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Army Reaches Out To Jewish Soldiers At Ft. Benning After Discrimination Charge

By Howard M. Friedman

JTA reported yesterday that the army base at Ft. Benning, Georgia, has taken steps in response to discrimination claims by a Jewish soldier who was told by one drill sergeant to remove his yarmulke in the mess hall and was subjected to anti-Semitic taunts by others. He was also beaten by a fellow recruit during basic training, though apparently the assault was not religiously motivated. (See prior posting.) Since then Fort Benning has created religious diversity classes for its drill sergeants. Two weeks ago it added a rabbi as its full-time Jewish chaplain. Also kosher MRE meals are now available in the mess hall. Additionally, Jewish services for the Sabbath and the High Holidays will now be held on base, instead of busing Jewish soldiers to a nearby synagogue. Typically about 20 Jewish soldiers are stationed at Ft. Benning at any one time. Last week's Army Times also reports on Ft. Benning's response. [Thanks to Institute on Religion & Public Policy and to Blog from the Capitol for the leads.]

Full post as published by Religion Clause on August 11, 2009 (boomark / email).