to get upset every time someone says something stupid find a new career or grow a tuff skin. It happens in the civilian world all the time. I also checked into weather the claim of not being able to celibrate Passover ever happened. From what I have seen on record and naval message that not true. When ever there is a Major Jewish Holiday Messages go out too inform everyone about the events from even the early 1970's. Anyone that starts call people from the south Red Necks give it a rest. There are some fine Southerns and Fine Jewish Southerns all over the south. Stop the Crying. As the Navy saying goes "The Chief Knows Best". If you think you had it tuff my MOTs' when you are selected for Chief and go thru the Transition, and your the only one Hello only the tuff, tuff skinned and strong survive. The Military is not for everyone, Choose wisely, and do not expect everything. Really is it so difficult to put learning your job first, being part of the TEAM, and doing everything you can to achieve all goals to meet the mission; before wanting for yourself ? In the concept of TEAMWORK there is no "I" or "YOU". If you cannot learn that simple principle in the Military then your transition to civilian work will be very ruff indeed. For those who have had trouble in getting along I do hope your civilian lives are easier. Nothing easy is really worth anything. I do hope all have a Wonderful Passover. I do believe that our MOTs' that join the Military are missing out on some very interesting learning lessons from our Jewish History. In this way do you think that the MOTs' of the days of Hannukah, Purim, and Passover Kvetch because people were stupid, mean, and wanted too kill them? Oh no they fought back and won. BZ to the Special Ed Teacher. I am and have been Dyslexic my enter life. So you make mistakes. As long as you work hard, and harder then the rest you will make it. Its really amazing that if you put in what it takes to make it you will achieve. I do believe the Special Ed Teacher and Regular Teacher do not get it. Here's how: If you have a class of 40 and i child is LD and 39 are not that child is going to have a tough time keeping up. Same with being Jewish in an enviorment that in Non-Jewish ie: 1 in 400, 1 in 397, 1 in 365. In the USN there are about 325,000 people. We Jews are about maybe 1%. With only 22 Rabbis Active duty and Reserve. With these stubborn facts you as a Jew need to fully understand what you are in for. Happy and Healthy Passover. GMC(SW/SCW) Peter M Michelson Can this Chief pass out the tissues for you? In this response I will use a proactive form of counseling to enlighten you all.
So if you did not fully read my reply I too was Born in Manhattan, and Raised in the Bronx. If you look on a map of New York City you will find them on there. So I am totally a Sephardic New York City Bronx Jew You all (a southern expression from my My Hampton Roads Days) have too remember the USN is not for everyone. Do you think the USN is going to part the sea for you because you are Jewish? The answer is “FORGET ABOUT IT”.
So are you tell me someone held a Gun to your head to sign the enlistment contract for 4 yrs? You chose to join, so except the responsibility that comes with it. I can feel for you all. I to have been, and to this day still am the only one single Jew in every command I served in on the last 21 yrs. Yes I am still on active duty, Still a very practicing, and very Jewish USN Chief. I also married Jewish while in the USN to keep the vows to my Parents and Family that I would “NEVER GIVE UP WHO I AM”, and serve the country I was born in as a Proud Jewish Sailor.
You all claim your from NYC well you do not act like it. People from NYC are known for how stubborn and tuff we can be, and not take anything from any body. Are you all saying you do not know how to make friends and influeance people?
The military as a whole takes in people to serve from every state and territory that belongs to the USA. I have had my share of stupid Gentiles giving me a hard time. So What!!!! You deal with it. You handle it at your level. You say your from NYC, so where is the spirit and fight that is suppose to go along with growing up and being from NYC?
Now let not label or speak any hateful speech. As a USN Chief if I here any Hate speech of any kind the verbal counseling become uncomfortable. Two negative forces repel, and nothing good will come out of it. If you meet folks that are that stupid not to understand your needs you need to find a way to educate, and befriend them. Understand this I am totally an in your face Jew. I love and respect all people. I start everyone at 100% then start subtracting. So before it gets to far out of hand I drop the hammer and handle it at my level. You also have to know how to deal with all people. Anyone that thinks they can walk into a group with out knowing the people in the group and say “I am Jewish” is asking for trouble. That move will put you in checkmate every time. Thant means there are people above your paygrade and Rank that have negative feelings about Jews. I have had this experience many times. Did I let it phase me? “Like I Said No Gentile Will Ever Stop Me From Being Jewish” . If the Holiday is supported by instruction and Military Branch Message Get the instruction and message. Attch it too the leave paperwork with leave balance from your LES and submitt. The only one who can deny your request is your CO. The CO or XO is not going to do that if it is supported by instruction or message. If they come up with that stupid line if you go you will pay. Your reply should be “I will take the payback in order to practice my religion”. This just fuels the fire for the EO. They cannot write you up. Its supported by instruction and message. My fix is very simple and has worked for me for over 21 yrs. Since I do not celibrate any Non- Jewish Holiday I take the Watch so others will be able to spend their Holiday with there families. It’s worked everytime. Even when I went to Jewish Lay-Leader training in 1996 back in Norfolk Va, I filed the request. I checked the duty schedule and made the changes so I could take the watch and those I study duty for help me out in return.
Here is the best way to do it. First you have two eyes, two ears and one mouth. The last thing that moves is your mouth. You look, lissen, and feel the body lanuage of those around you. Then process all info that is coming in. You have to learn how it all works before you can chim in. So what are you watching for: 1. What is the shops structure, 2. Who are all the players in that group you are in. 3. Who are the trouble makers in the group you as a newbie need to stay away from. 4. As a newbie you are too become part of the group and learn how to do your job; be on top of your “A” game. When you report onboard to a new command it takes about a year to find your place within the group. 5. Once you have found your place and niche, and you are liked; then you can start introducing the fact that you are Jewish to people who will look out for you. 6. You have to be proactive all the time. 7. Making friends and influancing People is the way to go. These principles work well in the civilian world. The civilian work is 100% tuffer then the Navy or any branch of the military. If you do not get along, and are able to produce on time everytime you will be fired. Not in the Military.
In the Military we Jews are a fraction of the population. I surprised no one told you that you would most likely be the only one. It was told too me hundreds of times. I chose this career path and have do a Great Job with it. 21 yrs and still active, earned many personel awards for my hard work, made life long friends of all kinds of people, Yes had Rabbi’s who looked out for me. Meaning that I had senior folks at my commands see my hard work and how dedicated I was to the mission, and watched out for my. I also met so Great Rabbi Chaplin’s who set the example. How much more can you ask for. If your going to get upset every time someone says something stupid find a new career or grow a tuff skin. It happens in the civilian world all the time. I also checked into weather the claim of not being able to celibrate Passover ever happened. From what I have seen on record and naval message that not true. When ever there is a Major Jewish Holiday Messages go out too inform everyone about the events from even the early 1970′s. Anyone that starts call people from the south Red Necks give it a rest. There are some fine Southerns and Fine Jewish Southerns all over the south. Stop the Crying. As the Navy saying goes “The Chief Knows Best”. If you think you had it tuff my MOTs’ when you are selected for Chief and go thru the Transition, and your the only one Hello only the tuff, tuff skinned and strong survive.
The Military is not for everyone, Choose wisely, and do not expect everything. Really is it so difficult to put learning your job first, being part of the TEAM, and doing everything you can to achieve all goals to meet the mission; before wanting for yourself ? In the concept of TEAMWORK there is no “I” or “YOU”. If you cannot learn that simple principle in the Military then your transition to civilian work will be very ruff indeed. For those who have had trouble in getting along I do hope your civilian lives are easier. Nothing easy is really worth anything. I do hope all have a Wonderful Passover. I do believe that our MOTs’ that join the Military are missing out on some very interesting learning lessons from our Jewish History. In this way do you think that the MOTs’ of the days of Hannukah, Purim, and Passover Kvetch because people were stupid, mean, and wanted too kill them? Oh no they fought back and won.
BZ to the Special Ed Teacher. I am and have been Dyslexic my enter life. So you make mistakes. As long as you work hard, and harder then the rest you will make it. Its really amazing that if you put in what it takes to make it you will achieve.
I do believe the Special Ed Teacher and Regular Teacher do not get it. Here’s how: If you have a class of 40 and i child is LD and 39 are not that child is going to have a tough time keeping up. Same with being Jewish in an enviorment that in Non-Jewish ie: 1 in 400, 1 in 397, 1 in 365. In the USN there are about 325,000 people. We Jews are about maybe 1%. With only 22 Rabbis Active duty and Reserve. With these stubborn facts you as a Jew need to fully understand what you are in for. Happy and Healthy Passover.

GMC(SW/SCW) Peter M Michelson

]]> By: Phyllis Zimbler Miller http://www.operationsupportjewsinthemilitary.com/jews-military/former-jewish-navy-personnel//comment-page-1#comment-309 Phyllis Zimbler Miller Fri, 05 Mar 2010 16:28:43 +0000 http://www.operationsupportjewsinthemilitary.com/?p=440#comment-309 Mark and Leonard -- Thank you both for your comments here. I really appreciate that you shared your experiences. When my husband and I were stationed with the U.S. Army in Munich, Germany, we were lucky to be with an intelligence unit. I remember another Jewish officer and his wife stationed at a troop base in Germany who weren't allowed leave to travel to a base with other Jews to attend a seder. His superior said he could take Passover leave in July although this was totally against army regulations, which granted leave to attend religious rituals. But, as this officer said, if he had gone above his superior to get leave permission, his superior would have made him "pay" for it. Phyllis Zimbler Miller Mark and Leonard –

Thank you both for your comments here. I really appreciate that you shared your experiences.

When my husband and I were stationed with the U.S. Army in Munich, Germany, we were lucky to be with an intelligence unit. I remember another Jewish officer and his wife stationed at a troop base in Germany who weren’t allowed leave to travel to a base with other Jews to attend a seder.

His superior said he could take Passover leave in July although this was totally against army regulations, which granted leave to attend religious rituals. But, as this officer said, if he had gone above his superior to get leave permission, his superior would have made him “pay” for it.

Phyllis Zimbler Miller

]]> By: Leonard Jablon http://www.operationsupportjewsinthemilitary.com/jews-military/former-jewish-navy-personnel//comment-page-1#comment-308 Leonard Jablon Fri, 05 Mar 2010 16:19:11 +0000 http://www.operationsupportjewsinthemilitary.com/?p=440#comment-308 Mark: I totally sympathize with you. Even though I didn't encounter "command" sponsored anti-semitism, I had a few people I had to "prove" myself to as well! Yet, one of the four Captains I served under was Jewish, and he didn't even bother to come to a Passover Seder I had onboard our ship. He sent the non-Jewish XO instead! Ironic, huh? As Jews in the Navy, we had to be resourceful, strong, tolerant, and just plain ingenious, to get along with a lot of the types of people we encountered. I also admire you for being a "special ed" teacher for 22 years. I am also a teacher, for the past 14 years, and I know how difficult it is to work with "normal" kids, let alone children of special needs. Keep up the good work! Mark:
I totally sympathize with you. Even though I didn’t encounter “command” sponsored anti-semitism, I had a few people I had to “prove” myself to as well! Yet, one of the four Captains I served under was Jewish, and he didn’t even bother to come to a Passover Seder I had onboard our ship. He sent the non-Jewish XO instead! Ironic, huh?

As Jews in the Navy, we had to be resourceful, strong, tolerant, and just plain ingenious, to get along with a lot of the types of people we encountered.

I also admire you for being a “special ed” teacher for 22 years. I am also a teacher, for the past 14 years, and I know how difficult it is to work with “normal” kids, let alone children of special needs. Keep up the good work!

]]> By: Mark Reiman http://www.operationsupportjewsinthemilitary.com/jews-military/former-jewish-navy-personnel//comment-page-1#comment-307 Mark Reiman Fri, 05 Mar 2010 13:30:16 +0000 http://www.operationsupportjewsinthemilitary.com/?p=440#comment-307 I Meant UCMJ (Uniform Code of Military Justice) not USMJ sorry for the typo I Meant UCMJ (Uniform Code of Military Justice) not USMJ sorry for the typo

]]> By: Mark Reiman http://www.operationsupportjewsinthemilitary.com/jews-military/former-jewish-navy-personnel//comment-page-1#comment-306 Mark Reiman Fri, 05 Mar 2010 13:28:57 +0000 http://www.operationsupportjewsinthemilitary.com/?p=440#comment-306 Yes, I too was a sailor from 1975-1979 (active) 1979-1989 (active reserve). I spent all of my time aboard various Tin Cans. I'm not Kvetching, just telling you that it is a very difficult thing to be a "New York Jew" among a ship of "Red Neck Grits". The first 6 months the anti-semitism was absolutely brutal. Prove yourself and most people will leave you alone. Then there is always one that unfortunately you have to really stand up to. As a BT, it is all about knowing what you can do, and proof that you can hold your own. DESPITE the UCMJ...Commanders back in the day didn't want to hear it or just looked the other way. In 1976 I was the only Jew on my ship of 397, we were in our homeport of Charleston, SC and not scheduled to depart anytime soon. I requested leave to go home for Passover (no base Chaplin ever contacted me and I did not reach out to them for community resources). The leave was denied....GIVE ME A BREAK....1 man of 397 and although I had leave on the books...I couldn't go home. I learned to love my time in the Navy, it was a turning point in my life. I have been a Special Education teacher for the past 22 years. I work hard, still get up early, and go to my annual Navy reunions. Yes, I too was a sailor from 1975-1979 (active) 1979-1989 (active reserve). I spent all of my time aboard various Tin Cans. I’m not Kvetching, just telling you that it is a very difficult thing to be a “New York Jew” among a ship of “Red Neck Grits”. The first 6 months the anti-semitism was absolutely brutal. Prove yourself and most people will leave you alone. Then there is always one that unfortunately you have to really stand up to. As a BT, it is all about knowing what you can do, and proof that you can hold your own. DESPITE the UCMJ…Commanders back in the day didn’t want to hear it or just looked the other way.

In 1976 I was the only Jew on my ship of 397, we were in our homeport of Charleston, SC and not scheduled to depart anytime soon. I requested leave to go home for Passover (no base Chaplin ever contacted me and I did not reach out to them for community resources). The leave was denied….GIVE ME A BREAK….1 man of 397 and although I had leave on the books…I couldn’t go home.

I learned to love my time in the Navy, it was a turning point in my life. I have been a Special Education teacher for the past 22 years. I work hard, still get up early, and go to my annual Navy reunions.

]]> By: Mark Reiman http://www.operationsupportjewsinthemilitary.com/jews-military/former-jewish-navy-personnel//comment-page-1#comment-305 Mark Reiman Fri, 05 Mar 2010 13:24:31 +0000 http://www.operationsupportjewsinthemilitary.com/?p=440#comment-305 Yes, I too was a sailor from 1975-1979 (active) 1979-1989 (active reserve). I spent all of my time aboard various Tin Cans. I'm not Kvetching, just telling you that it is a very difficult thing to be a "New York Jew" among a ship of "Red Neck Grits". The first 6 months the anti-semitism was absolutely brutal. Prove yourself and most people will leave you alone. Then there is always one that unfortunately you have to really stand up to. As a BT, it is all about knowing what you can do, and proof that you can hold your own. DESPITE the USMJ...Commanders back in the day didn't want to hear it or just looked the other way. In 1976 I was the only Jew on my ship of 397, we were in our homeport of Charleston, SC and not scheduled to depart anytime soon. I requested leave to go home for Passover (no base Chaplin ever contacted me and I did not reach out to them for community resources). The leave was denied....GIVE ME A BREAK....1 man of 397 and although I had leave on the books...I couldn't go home. I learned to love my time in the Navy, it was a turning point in my life. I have been a Special Education teacher for the past 22 years. I work hard, still get up early, and go to my annual Navy reunions. Yes, I too was a sailor from 1975-1979 (active) 1979-1989 (active reserve). I spent all of my time aboard various Tin Cans. I’m not Kvetching, just telling you that it is a very difficult thing to be a “New York Jew” among a ship of “Red Neck Grits”. The first 6 months the anti-semitism was absolutely brutal. Prove yourself and most people will leave you alone. Then there is always one that unfortunately you have to really stand up to. As a BT, it is all about knowing what you can do, and proof that you can hold your own. DESPITE the USMJ…Commanders back in the day didn’t want to hear it or just looked the other way.

In 1976 I was the only Jew on my ship of 397, we were in our homeport of Charleston, SC and not scheduled to depart anytime soon. I requested leave to go home for Passover (no base Chaplin ever contacted me and I did not reach out to them for community resources). The leave was denied….GIVE ME A BREAK….1 man of 397 and although I had leave on the books…I couldn’t go home.

I learned to love my time in the Navy, it was a turning point in my life. I have been a Special Education teacher for the past 22 years. I work hard, still get up early, and go to my annual Navy reunions.

]]> By: Hadassah http://www.operationsupportjewsinthemilitary.com/jews-military/former-jewish-navy-personnel//comment-page-1#comment-241 Hadassah Wed, 04 Nov 2009 17:29:56 +0000 http://www.operationsupportjewsinthemilitary.com/?p=440#comment-241 Leonard Jablon.......Well Said!.....I am just an ordinary civilian who just happen to come across this blog......I couldn't be prouder of you!!!!!.....My respects and many thanks of keeping the world a safe place for it's citizens.... Leonard Jablon…….Well Said!…..I am just an ordinary civilian who just happen to come across this blog……I couldn’t be prouder of you!!!!!…..My respects and many thanks of keeping the world a safe place for it’s citizens….

]]> By: Leonard Jablon http://www.operationsupportjewsinthemilitary.com/jews-military/former-jewish-navy-personnel//comment-page-1#comment-231 Leonard Jablon Thu, 24 Sep 2009 08:12:55 +0000 http://www.operationsupportjewsinthemilitary.com/?p=440#comment-231 Well Gunner, Evidently you did not understand what I was writing about. Let me set you straight, shipmate! I am extremely proud of being a Jew, and of having served in the U.S.N. I was referring to my spiritual affect. It can be very lonely for a practicing Jew, when being deployed, and also among shipmates who just don't understand you, or share your common values and beliefs. I was also quite resourceful in contacting other Jews around the world, while I was in the military. Finally, speaking of being smarter than the "average Joe," I suggest you check your grammar and spelling before putting something on the internet, for all the world to see. Fair Winds and Following Seas, Gunner...... L.Jablon Well Gunner,

Evidently you did not understand what I was writing about. Let me set you straight, shipmate! I am extremely proud of being a Jew, and of having served in the U.S.N. I was referring to my spiritual affect. It can be very lonely for a practicing Jew, when being deployed, and also among shipmates who just don’t understand you, or share your common values and beliefs. I was also quite resourceful in contacting other Jews around the world, while I was in the military. Finally, speaking of being smarter than the “average Joe,” I suggest you check your grammar and spelling before putting something on the internet, for all the world to see.

Fair Winds and Following Seas, Gunner……

L.Jablon

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