Chaplains Commend Army Chief of Chaplains for Decision Concerning Rabbi

CHAPLAIN ALLIANCE FOR RELIGIOUS LIBERTY December 7, 2011 – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact CHAPLAIN ENDORSERS at info@chaplainalliance.org or call (571) 293-2427

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.  

Rabbi 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.  Rabbi Stern’s refusal to shave his beard is based upon his sect’s belief that his beard is a requirement of Jewish Law.

Rabbi Stern is not the first Rabbi to be given such a waiver.  Over thirty 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 for a significant number of Jewish troops.”

Chaplain Alliance for Religious Liberties is an organization of Chaplain Endorsers that promotes the religious liberty for all those who wear our nation’s uniform.No American should be required to yield their Constitutionally guaranteed religious liberties while they serve to protect the liberty of all our citizens.

Chaplain Alliance for Religious Liberty is an organization of chaplain endorsers, the faith groups that provide chaplains for the U.S. military and other agencies needing chaplains. The endorsers in Chaplain Alliance speak for more than 2,600 chaplains serving the Armed Forces.

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