The Ukrainian defense attaché in the U.S., Major General Borys Kremenetsky, put on tefillin for the first time in his life during a symposium held in Florida. The event took place as part of a conference organized by the Aleph organization, which assists Jewish soldiers serving in the U.S. military and was attended by Jewish representatives from six different armies, including the IDF.
Last Friday, as part of his participation in the annual symposium of the organization, Major General Kremenetsky donned tefillin for the first time, with the assistance of U.S. military Rabbi Chaim Roma, a Chabad emissary stationed with the U.S. Air Force in Japan. In doing so, the general effectively marked the Bar Mitzvah he never celebrated. The event occurred at the synagogue in Bal Harbour, Florida, where Kremenetsky also provided an update on the war in Ukraine.
Jewish Representatives from Six Armies
The conference included Jewish representatives from the armies of Germany, France, Canada, the Netherlands, Israel, and Ukraine, alongside approximately 250 Jewish military rabbis and their families. According to Rabbi Eli Astrin from the Aleph Institute, since October 7, there has been an increase in interest among non-religious Jews, as well as a rise in the number of observant young Jewish individuals enlisting in the military. “The Aleph organization works to ensure that every Jewish service member knows they are not alone,” he stated.
The Aleph Institute provides religious support to about 15,000 Jewish soldiers in the U.S. military and ensures the hosting of Jewish celebrations, such as Seders for Passover and soon Purim celebrations, at military bases around the world.
