Ottawa, Canada — Rabbi Chaim Mendelsohn, the first Orthodox Rabbi to serve in the Canadian Forces (CF) since the end of the Second World War, was sworn in today at the National Defence Medical Centre Auditorium in Ottawa.
Video in Extended Article!
Canadian Forces Welcomes Jewish Chaplain
Ottawa, Canada — Rabbi Chaim Mendelsohn, the first Orthodox Rabbi to serve in the Canadian Forces (CF) since the end of the Second World War, was sworn in today at the National Defence Medical Centre Auditorium in Ottawa.
Video in Extended Article!
During the simple installation service, Rabbi Mendelsohn swore allegiance to the Queen, and received his commission as a military officer at the rank of Captain.
Captain Mendelsohn will serve as chaplain to 28 Field Ambulance, a hundred-member unit in Ottawa that provides health support services to the reserve soldiers in the area (33 Brigade).
“This is a momentous day,” said Brig.-Gen. Stan Johnstone, Chaplain General of the Canadian Forces. “We welcome Rabbi Mendelsohn to the Chaplain Branch with open arms,” he added, “and through our commitment to diversity, we will be able to better meet the spiritual needs of all CF members and their families.”
“Our chaplains provide an invaluable service to our brave men and women in uniform serving around the world,” said General Rick Hillier, Chief of Defence Staff. “We are honoured to have Rabbi Mendelsohn join our CF family, and I am confident that the work of all our chaplains better equips our members to face personal and professional challenges.”
The CF Chaplaincy Branch is a multi-faith branch, dedicated to providing service to all of the men and women who serve as soldiers, sailors, and air force personnel, regardless of faith. As the Chaplain Branch further evolves, it will continue to encompass both chapel-based activities and provide a ‘ministry of presence’ wherever military personnel may be found.
R .Steinhauser
Bassy and Chaim !
You guys are doing an amazing job!!!!!!
keep on turning over Ottowa !!!!!
Areye Leib
Wow I didn’t know Canada Had any Milatary forces. I was told you can invade with a bow and arrow
Yankee Pearson
Mazel Tov Mazel Tov Chaim!!!!!!!! I knew U could make Chaim. Its about time u learned to do 50 pushups.
Oh Canada
so what is it now – a horse, a rowboat, & a rabbi?
Makpeid
swore allegiance to the Queen? Don’t they just ‘affirm’ things today, or was this editorial license (I didn’t watch the video).
ike
chaim if thats you. i give you my best wishes for hatzlacha bigashmius and biruchnius. ike
Boruch L
Chaim, the queen needs a guy like you to protect her, do you get your own horse?
confused
allegiance to what queen????
Boruch ben Tzvi HaKohaine Hoffinger
B”H
Mazel Tov!
Say, he pledged allegiance to the Queen? What about the King?
He should study more chassidus, a Queen is malchut.
(joke)
To confused
Im sure the queen of England.
sora korf
chaim i always belived in you and knew you would go great places! i salute you
Get Educated
Vos iz oifen loong is oifen tzung…People find out facts before sending questions that make them look real silly. It’s okay to be ignorant I guess, but to display it openly (even behind another name) is just ridiculous. If you have nothing to say, then don’t say it. (RE:Confused…the other comments were fine, and even funny.) This comment goes for all the other silly posts at different times. It doesn’t look so good for us!!
CONGRATS!!
somebody take the papers off the Chumash. Mazel tov and good luck on your new job! make a Kddush Hashem!!
a loyal canadian
please do not offend canada
a lubob from montrl
wow… people really have the wrong perspective of canada’s current military. I mean, it may be a drop in the bucket when compared to the US, but the canadian army is def getting alot stronger. The soldier with no weapons is something of the past. canada has +1000 currently serving in afganistan. and to mendelsohn…way to go!!!
Michoel
Echoing Lubob from M’real’s comments–He is right, and all joking aside, in terms of number of personnel, Canada’s military is far less than the US, but in terms of training, equipment, skill and quality of soldiers, they have great discipline and soldiering skills. Ask any American soldier who had the priviledge of serving alongside Canadians and they will say that it’s true. Also, Canada is much more selective in terms of the kinds of people they let join their military. My question is, how many Jews are currently serving in Canadian Forces?