Approximately 60 people attended Tidewater Jewish Foundation’s 7th Annual Veterans Day ceremony on Friday, Nov. 11.
Scott Kaplan, president and CEO of TJF, welcomed guests to the ceremony and Captain James Eilberg, SC, USN (Ret), officiated. Other local clergy who participated include Cantor Aaron Sachnoff, USN; Cantor Elihu Flax; Rabbi Israel Zoberman, IDF (Ret); Rabbi Jeffrey Arnowitz; Rabbi Gershon Litt and Rabbi Sender Haber. Local veterans who participated in the ceremony include LCDR Brant Feldman as featured speaker, CW04 Jim Gordon and Captain Marcus Friedman (Ret). Captain James Eilberg again served as event chair, helping create, promote and implement this meaningful program.
Feldman spoke about leadership and his experience learning the most important qualities of a great leader while training and serving on Navy SEAL Team TWO and Navy SEAL Team FOUR. Feldman served 11 years in Naval Special Warfare with the SEALs, and with the Naval Special Warfare Development Group, and is now executive vice president of sales at ADS, Inc.
Special mention was made of the Jewish Veterans War Monument, which was completed and dedicated in 2010, after years of planning by many local Jewish veterans. Retired Army sergeant, Samuel “Sonny” Werth,* envisioned the memorial and spent timeless energy fundraising to make the dream a reality. The beautiful monument on the Reba and Sam Sandler Family Campus is dedicated to all who have served with true bravery.
Memorial pavers are available for purchase. Honor a veteran by contacting Ann Swindell at 757-965-6106 or aswindell@ujft.org for more information.