British Jewish Chaplaincy in the First World War, by Jonathan Lewis
Introduction by Paula Kitching
When countries go to war, it is usual for their religious leaders to go with them, at least in spirit. The First World War was no different. Since the British forces in 1914 were made up of men and women from a variety of religions, clerics from all the different faiths, including Judasim, needed to play an active role. In times of conflict a fighting man needed his God!
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Book of Jewish thoughts by the Chief Rabbi. p.2
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Book of Jewish thoughts by the Chief Rabbi. p.3
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Book of Jewish thoughts by the Chief Rabbi. p.4
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Book of Jewish thoughts by the Chief Rabbi. p.2
Author:Hertz, The Very Reverend Dr Joseph Herman Date: 08/1917
©Jewish Museum
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Book of Jewish thoughts by the Chief Rabbi. p.3
Author:Hertz, The Very Reverend Dr Joseph Herman Date: 08/1917
©Jewish Museum
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Book of Jewish thoughts by the Chief Rabbi. p.4
Author:Hertz, The Very Reverend Dr Joseph Herman Date: 08/1917
©Jewish Museum
In the article below (PDF download), Jonathan Lewis explores the history of the Jewish Chaplaincy in the British Armed Services and describes how the numbers rose. Starting with one Jewish Chaplain in 1909, there were over 20 by the end of the First World War.
The challenges faced by a minority religion in terms of access to people and supporting all those in need is addressed. Lewis tells us why the Jewish burial service was written out for Christian chaplains and what responses the authorities had in allowing Jewish services take place. He provides plenty of thought about the Jewish Chaplains stories and the dilemmas that they and their congregation may have faced.
Download Jonathan Lewis full article
Visit the life story of one of the Jewish Chaplains Nehemiah Goldston (1864-1944)
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Black and withe photograph of Dr. Michael Adler. ©Jewish Museum
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Jewish servicemen on active service, with Rev Michael Adler S.C.F. (seated centre). Date: 19/05/1915
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Rev Michael Adler with the 17th London Regiment at Hatfield, 1914
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Rev. Michael Adler, D.S.O., and Rev. V.G. Simmons, C.F., near Arras
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Rev. V.G. Simmons, C.F., and Rev. A. Barnett, C.F., on active service
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Rev. the Chief Rabbi (Dr. J. H. Hertz) on a visit to G.H.Q., France 1915
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Jewish chaplains and clergymen who officiated in England during World War I.
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Jewish soldiers in the Synagogue in Lille, with Rev. A Barnett, 1919.
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Jewish soldiers in Douai, France, with Rev. A Barnett, 1919
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outdoor service for the Jewish Battalion in Ludd Palestine, 1918. ©Jewish Museum
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Black and withe photograph of Dr. Michael Adler. ©Jewish Museum
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Jewish servicemen on active service, with Rev Michael Adler S.C.F. (seated centre). Date: 19/05/1915
Plate 116 'British Jewry Book of Honour'
Date: 19/05/1915
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Rev Michael Adler with the 17th London Regiment at Hatfield, 1914
Plate 170 'British Jewry Book of Honour': Rev Michael Adler with the 17th London Regiment at Hatfield, 1914. Standing: Dvr. A. Jacks, R.A.S.C.; Rfn. J. Shern, Rfn. J. Pieters, Rfn. M. Morris, Rfn. M. Norton. Seated: Rfn. S. Salmon, Rev. M. Adler, Rfn. D. Harris, Sgt. M. M. Gordon (later killed in action), Rfn. S. Pollack. Kneeling: Cpl. H. Blom, Rfn. J. Levy.
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Rev. Michael Adler, D.S.O., and Rev. V.G. Simmons, C.F., near Arras
Plate 249 'British Jewry Book of Honour': Rev. Michael Adler, D.S.O., and Rev. V.G. Simmons, C.F., near Arras (note the “Mogen David” on the bonnet of the car).
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Rev. V.G. Simmons, C.F., and Rev. A. Barnett, C.F., on active service
Plate 249 'British Jewry Book of Honour': Rev. V.G. Simmons, C.F., and Rev. A. Barnett, C.F., on active service
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Rev. the Chief Rabbi (Dr. J. H. Hertz) on a visit to G.H.Q., France 1915
Plate 249 'British Jewry Book of Honour': Rev. the Chief Rabbi (Dr. J. H. Hertz) on a visit to G.H.Q., France 1915
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Jewish chaplains and clergymen who officiated in England during World War I.
plate 201 (image) 'British Jewry Book of Honour': Black and white group photograph of Jewish chaplains and clergymen who officiated in England during World War I, including Aldershot, Cardiff, Leeds, Manchester, Ramsgate, Reading, Salisbury Plain, Sheffield. Back row (left to right): Rev. H. Jerevitch, Cardiff; Rev. L. Woolfe, Reading; Rev. W. Levin, C.F.; Rabbi B. I. Cohen Sheffield; Rabbi M. Abrahams, Leeds; Rev. J. Phillips, Manchester. Front row (left to right): Rev. A. Cohen, Birmingham; Rev. V. G. Simmons, C.F., Aldershot; Rev. S. Frampton, Liverpool; Rev. S. Lipson, S.C.F; Rev. H. Shandel, Ramsgate; Rev. N. Goldston, C.F., Salisbury Plain; Rev. D. Wasserzug, Easter Command, Lieut. H. Boas, Australian Y.M.C.A.
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Jewish soldiers in the Synagogue in Lille, with Rev. A Barnett, 1919.
Black and white photograph of Jewish soldiers in the Synagogue in Lille, with Rev. A Barnett, 1919.
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Jewish soldiers in Douai, France, with Rev. A Barnett, 1919
Plate 319 'British Jewry Book of Honour': Black and white group photograph of Jewish soldiers in Douai, France, with Rev. A Barnett, 1919
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outdoor service for the Jewish Battalion in Ludd Palestine, 1918. ©Jewish Museum
Black and white photograph of an outdoor service for the Jewish Battalion in Ludd Palestine, 1918. It is thought that this could be Rev. Michael Adler conducting the service.
©Jewish Museum
Contributors
Dr Jonathan Lewis has been awarded a doctorate by University College London on the history of Jewish Chaplaincy in the British Armed Forces. He would welcome any information, documents, photos, memoirs and recollections from the descendants of chaplains and from, for example, people who in the Second World War or as post- war national servicemen encountered Jewish chaplains. He may be contacted on lewisjandr2004@yahoo.co.uk
