Website Sponsored by The
Jewish Federation of Northeastern Pennsylvania

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[ History ] [ Memorials ] [ Purpose ] [ Membership ] [ 1999-2000 Officers ] [ Contact Us ]

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EARLY HISTORY Post No.165 was chartered by the Jewish War Veterans of the U.S.A. in May 1938 by a group of World War I veterans. They chose the name of Sandy Weisberger as he was killed in France shortly after the war and was a very popular young man here in the Jewish community. In the years that followed, the Post met monthly without too many activities. However, with the outbreak of World War II they made themselves useful as Home Guards, selling Victory bonds, helping the Red Cross and seeing the young men off to war and in general serving wherever needed. When WW II concluded and returning servicemen joined the Post, it was felt that a WW II veteran who made the supreme sacrifice should be added to the Post name. After some spirited competition, the name of Leon Kaplan was added to that of Sandy Weisberger. As the returning vets continued to join the Post, it soon became one of the five largest Posts in the country, being exceeded only by posts in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and New York. The new "blood" soon became active and programs were soon initiated. The Post took over the floundering blood drives and continues to sponsor two drives each year with support of its Auxiliary and the JCC.

MEMORIALS Memorializing their fellow veterans has become an annual tradition with Veterans Day services at a local synagogue as well as conducting Memorial Day exercises at both a local cemetery as well as participating in the community-wide service held at Nay Aug Park. On the Saturday preceding Memorial Day a service is held at the Jewish Home to honor the veterans residing there.

PRIME PURPOSE Supporting veterans has been the prime purpose of the Post and for many years and have served at the annual carnival at the VA Medical Center in Wilkes-Rarre as well as conducting an outing for the wheel chair patients during the summer. With the completion of the Northeast Veteran Center in downtown, the Post has been active in helping the disabled vets who live there with their monthly bingos, pizza parties as well as other special occasions. They make it a point to be on hand on Christmas to spend that day with the veterans without family members.

MEETINGS & MEMBERSHIP The Post meets the last Sunday in every month except July and August in the Jewish Community Center. TWO of those meetings are in the form of a joint breakfast with the ladies of the Auxiliary. Membership is open to all men and women of Jewish faith who served in any armed conflict involving the United States.

The officers for the year 1999/2000 Commander...................................................... Sr. Vice Commander................................... Jr. Vice Commander.................................... Adjutant............................................................ Quartermaster................................................. Judge Advocate............................................. Post Surgeon.................................................. Chaplain............................................................ Alfred J. Weinberg Sid Lebowitz Martin Fishbein Joseph Hodin, Esq. Alfred Edelsohn P.C. Judge Richard Levonwirth Dr. Sam Schecthman Rabbi Samuel Sandhaus

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Please contact us through the
Jewish Federation of Northeastern PA (See Below)

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Website Sponsored by The
Jewish Federation of Northeastern Pennsylvania

601 Jefferson Avenue
Scranton PA 18510

(570) 961-2300
Fax: (570) 346-6147

Contact us at:
jfednepa@epix.net

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Website Created and Maintained by
Weinberg Web Innovations
Updated Jan. 25, 2001

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