Compiled by Sharon Wisch-Ray
sharon@tjpnews.com

Veterans Post installation

Martin Hochster Memorial Jewish Veterans Post 755 held its installation June 5 at Beth-El Congregation, presented the Morton Herman Service to Veterans Awards, and honored the original signees of the 1994 application for a charter document.
George Sepp, past commander of the Post, TALO District and former national executive committee member, installed Peter Levy as commander, Bill Landy as senior vice commander, Kenneth Klein (in memoriam) as junior vice commander, Arnold Abrams as junior vice commander, Nana Atkens as judge advocate, Ron Sivernell as quartermaster and Mary Moore as adjunct.
The four surviving signees among the charter members — Rabbi Sidney Zimelman, David Karsner, Irv Raffel and Ken Sherwin — were given framed copies of the charter on red, white and blue flag stationery. The post awarded certificates of service to America to Ted Hoffman, Dave Karsner and Jim Bressert for their involvement with armed forces in the Korean era and beyond. Raffel and Earl Givant were honored for their participation during World War II.
Beth-El Congregation Men of Reform Judaism received the Morton Herman Service to the Post Award. For more than 10 years their members under the leadership of master chef Adam Siegel have prepared brunch and served the installation and awards breakfast without receiving any remuneration and with great joy.
The Post awarded Valerie Groll the Morton Herman Service to Veterans award. She is the Veterans Success counselor at Tarrant County College and has helped guide the Post in delivering support for the Veterans Student Organization, to select and present scholarships and book loans to vets.
She also spends many extra hours assisting these young men and women who served in our Armed Forces far beyond the hours required by her job description.
One week earlier the Post was honored in a Memorial Day service by Congregation Ahavath Sholom. Past Commander Dr. Julian Haber and Commander Peter Levy presented the shul with an award plaque for service to the Post that has included a meeting room, memorial and awards area, storage of archives and more.
Among the other Post activities are helping Liberty House, a facility for homeless veterans, JROTC scholarships and safety supplies for three school districts, ceremonial and memorial services for the community, Chanukah and Passover supplies for service persons overseas, working with Habitat for Humanity to redo an older veterans home, and contributing to Jewish Chaplains’ Council to help supply Torahs and siddurs at bases throughout the world, among many other projects.
— Submitted by Julian Haber