Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America explained

Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America
Size:200px
Membership:About 7,000
Abbreviation:JWV
Formation:1896
Headquarters:1811 R Street NW
Washington, D.C. 20009
Leader Title:National Commander
Leader Name:Barry Lischinsky, COL, US Army, retired
Leader Title2:National Vice Commander
Leader Name2: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]

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
Established:September 2, 1958
Location:1811 R Street NW
Washington DC 20009-1603
Publictransit:Dupont Circle, Q Street Exit, Washington Metro Red Line
President:Elaine Bernstein, PNP of JWVA
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.

Antisemitism

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: JEWISH WAR VETERANS OF THE U.S.A.. Jewish Virtual Library. 2016-09-30. 2016-03-09. https://web.archive.org/web/20160309061105/http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/judaica/ejud_0002_0011_0_10159.html. live.
  2. https://www.jwv.org/wp-content/uploads/JWV-History-Timeline-Final-2.pdf
  3. Web site: Archived copy . 2023-12-27 . 2022-08-23 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220823212534/https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/R/R46412 . live .
  4. Web site: Veterans Service Organizations | House Committee on Veterans Affairs. veterans.house.gov. 2023-12-27. 2023-12-03. https://web.archive.org/web/20231203162211/https://veterans.house.gov/resources-for-veterans/veterans-service-organizations.htm. live.
  5. Web site: Julius and Ethel Rosenberg . My Jewish Learning . 2023-04-29 . 2023-03-31 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230331042205/https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/julius-and-ethel-rosenberg/ . live .
  6. Web site: Archived copy . 2023-12-27 . 2023-12-26 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231226195226/https://www.jwv.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/2023-Constitution-Bylaws-web.pdf . live .
  7. Web site: JWV Elects New National Commander and Vice Commander - Jewish War Veterans of the U.S.A.. September 12, 2023. www.jwv.org. December 27, 2023. December 27, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231227210356/https://www.jwv.org/jwv-elects-new-national-commander-and-vice-commander-4/. live.
  8. Web site: Staff - Jewish War Veterans of the U.S.A.. July 9, 2017. www.jwv.org. December 27, 2023. December 26, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231226194603/https://www.jwv.org/who_we_are/contact/staff/. live.
  9. Web site: JROTC Program - Jewish War Veterans of the U.S.A.. July 8, 2017. www.jwv.org. August 17, 2018. August 18, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180818133731/https://www.jwv.org/programs/engaging-youth/jrotc/. live.
  10. Web site: Scouting Program - Jewish War Veterans of the U.S.A. . 8 July 2017 . 17 August 2018 . 18 August 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180818220859/https://www.jwv.org/programs/engaging-youth/scouting/ . live .
  11. Web site: Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America - Orde Wingate . 2008-05-17 . 2008-05-13 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080513192049/http://www.jwv.org/programs/patriotic/orde_wingate . dead .
  12. Web site: Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America - Memorial Day and Veterans Day . 2008-05-17 . 2008-05-13 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080513191219/http://www.jwv.org/programs/patriotic/memorial_day_and_veterans_day . dead .
  13. Web site: Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America - JWV National Vietnam Veterans Memorial Projects . 2008-05-17 . 2008-05-13 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080513192547/http://www.jwv.org/programs/patriotic/vietnam_veterans/jwv_national_vietnam_veterans_memorial_projects . dead .
  14. Web site: Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America - Korean War Veterans . 2008-05-17 . 2008-05-13 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080513192017/http://www.jwv.org/programs/patriotic/korean_war_veterans . dead .
  15. Web site: Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America - We Care About Vietnam Vets . 2008-05-17 . 2008-05-13 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080513191900/http://www.jwv.org/programs/patriotic/vietnam_veterans/we_care_about_vietnam_vets . live .
  16. Web site: Archived copy . 2018-08-17 . 2020-10-31 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201031041213/https://www.jwv.org/membership/leadership-committees/jewish-women-in-the-military-committee/ . dead .
  17. Web site: Home. National Museum of American Jewish Military History. 2023-12-28. 2023-12-03. https://web.archive.org/web/20231203102325/https://nmajmh.org/. live.
  18. Web site: Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America - Days of Remembrance in the Military . 2008-05-17 . 2008-05-13 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080513190822/http://www.jwv.org/programs/jewish/days_of_remembrance_in_the_military . live .
  19. Web site: Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America - JWV National Reward Fund . 2008-05-17 . 2008-05-13 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080513192236/http://www.jwv.org/programs/jewish/jwv_national_reward_fund . dead .
  20. Web site: National Awards - Jewish War Veterans of the U.S.A. . 9 July 2017 . 17 August 2018 . 17 August 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180817224951/https://www.jwv.org/membership/for-members/awards/ . live .
  21. Web site: SOS Program - Jewish War Veterans of the U.S.A. . 13 September 2017 . 17 August 2018 . 13 May 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200513213922/https://www.jwv.org/programs/serving-veterans-military/sos-program/ . live .
  22. Web site: Disaster Relief - Jewish War Veterans of the U.S.A. . 8 July 2017 . 17 August 2018 . 18 August 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180818082133/https://www.jwv.org/veteran-resources/disaster-relief/ . live .
  23. Web site: Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America - Stamp Distribution . 2008-05-17 . 2008-05-18 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080518060617/http://www.jwv.org/programs/service/stamp_distribution . live .
  24. https://www.jwv.org/give/volunteer/ Veterans Affairs Volunteer Services
  25. Web site: Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America - National Scouting Program. www.jwv.org. 2016-09-29. 2018-08-18. https://web.archive.org/web/20180818220859/https://www.jwv.org/programs/engaging-youth/scouting/. live.
  26. Web site: Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America - National JROTC Program. www.jwv.org. 2016-09-29. 2018-08-18. https://web.archive.org/web/20180818133731/https://www.jwv.org/programs/engaging-youth/jrotc/. live.
  27. Web site: Grants Jewish War Veterans of the USA Foundation. jwvusafoundation.org. 2016-09-29. 2018-08-17. https://web.archive.org/web/20180817231008/http://jwvusafoundation.org/home-page-2/grants/. live.
  28. Web site: Financial Resources by USAA - Jewish War Veterans of the U.S.A. . 8 July 2017 . 17 August 2018 . 18 August 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180818225409/https://www.jwv.org/veteran-resources/usaa/ . live .
  29. Web site: Enable Cookies | USAA | USAA . 2018-08-17 . 2022-07-03 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220703213642/https://www.usaa.com/inet/pages/bank_credit_cards_military_affinity_deepdive_template?adid=aff_jwv_jwvorg_deepdive&affid=029&cardType=ALL&akredirect=true&akredirect=true . live .
  30. https://www.jwv.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/2023-Resolutions-09272023.pdf
  31. Web site: Archived copy . 2023-12-27 . 2023-06-27 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230627042843/https://www.jwv.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/JWV-Priorities-Veterans-Issues-118th-Congress-March-3-2023.pdf . live .
  32. Web site: Joint House and Senate VSO Hearing: VFW & Multi VSOs. www.youtube.com. 2023-12-27. 2023-05-14. https://web.archive.org/web/20230514230138/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_BDEmqVA8aY. live.
  33. Web site: TMC Members. The Military Coalition. 2023-12-27. 2023-12-27. https://web.archive.org/web/20231227210111/http://www.themilitarycoalition.org/tmc-members.html. live.
  34. Web site: NMVA.US | National Military and Veteran Alliance. nmva.us. 2023-12-28. 2023-12-27. https://web.archive.org/web/20231227210110/http://nmva.us/. live.
  35. Web site: Who We Are. theteamcoalition.org. 2023-12-27. 2022-11-30. https://web.archive.org/web/20221130142935/https://theteamcoalition.org/who-we-are. live.
  36. Web site: White Oak Collaborative. 2023-12-27. 2023-11-21. https://web.archive.org/web/20231121071317/https://bluestarfam.org/woc/. live.
  37. Web site: Veterans Day National Committee - U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs . 21 July 2022 . 27 December 2023 . 1 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231101015106/https://department.va.gov/veterans-day/veterans-day-national-committee/#:~:text=The%20committee%20meets%20three%20times,ceremony%20at%20Arlington%20National%20Cemetery . live .

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2024, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.