mission
The West Point Jewish Chapel Fund's mission is to fund Jewish cadet activities, provide maintenance for the Jewish Chapel when no government funds are available, and support other needs of the United States Military Academy community-at-large.
In partnership with West Point leadership and the U.S. Army Chaplain’s Corps, the fund supports activities that:
In partnership with West Point leadership and the U.S. Army Chaplain’s Corps, the fund supports activities that:
- Encourage Jewish expression and understanding among cadets
- Expand connections between Jewish cadets and local communities
- Contribute to the leader and character development of the Corps of Cadets
- Prepare cadets to serve as officers and Jewish lay leaders in the Army
- Maintain and improve the Jewish Chapel
history
Jewish Americans have always been integral to the history of West Point. In fact, the first graduating class in 1802 was 50% Jewish when Simon Magruder Levy graduated with one other cadet.
For more than 150 years, Jewish cadets, faculty and community members gathered to worship each week in a variety of temporary locations. For example, a chemistry lab located in Bartlett Hall hosted the community’s Shabbat services for much of the 20th century.
In 1965, three Jewish graduates formed a group that ultimately became the West Point Jewish Chapel Fund, a nonprofit committed to raise funds for the construction of a Jewish chapel. For 18 years, the Fund led a capital campaign that raised $7.5 million. Simultaneously, it navigated the lengthy administrative and bureaucratic process required to erect a building on the academy’s grounds.
Construction began in 1982 and was completed in 1984. Today, nearly four decades later, the West Point Jewish Chapel serves as a focal point for the Jewish community, a valued meeting space for the broader academy, and a living symbol of the continued patriotism and military service of Jewish Americans.
For more than 150 years, Jewish cadets, faculty and community members gathered to worship each week in a variety of temporary locations. For example, a chemistry lab located in Bartlett Hall hosted the community’s Shabbat services for much of the 20th century.
In 1965, three Jewish graduates formed a group that ultimately became the West Point Jewish Chapel Fund, a nonprofit committed to raise funds for the construction of a Jewish chapel. For 18 years, the Fund led a capital campaign that raised $7.5 million. Simultaneously, it navigated the lengthy administrative and bureaucratic process required to erect a building on the academy’s grounds.
Construction began in 1982 and was completed in 1984. Today, nearly four decades later, the West Point Jewish Chapel serves as a focal point for the Jewish community, a valued meeting space for the broader academy, and a living symbol of the continued patriotism and military service of Jewish Americans.
west point jewish chapel leadership
■ Chairman Emeritus: Louis Gross ‘54
■ Chairman: Robert Rosenkranz, MG (R) ‘61
■ President & CEO: Terry Bresnick, LTC (R) ‘69
■ Treasurer: Scott Lichtenberg
■ Executive VP: Sherwood (Woody) Goldberg COL (R)
■ VP For Cadet Activities: Glen Goldman, COL (R) ‘84
■ VP for Rabbi Recruiting & Program Support: Jeffrey Jacobs, MG (R)
■ Secretary & Communications Director: Elizabeth Robbins, LTC (R) ‘92
■ VP for Chapel Building: Robert Wolff, LTC (R) ‘65
■ Chairman: Robert Rosenkranz, MG (R) ‘61
■ President & CEO: Terry Bresnick, LTC (R) ‘69
■ Treasurer: Scott Lichtenberg
■ Executive VP: Sherwood (Woody) Goldberg COL (R)
■ VP For Cadet Activities: Glen Goldman, COL (R) ‘84
■ VP for Rabbi Recruiting & Program Support: Jeffrey Jacobs, MG (R)
■ Secretary & Communications Director: Elizabeth Robbins, LTC (R) ‘92
■ VP for Chapel Building: Robert Wolff, LTC (R) ‘65