‘Trailblazing’ Chaplain Leaves his Mark on Canadian Armed Forces

OTTAWA – A rabbi, a minister and an imam walk into a barracks… The Canadian Armed Forces had hundreds of Christian chaplains, the Maltese Cross in its symbol, and “Onward Christian Soldiers” as the official March Past, but in 2007, after Chabad-Lubavitch Rabbi Chaim Mendelsohn became the first rabbi to serve as a chaplain since World War II, things began to change.

For one thing, the chaplaincy letterhead now sports three symbols – one for each major faith (the Jewish one shows a symbolic Ten Commandments).

For another, the Chaplain General has taken pains to ensure that military bands will no longer play “Onward Christian Soldiers.”

That last is directly attributable to Mendelsohn, although he claims it happened by accident.

“One time after dinner some of the soldiers convinced the band to play” the song, Mendelsohn explained, “and soon after the dinner I left. The next morning, the Chaplain General, assuming that I was offended, apologized to me, called a conference, and carefully explained to the troops the importance of being sensitive in our multi-faith culture. The funny thing is, I had left due to exhaustion. I hadn’t even noticed what song they had played.”

Mendelsohn, whose grandfather and great uncle both served in the Canadian Army, had many unusual experiences and often acted as a bridge for the non-Jewish chaplains to get to know about Judaism.

For example, there was the time that he had discovered that one of the chaplains had actually been born to a Jewish mother. Offering to show the pastor how Jews traditionally put on the prayer boxes known as teffilin, Mendelsohn found, to his surprise, that he had an audience. Almost 20 chaplains crowded into his room to watch the process and pelt the rabbi with questions and comments.,/p>

Of course, the culture shock went both ways. Basic Training, with its 20-hour work days, was especially discombobulating for the young rabbi.

“Sergeants screaming at you because your pants are not tucked into your boots properly or your toothbrush isn’t lined up three inches from your deodorant, learning to properly march and salute and all the incessant running. I was often falling behind or not marching in sync and you should have seen me trying to set up a tent!”

But one adjusts.

“The soldiers are amazing,” Mendelsohn asserted. “They will do anything for each other. There was great camaraderie. And by the end, I began to do things that I never thought I could do. I climbed down a 30-foot wall and marched 16 kilometers with equipment on my back. And today, the warrant officers and sergeants who screamed at me are people that I feel such great respect for.”

That respect goes both ways. Major Don Collar, Mendelsohn’s brigade chaplain, calls the rabbi a “trail blazer,” and another unit was so impressed by his chaplaincy skills that Mendelsohn was asked to be that unit’s chaplain simultaneously – a highly unusual occurrence.

As a chaplain, Mendelsohn’s main duties were to minister non-Jewish soldiers and he was quite successful at it. His Commanding Officer, Major James Bradley, has gone out of his way to praise Mendelsohn for his service to all faiths and considers the rabbi’s work to be “of lasting impact.

During his service, the rabbi was also constantly reaching out.

One Purim, he invited the Jewish community to watch as he organized a “Support the Troops” event with his unit. Setting up obstacle courses and camouflage face painting for the children, the Jewish community was thrilled to be exposed to the soldiers who make such sacrifices on their behalf, and many members of the community were still thanking the rabbi weeks later.

Of course it was not all fun and games. When one of their own, Captain Frank Paul, suddenly died, Mendelsohn described the ensuing days as an “emotional roller coaster.” Similarly, when he had to inform family members of servicemen who were killed in Afghanistan, the pain was cogent.

Life, however, marches on and the rabbi has recently been appointed the director of public affairs for the Canadian Federation of Chabad-Lubavitch, where he serves as Chabad’s representative on Parliament Hill.

As a result, after three years of reserve service, Mendelsohn has reluctantly decided to hang up his Captain’s uniform.

“I love the work and I will miss it,” he said, “and I will especially miss working with the troops, who are just incredible. I am overwhelmed with respect and admiration for the sacrifice the troops make and their dedication. But the time pressure from my civilian duties is just too great now.”

He made the decision, however, with the buoyant knowledge that he has smoothed the way for others to follow. Today, Rabbi Lazer Danzinger, also of Chabad, serves as a chaplain in the regular army.

“Rabbi Danzinger is an extraordinary person and a fantastic chaplain,” said Mendelsohn, “and I have absolute confidence that he will be a role model to everyone with whom he comes into contact. I am grateful to be succeeded by someone so capable.”

And Danziger has only praise in return.

“Rabbi Mendelsohn provided inspiration and friendship, and could truly empathize with the unique challenges we faced,” noted the captain. “Throughout my own enrollment he was always there for me. He helped me navigate through the lengthy and sometimes complex enrolment process, encouraging me to persevere. He also provided me with crucial personal endorsements to key members in the chaplaincy branch, which facilitated the acceptance of my application, for which I will always be grateful. I look forward to working with him in the future.”