A “Gift of Life” donation to MRFF

MRFF does not take advantage of any religious obligation or occasion to solicit contributions, but I do feel that the Jewish New Year tradition of “Life” affirming donations to worthy causes is appropriate. For those who don’t know this tradition, contributions of $18 or multiples thereof, are considered to be especially meaningful because the numerical value of the Hebrew letters that spell out “Chai” the Hebrew word for “life” is 18. I have chosen to make a Rosh Hashana gift to MRFF.

On my budget, this is a significant contribution! I have previously purchased “Bricks in the Wall” to support MRFF’s work.
My son, S/Sgt (name withheld), an active duty Army medic who has served 4 tours in the Middle East theatre of hostilities, was instructed during basic training years ago to conceal his Jewish identity, both overseas and stateside. Even his dogtags were re-issued to remove this. When his family had on-post housing, he was told that any non-Christian displays–e.g. placing a menorah in a window during Hanuka–were inappropriate and would lead to a reprimand. This happened at Ft Drum and Ft Hood. He arranged for off-post housing before his wife and children arrived at Ft Carson, but the previous indoctrination that only certain religious affiliations were acceptable had been effective. My grandchildren know nothing of their ethnic heritage, of the brave woman who literally walked across Europe from the Warsaw Ghetto to the coast of France to bring her children to America. They do not understand that their father–my son–is only the latest of many generations of defenders of freedom.

How strange that my grandparents, like their ancestors, had to flee their homeland to find the freedom to worship G-d without persecution for their beliefs, and that now their great-grandson is denied that right by the military of the country that was their refuge.

Non Illegitimus Carborundum! (name withheld), across the Bay from (location withheld)