Laurie Zimmet Speaks at Chabad of UNF

Jacksonville, FL — April 29, 2007 — On an unordinary Sunday evening at Rabbi Shmuli Novack’s Chabad house in Southside Jacksonville, University of North Florida students and members of the Jacksonville Jewish community gathered to hear a compelling account—that of an American soldier fighting in the Iraq War, but also the story of a woman persevering as a Jew in the United States Navy. Laurie Zimmet began her lecture with a disclaimer: she in no way intended to speak as a Naval Lieutenant tonight. Rather, she spoke to the Jews gathered at Rabbi Novack’s house as a fellow. Though Zimmet acknowledged her trying and sometimes tragic experience while on her second tour in Iraq, she mainly spoke with a gleam in her eyes and a smile on her face while she led the audience through a year on the Jewish calendar in the Navy.

More pictures in the Extended Article.

Starting with the Hebrew month of Elul, Zimmet conveyed her awe and gratitude when she discovered her comrade was an observant Jew. Zimmet explained that Chaim, her partner, showed her that working for the Navy and being a Jew are not mutually exclusive. He blew the Shofar for her (as is customary in the month of Elul) and Zimmet’s call to duty—to the Jewish people—began.

Shortly after her arrival to and Chaims departure from Iraq, the Jewish holidays of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur arrived. Zimmet recounted the mass of Jewish soldiers that united to pray—she was taken aback by the generosity of the other soldiers, who offered to cover the Jewish soldiers’ shifts.

On the joyous holiday of Simchas Torah, Zimmet remembered being alone—she had nobody to dance and celebrate with. She recalled a story that her Rabbi back at home had told her—the story of a Rabbi who was alone on Simchas Torah, but made the best of it and ended up dancing for hours with the souls of those Jews listed on the memorial plaque. She clutched her Bible and danced with her ancestors—Abraham and Sarah—who had lived not far away in the city of Ur.

Perhaps the most astonishing story Zimmet told was the one of Channukah. Zimmet wowed the audience as she described the measures she took to obtain a 10 x 12 foot Menorah to be lit in Saddam Hussein’s Palace. Zimmet’s retelling displayed the Navy’s eagerness to aid her in fulfilling her religious needs. She was dumbfounded when high-ranking Naval officers casually helped her carry out her wishes of obtaining a giant Menorah. On the first night of Channukah, December 25, Zimmet told that dozens came to Saddam’s palace to light the Menorah. Many, she said, passed up a lavish dinner in order to be a part of the lighting.

Zimmet touched the audience when she recalled her Passover experience. She told of two Jewish officers, one being a general, who decided against attending the Passover Seder. However hard Zimmet tried to convince them to come, both officers persisted in their reluctance. One officer was depressed—he usually led the Seder back at home for his wife and kids. The other officer, the general, feared hurting his image as a tough leader. Zimmet, miraculously, managed to get both officers to attend the Seder. Upon viewing the pictures taken from that night, Zimmet’s general pointed to one taken of him breaking the middle matzah. He told her that he was sending this one home to the family.

Zimmet’s speech overflowed with conviction to Judaism and gratitude to the US Navy. Her account amazed all who gathered at Rabbi Novack’s Chabad house tonight. In the true spirit of a Jewish person, Zimmet, even in a war zone, fervently fulfilled her Jewish obligations. Most importantly, her spark attracted other Jewish soldiers—she set a standard for other Jews in the US Navy to meet. During her second tour in Iraq, Zimmet not only served our country, but also served Hashem, the Lord Above.
As reported by UNF (University of North Florida) Student Russell Levine for www.southsidechabad.com