Friday, May 27, 9:00–9:30 am
Veterans Memorial on the Sandler Family Campus
The Jewish community of Tidewater will hold a brief ceremony to commemorate Memorial Day in preparation for the long weekend on Friday, May 27.
Hosted by the local Navy Chaplains, in conjunction with the Jewish War Veterans (Post 158), the Board of Rabbis and Cantors of Hampton Roads, and the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater, the community will pause in reflection to honor those who have laid down their lives in defense of and in service to this nation.
Since the Battle of Yorktown in 1781, nearly 1.2 million men and women have given their lives in service. Walls of local synagogues recall the names of youths who never returned from those wars. Tidewater’s Jewish community has sacrificed in every conflict of this nation—from John Myers (son of Moses Myers) in the War of 1812 to the many men and women who wear the uniform today as part of the Global War on Terror. In local cemeteries rest hundreds who have worn the cloth of this nation; including dozens who have died wearing it.
This Memorial Day weekend, Tidewater’s Jewish community will pause to recognize the blessing that they have passed on to all.
The Talmud commends the Jewish value of recognizing the good conferred upon us by the world: “Anyone who derives benefit from this world without a blessing, it is as if he stole from God and the community of Israel.” (Rabbi Hanina bar Pappa in B. Brachot 35b).
Before lighting the grill or heading to the beach getaway this Memorial Day, consider joining in this commemoration. Reservations are not required.
Rabbi Yonatan M. Warren, BCC is a Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Navy Chaplain Corps.
–Rabbi Yonatan M. Warren, BCC