The Chicago Experience at Recruit Training Center in Great Lakes Naval Base, Great Lakes, IL
The Program: “Enter to pray; depart to serve.”
The U.S. Navy has only one “boat camp.” Young men and women from across the nation come together for weeks of intense and challenging training. Throughout their arduous group training, these young men and women are cut off from all they know and are hungry for G-d’s presence in their lives, G-d who will guide and protect them during the lonely times of separation from their families and the dangerous moments they will face. They look forward to Shabbat services as a respite and as an opportunity for spiritual renewal. The 15–35 Jewish recruits at the training center in Great Lakes Naval Base who attend services always participate enthusiastically.
Though rabbis serve as chaplains in the armed forces, there are not enough to cover all the bases, and the last military rabbi left Great Lakes two years ago. The JCCs of Chicago stepped in to fill the need for these young sailors, and discovered a new connection to its own Jewish soul and to members of the Chicago Jewish community. Volunteers from synagogues and the JCC, working under JCC leadership, have found both unexpected joy and inspiration in making a profound difference for these Jews in the military who can no longer take their Jewishness for granted.
Background
Over the years, various Jewish military chaplains have served these young men and women during their eight-week stay at RTC. Currently, the Navy has only eight chaplains, when it needs twelve. Rabbi Harold Robinson, director of JWB Jewish Chaplains Council, and the Navy Chaplain Corps were concerned that the Shabbat program would just disappear—and we would fail to meet the spiritual needs of our Jewish recruits. The JCCs of Chicago responded. Mobilizing the Jewish community near the base, they created a program that can be one model for community-based JCC coverage to Jews in the military. First the JCC leadership met with the base chaplain leadership. In this case, and with the guidance of Chicago’s Rabbi Bob Feinberg, a retired Navy Chaplain, it was decided that finding local rabbis to lead services was the best way to meet the needs. With the help of the Chicago Board of Rabbis, a number of rabbis have enthusiastically stepped forward to cover on a rotating basis. The base chaplains provide training for the rabbis so they can respond appropriately to the issues raised by the recruits. The JCCs of Chicago provides additional support such as holiday foods and musical programming.
You Can Do It Too
Communities who want to respond to the needs of young Jewish men and women in the armed forces can follow these steps:
Identify the need for a Jewish chaplaincy program in the absence of a Jewish military chaplain or the need to support and enrich an existing chaplain-led program.
Involve JCC leadership in planning and implementation, then ask for a base tour.
Create a program appropriate for the local military Jewish need.
Advocate on behalf of the Jewish programming at nearby bases.
Resolve any procedural and training issues that may arise.
Vet civilian chaplains through the JWB Jewish Chaplains Council.
Provide constant involvement and support for the program.
Have a program coordinator to:
Act as civilian liaison to military chaplaincy program.
Recruit civilian chaplains or non-rabbiprogram boosters.
Organize training/ vetting.
Support and assist volunteers.
Coordinate service schedule for Fridays,
7:00-9:00 p.m.
Coordinate services, music, and special events.
Coordinate special off-base Thanksgiving/ Christmas community programs.
Publicize programs to the greater Jewish community.
Find congregations that want to support on special celebrations by:
Providing special holiday foods such as homemade round raisin challot, apples and honey, rugelach, latkes, hamantaschen, etc.
Seeking opportunities to support the program including funding, driving, and holiday hospitality.
“I don’t know why I am surprised each week by the intensity and sincerity of the prayers of these young men and women. They are truly seekers – looking for guidance and support in their spiritual lives. They may experience boot camp as a wilderness, wondering and wandering. Then, gathering together as a community – if only for an hour or two - they realize they are not alone. And, through their kavannah, they invite G-d into their sanctuary and into their hearts. And upon their lips flow the words, Ki eshm’rah Shabbat El Yishm’reini; Ot hi l’lomei ad beino uveini – ‘When I keep Shabbat, G-d watches over me. It is a sign forever between G-d and me.’” Rabbi Nina J. Mizrahi, JCCs of Chicago
“Friday evening FAR exceeded my expectations. What a wonderful group of young people.” Rabbi Charley Levi
