When U.S. Naval Lt. Commander Adam Goldberg was stationed in Rhode Island, he was an active member of its Jewish War Veterans Post. So, in 2013 when he was transferred to Norfolk, Va.,
it was only natural to him that he join JWV Post 158, one of the oldest chapters in the nation.
For years having been under the watchful care of Samuel Werth—until his death—Goldberg found the local Post languishing. Goldberg vowed to revive it. Several deployments, however, got in the way. Now, with retirement planned for March, Goldberg is working to reenergize the Post. And, for anyone who wonders, chapters are called Posts based on an Army term for a base, notes Goldberg.
Established in 1896, and chartered by Congress in 1984, the Jewish War Veterans is the oldest
active veterans organization in the nation. It is open to any Jewish veteran who has served in a time of
war and works to bring together men and women with the joint ties of a common Jewish heritage
and a common experience as a member of the Armed Forces of the United States.
Tidewater’s Post includes veterans from all branches of the military. The only criterion is having been involved in a war, which according to Goldberg, “is easy right now because one has been going on for a long time.”
Current members of JWV Post 158 range in age from the mid-20s to the 90s, with the bulk in the 40s and 50s. “We have around two dozen active members,” says Goldberg, “with more than 60 that are inactive.”
For Active Duty service members, it is free to join, notes Goldberg. “We’re trying to do something—a
meeting or an activity—quarterly,” he says. “Our primary goal is to get younger members involved, to connect the young vets with older vets for mentorships and networking groups.”
JWV Post 158 includes all of Sout he a stern Virginia, assists with a variety of issues, and is associated
with other veterans groups.
As Post Commander, Goldberg has been in contact with area synagogues and Jewish organizations to reach as many veterans in the area as possible.
One of JWV’s ongoing activities is to put flags on the headstones of veterans, especially around Memorial Day. Jim Eilberg heads up this effort, which also serves as a fundraiser for the Post.
As for Goldberg, the Los Angeles native says he hopes to make Tidewater his permanent home once retirement arrives next year. “This is a great place to live!” he says without hesitation. And, that’s a good thing for JWV Post 158.
For information about Post 158, go to https://www.facebook.com/JWVPost158VA. For information about Jewish War Veterans, visit www.JWV.org.
Terri Denison