Canadian Rabbi is Brigade's First Since WWII

Canadian Rabbi is Brigade’s First Since WWII

David Fleischer – Georgina Advocate

Photo by Cpl Terence Fernandes 32 CBG Public Affairs

THORNHILL, Canada — He is a 52-year-old father and an Orthodox rabbi, but last week Lazer Danzinger tried something entirely new: he joined the Canadian Armed Forces.

“I’m actually excited about it. I like challenges, I like learning,” the Thornhill resident said of his new role as a chaplain.

Mr. Danzinger will be the first Toronto-born Jewish chaplain in the forces since the Second World War and one of the few from across the country during the same period.

“I think it’s an historic event,” Mr. Danzinger said, adding he will be the first Jewish chaplain whose parents were Holocaust survivors and that he will work hand-in-hand with a Roman Catholic padre.

Mr. Danzinger was among those inducted into the army reserves at a ceremony Thursday at CFB Downsview. He will serve as part of the 25th (Toronto) Service Battalion.

Soon, Mr. Danzinger heads to Camp Borden for two weeks of basic training. He will complete another two weeks next year.

The chaplain branch of the army provides a range of spiritual and ecumenical services, but Jewish chaplains have been few and far between.

It was a surprisingly natural step for Mr. Danzinger, a member of Chabad Lubavitch, an Ultra-Orthodox Jewish sect who are very involved in outreach activities. York Regional Police chaplain Mendel Kaplan is also a Chabad rabbi, as is an Ottawa rabbi who undergoes basic training alongside Mr. Danzinger.

Raised in a traditional Jewish household, Mr. Danzinger came to Orthodoxy as a young man.

He was ordained as a rabbi nearly 30 years ago, but mostly worked in the IT field with companies such as Motorola until a passion for adult education led him to chaplaincy a few years ago.

A now-retired Jewish Major General called Mr. Danzinger, encouraging him to join the forces, but Mr. Danzinger thought he should try his hand locally at first.

For the past two years, he has served, through Jewish Family and Child Services, as a chaplain with York Central Hospital in Richmond Hill.

He also works with Corrections Canada at institutions such as the Kingston Penitentiary.

“It’s very rewarding work,” he said, admitting it can also be emotionally difficult.

He works as part of a multi-disciplinary team doing everything from counselling to officiating at funerals. Completing a clinical pastoral education program gave him the confidence he was ready to take the next step.

Both in the army and at the hospital, working with non-Jews is just as important a part of his job.

“We minister to our own, and care spiritually for everyone,” he explained.

This week is Passover, a time during which dietary restrictions necessitate eating a lot of matzah (unleavened bread) and products loaded with eggs and sugars.

It is not the best pre-military regime for a man who admits he is no spring chicken, despite being relatively athletic.

While at CFB Borden, the army will provide him with kosher food and make other accommodations.

He hopes, for example, the 30 to 40 minutes he needs for his morning prayers will not be a problem.

His five children are excited he is heading off to army training, but his wife, Yehudis, has to bear the burden of his absence, he admitted.

“Overall she’s excited, but it’s not without a price,” he said.