By Motti Wilhelm
In California, Rabbi Rubin celebrated Purim with his small congregation in Lemoore. Despite the smaller numbers, Rubin emphasizes, “It doesn’t matter that our congregation is small. That’s why we’re here—to ensure that not a single Jew is left behind.” Most of the servicemen on base have no visible connection to Judaism, so Rubin reached out with private Megillah readings and a festive Purim celebration.
SUPPORTING VETERANS
Even after military service ends, Chabad continues to support Jewish veterans. Rabbi Chesky Tenenbaum directs the Jewish Uniformed Service Association Chabad (JUSA), which serves the spiritual needs of veterans, law enforcement, the Secret Service, and first responders. Tenenbaum also serves as a chaplain in the Maryland State Guard, where he made history as the first member allowed to keep a beard for religious reasons.
“Veterans form a close-knit group and naturally connect with others who understand their unique challenges,” Tenenbaum says. As both a rabbi to veterans and a chaplain, he helps them reconnect with their Judaism.
Ahead of Purim, Tenenbaum teamed up with Dan Berkovitz, a Marine Corps veteran, to bring holiday cheer to Jewish veterans across Maryland. Berkovitz, who served in Kuwait and Iraq, reconnected with his Jewish heritage through Tenenbaum and now helps others strengthen their connection to Judaism.
Together, they packed mishloach manot—gift packages for Jewish veterans. “For many veterans, especially those in assisted living, these packages are a reminder that we remember and cherish them,” Tenenbaum says.
A LIFELONG COMMITMENT
Chabad chaplains remain committed to supporting Jewish service members throughout their military careers and beyond. During his recent deployment, Rubin led Rosh Hashanah prayers, built possibly the first-ever sukkah on an aircraft carrier (which went viral), and hosted Shabbat meals and classes. For six months, he alternated between frozen meals and MREs, relying on supplies flown in for religious needs.
“As long as there is one Jewish person in the military, we will be there for them—on land, on ship, or in the air,” Rubin says. “This was the Rebbe’s vision, and it continues to inspire us.”
From www.Chabad.org
and established a division within Chabad’s educational arm, Merkos L’Inyonei Chinuch, to meet the needs of Jewish servicemen. The Rebbe’s successor, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, continued to emphasize the importance of supporting Jewish servicemen.
In a 1981 message, the Rebbe wrote: “To care and provide for Jews in special circumstances, such as military service, to enable them to celebrate Purim fully.”
This mission led to the founding of the Aleph Institute in 1981, offering spiritual support to Jews in the military and in prisons. In recent years, a growing number of Chabad rabbis have become active-duty chaplains, offering spiritual support from within the military.
Rabbi Chaim Roome, stationed in Okinawa, Japan, serves Jewish personnel across the island’s military bases. “Military personnel are constantly redeployed, so my congregation is always changing,” says Roome. “But there are always 150 to 200 Jewish servicemen and civilians on the island at any given time.”
Roome and his wife, Meira, face unique challenges, particularly in educating their children, as there are no Jewish schools on the island. Their children attend Chabad’s Shluchim Online School, although the time difference makes it difficult. Despite this, they are motivated by the knowledge that they’re supporting Jewish service members.
“About two months ago, I returned from a month-long training course in the States. I was exhausted from the journey, and my wife was drained after managing everything alone with the kids for the entire month.” The couple briefly considered skipping hosting Shabbat meals that week to rest and recover.
“Then I got a two-line text from one of our Jewish Marines: ‘Rabbi, are you hosting Shabbos? I need Jewish.’”
“That was all the reminder we needed. This is why we’re here—for the Jew who ‘needs Jewish.’”
This Purim, Roome traveled across Okinawa to reach every Jew, hosting Megillah readings and celebrations at central locations. “Some can’t come due to duty or lack of transportation,” he explains. “We’re do our best to reach everyone. There’s no other Purim event they can attend.”
REACHING OUT IN LEMOORE
As Purim approached, Chabad emissaries worldwide prepared for the holiday’s celebrations, and Rabbi Yehoshua Rubin is no exception. However, his congregation is unique—25 active-duty Navy officers stationed at Naval Air Station Lemoore in Northern California. Rubin serves as both a Chabad-Lubavitch emissary and an active-duty chaplain in the U.S. Navy, providing religious and educational support to Jewish military personnel, whether at sea or on shore. He recently returned from a deployment aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln in the Arabian Sea, where he led Jewish services and offered spiritual guidance.
“Serving as both a Chabad rabbi and a chaplain comes with unique challenges,” Rubin says, “but they pale in comparison to the profound rewards. Every day, I have the privilege of connecting with Jewish service members who might otherwise not engage with their heritage.”
CHABAD FOR THE MILITARY
Chabad has been providing religious services to the U.S. military since the 1940s. After arriving in the U.S. from war-torn Europe, the Sixth Rebbe, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn, began spreading Judaism across America and established a division within Chabad’s educational arm, Merkos L’Inyonei Chinuch, to meet the needs of Jewish servicemen. The Rebbe’s successor, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, continued to emphasize the importance of supporting Jewish servicemen.
In a 1981 message, the Rebbe wrote: “To care and provide for Jews in special circumstances, such as military service, to enable them to celebrate Purim fully.”
This mission led to the founding of the Aleph Institute in 1981, offering spiritual support to Jews in the military and in prisons. In recent years, a growing number of Chabad rabbis have become active-duty chaplains, offering spiritual support from within the military.
Rabbi Chaim Roome, stationed in Okinawa, Japan, serves Jewish personnel across the island’s military bases. “Military personnel are constantly redeployed, so my congregation is always changing,” says Roome. “But there are always 150 to 200 Jewish servicemen and civilians on the island at any given time.”
Roome and his wife, Meira, face unique challenges, particularly in educating their children, as there are no Jewish schools on the island. Their children attend Chabad’s Shluchim Online School, although the time difference makes it difficult. Despite this, they are motivated by the knowledge that they’re supporting Jewish service members.
“About two months ago, I returned from a month-long training course in the States. I was exhausted from the journey, and my wife was drained after managing everything alone with the kids for the entire month.” The couple briefly considered skipping hosting Shabbat meals that week to rest and recover.
“Then I got a two-line text from one of our Jewish Marines: ‘Rabbi, are you hosting Shabbos? I need Jewish.’”
“That was all the reminder we needed. This is why we’re here—for the Jew who ‘needs Jewish.’”
This Purim, Roome traveled across Okinawa to reach every Jew, hosting Megillah readings and celebrations at central locations. “Some can’t come due to duty or lack of transportation,” he explains. “We’re do our best to reach everyone. There’s no other Purim event they can attend.”
