Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America

Last updated
Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America
AbbreviationJWV
Formation1896
Headquarters1811 R Street NW
Washington, D.C. 20009
Membership
About 7,000
National Commander
Barry Lischinsky, COL, US Army, retired
National Vice Commander
Gary Ginsburg, CSM, US Army, retired
Website jwv.org

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]

Contents

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

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]

Organization

National Museum of American Jewish Military History
National Museum of American Jewish Military History.JPG
EstablishedSeptember 2, 1958
Location1811 R Street NW
Washington DC 20009-1603
PresidentElaine Bernstein, PNP of JWVA
Public transit access Dupont Circle, Q Street Exit, Washington Metro Red Line
Website http://www.nmajmh.org

The National Convention is the annual assembly of JWV, in which "supreme power" is vested. [6] The 128th Annual National Convention in 2023, for example, was held August 27-31 in Jacksonville, Florida. Participation at National Conventions is restricted to voting members of the National Executive Committee who shall vote at the same time with their posts and delegates. [6]

The last several years of JWV's annual National Convention:

Subsidiary organizations include the Ladies Auxiliary (Jewish War Veterans Auxiliary, or JWVA), posts or other echelons created outside the United States, and any other subsidiary organizations established by a two-thirds vote of the National Executive Committee. [6]

Leadership

Jewish War Veterans leadership is organized into, in descending order of rank, a National Commander, a National Vice Commander, the National Executive Committee, departments, district or county councils, and posts. At the 128th annual National Convention, held in Jacksonville, Florida (in August 2023), retired US Army Colonel Barry Lischinsky of Massachusetts was elected as the 92nd National Commander, and retired US Army Command Sergeant Major Gary Ginsburg of New York was elected as the 4th National Vice Commander. [7]

Staff

Jewish War Veterans is headquartered in Washington, District of Columbia inside the National Museum of American Jewish Military History. Paid staff comprises a National Executive Director, a Director of Operations, a Membership Director, a Communications Director, a National Service Officer, an Accounting Associate, a Building Manager, a Programs & Events Coordinator, and a Public Relations & Graphic Design Coordinator. [8]

Membership

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

JROTC Americanism Award

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

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

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

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]

Affinity

The JWV offers group insurance plans for its members, [28] as well as discount and promotion plans in cooperation with businesses including USAA. [29]

Advocacy

Annually, Jewish War Veterans releases a set of Resolutions reflecting JWV's legislative & advocacy priorities for the coming year. [30]

During its annual "midwinter" meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC), JWV members have the opportunity to participate in a "Capitol Hill Action Day" with other members within the same department. They meet with Members of Congress or their staffs to discuss issues of importance to their specific community, state, or region; these issues are generally related to veterans' issues or antisemitism. [31]

In the spring of most calendar years, JWV is among those Veteran Service Organizations whose National Commander provides testimony to the House Veterans' Affairs Committee. Past National Commander Nelson Mellitz of New Jersey testified during the first session of the 118th Congress on March 8, 2023. [32]

Veterans Issues

Affiliations

Jewish War Veterans is a member of numerous coalitions made up of other nonprofit Military Support Organizations (MSOs) and Veteran Service/Support Organizations (VSOs) to advocate for active duty military personnel, veterans, military/veteran spouses, caregivers, and survivors.

  • The Military Coalition (TMC) [33]
  • National Military & Veterans Alliance (NMVA) [34]
  • TEAM Coalition [35]
  • White Oak Collaborative [36]
  • Veterans Day National Committee (VDNC) [37]

Antisemitism

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United States Department of Veterans Affairs</span> Department of the United States government

The United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is a Cabinet-level executive branch department of the federal government charged with providing lifelong healthcare services to eligible military veterans at the 170 VA medical centers and outpatient clinics located throughout the country. Non-healthcare benefits include disability compensation, vocational rehabilitation, education assistance, home loans, and life insurance. The VA also provides burial and memorial benefits to eligible veterans and family members at 135 national cemeteries.

The United Services Automobile Association (USAA) is an American financial services company providing insurance and banking products exclusively to members of the military, veterans, and their families. It was founded in 1922 in San Antonio, Texas, by a group of 25 U.S. Army officers as a mechanism for mutual self-insurance when they were unable to secure auto insurance because of the perception that they, as military officers, were a high-risk group.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Veterans of Foreign Wars</span> Organization of U.S. war veterans

The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), formally the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, is a patriotic organization of U.S. war veterans who fought in wars, campaigns, and expeditions on foreign land, waters, or airspace as military service members. Established on September 29, 1899, in Columbus, Ohio, the VFW is headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri. It was congressionally chartered in 1936.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Islamic Society of North America</span> Muslim organization in North America

The Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) is a non-profit Muslim religious organization based in the United States and serving North America. It provides a number of programs and services to North America's Muslim communities and broader societies. ISNA holds an annual convention that is generally regarded as the largest regulated gathering of Muslims in the United States. It is headquartered in Plainfield, Indiana.

St. John's College High School is a Catholic high school in Washington, D.C. Established in 1851, is the third oldest Christian Brothers school in the United States, and was one of the oldest Army JROTC schools until the program was abolished in 2019 in pursuit of a private “leadership academy” program with no relationship to the United States Armed Forces.

Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (SGLI) is a life insurance program available to all active duty and reserve members of the uniformed services of the United States. Supervised by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, the program is administered by the Prudential Insurance Company of America.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tammy Duckworth</span> American politician and military officer (born 1968)

Ladda Tammy Duckworth is an American politician and retired Army National Guard lieutenant colonel serving as the junior United States senator from Illinois since 2017. A member of the Democratic Party, she represented Illinois's 8th congressional district in the United States House of Representatives from 2013 to 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Air & Space Forces Association</span> American professional military and aerospace education association

The Air & Space Forces Association (AFA) is an independent, 501(c)(3) non-profit, professional military association for the United States Air Force and United States Space Force. Headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, its declared mission is "to educate the public about air and space power, to advocate for the world's most capable, most lethal, and most effective Air and Space Forces, and to support Airmen, Guardians, and their families."

The Military Religious Freedom Foundation (MRFF) is a non-profit organization that was founded in 2005 by Mikey Weinstein, a former Air Force officer and attorney. The organization's mission is to ensure that members of the United States Armed Forces are able to practice their religious beliefs without fear of discrimination or coercion, and to promote the separation of church and state within the military.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Military Health System</span> Health care system for the U.S. military

The Military Health System (MHS) is a form of nationalized health care operated within the United States Department of Defense that provides health care to active duty, Reserve component and retired U.S. Military personnel and their dependents.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Military Order of the Purple Heart</span> US war veterans organization

The Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH) is a congressionally chartered (Title 36 USC Chapter 1405) United States war veterans organization. Headquartered just outside Washington, D.C., it has a membership of approximately 45,300 veterans. It is unique in that its members are exclusively men and women who have received the Purple Heart award while serving as a member of the U.S. Military.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tommy Sowers</span>

Tommy Sowers is an American entrepreneur, academic and politician. He had an 11-year career in the Army, achieving the rank of Major. During his military career he served as an assistant professor at the United States Military Academy at West Point. He went on to teach at Missouri University of Science and Technology, and Duke University. He most recently serves as President and Chief Operating Officer of a private jet operator.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">National Museum of American Jewish Military History</span> Museum in Washington D.C., U.S.

The National Museum of American Jewish Military History (NMAJMH) was founded September 2, 1958, in Washington, D.C., to document and preserve "the contributions of Jewish Americans to the peace and freedom of the United States...[and to educate] the public concerning the courage, heroism and sacrifices made by Jewish Americans who served in the armed forces." It operates under the auspices of the Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America (JWV), National Memorial, Inc. (NMI), and is located at 1811 R Street NW, Washington, D.C., in the Dupont Circle area, in the same building that houses the JWV National Headquarters.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Military history of Jewish Americans</span> Aspect of American military history

Jewish Americans have served in the United States armed forces dating back to before the colonial era, when Jews had served in militias of the Thirteen Colonies. Jewish military personnel have served in all branches of the armed forces and in every major armed conflict to which the United States has been involved. According to the U.S. Department of Defense, as of 2006 there were currently 3,973 known Jewish servicemen and servicewomen on active duty.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps</span> US military program

The Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps is a federal program sponsored by the United States Armed Forces in high schools and also in some middle schools across the United States and at US military bases across the world. The program was originally created as part of the National Defense Act of 1916 and later expanded under the 1964 ROTC Vitalization Act.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Army and Navy Union of the United States of America</span> Organization of U.S. veterans

The Army and Navy Union (A&NU), formally the Army and Navy Union of the United States of America is the oldest veterans' organization in the United States. It was organized on March 31, 1888, in Ohio. Its name changed over time from just a soldier's union to take account for all sailors and soldiers in all branches of the United States Armed Forces.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Military Order of the World Wars</span>

The Military Order of the World War was created in 1919 at the suggestion of General of the Armies John J. Pershing as a fraternity for American military officers coming out of the Great War. Two decades later, when the USA became involved in WWII the organization name was pluralized to its current title of Military Order of the World Wars. Though the Order's title has not changed since 1945, it remains an officers’ society welcoming new qualified members in current military service, retired military service, or former military service and has members from the Korean War, Vietnam War, Gulf War, War in Afghanistan, War in Iraq, and peacetime service.

The Augusta-Central Savannah River Area (CSRA) Vietnam War Veterans Memorial is a granite and bronze monument placed in Augusta, Georgia, March 29, 2019, to honor the CSRA's 169 Vietnam War dead, three Ex-Prisoners of War (Vietnam), and one former Missing in Action (MIA) as well as the region's 15,000 surviving Vietnam War Veterans. The memorial is located in the "Olde Town" section of Augusta, Georgia, on the Broad Street median between Third and Fourth Streets. The monument was designed, purchased, and placed by the Augusta Chapter of the Military Order of the World Wars (MOWW) and the chapter's 17 community partners who made up the Augusta-CSRA Vietnam War Memorial Initiative (VWMI) Steering Committee.

National Network Opposing the Militarization of Youth (NNOMY) is a network of peace organizations that stand up against the militarization of schools and young people in the USA.

References

  1. ↑ "JEWISH WAR VETERANS OF THE U.S.A." Jewish Virtual Library. Archived from the original on 2016-03-09. Retrieved 2016-09-30.
  2. ↑ https://www.jwv.org/wp-content/uploads/JWV-History-Timeline-Final-2.pdf Archived 2018-08-18 at the Wayback Machine [ bare URL PDF ]
  3. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2022-08-23. Retrieved 2023-12-27.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  4. ↑ "Veterans Service Organizations | House Committee on Veterans Affairs". veterans.house.gov. Archived from the original on 2023-12-03. Retrieved 2023-12-27.
  5. ↑ "Julius and Ethel Rosenberg". My Jewish Learning. Archived from the original on 2023-03-31. Retrieved 2023-04-29.
  6. 1 2 3 4 "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 2023-12-26. Retrieved 2023-12-27.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  7. ↑ "JWV Elects New National Commander and Vice Commander - Jewish War Veterans of the U.S.A." www.jwv.org. September 12, 2023. Archived from the original on December 27, 2023. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
  8. ↑ "Staff - Jewish War Veterans of the U.S.A." www.jwv.org. July 9, 2017. Archived from the original on December 26, 2023. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
  9. ↑ "JROTC Program - Jewish War Veterans of the U.S.A." www.jwv.org. July 8, 2017. Archived from the original on August 18, 2018. Retrieved August 17, 2018.
  10. ↑ "Scouting Program - Jewish War Veterans of the U.S.A." 8 July 2017. Archived from the original on 18 August 2018. Retrieved 17 August 2018.
  11. ↑ "Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America - Orde Wingate". Archived from the original on 2008-05-13. Retrieved 2008-05-17.
  12. ↑ "Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America - Memorial Day and Veterans Day". Archived from the original on 2008-05-13. Retrieved 2008-05-17.
  13. ↑ "Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America - JWV National Vietnam Veterans Memorial Projects". Archived from the original on 2008-05-13. Retrieved 2008-05-17.
  14. ↑ "Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America - Korean War Veterans". Archived from the original on 2008-05-13. Retrieved 2008-05-17.
  15. ↑ "Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America - We Care About Vietnam Vets". Archived from the original on 2008-05-13. Retrieved 2008-05-17.
  16. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2020-10-31. Retrieved 2018-08-17.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  17. ↑ "Home". National Museum of American Jewish Military History. Archived from the original on 2023-12-03. Retrieved 2023-12-28.
  18. ↑ "Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America - Days of Remembrance in the Military". Archived from the original on 2008-05-13. Retrieved 2008-05-17.
  19. ↑ "Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America - JWV National Reward Fund". Archived from the original on 2008-05-13. Retrieved 2008-05-17.
  20. ↑ "National Awards - Jewish War Veterans of the U.S.A." 9 July 2017. Archived from the original on 17 August 2018. Retrieved 17 August 2018.
  21. ↑ "SOS Program - Jewish War Veterans of the U.S.A." 13 September 2017. Archived from the original on 13 May 2020. Retrieved 17 August 2018.
  22. ↑ "Disaster Relief - Jewish War Veterans of the U.S.A." 8 July 2017. Archived from the original on 18 August 2018. Retrieved 17 August 2018.
  23. ↑ "Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America - Stamp Distribution". Archived from the original on 2008-05-18. Retrieved 2008-05-17.
  24. ↑ https://www.jwv.org/give/volunteer/ Archived 2020-05-13 at the Wayback Machine Veterans Affairs Volunteer Services
  25. ↑ "Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America - National Scouting Program". www.jwv.org. Archived from the original on 2018-08-18. Retrieved 2016-09-29.
  26. ↑ "Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America - National JROTC Program". www.jwv.org. Archived from the original on 2018-08-18. Retrieved 2016-09-29.
  27. ↑ "Grants | Jewish War Veterans of the USA Foundation". jwvusafoundation.org. Archived from the original on 2018-08-17. Retrieved 2016-09-29.
  28. ↑ "Financial Resources by USAA - Jewish War Veterans of the U.S.A." 8 July 2017. Archived from the original on 18 August 2018. Retrieved 17 August 2018.
  29. ↑ "Enable Cookies | USAA | USAA". Archived from the original on 2022-07-03. Retrieved 2018-08-17.
  30. ↑ https://www.jwv.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/2023-Resolutions-09272023.pdf
  31. ↑ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 2023-06-27. Retrieved 2023-12-27.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  32. ↑ "Joint House and Senate VSO Hearing: VFW & Multi VSOs". Archived from the original on 2023-05-14. Retrieved 2023-12-27– via www.youtube.com.
  33. ↑ "TMC Members". The Military Coalition. Archived from the original on 2023-12-27. Retrieved 2023-12-27.
  34. ↑ "NMVA.US | National Military and Veteran Alliance". nmva.us. Archived from the original on 2023-12-27. Retrieved 2023-12-28.
  35. ↑ "Who We Are". theteamcoalition.org. Archived from the original on 2022-11-30. Retrieved 2023-12-27.
  36. ↑ "White Oak Collaborative". Archived from the original on 2023-11-21. Retrieved 2023-12-27.
  37. ↑ "Veterans Day National Committee - U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs". 21 July 2022. Archived from the original on 1 November 2023. Retrieved 27 December 2023.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.