One is a Gold Star father, who lost a son in combat. Another is a Gold Star sibling, whose brother was killed in Iraq; today, her daughter serves in the IDF. There are former military pilots, an officer in the Naval Reserves, and members of the NYPD.

All of these men and women belong to UJA’s Warriors and Veterans Society. Launched less than a year ago, the group is open to past, present, and future service members of any uniformed service, their families, and Gold Star surviving family members. Bound by their service and sacrifice, patriotism and duty — they aren’t done giving back. The same passion and sense of responsibility that motivated their military service compels them to help others live better lives. And they choose UJA as a vehicle for their service.

Marc Wolf, a former Naval officer and the current Warriors and Veterans chair, explains what motivates him and others, “It’s in our DNA to help our community, as we did when we were in uniform. Now that we’re out of uniform, we appreciate the camaraderie and the opportunity to come together around shared values.”

For an example of a hero turned philanthropist, Marc mentioned Uriah Phillips Levy, the first Jewish Commodore of the Navy and a veteran of the War of 1812, who is credited with bringing an end to flogging in the Navy. Subsequent to the war, Levy became a very successful real estate investor and philanthropist, devoting himself to supporting Jewish life in America, among other things. He was the first president of Washington Hebrew Congregation in Washington, D.C., and sponsored a Jewish seminary at Congregation B’nai Jeshurun in New York City. Perhaps most fascinating, Levy greatly admired Thomas Jefferson for his belief in religious freedom, and subsequently bought and preserved Monticello, Jefferson’s plantation.

There are countless other Jews who have served in the United States Armed Forces from revolutionary days to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. While many aren’t as well-known as Uriah Levy, their service to our country is no less important.

And so, as we observe Veterans Day tomorrow, let us pay tribute to our Jewish veterans — and all American veterans — who have served our nation during times of war and peace, ensuring our security and precious freedom. They are deserving of our greatest respect and gratitude.

Shabbat Shalom