CARING CONGREGATION NEWS

Reflections of a Jewish Military Mom


	Pictured are Rita Newman, mother of Rabbi Joel Newman serving as chaplain in the army and Richard Yanofsky, Sylvia’s son who serves in the Navy.

“How do you do it?”

A question I am often asked but can’t answer. I am a navy mom, 2 sons flying in helos, one pilot, and one crew/rescue swimmer. Dual US/Canadian citizens, my memories shaped as a peace activist during the Vietnam era, I assumed they’d “be safe.” Jacob decided at 10 to be a pilot. By 11 he announced he would join the military to learn to fly and attend a service academy. In 2002, Rabbi Berg blessed for him on the eve of reporting to the US Naval Academy. In 2007 Richard enlisted, Rabbi Goldenberg blessing him on his way to navy boot camp.

Both deployed in 2009, one on an aircraft carrier, one to the Middle East, both visiting Temple in uniform before they left. The faces of sailors were suddenly the faces of my kids.

Like most moms, I shed a lot of tears and struggle with fears. I live on a see-saw. I have learned to enjoy their accomplishments and have to trust their training for handling the dangers inherent in their jobs. I am in awe of what they have learned and their joy when they fly. After the shootings at Ft Hood, where I work, it finally dawned on me – we were more than parents, we were a military family – 3 of us at risk.

“And I wonder…..”

Are my kids the only active duty Temple members? Statistics suggest otherwise. Our Temple family has heroes within the congregation. Who are they? Veterans, reservists, and families with active duty spouses, sons, daughters and siblings?

We are a nation at war. Our soldiers and sailors need to know they are remembered. They also need to know their families will be held in the embrace of their community.

A more relevant question - How do we care for our military families?

(if you are one of these families or for more information, please contact Peggy Papert, ppapert@tedallas.org)

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