Jewish War Veterans of the U.S.A. (JWV)

From the beginning of Jewish life in America, there has been a strong tradition of military service dating back to 1654, when Jewish settlers in New Amsterdam demanded the right to help stand guard at the stockade.

Organized on March 15, 1896, in New York City by Jewish veterans of the American Civil War, it was first known as the Hebrew Union Veterans Organization. In 1917 it joined with the Hebrew Veterans of the War with Spain, and in 1918 changed its name to Hebrew Veterans of the Wars of the Republic. In 1923 the word ‘Jewish’ was substituted for ‘Hebrew’. The present name was adopted in 1929. In 1954 the national headquarters moved from New York City to Washington, D.C. In its headquarters building, the JWV maintains a National Shrine to the Jewish War Dead, consisting of a chapel, museum, library, record rooms and a Hall of Heroes.

The JWV has more than 300 branches/posts in all parts of the country. The JWV maintains veterans service offices in 14 of the largest American cities. The JWV and its women's auxiliary carry on an active program on behalf of the war wounded and those who are patients in Veterans Administration hospitals. The group also participates in and organizes several Jewish - as well as patriotic - programs across the country. During the past 100 years, JWV has stood for a strong national defense and for just recognition and compensation for veterans. JWV supports the rights of veterans in promoting American democratic principles, in defending universal Jewish causes, and in vigorously opposing bigotry, anti-Semitism  and terrorism – in the U.S. and abroad. The Jewish War Veterans cooperates with other veteran groups and is a visible reminder of American Jewish patriotism and of the fact that Jews have served in the armed forces and paid the ultimate price for that service.
 
Generally, JWV programs fall into one of four categories:
Serving Veterans and Active Military; Engaging Young Leaders;
Engaging Political Leaders and National Events.

Illinois Posts and Department Leadership are involved in many of these areas.
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Below are examples of our work in each of those four areas:
 
Serving Veterans and Active Military
  • Transitioning Resources
  • In-Service Resources
  • Spouse and Military Children Resources
  • Access to and Assistance with VA Benefits
  • Veterans Affairs Voluntary Service (VAVS)
  • Support our Service members (SOS) Program
  • Flagging Services
  • Burial Services
  • Service Projects

Engaging Youth Leaders
  • B’nai Mitzvah Projects
  • JROTC and ROTC Programs
  • National Achievement Program
  • National Youth Achievement Program
  • Girl and Boy Scout Programs
  • JWV Americanism Medal

Engaging Political Leaders
  • Suicide Prevention
  • Veteran Homelessness
  • Mission Act
  • Burn Pits Accountability
  • Blue Water Navy Veterans
  • GI Bill Accountability

National Events
  • National Convention
  • Capitol Hill Action Day
  • Holocaust Remembrance Day
  • Memorial Day Parades
  • Veterans Day Parades
  • FIDF Event Support
  • Speakers' Bureau
  • National Museum of American Jewish Military History (Washington, D.C.)
 
The Jewish War Veterans of the U.S.A. is a national organization, but we would not be what we are today without our local posts and their community.
 
For more information on the benefits of joining JWV in Illinois and the option to start a Post at CKI please contact:

Dick Johnson: dickjohnson20@gmail.com, or
COL (RET) Scott Zonis: scott1160a@yahoo.com or at 847.420.5469
(Scott is working with Howard Goldstein, Commander, JWV Department of Illinois)

Let us also know if you are interested in participating as a Post member or a Member at Large.
 
For more details, feel free to visit www.JWV.org
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