Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America
Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America (also referred to as Jewish War Veterans of the U.S.A., Jewish War Veterans, or JWV) is an American Jewish veterans' organization created in 1896 by American Civil War veterans to raise awareness of contributions made by Jewish service members.[1][2]
Abbreviation
JWV
1896
1811 R Street NW
Washington, D.C. 20009
About 7,000
Barry Lischinsky, COL, US Army, retired
Gary Ginsburg, CSM, US Army, retired
Jewish War Veterans has an estimated 7,000 members, ranging from World War II to current conflicts as well as active duty personnel. It is the oldest active national veterans' service organization in the US.
History[edit]
Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America was established in 1896 by a group of 63 Jewish Civil War veterans after a series of antisemitic comments about the lack of Jewish service in the American Civil War. JWV is one of the Veteran Services Organizations that holds a Congressional charter[3][4] under Title 36 of the United States Code.
JWV, as part of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs (JCPA), opposed the Rosenberg Committee, believing them to be a Communist group. The council issued a statement that the Rosenberg Committee's accusation that the Rosenberg trial was motivated by antisemitism was causing public panic within the Jewish community.[5]
Established
September 2, 1958
1811 R Street NW
Washington DC 20009-1603
Elaine Bernstein, PNP of JWVA
Membership[edit]
Membership eligibility is established in JWV's National Constitution, which lists the categories of membership as active, associate, patron, honorary, in-service, posthumous, life, and distinguished life Types of Membership - Jewish War Veterans of the U.S.A., and provides that "No person who promotes, or is a member of any organization or group which believes in, or advocates, bigotry or the overthrow of the United States government by force of arms or subversion" shall be eligible for membership.[6]
Programs[edit]
JROTC Americanism Award[edit]
JROTC programs can be found at high schools throughout the United States and in Department of Defense Education Activity high schools around the world. JWV's JROTC Americanism Award is bestowed upon any JROTC participant, of any rank, once it has been determined that s/he meets the requirements for the award.[9]
Scouting[edit]
The JWV also has programs supporting the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts.[10]
Each year the JWV holds a memorial service at Arlington National Cemetery commemorating Orde Wingate, a major general in the British Army and a Zionist.[11] JWV also holds Memorial Day and Veterans Day ceremonies,[12] as well as Vietnam Veterans Memorial[13] and Korean War Veterans Memorial programs,[14] as well as programs for Vietnam veterans.[15]
Jewish War Veterans also actively supports women in the military.[16]
Jewish[edit]
The JWV manages the National Museum of American Jewish Military History (NMAJMH) in Washington, D.C., close to its headquarters.[17] Annually, JWV and NMAJMH join Sixth & I Historic Synagogue to remember our Fallen Heroes in Iraq and Afghanistan on the Friday before Memorial Day.
The organization sponsors, in cooperation with the Department of Defense, a Days of Remembrance of the Victims of the Holocaust observance on military installations during the week coinciding with Yom HaShoah.[18]
The JWV administers a JWV National Reward Fund, which offers rewards for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those who have perpetrated antisemitic and other hate crimes[19] and presents about 30 engraved kiddush cups for graduates of Federal Military Colleges.
Service[edit]
National Service Officers (NSO) Program is a nationwide network of our members who are certified to help veterans navigate the claims process.
JWV gives different awards to its members for excellence and service, including awards to different departments, councils, or posts, as well as any echelon or to individuals.[20]
The group runs a "Support Our Soldiers" (SOS), which sends care packages of toiletries and kosher food, and Jewish holiday items to Jewish soldiers serving overseas in Iraq, Afghanistan, or elsewhere.[21]
The JWV also runs a disaster relief fundraising and volunteer program[22] and a National Stamp Distribution Program for "hospitalized veterans."[23]
JWV members also volunteer at VA hospitals[24] and as National Service Officers, which help veterans, regardless of religion, get the benefits they deserve and navigate the complex Department of Veterans Affairs policies.
To connect with younger generations, JWV also runs a Boy Scout and Girl Scout Program,[25] a JROTC program,[26] and the JWV Foundation runs the National Youth Achievement Program which gives grants to high school seniors entering college who are descendants of JWV members. The Foundation also hosts the National Achievement Award Program, which is an essay contest for active duty personnel and veterans looking to continue their education.[27]