Post World War II Military history of Jewish Americans

president ronald reagan reads jewish chaplain rabbi arnold resnicoff s report of 1983 beirut barracks bombing keynote address rev. jerry falwell s conference, baptist fundamentalism 84.

jewish chaplain rabbi arnold e. resnicoff s eye-witness report of 1983 beirut barracks bombing had historical importance 2 reasons. first, 4 days after attack, then-vice president george h. w. bush led white house team visit scene of attack, , asked resnicoff—then 1 of chaplains u.s. sixth fleet—to write report president ronald reagan. resnicoff had arrived in beirut on friday, october 21, lead memorial service young marine killed sniper fire (then fifth death of american forces present part of international peace-keeping force). refused accept transportation sixth fleet headquarters in gaeta, italy next day because shabbat, jewish sabbath, , ended being on scene morning of october 23, when attack occurred. when reagan received report, decided use keynote speech 20,000 attendees of baptist fundamentalist 84 convention, led late rev. jerry falwell. rabbi david lapp, then-director of national jewish welfare board commission on jewish chaplaincy, said many rabbis had quoted presidents, may have been first time in history president had quoted rabbi—certainly, first time entire speech of president attributed rabbi.

jewish chaplain arnold resnicoff, wearing makeshift camouflage kippa made him catholic chaplain (fr.) george pucciarelli, after had become bloodied when used wipe face of wounded marine.

secondly, 1 story aftermath of attack instrumental in terms of changing military policies regarding wearing of kippot, head-coverings, jews in uniform. religious apparel amendment, allowing kippot, had twice failed pass. during rescue efforts following bombing, catholic chaplain fr. george pucciarelli tore piece of camouflage uniform off use makeshift kippa resnicoff, had discarded kippa when became blood-soaked after being used wipe faces of wounded marines. when story read congressional record, both senate , house passed religious apparel amendment, laid groundwork department of defense directive (now instruction) 1300.17, accommodation of religious practices within military service.

this story of camouflage kippah retold @ many levels, in addition reagan s speech, including event involving meeting between reagan , american friends of lubavitch. during group s visit white house, reagan recounted beirut story, , asked rabbis explain him religious meaning of kippah. rabbi abraham shemtov, leader of group, responded, mr. president, kippah sign of reverence. rabbi feller, member of group, continued, place kippah on highest point of our being—on our head, vessel of our intellect—to tell ourselves , world there above man s intellect: infinite wisdom of god.