Jewish War Veterans Ben Katz Post # 580

Jewish War Veterans

Lt. Col. Carol Berman, U.S. Army Reserves

504-390-5505 Contact Us

About

We are dedicated to enhancing the connection between the military, both Active Duty & Veterans, with the city of New Orleans and its Jewish Community.

Mission

As stated in the National Constitution and By-Laws of the JWV, as restated, revised & amended as of September 2007:

“To maintain true allegiance to the United States of America; to foster and perpetuate true Americanism;
to combat whatever tends to impair the efficiency and permanency of our free institutions; to uphold the fair name of the Jew and fight his or her battles wherever unjustly assailed; to encourage the doctrine of universal liberty, equal rights, and full justice to all men and women; to combat the powers of bigotry and darkness wherever originating and whatever their target; to preserve the spirit of comradeship by mutual helpfulness to comrades and their families; to cooperate with and support existing educational institutions and establish new educational institutions; and to foster the education of ex-servicemen and ex-servicewomen, and our members in the ideals and principles of Americanism;
to instill love of country and flag; and to promote sound minds and bodies in our members and our youth; to preserve the memories and records of patriotic service performed by the men and women of our faith; to honortheir memory and shield from neglect the graves of our heroic dead.”

Description

The Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America (JWV) is a Jewish American Veterans’ organization and is the oldest veterans group in the United States. It has an estimated 37,000 members. Any Jewish American Veteran or Active Duty member of the Army, Navy, Coast Guard, Marines, Reserves of all branches, National Guard, and USPHS are eligible for membership. Jewish persons now residing in the United States who are Veterans of the armed forces of Allied Countries such as Israel, England, Canada, are also eligible for membership. No dues are required for active duty personnel. We also welcome Patrons. You do not have to be a veteran or even Jewish. We are proud of the diversity of our non-Jewish Members, which include people of all faiths, creeds, and backgrounds many of whom are quite involved with our Post. The New Orleans Post of the JWV was the fastest growing Post in the nation in 2009 and 2010 and continues to expand because of the diversity of its membership and its programming.

General Information

The Ben Katz Post 580, New Orleans, JWV, is a Veterans organization, together with its patrons, many of whom are not Jewish, who proudly contribute to the welfare of all in our greater New Orleans community. Our programs have been recognized and emulated throughout the country.

We pride ourselves as being the voice and sight of proud Jewish Americans who so valiantly served and continue to serve in the Armed Forces of our great country. Several years ago when the National World War II Museum had a special six-month exhibit on Jewish Americans who served in World War II, our post presented a program at the Museum featuring three of our members who were WW2 veterans. At the General Assembly of Jewish Organizations’ annual meeting held in New Orleans several years ago, the post was asked to provide a color guard composed of all veterans. No other Jewish organization could have accomplished these missions.

Basic Info

We honor our deceased Jewish Veterans with special Memorial Day programs; we honor our Jewish Admirals and Generals with programs in our Synagogues and Temples; we have special Veteran’s Day programs in our Synagogues and Temples. We cooperate, in our unique way, with other Jewish agencies such as Jewish Family Service, Jewish Community Center, Jewish Children’s Regional Service, Hadassah. One such example is our contribution to the annual Holocaust memorial program held at the Jewish Community Center.

Additionally, we participate in programming with other Veterans organizations such as the American Legion, and agencies that serve Veterans such as the Volunteers of America. On Veterans Day WE WERE THE ONLY VETERANS POST that was invited to participate in a program at the National World War II Museum. Similarly, for the past several years WE ARE THE ONLY VETERANS POST to participate in the annual Martin Luther King Day Parade. These are but two examples of our contribution to the welfare of the community-at-large.

Address: P.O. Box 57714, New Orleans, LA. 70157-7714

Awards

Ben Katz Post 580, New Orleans, Jewish War Veterans of America was recognized as the fastest growing Post in America in 2009 and 2010. Post Commander Judge Sol Gothard, z’ll, was personally recognized as having recruited the most members of any Post in the country in 2009 and 2010.