Local veteran on the front lines supporting Jews in U.S. military

RESIDENCE:
Marlton (via Brooklyn)
MILITARY:
First Lieutenant in the
Armored Cavalry and
New York National Guard
BUSINESS:
B&D Donor Recognition
Products
FAMILY:
Wife Marlene;
son Leonard; daughters
Sorelle and Deborah;
seven grandchildren
SYNAGOGUE:
Temple Beth Sholom
(39 years)

When Bernie Epworth volunteered to serve in the U.S. military, he was following an American Jewish tradition. During World War II, Jews served in the military in a higher percentage than the general population. Jews have served in every one of America's wars from the Revolution onward, and the Jewish War Veterans of America is the oldest of the nation's organizations for veterans, chartered by congress 112 years ago.

Epworth, who entered the service in 1950, had a sense of obligation. He wanted to serve America. "We got a lot to be thankful for," said the current senior vice commander of the Jewish War Veterans (JWV) of the USA for the State of New Jersey.

Today, however, Epworth is concerned that the Jewish community does not sufficiently recognize both Jews who are serving in Iraq and Afghanistan and those at the service academies. The many bright, articulate and dedicated Jews serving today should be a source of pride for the entire Jewish community, according to Epworth.

In line to become the New Jersey JWV commander in June, Epworth is working hard to support both Jews and non-Jews in the military as well as to build the ranks of the JWV. Most current JWV members are World War II veterans.

It's not easy to attract younger Jews to the JWV.

Unlike bygone days, when a soldier's faith was stamped on the "dog tag" worn around his neck, the government no longer classifies soldiers by religion. Today, those records no longer exist, so Epworth and others at the JWV have to look a lot harder.

"We are working on three fronts," said Epworth. The JWV is in contact with military chaplains, is asking parents to provide the names of children currently serving, and is working with rabbis to locate congregants on active duty. He uses these lists to send holiday packages to Jewish soldiers in his capacity as chair of JWV's "Care Packages for Overseas Military" campaign. Over Chanukah, he sent 140 packages to Jewish servicemen.

Epworth is proud of the leadership role taken by the JWV, including the local Furer-Barag-Wolf Post 126 of Cherry Hill of which he is a past commander. He said that the JWV actively promotes legislation supporting the nation's veterans, promotes Israel, and is a strong voice against antisemitism. "It's amazing to see the esprit de corps in the U.S. military and the low level of antisemitism," he bragged.

JWV Post 126 also dedicated aquatic rehabilitation equipment at Fort Dix and joined with the state JWV to help create and build the New Jersey World War II Memorial in Trenton. With the ongoing support of attorney Eric Spevak, Post 126 hosted its fifth Thanksgiving Day event. Lunch was served to 275 Georgia and Tennessee National Guardsmen and seven wounded soldiers. Over 400 people were on hand, each waving a flag, to greet the soldiers from Ft. Dix. The warmth and the appreciation in the room were incredible, according to Epworth. "It gave you a good feeling.".