Monday, November 12, 2018
America
And this is one of the reasons why I love America.
Because it is normal for a rabbi to run in a full skeleton costume at a celebration of the dead (Carrera De Los Muertos), which is not exactly how we do it in the Jewish community.
It was beautiful and moving; full of life, vibrance and tribute to those who have passed.
Because it is normal for a rabbi to run in a full skeleton costume at a celebration of the dead (Carrera De Los Muertos), which is not exactly how we do it in the Jewish community.
It was beautiful and moving; full of life, vibrance and tribute to those who have passed.
More Exploring - The Embarcadero/Bayfront/Harbor Drive
Because I could, I took a few hours and walked from the Hilton down to the Star of India.
A ship on the water
Interesting sculpture
Orange Tree
Homecoming, next to the Midway
Bob Hope Tribute
Exploring San Diego
A new city means opportunities to explore.
I found The Olde Globe in Balboa Park just in time to catch my favourite Shakespeare play, 'Much Ado About Nothing.' And it was fabulous.
And I decided to run my first 5k.
9/11 Heroes Memorial Run.
I found The Olde Globe in Balboa Park just in time to catch my favourite Shakespeare play, 'Much Ado About Nothing.' And it was fabulous.
And I decided to run my first 5k.
9/11 Heroes Memorial Run.
My New Home
Welcome aboard the USS Lake Erie.
I am happy to finally be here.
I am happy to finally be here.
CG 70 "Don't Give Up The Ship!"
The Quarterdeck, which is outside while in port.
I may not have a parking spot, but I have a chair in the wardroom!
My rack (bed). It's in the middle. At least it is not on the top.
Sunday, July 29, 2018
Final retirement at Radio Battalion
As I come to the end of my tour at Camp Lejeune, I am doing a lot of "lasts".
This is the invocation from my last retirement at Radio Bn.
Fair Winds and Following Seas, CWO4 Tadios.
-------------------------------
If you would join me in prayer.
Source of Peace,
For 24 years, CWO4 Tadios has led from the front. Whether for an exercise or deployment, from Korea to Hawaii, to Afganistan and at every Radio battalion – he pushed himself - - and those around him, to be their best.
He lived by Your example, Lord, as spoken in Proverbs:
כִּי אֶת אֲשֶׁר יֶאֱהַב ה' יוֹכִיחַ וּכְאָב אֶת־בֵּן יִרְצֶה
For whom the Lord loves he corrects; like a father does with a son in whom he delights. (Prov. 3:12)
Remind us, God, to remember the lessons CWO4 Tadio has taught us, by the example he set.
May CWO4 know how deeply important his presence, mentorship and friendship meant to us.
And in his time in service, he - and his family - sacrificed the most precious thing they had - - time as a family.
Lord, bless CWO4 and his family with love - - with the strength of the threefold cord, as You have said,
A threefold cord is not easily broken. (Ecc. 4:12)
God, help him find contentment in all that he has accomplished, and may he continue to do so as he - - and his family write their next chapter of their journey.
Grace them with the gift of peace, for that is the greatest reward for honorable and faithful service.
Amen.
This is the invocation from my last retirement at Radio Bn.
Fair Winds and Following Seas, CWO4 Tadios.
-------------------------------
If you would join me in prayer.
Source of Peace,
For 24 years, CWO4 Tadios has led from the front. Whether for an exercise or deployment, from Korea to Hawaii, to Afganistan and at every Radio battalion – he pushed himself - - and those around him, to be their best.
He lived by Your example, Lord, as spoken in Proverbs:
כִּי אֶת אֲשֶׁר יֶאֱהַב ה' יוֹכִיחַ וּכְאָב אֶת־בֵּן יִרְצֶה
For whom the Lord loves he corrects; like a father does with a son in whom he delights. (Prov. 3:12)
Remind us, God, to remember the lessons CWO4 Tadio has taught us, by the example he set.
May CWO4 know how deeply important his presence, mentorship and friendship meant to us.
And in his time in service, he - and his family - sacrificed the most precious thing they had - - time as a family.
Lord, bless CWO4 and his family with love - - with the strength of the threefold cord, as You have said,
A threefold cord is not easily broken. (Ecc. 4:12)
God, help him find contentment in all that he has accomplished, and may he continue to do so as he - - and his family write their next chapter of their journey.
Grace them with the gift of peace, for that is the greatest reward for honorable and faithful service.
Amen.
Living in the souther south than Virginia
I have never been to a Piggly Wiggly before.
I did not know that alcohol is sold in juice boxes or by the plastic cup.
I am now educated.
I did not know that alcohol is sold in juice boxes or by the plastic cup.
I am now educated.
One last wedding before I go
I was proud to welcome Zach into the Jewish community while in Okinawa.
I was even prouder, being asked to officiate at Zach and Elana's Jewish wedding.
Mazal Tov and may your days together be as sweet as the wine you drank under the Chuppah.
I was even prouder, being asked to officiate at Zach and Elana's Jewish wedding.
Mazal Tov and may your days together be as sweet as the wine you drank under the Chuppah.
Upsherin, A First
I have never officiated at an Upsherin before.
(Traditionally, Jews do not cut the hair of a boy until he is 3 years old. That is when his formal learning begins. Also, according to the Torah, you may not eat of the fruit of a tree until it is 3 years old.)
Thank God for ritualwell.org!
Say goodbye to your hair, Jax!
(Traditionally, Jews do not cut the hair of a boy until he is 3 years old. That is when his formal learning begins. Also, according to the Torah, you may not eat of the fruit of a tree until it is 3 years old.)
Thank God for ritualwell.org!
Say goodbye to your hair, Jax!
Self Care Part I-stopped-counting Brooklyn
Self Care.
Self Care.
Self Care.
I am beating this drum because I am terrible at it.
I spend have my leave time driving and doing things for other people.
I can help it - I choose not to.
And then, once in a while, I do it right.
I spent some time at the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens.
How great are your creations, O Lord.
Self Care.
Self Care.
I am beating this drum because I am terrible at it.
I spend have my leave time driving and doing things for other people.
I can help it - I choose not to.
And then, once in a while, I do it right.
I spent some time at the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens.
How great are your creations, O Lord.
Camp Lejeune Jewish Community
I led my last service (officially) 16 JUN.
The lay leader will take over from this point.
On my last Friday night, they presented me with a plaque.
I had no words.
The lay leader will take over from this point.
On my last Friday night, they presented me with a plaque.
I had no words.
I work hard without the need for recognition.
I will work hard regardless.
And yet, that bit of thanks goes a long way.
It re-energizes me to push just a little harder - - not for recognition - - but because I know that what I did mattered to someone else.
Thank you, Camp Lejeune Jewish Community.
I will miss you.
Okinawa Reunion Part Two
A group of us from Okinawa planned a reunion.
Let me try that again.
I met people in Okinawa who are more family than merely friends.
I wanted to see them and missed them all. We were scattered across CONUS and I wanted to bring everyone back together for a few days.
So, we went to New Orleans.
Let me try that again.
I met people in Okinawa who are more family than merely friends.
I wanted to see them and missed them all. We were scattered across CONUS and I wanted to bring everyone back together for a few days.
So, we went to New Orleans.
I need this sign.
Joan of Arc
Molly Marine
Molly Marine with the USMC flag
Another statue in honor of women serving in the military
A must.
What an amazing trip!
And I was walking in Memphis
Not too far from the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, ten feet as it were - - is Beale Street.
Can't get that song out of my head now.
Can't get that song out of my head now.
If you want to say that I was a drum major...
As a Jew whose history is filled with terrible stories about violence and destruction aimed at me and my people simply because of what we believe, I walked through the museum full of empathy.
We have come so far in our fight against racism and bigotry and anti-Semitism, and yet there is so many more steps to this journey of abolishing all of those things in our society.
May we come to see everyone simply as people.
We have come so far in our fight against racism and bigotry and anti-Semitism, and yet there is so many more steps to this journey of abolishing all of those things in our society.
May we come to see everyone simply as people.
My Uki
While in Okinawa, I began training in the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program, lovingly called MCMAP.
My uki, my training partner while training for our grey belts was LCpl Hoyle.
Amazingly enough, now Sgt Hoyle joined me at Intel Bn, both going for our brown belts.
Ukis once again.
My uki, my training partner while training for our grey belts was LCpl Hoyle.
Amazingly enough, now Sgt Hoyle joined me at Intel Bn, both going for our brown belts.
Ukis once again.
The USS Dorchester
There is a story from WWII of four chaplains who were on the USS Dorchester. It was hit by a German U-Boat and sank in less than 20 minutes.
The four chaplains - Protestant, Catholic, and Jewish gave their life jackets to four soldiers and comforted those who surrounded them.
There are many lessons we can learn from these four brave chaplains.
Below is a slide that parces it into three.
The four chaplains - Protestant, Catholic, and Jewish gave their life jackets to four soldiers and comforted those who surrounded them.
There are many lessons we can learn from these four brave chaplains.
Below is a slide that parces it into three.
FMF
This qualification took me 18 months.
Thank you to everyone who taught me, pushed me, and encouraged me.
Now what do I do with all this free time??
Thank you to everyone who taught me, pushed me, and encouraged me.
Now what do I do with all this free time??
Okinawa Reunion part 1
I will say this again, I am sure.
There will be people you meet that will transcend duty stations.
They will be with you for the rest of your life.
And thank God for them.
There will be people you meet that will transcend duty stations.
They will be with you for the rest of your life.
And thank God for them.
Monday, January 1, 2018
The Next Generation
Every chaplain is a recruiter for their denomination, whether you hold the official title or not.
Part of that job, is being interviewed by people interested but do not have enough information.
Below are some questions I have been asked recently.
1) Do you work more with veterans in a hospital setting, or active service members on bases?
I am an active duty chaplain, serving currently with two Marine battalions at Camp Lejeune in Jacksonville, NC.
2) What's your work like?
It's amazing. I could spend hours describing it but I'll keep it short.
I get to work with Marines and be there for them when they need to talk/need guidance/help/are in spiritual crisis.
I get to show Jews who are not open about being Jewish, that they can be.
I lead a diverse Jewish community of service members who know that they will not always be stationed where there will be a Jewish chaplain.
3) Did you serve as a chaplain while you were still a student?
No. I commissioned in my 4th year and went officer school (ODS for the Navy) that summer. I went to Chaplain School during the last semester of my 5th year.
4) Did you go directly into military chaplaincy after ordination, or did you have student congregations and/or congregations after you graduated?
I was selected for the reserves for a year and was the assistant rabbi of a congregation after ordination and went onto active duty after that.
5) You mentioned that you're working with Marines and Sailors; how did you choose which branch of the military to serve as a chaplain?
I went to the Navy because the Navy bases are usually around port cities, where there are other Jews. I wanted the chance to deploy and I wanted to serve with Marines. The Navy chaplains also cover the Marine Corps and Coast Guard.
6) Do female chaplains have the same issues with harassment that servicewomen do?
Just because I have not does not mean it does not exist.
7) I know rabbis can feel isolated if they don't have a peer community, but it sounds like you've been posted to places where there are other chaplains from other religions, and that they've been really welcoming. Is that the norm, or do you feel like you've been lucky?
I think it is a little of both.
One of the things my Command Chaplain said to me during my farewell lunch, was that I was able to remind them all that there are more than Christians in the room and do so in a loving, welcoming way.
8) Has there been room for you to grow and develop in your work?
I have grown as a rabbi, that's for certain.
I get to be a rabbi of a congregation and have a battalion or squadron of my own.
I have grown as a chaplain, absolutely. Every day I learn something new!
9) What's your favorite part of your job?
Serving God and country. And I mean every word.
10) How do you balance the laws of Kashrut and Shabbat with life on a ship or a base?
I have only been on bases.
In Okinawa, Kashrut was hard. I had to find a balance and when the commissary (grocery store) got Kosher meat, I was in heaven.
Kashrut in Jacksonville, NC is a challenge but kosher meat is only a 90 minute drive away.
As an officer, you'll always have your own kitchen (base-specific). When I am out visiting my Marines in the far-flung reaches of the Marine Corps, I bring protein bars and eat the vegetarian MREs (meals ready to eat).
Shabbat is a little trickier. In Okinawa, I lived off-base so I could be within walking distance of the Jewish chapel on base. It did not take too long to get that approved.
In Jacksonville, because I am single, I do not rate on-base housing that would put me within walking distance, so I drive.
I have a blackberry that I answer on Shabbat because I assume that it is an emergency. It is with me, even during Chagim. As a chaplain, I stand "duty" for a week at a time. I answer it when it rings. And when I stand duty during Shabbat, I answer the phone.
There has to be some flexibility within our observance levels because of the nature of the military and its structure.
11) The Jewish community in the Navy and Marines is small.
It is bigger than you realize. I have Marines coming out of the woodwork when they see my Kippah. They feel strong enough to say out-loud that they are Jewish.
12) How do you best navigate that minority status?
I am the guide-on for ALL minorities. I ensure that all minorities in my command are cared for and that they know I have their back, should they need religious accommodation support. I wear a Kippah on my head and hold it high. When an event is happening, I advocate for my religious needs - doing so to harmonize the needs of the command and my religious needs.
An example. My command hosts a memorial run every year for a Marine we lost 6 years ago. It is held on the first Saturday of August. I will drive to and from shul but to nothing else, so I bike to the event, give the invocation, walk around and talk to everyone and when it is over, I bike home.
It is a balancing act and one that starts with the first decision you make. You must hold your convictions ("hold the line," as General Mattis said) and be consistent.
Part of that job, is being interviewed by people interested but do not have enough information.
Below are some questions I have been asked recently.
1) Do you work more with veterans in a hospital setting, or active service members on bases?
I am an active duty chaplain, serving currently with two Marine battalions at Camp Lejeune in Jacksonville, NC.
2) What's your work like?
It's amazing. I could spend hours describing it but I'll keep it short.
I get to work with Marines and be there for them when they need to talk/need guidance/help/are in spiritual crisis.
I get to show Jews who are not open about being Jewish, that they can be.
I lead a diverse Jewish community of service members who know that they will not always be stationed where there will be a Jewish chaplain.
3) Did you serve as a chaplain while you were still a student?
No. I commissioned in my 4th year and went officer school (ODS for the Navy) that summer. I went to Chaplain School during the last semester of my 5th year.
4) Did you go directly into military chaplaincy after ordination, or did you have student congregations and/or congregations after you graduated?
I was selected for the reserves for a year and was the assistant rabbi of a congregation after ordination and went onto active duty after that.
5) You mentioned that you're working with Marines and Sailors; how did you choose which branch of the military to serve as a chaplain?
I went to the Navy because the Navy bases are usually around port cities, where there are other Jews. I wanted the chance to deploy and I wanted to serve with Marines. The Navy chaplains also cover the Marine Corps and Coast Guard.
6) Do female chaplains have the same issues with harassment that servicewomen do?
Just because I have not does not mean it does not exist.
7) I know rabbis can feel isolated if they don't have a peer community, but it sounds like you've been posted to places where there are other chaplains from other religions, and that they've been really welcoming. Is that the norm, or do you feel like you've been lucky?
I think it is a little of both.
One of the things my Command Chaplain said to me during my farewell lunch, was that I was able to remind them all that there are more than Christians in the room and do so in a loving, welcoming way.
8) Has there been room for you to grow and develop in your work?
I have grown as a rabbi, that's for certain.
I get to be a rabbi of a congregation and have a battalion or squadron of my own.
I have grown as a chaplain, absolutely. Every day I learn something new!
9) What's your favorite part of your job?
Serving God and country. And I mean every word.
10) How do you balance the laws of Kashrut and Shabbat with life on a ship or a base?
I have only been on bases.
In Okinawa, Kashrut was hard. I had to find a balance and when the commissary (grocery store) got Kosher meat, I was in heaven.
Kashrut in Jacksonville, NC is a challenge but kosher meat is only a 90 minute drive away.
As an officer, you'll always have your own kitchen (base-specific). When I am out visiting my Marines in the far-flung reaches of the Marine Corps, I bring protein bars and eat the vegetarian MREs (meals ready to eat).
Shabbat is a little trickier. In Okinawa, I lived off-base so I could be within walking distance of the Jewish chapel on base. It did not take too long to get that approved.
In Jacksonville, because I am single, I do not rate on-base housing that would put me within walking distance, so I drive.
I have a blackberry that I answer on Shabbat because I assume that it is an emergency. It is with me, even during Chagim. As a chaplain, I stand "duty" for a week at a time. I answer it when it rings. And when I stand duty during Shabbat, I answer the phone.
There has to be some flexibility within our observance levels because of the nature of the military and its structure.
11) The Jewish community in the Navy and Marines is small.
It is bigger than you realize. I have Marines coming out of the woodwork when they see my Kippah. They feel strong enough to say out-loud that they are Jewish.
12) How do you best navigate that minority status?
I am the guide-on for ALL minorities. I ensure that all minorities in my command are cared for and that they know I have their back, should they need religious accommodation support. I wear a Kippah on my head and hold it high. When an event is happening, I advocate for my religious needs - doing so to harmonize the needs of the command and my religious needs.
An example. My command hosts a memorial run every year for a Marine we lost 6 years ago. It is held on the first Saturday of August. I will drive to and from shul but to nothing else, so I bike to the event, give the invocation, walk around and talk to everyone and when it is over, I bike home.
It is a balancing act and one that starts with the first decision you make. You must hold your convictions ("hold the line," as General Mattis said) and be consistent.
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