Chaplains commend Army chief of chaplains for decision concerning rabbiDecember 8, 2011 – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Chaplains commend Army chief of chaplains for decision concerning rabbi
WASHINGTON — Chaplain endorsers, representing more than 2,000 military chaplains, commend the Army chief of chaplains for his recent decision to allow Rabbi Menachem M. Stern, a bearded rabbi to be sworn into the U.S. Army as a Chaplain, First Lieutenant. Stern had been found “fully qualified to serve” by a chief of chaplain’s accession board but had been denied a commission into the Army Reserves because of his refusal to shave his beard. Stern’s refusal to shave his beard is based upon his sect’s belief that his beard is a requirement of Jewish law. Stern is not the first rabbi to be given such a waiver. More than 30 years ago, a one-time waiver was granted to another Jewish chaplain. That chaplain, now a colonel, still serves in the Army Reserves. CH (COL) Ron Crews, an Army chaplain who served 28 years and is now executive director for Chaplain Alliance for Religious Liberty, stated, “This decision by the Army chief of chaplains is an example of protecting religious liberty by providing for the religious support of a significant number of Jewish troops.” The Chaplain Alliance for Religious Liberty is an organization of chaplain endorsers that promotes religious liberty for all those who wear our nation’s uniform. The Chaplain Alliance believes that no American should be required to yield their constitutionally guaranteed religious liberties while they serve to protect the liberty of all our citizens.
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