America Awish &theca! Carter

February 18, 1944

CLIFTON AVENUE - CINCINNATI 20, OHIO

DETROIT JEWISH CHRONICLE and The Legal Chronicle

-:- WILL THEY REMEMBER? -:-

4

probes the meat receptacle for "The chaplain's religion doesn't
the best and biggest cut of meat make any difference now, sir; I'm
du jour he can find, and heaps feeling better." That struck at
my plate wtill accompanying veg- the heart of the matter.
Men in the service are aware—
etables in a manner unabashedly
partial and not a bit conducive or should be—that any chaplain
to the little matter of keeping at their station, of whatever faith,
my waistline down to desirable is ready and eager to be their
friend. This very degree of friend-
proportions.
! must tell you about the Cath- ship of the faiths is what "the
olic boy (Roman Catholic, this home front" could well learn
time) in the camp's hospital. from the men in our armed
When I encountered him, first, on forces. That which is an occa-
Every once in a while we hear to n11 who come into the Chaplain for him to talk. That, incidentally one of my regular rounds of the practice is the rule in army life.
an expression of concern from Corps. Yet most, if not all, chap- is the best thing we chaplains do. wards, he was all trussed up in It didn't cause a ripple when I
"the home front" about the ef- lains quickly learn to serve men Let them talk. But his was a sim- bandages, his legs and arms in performed the marriage ceremony
fects of army life upon "our of other faiths out of a sense ple request. He would like to splints affixed by cords to pul- for the Jewish boy who was serv-
boys" i in the service. We who live of comradeship in arms rather have his wife attend the Sunday leys, which permitted the limbs ing as an assistant to a Protest-
and have our daily being in the than because it is expected of morning Protestant service in this to be held at desired angle. He ant chaplain (with an Irish
army can testify to many a value them. chapel on the morrow. I had but
had been the victim of a severe name). That chaplain also acted
we enjoy which civilian life couldHow do the men themselves to dial the Provost Marshal's accident. The war nurse told me as a witness to the ceremony
profitably emulate. One of these feel about it? Except for denomi- office and request that her name he was in a critical condition and which was held in his —not my
is the splendid spiritual program national activities—worship, bible "be cleared" at the gate. It was had asked to see "a chaplain." He —chapel and "gave away" the
carried out on virtually every classes, masses, confessions, No- quickly done. He rose to depart, opened his eyes at my approach, Jewish bride—all just part of a
army post in the country and in venas—does the religious affilia- after thanking me, paused a ma- smiled faintly, and said: "I need busy day's work.
many a foreign station. When, in tion of the chaplain make any ment to look at the sign on the your help, chaplain. Please give
Is it not to be hoped most
"Jewish Chaplain," and
civilian experience, a Jewish con -difference to them? My answer door,
me a pep talk, I'm feeling low." ardently that men who are dem-
from turned to me to observe, "I guess I was gratified to observe that he onstrating their readiness to die
co .
gregation makes use of a Chris- to that question must come
tam church edifice for worship, myown experiences with them. its funny, my asking a Jewish was being cheered and encourag- together, will be as eager, on
chaplain to help me get my Pro-
or vice versa, it becomes "news." When they conic into my h' office
testant wife permission to attend ed as we chatted. As I was about their return home, to live to-
the !rime late
blouse often gives cue to whether a Christian service. But I think to depart from his bedside I said gether in amity and friendliness?
unique fact, not sufficiently her- the man is a Jew or a Christian, it's wonderful, Chaplain. We "You're Catholic, aren't you?" Is his not, after all, outstanding
alded, that a single chapel houses (my first impression, based upon oughta have more of that in civil- He nodded his bandaged head
i in among our war aims? Men in
the spiritual activities of all three
can life." I expressed my hearty approval. Upon my return to my to this view. They have swept
is
name and countenance,
major religious faiths. In any both
hapel
office i I phoned the Catho- aside the social barriers which
often a mistaken one; the Nordic agreement that "Civilian life"
chapel
one week you find spiritual min- theory to the contrary notwith- could learn some interesting ex- lie colleague in question, giving penned them inside the narrower
istration accorded to Catholics, standing). Often the soldier will amples of inter-faith
i
cooperation him the name, ward and bed num- confines "back home." They have
Protestants and Jews in the one
upon entering, "Chaplain, I from the army. Will he, too, re- bee. He expressed his apprecia- discovered a community of inter-
building. One of the most strik- say
am not Jewish," or "I am a Pro- member—later? non. But chaplains can't always est with those of other faiths to
ing things I have seen in this testant," or "I am Catholic, but." . Then there was that fine-look- pursue a fixed or desired schedule. an extent which, in many an in-
connection occurred on the night The "but" is always that this ing, blond, blue-eyed young cadet Things comeup. Military neces- stance, surprises them. In all
of Rosh Hoshanah. Our service makes no difference to him in who began by telling me that he sity impels immediate attention cases, they are obviously pleased
had just been completed. Most of the matter at hand if it doesn't had always been a good Christian. to other prescribed matters. Two with the larger social vista the
the worshippers had already de- to me. Yes, the soldiers, too, have At home, he said, he enjoyed days later I .found myself in the army life has opened for them.
parted. The chapel lights were
Sunday morning church attend- same ward approaching the hos- They know now how much of
still on. As I stood in the foyer learned that trouble has no sect. ance with his parents. Worship pital bed occupied by that Catho- what is good and vital they have
talking to several boys, a Chris- Amazing as it may seem to some meant a great deal to him. It lie boy. I could see at once that in common with "buddies" whose
tian lad walked into the chapel the average Protestant boy and gave him a "lift," he told me. In he was much brighter. The nurse theology is different from their
and, just inside a front pew close many a Catholic lad are as much the army, too, he went on, he indicated that he was out of own. Yes, they know it now and
to the altar, knelt in silent prayer. at home with a Rabbi as counsel- never missed attending chapel danger. I inquired, "Did you have obviously like the new knowledge.
There he was, in Christian devo- lor as they might be with a min- services. It was a wonderful res- a nice visit with the Catholic But—will they remember?
tion, before the altar on which ister or priest, respectively. The pite from the busy training sched- chaplain (naming him)?" He re-
When they return to the world
the lighted Menorah still shed its type of "problem" they bring to ule and army routine. There was plied, "No, sir, he didn't get of narrow chauvinism and nar-
him
in
the
army
will
clarify
why
soft rays in blessing.
something about the very at- here." I assured him that he rower bigotry and distortion and
Yes, in the army chapels each this can be so.
Here is a chap who is mar- mosphere which lifted a man from would soon, that only pre-occu- lies, the world which restores the
group enjoys its own distinctive
the sordid thought and outlook of nation with matters beyond his
ritual, is furnished its own guide, ried to a girl serving as a civilian everyday and gave him a feeling control had undoubtedly prevent- heritage of hate to each succes-
nurse.
She
has
volunteered
for
sive generation—will they remem-
its own brand of inspiration, con-
of peace and a sense of belonging ed his coming sooner. I
solation and comfort. There is no overseas service. He is an avia- to something good and worth liv- ne 'Pr forget his answer. It was, ben?
watering of the faith of each tion student in my camp, train- ing for. All this he imparted with
ing to be a pilot. They have not
in the process.
the characteristic freshness of
Consider, for it is noteworthy, been together for many months. candor and intellectual honesty I
how the chaplains collaborate He would like the chaplain's as- have learned to enjoy from these
with one another. A boys comes sistance in obtaining a three-day young men, "cream of American
into the chapel, sees an open door pass so that he might 'bend that manhood," whom it is my sacred
at his right or left, just inside precious time with his wife be- privilege to serve. Thus far, this
the entrance; the door leads into fore her sailing. Three-day passes boy had asked for nothing, had
a chaplain's office. He walks in are not dispensed indiscriminately presented no "problem." While
and says: "I'd like to speak to in this camp. The training sched- listening to his narrative, I won-
the Catholic chaplain." He is ule is too serious and severe for dered what it was to lead to.
properly directed by the chaplain that. This boy's immediate com- This was obviously not a rou-
—Jewish or Protestant—of whom mander has told him his request tine interview. It was also ob-
the inquiry has been made. Some- cannot be granted. What if all vious that this young cadet was
times that boy will want infor- the wives of cadets were to "come eager to talk something out. The
mation as to the time and place to town?" He would have to public little realizes to what an
of Catholic masses, confessions, await his regular "open post" extent the chaplain plays the
Novellas. The information is cor- time. (That's the term here for role of psychiatrist. Yes, he did
dially imparted. The Catholic the regularly scheduled opportun- have something • on his mind,
chaplain will be found equally ity afforded the cadets to visit some he had done which he now
cooperative to Protestant boys. the city from about noon to 10 sincerely regretted. He wanted
In the army we have "orienta- p. m.) But the chaplain can get to get it off his chest in earnest
tion talks," given at most sta- in touch with the squadron com- confession to a sympathetic lis-
Does Zionism need a new foundation ? Israel faces the deepest
tions to the newly-arrived soldiers mander, point out the circum-
to facilitate their adjustment to stances which alter this case, how toner. It was clear he left feel-
crisis of its history since the destruction of the Second Temple
their new surroundings. The important it is to the morale of ing relieved. What did it matter
—a crisis calling for a fundamental Jewish program, if Israel
agenda for such talks usually this boy (he is only a boy), that what chaplain gave this desired
is to survive, says WALDO bRANK in PREFACE TO A
includes a brief chat by a chap- an exception be made. It happens outlet?
PROGRAM.
I have been citing experiences
lain. At my last station, where that in this instance the corn-
we had only three chaplains—one mantling officer is a Catholic, the with Protestant lads, drawn from
of each faith, the three of us cadet and his wife are Protest- hundreds of similar episodes. IT
ON A JEWISH SOLDIER'S LETTER
spoke to the men for a total of ants and the chaplain who inter- is i to be noted that these fellows
about ten or twelve minutes. Af- ests himeslf in the matter is Jew- are not unacquainted with the
by Harold J. Laski. Response to a stirring letter from a
ter each had announced his own ish. The three-day pass was church or its minister or the
soldier stationed at Suez and a lively criticism of British
ices of their own faith conducted
policies in Palestine
schedule of services, classes, etc., g rante d
recent "case," similar in the chapel. If they came to me,
one or another of us would make to Another
one
this one, involved a Protestant it was no doubt because I was.
UNDER FORTY: A Symposium on American Literature and
it a point to call attention to the boy who brought me a telegram for the moment, more handily
the Younger Generation of American Jewish Writers,
friendship among the chaplains, received from his wife advising available. The point is that be-
urging the soldiers to practice the him that she, his mother and his ing the Jewish chaplain made no
ISRAEL'S NORDIC CHAMPIONS
same friendliness with men of infant son, whom he had never difference to them. Sometimes
by Franz J. Katz. flow the Scandinavian peoples resisted
varying faiths. It was my invari- seen, were on their way to the they come in patently uncertain
the Nazi onslaught on the Jews—a firsthand report.
able practice to remind them nearby city to see him. His squad- whether they will find me just
that "you who are prepared to ron commander had refused his as ready to have it "make no dif-
THE CEDARS OF LEBANON: RACE AND
die together, if need be, should application for a "pass to town." ference." The word soons gets
certainly learn to live together I talked with the latter by phone. 'round that it doesn't. Others
TRADITION
in mutual respect and under- He was adamant. It was his rule cone without uncertainty. And
by James Darmestetcr. A brilliant essay on Jews and
standing."
to make no exceptions. I got in I have found that Catholic boys,
Judaism.
At my present post, perhaps touch with the officer in a higher too, though in lesser proportion,
The CONTEMPORARY JEWISH RECORD
because I occupy a front office, echelon, the squadron command- find the Jewish chaplain's assist-
I find myself busily engaged serv- er's immediate superior officer, ance in non-denominational mat-
I published by The American Jewish Committee)
ing Protestant and Catholic boys who agreed with me that a pass, ters just as acceptable. It so
offers
Fact—Opinion—Interpretation—through Ar-
as well as co-religionists. Certain- under such circumstances, was happens that we have no pro-
ticles, Chronicle of Events, Magazine Digest, Book
ly it makes no difference to me warranted. He so ordered. It is vision on this post for religious
Reviews, The Cedars of Lebanon series of classic
when a soldier who conies to me difficult to describe the gratitude services for men of the Greek
for assistance is not Jewish. The of the cadet. When he thanked Orthodox Faith. Shortly after my
essays.
type of problem he brings has me for my intercession, tears arrival at this station, I was asked
no theological denomination. Nat- brimming to eyelids, he said, by a Greek boy if I would write
— — — Mail This Coupon Today — —
urally, if it is a strictly religi- "Chaplain, if I ever again hear a note to his squadron comman-
ous matter which concerns him, anybody saying things against the der, requesting that he be per-
CONTEMPORARY JEWISH RECORD
he ,d referred to the chaplain of Jews, they'll have me to reckon mitted to attend Greek Orthodox
386 Fourth Ave.. New York 16, N. Y.
his own major faith group. Chap- with." It was, to me, an unfor- services "in town" on Sunday
lains of all faiths are expected getable remark. But, as he was mornings. It was done. Ever since
For the enclosed $2 enter my subscription for
to refrain from any conversion- leaving my office in the chapel, I have had a score of such re-
one
year
I six issues ).
ary activities. The only one I I wondered, "will he remember?" quests from soldiers of this reli-
ever knew to depart from that
Another boy was struck by the gious persuasion. It has proven
Name
unwritten regulation was soon significance of his own experience to me, because the chef at the
cashiered from the army. It is to and expressed it with simple mess hall at which I take my
Address
be noted that he was a notorious frankness. On a Saturday morn- meals is a Greek. When he sees
anti-Semite in civilian life. He ing he walked in to inquire for me approaching the counter at
djc2184 I
could "get away" with that sort the Protestant chaplain. I in- which the food is dispensed to
of thing in a civilian community; formed him the latter was out the plates we bring, he dashes
the army will have none of it.
at the time and that I would be out with the cry, "I will take
Incidentally, at the army's school
glad to contact another by phone. care of the chaplain." He then
for chaplains, this is made clear

He said, looking up at the sign
affixed to my office door, "I see
The Editor: Chaplain Grafman is a graduate of the University of you are the Jewish chaplain; per-
University
haps you can help me." The
Cincinnati, Hebrew Union College of Cincinnati
and
Marshall Lass' College of Chicago, Ill. He is a World War Phrase has become quite familiar.
veteran, having volunteered to serve in the marines where he I anticipated another "non-sec-
tarian problem;" (shouldn't I
gained distinction as an expert rifleman. Before offering his term it, better, "pan-sectarian
services as a chaplain in this war he was a rabbi at Temple problem?") ) I motioned him to a
Israel at Long Beach, N. Y. for five years. After being corn- seat, offered him a cigarette from
missioned he attended a chaplain school at Harvard University. the receptacle on my desk, kept
He is now stationed at Camp Santa Anita, Arcadia, Calif. full for that purpose, and waited

By

CHAPLAIN L. ELLIOT GRAFMAN

DON'T MISS

The February Issue of
CONTEMPORARY JEWISH
RECORD

Towards a Program
for Jews

Other February Features

.

