In the Needs of Men and Women in the United States and Canadian Armed Forces resolution WRJ called on its members to participate in important advocacy efforts regarding: proper training and equipment; pension benefits, death gratuity, and life insurance benefits; compliance with congressional orders and military regulations regarding recruitment, screening, and treatment of military personnel with mental illness; and adequate funding and health services for all servicemen, servicewomen, and veterans. WRJ also urged sisterhoods to alert their members and their congregations and communities to the shortage of Jewish chaplains in the US Armed Forces and to the special needs of Jewish military personnel at home and abroad.

RECOMMENDED SISTERHOOD PROGRAMMING AND ACTION

• Invite military personnel from local bases to your congregations for the High Holiday services, congregational seders, and other worship services through the year.

• Write letters and send packages particularly before Jewish holidays. For information, contact the JWB Jewish Chaplains Council at www.jcca.org/jwb/index.html or 212-786-5119. Another good source for information about what to send and to whom, are the WRJ listservs; several WRJ leaders keep ongoing information about distribution points for Jewish servicemen and women. You could also contact the Department on Programming and Advocacy for their names and e-mail addresses.