For the past six months, the Jewish Uniformed Service Association of Maryland has been connecting veterans with volunteers through its Veteran Circle of Friends initiative.
The program offers support and company for Jewish veterans in need and has already had a number of charitable events, such as packing shalach manot for veterans on Purim and delivering bouquets of flowers to them on Shavuot.
JUSA as an organization is no stranger to charitable work. The Chabad of Maryland affiliate organization’s main goal is to provide a community for Jewish veterans and uniformed service workers, whether they want to meet and connect with others like them or need financial and community support. JUSA partners with local small businesses to help veterans get jobs after their service and manages the Veterans Family Assistance Fund for veterans whose families are struggling.
In addition, JUSA operates the JUSA House, which holds bimonthly Shabbat services, Torah discussions and kiddush in partnership with the Shomrim Society of Maryland.
The Veteran Circle of Friends initiative differs from these other charitable works due to its capacity for volunteer involvement — anyone can come help out and provide company to veterans in need.
“There’s quite a few Jewish veterans in Maryland and in Baltimore in particular,” said Rabbi Chesky Tenenbaum, JUSA’s founder and director. Tenenbaum has worked with his wife, Chani, to head JUSA for over 10 years, while also serving as a chaplain for the VA Maryland Health Care System and the U.S. Secret Service.
“In seeing how we can add on to our programs, one of our veterans suggested a program where people could volunteer to assist or visit other veterans, and that’s how the initiative came about,” he explained. “We have different programs and volunteer opportunities throughout the year.”
The shalach manot, or Purim basket, deliveries were their first program, and they arose out of concerns voiced by older veterans in the community.
“Many older veterans were unable to attend Purim celebrations in their community,” Rabbi Chesky Tenenbaum said. “Having shalach manot delivered brought Purim to them, and let them still experience the joy of Purim.”
At the moment, most of the programs offered by the Veteran Circle of Friends are seasonal, with many of them being holiday-based deliveries. The initiative is still in its beginning stages, but there are plans to offer more regular programming in the future as the circle grows and more volunteers participate.
JUSA is currently laying the groundwork for a visitation program where volunteers can visit veterans, especially older veterans, to keep them company and spend time with them.
“There’s a recognition veterans get by seeing that people appreciate what they have done for the community. It really means a lot to them,” noted Chani Tenenbaum. “It brings awareness to the community as a whole, and especially to children that get involved in meeting these heroes.”
The Circle of Friends is dedicated to making sure that Jewish veterans in the area are not only adequately supported by their community, but appreciated by it. Rabbi Chesky Tenenbaum added that they have already received positive feedback for the initiative from older veterans in the area.
“It makes a difference when veterans are visited or have something delivered to them,” he said. “It shows that they haven’t been forgotten, whether it’s bringing them flowers or sponsoring a veteran.”
He mentioned that while they are working on expanding the Veteran Circle of Friends, JUSA still offers plenty of volunteer opportunities for people looking to get involved. For Memorial Day, they held a service at the Garrison Forest Veterans Cemetery, one of the few veterans cemeteries to have a dedicated Jewish section.
“[JUSA] is meant to be a place for veterans and other uniformed personnel to have a home away from home, and to establish connections with like-minded heroes,” Chani Tenenbaum said. “The social events and opportunities we offer help build a sense of unity for them, and give them a place where they feel accepted.”
She also added that the organization is always looking to meet new veterans, all of whom are welcome to their programs.
“Our motto, and our focus, is ‘serving those who serve us,’” Rabbi Chesky Tenenbaum said.
