In spite of a scandal concerning the proselytizing of born-again Christians at the U. S. Air Force Academy that continues to brew like a bad cup of coffee, Jewish cadets at the Army’s elite West Point Academy say their school couldn’t be friendlier to our tribe. An article from Hillel.org (originally printed in The Forward) depicts an atmosphere that is tolerant of all religions where Jewish military officers-to-be can daven, kibbitz and chill out in a gorgeous, $7.5 million chapel dedicated in 1984.
West Point’s rabbi, Carlos Huerta, believes the Army’s tolerant relgious attitude is a result of this branch of the military’s particular role: “The major weapons system in the Air Force is what? It’s a very expensive airplane. In the army, our primary weapons system is the individual soldier. So our whole moral ethic is directed to taking care of people.”
So mazel tov to the West Point graduating class of 2005. As former press secretary Ari Fleischer told the cadets at last week’s ceremony, “You provide a double mitzvah. The epaulets on our shoulders tell the world you are Americans; the faith in your hearts tells the world you are Jews.”
(photo c/o M.I.T..)