A Jewish Voice for Veterans;
a Veteran’s Voice for Jews
THE MISSION
We, citizens of the United states of America, of the Jewish faith, who served in wars of the United States of America, in order that we may be of greater service to our country and to one another, associate ourselves together for the following purposes:
To maintain true allegiance to the United States of America.
To foster and perpetuate true Americanism
To combat whatever tends to impair the efficiency and permanency of our free institution.
To uphold the fair name of the Jew and fight his/her battles wherever unjustly assailed; to encourage the doctrine of universal liberty, equal rights, and full justice to all men and women.
To combat the powers of bigotry and darkness wherever originating and whatever their target.
To preserve the spirit of comradeship by the mutual helpfulness to comrades and their families.
To cooperate with and support exisiting educational institutions and establish education institutions; and to foster the education of ex servicemen and ex servicewomen, our members in the ideals and principles of Americanism.
To instill love of country and flag; and to promote sound minds and bodies in our members and youth.
To preserve the memories and records of patriotic service performed by men and women of our faith.
To honor their memory and shield from neglect the graves of heroic dead.
ABOUT US
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EARL ROTH
COMMANDER
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PAUL LAWLER
SENIOR VICE COMMANDER
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ARNOLD KRANE
JUNIOR VICE COMMANDER
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VICTOR KORECHOFF
JUDGE ADVOCATE
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WILLIAM GREEN
2 YEAR TRUSTEE
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CHARLES FEISTMAN
1 YEAR TRUSTEE
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BILL FRANKENSTEIN
3 YEAR TRUSTEE
history
In 1896, US Congress granted Congressional Incorporation to the JWV. JWV was the first federally chartered Veterans Service Organization in the USA.
Nineteen JWV members established Post 603 in December 1948. Post 603 has grown to be the leading post in membership and volunteer service in the Department of California.
Jewish Americans have served in the United States armed forces dating back to before the colonial era when Jews served militias of the Thirteen Colonies. Jewish soldiers fought in the French and Indian War.
In the Revolutionary War, 160 Jews served out of a population of 3,000. Francis Salvador in this war the first known Jew to die for American independence. During this war, Haym Salomon, who was a friend of George Washington, was a key financier who helped fund the Continental Army. With all funds exhausted near the end of the war, Salomon was able to raise sufficient funds which enabled Washington to conduct the Yorktown Campaign, which proved to be the final battle of the war.
Jews were among the supporters of each side of the American Civil War. Estimates are that of a population 150,000 Jews, 0.5% of the population, at least 7,000 Jews fought for the Union and 3,000 for the Confederacy. A total of 600 Jewish soldiers perished in battle.
Two hundred fifty thousand Jewish soldiers served for America in World War I. Approximately 6,000 Jews died serving the US.
In World War II, 550,000 Jews served with about 12,000 killed. Fifty-two thousand received military awards including eighteen Medals of Honor.
In the Korean War, 150,000 Jewish men and women served. Tibor Rubin received a Medal of Honor and has a Veterans Administration hospital named after him in Long Beach, California.
In the Vietnam War, 30,000 Jews served with 269 casualties.
Currently 10,000 Jewish military serve for the US Armed Forces.
