Photo Above: JWV Operation Jingle Bells: Volunteers from the Jewish War Veterans gather before visiting patients and staff at the Stratton VA Medical Center in Albany for Operation Jingle Bells on Christmas Eve, Dec. 24, in Albany. This was the first authorized group visit to the medical center since the beginning of the pandemic. JWV members spent time on Christmas Eve visiting with patients who could not be home for the holiday and shared appreciation for the medical staff for their support of the veterans. From left, Marlene Pressman, Victor Reiner, Jessica Reiner, Gary Hoffmann, Kelly Goldenberg, Richard Goldenberg, HattieWant, Lance Wang, Dr. Howard Pressman and Fred Altman.

 

By RICHARD GOLDENBERG

Capital District Council Commander, JWV

ALBANY – Members of the Capital District Council Jewish War Veterans (JWV) of the U.S.A. recently volunteered their time to honor and remember veterans that have died. The veterans, representing Albany Post 105, Schenectady Post 106 and Saratoga Springs Post 36 placed memorial stones at the Jewish headstones of veterans buried at the Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery in Schuylerville on Sunday, Dec.17. Fifteen volunteers gathered at the Jewish Veterans memorial plaque inside the national cemetery to say the Mourner’s Kaddish and then placed the memorial stones on the graves of 199 Jewish veterans buried on the cemetery grounds.

The effort followed the previous days’ placement of memorial wreaths on behalf of Wreaths Across America. “It was a fitting way for our Jewish organization to remember our fallen during this holiday season in our own faith tradition,” explained Albany Post 105 Commander Fred Altman.

The Jewish War Veterans provided coordination with the national cemetery to ensure that Jewish personnel buried there would be noted for their service.

One week later, JWV volunteers gathered at the Stratton VA Medical Center in Albany for the return of Operation Jingle Bells, a program in which the Jewish War Vets visit to patients and staff at the medical center on Christmas Eve. “This program, which has been in existence for four decades, shows JWV’s commitment to other veterans, especially those unable to be home with family for the holidays,” said Altman.

Volunteers from the Jewish War Veterans gather for a memorial prayer before placing stones at the gravesites of Jewish personnel buried at the Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery in Schuylerville, on Dec.17. This was the second consecutive year that JWV was able to conduct its remembrance event during the holiday season. From left, Kelly Goldenberg, Tiffany Paruolo, Shannon Silva, Richard Goldenberg, Judith Rosner, Carole Leakakos, Alan Gutman, William Leakakos, Fred Altman, William Jaffe, Roberta Gottesman, Sam Gottesman and Karl Auerbach.

Fourteen volunteers, again representing all three council posts, divided into groups to visit with nursing staff and patients at the hospital, a first since the global pandemic of 2020-22. “The Jewish War Veterans were the first approved organization to visit veterans,” according to Erwin Dominguez, the Stratton VA Medical Center Chief of Civic Engagement, “Thank you for this.”

Similar to past years, the highlight of spreading holiday cheer was the simple interaction and opportunity to chat with the veterans. “The patients seemed very appreciative,” said Marlene Pressman, a volunteer and wife of past Post Commander Dr. Howard Pressman, a former VA medical provider.

Altman agreed about the value in spending time with those patients spending the holiday in the hospital and the warm welcome these veterans provided to the JWV members. “(They were) very appreciative for the visits,” Altman said, “so that’s what makes it a mitzvah.”

The posts also donated $700 to the Stratton VA Medical Center Volunteer Services office, providing funding for upcoming programs and support to patients.