Posted on January 16, 2014
If I didn’t warn you enough with the title, I will warn you again, this post gets pretty personal. Almost two years ago, my mother joined the US Army. Most of you don’t know my mother but just by looking at her, she’s probably the last person you would expect to be a Lieutenant Colonel in the military. She’s adorable and short (sorry mom!) and basically one of the greatest people in the world- but Lt. Col….that I did not see coming.
It was quite the transition for my brother and me. People made the obligatory jokes (“Shoshana, any boy you bring home will run for the hills once they find out they have to salute their girlfriend’s mom!”) and showed their support in various ways, but becoming part of a military family- especially so late in life- definitely threw us for a loop.
Since her signing date two years ago, we have found what a warm, welcoming, and close-knit community the military provides. I have met so many more soldiers and civilian contractors in the last 730 days than I ever anticipated, but I’m so glad these people have come into our lives and I’m thrilled that they are the ones supporting my mom day in and day out.
My mom is only one of the more than 10,000 Jewish men and women currently serving in the US Armed Forces. They are stationed here and abroad, one ships, on bases, in Afghanistan, Germany, Qatar, and the list goes on. These are our people, sacrificing of themselves to protect the country we all call home.
Each month, Areyvut features an organization that is working hard to make a difference in their community. It is our hope that you will be inspired by the important work these organizations are doing and cause you to get involved in some way. While we don’t always blog about the organizations chosen, the one for January 2014 is near and dear to my heart. The JWB Jewish Chaplains Council supports the more than 10,000 Jewish men and women currently serving our country- people just like my mom. So this month, please consider learning more about Jewish service people in the Armed Forces, or even giving a donation to this wonderful organization.
