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
Websitejwv.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]

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
EstablishedSeptember 2, 1958
Location1811 R Street NW
Washington DC 20009-1603
PresidentElaine Bernstein, PNP of JWVA
Public transit accessDupont Circle, Q Street Exit, Washington Metro Red Line
Websitehttp://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

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
  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. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2008-05-13. Retrieved 2008-05-17.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  12. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2008-05-13. Retrieved 2008-05-17.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  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.
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