National Guard Airman Thanks Aleph for their Support

A New Jersey Air National Guardsman wrote a letter to Aleph, the organization which provides support to Jewish military personal, thanking them for providing him with the opportunity to light a Chanukah menorah while in service – and the unexpected discovery of a fellow airman’s Jewish background.

The letter was sent to Rabbi Mendy Katz, who heads of The Aleph Institutes military outreach program.

Rabbi Katz:

Thank you so much for Aleph’s support of the troops.  Your Hanukah package was exactly what I needed to increase my simcha.  I was TDY during most of the holiday and the “no-frills menorah” was perfect for travel and lighting. Thanks to Aleph I was able to light candles each night I was away from home.

In fact, I befriended a fellow airman (who unexpectedly was Jewish) and we lit the candles together.  My friend hadn’t lit Hanukah Candles in many years and it brought us closer to Hashem and each other to share in the mitzvah.  This experience proved once again that in the military you never know what you’re going to get….and it’s so nice to get the positive at times!

Back at home, my two children Aaron and Sarah had spirited dreidel completion thanks to your Hanukah package.

Thank you for your generosity and promotion of mitzvoth.

Jesse Arnstein, Lt Col, NJANG
Chief of Staff, 177th Fighter Wing

The Aleph Institute is currently holding their annual auction which supports these valuable and essential outreach programs, which are among many others. Help support Aleph’s work by visiting www.AlephAuction.org, with over 100 raffle prizes and a Grand Prize of $25,000 cash!