Joel Lebowitz, public affairs officer for the Jewish War Veterans (JWV) chapter in Livingston, explained what motivated his outreach efforts. About a decade ago, while marching in the town’s Memorial Day parade under the JWV banner, a logjam slowed the flow and necessitated a stoppage by the participants. During the pause he overheard someone on the sidewalk — who obviously noticed his group’s banner — remark, “I didn’t know there were Jewish war veterans.” His frustration kicked in because, as he noted, “We are the oldest veterans’ organization in the country and no one knows about us.”
In fact, the Jewish War Veterans in the United States, initially known as the Hebrew Union Veterans of the Wars of the Republic, has been in existence for over 125 years. It was founded in 1896 by a group of 63 Jewish veterans from the Civil War. The impetus for its creation was a series of antisemitic rants about the lack of Jewish service in the Civil War. In point of fact, Jews were overrepresented in fighting for the United States as far back as the Revolutionary War, culminating in a half million Jewish men and women participating in the efforts during World War ll.
Over the years, the JWV has been instrumental in a number of movements. During the 1930s they led a huge protest march that called for a boycott of Nazi Germany. They were instrumental in having the 1938 Foreign Agents Registration Act passed, which led to Nazi leaders being deported from the U.S. Following the war, they fought to include religious and racial protections in the 1944 GI Bill, which allowed Jewish and minority soldiers to use their GI benefits for economic assistance. During the Vietnam War they worked to initiate the sending of care packages to Jewish soldiers overseas as well as for a return of all prisoners of war.
More recently, on a local level, they started the Cemetery Association of Northern New Jersey, which has focused on 18 largely abandoned cemeteries in Bergen and Passaic counties, identifying graves of forgotten Jewish fighters and providing markers of the Jewish War Veterans of the United States as well as American flags to honor their contributions to this country.
All of this makes Lebowitz very proud as well as determined to get the word out about the organization. His own chapter in Livingston, known as Dan Michaelson Post #740, is currently recruiting in an effort to shore up dwindling numbers. As he explained, most of its members are veterans of World War ll and the Korean War, with just a few from the Vietnam War. Mobility issues, poor eyesight and a move to warmer locales are all impacting attendance. There are 50-60 paying members on the books, with 10-15 regularly attending their meetings. The Livingston chapter has a storied history. One of its founding members served at Iwo Jima. Another was a member of the Monuments Men army unit which was immortalized in the famous 2014 George Clooney movie.
The unit meets the first Sunday of each month from 10 a.m. to noon. Members speak about antisemitism, the economy, China’s threatening role on the world stage and just about anything else that is of shared interest. One thing they don’t talk about, or at least is off-limits based on the group’s policy, is politics or, more specifically, political affiliation. The reason is obvious, although Lebowitz did admit that in the heat of a discussion viewpoints have been known to slip.
Lebowitz’s own service for his country has included three decades in the National Guard. He noted that in Operation Desert Storm his unit was called up to Fort Dix, went through training, and was awaiting a trip to McGuire Air Force Base for action. In the 11th hour, the commanding officer said they weren’t needed and the unit was sent home.
Anyone who has served the country in any capacity can join the Jewish War Veterans. Even if they haven’t served, they can become associate members. Lebowitz summed up his commitment and feelings by noting, “The premise of all this is that we raised our right hand and served. We didn’t sit back. Our efforts challenged the misconception that we aren’t patriotic.“ To join and be heard, contact Norm Gudema at (973) 534-8964 for more information.
Robert Isler is a marketing research analyst and freelance writer. He can be reached at [email protected]
