New York City – In a moving Fleet Week ceremony aboard the USS Iwo Jima Tuesday, the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York (JCRC) presented a Sefer Torah to the Navy for use aboard the USS George Washington. The Torah was recovered during a criminal investigation by the NYPD and the Manhattan DA’s office. The JCRC was given the responsibility of returning the Torah to an appropriate religious use by the courts.

At the ceremony, Richard Janvey, Vice President of the JCRC recalled his father, who served aboard an aircraft carrier and sailed into dangerous waters in the Pacific during some of the legendary battles of World War II. He explained the significance of the gift, saying,” These memories are present for me this Fleet Week and on the eve of Memorial Day. It is so fitting to present this Torah which will have an honored place on the USS George Washington. It will serve as a significant anchor for sailors onboard, and be another link in our long chain of connection.”

Today’s presentation was made through the JWB Jewish Chaplaincy Council’s Torahs for Our Troops program. Rear Admiral (ret.) Rabbi Harold Robinson, its Director, noted that the Jewish Chaplaincy Council selected the USS George Washington Carrier Strike Group because it is deployed off of Japan, further than any other carrier. “Religious services connect soldiers, sailors, airmen and airwomen to their homes and families, especially when they are far from home.”

The JCRC’s Richard Janvey saw another significant symbolism. “Mose Sexais, President of the Touro Synagogue in Newport, wrote a letter of congratulations to President George Washington that subtly confirmed the status of Jews in the newly established United States. On August 17, 1790, President Washington replied and said:

For happily the Government of the United States, which gives to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance requires only that they who live under its protection should demean themselves as good citizens, in giving it on all occasions their effectual support.

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